Headed to DLR in June...worried we chose poorly on dates!

[wendow]

I chose our dates based on the whole blocking of AP's but several things are beginning to make me think these are not good dates!

We are planning June 20-23 as our park days.

I was considering changing our hotel and only during our dates (for the whole summer!) are some nights completely sold out.

I've been trying to book breakfast at Plaza Inn and cannot get a single reservation there during our entire trip. Not even anything if our break our party up into "two's". Yet, the following week, our party of six can get in everyday.

I know Pixar Pier is supposed to open on the 23rd but I thought that would keep crowds lower in the days before, and crowds would be heavier after the opening. Is there something else going on that I am missing?

Thanks for any thoughts! It would take some work but I might could move our trip.

 

[DLgal]

The week after will be WORSE. The Southern CA and Select AP's are blocked out 20-23. While hotel and restaurant availability seems bad, the in park crowds won't be that bad. Some schools are still in session this week in southern CA...

The following week, blackouts are lifted for 5 days until the rest of the summer is blacked out, so all those APs will be flooding the parks to see Pixar Pier before they get blocked out until late August. I am staying far, FAR away from the parks from the 24-28.

 

[wendow]

The week after will be WORSE. The Southern CA and Select AP's are blocked out 20-23. While hotel and restaurant availability seems bad, the in park crowds won't be that bad. Some schools are still in session this week in southern CA...

The following week, blackouts are lifted for 5 days until the rest of the summer is blacked out, so all those APs will be flooding the parks to see Pixar Pier before they get blocked out until late August. I am staying far, FAR away from the parks from the 24-28.

So, maybe these hotel and restaurant availability is bad cause more out of towners vs. locals, who wouldn't stay in the hotels or do as many character meals? And all the locals is essentially why the parks get so crowded? Just trying to make sense of this.

Would it be better to wait until July, or you really think our current dates are as good as it will get?

Thank you!

 

[Skyegirl1999]

I suspect that a lot of tourists planned as you did and flooded those AP blockout dates, which is why you're seeing the impact on the "tourist" side of things (hotels and reservations, which locals don't do much).

I'd keep trying on the Plaza Inn. I'm surprised that the whole week would be gone, which makes me wonder if something else is happening there (it's not closed or something that week?).

It will be crowded (because summer), but I don't know that you can predictably move to any time that will have lower crowds, though. It's so hard to predict low crowds.

 

[wendow]

I suspect that a lot of tourists planned as you did and flooded those AP blockout dates, which is why you're seeing the impact on the "tourist" side of things (hotels and reservations, which locals don't do much).

I'd keep trying on the Plaza Inn. I'm surprised that the whole week would be gone, which makes me wonder if something else is happening there (it's not closed or something that week?).

It will be crowded (because summer), but I don't know that you can predictably move to any time that will have lower crowds, though. It's so hard to predict low crowds.

What you and @DLgal are saying makes sense....I'm checking for breakfast for just our dates (june 20-23) and not getting anything. I didn't check the entire week but even when I just put in two people, I cannot get it to come up.

I can get Plaza for 2 people on June 19. So must be open that week...just super booked up!

 

[maleficent55]

did you start trying to book these reservations as soon as you could, 60 days out?

 

[wendow]

did you start trying to book these reservations as soon as you could, 60 days out?

No, I didn't. We didn't know for sure we would even be able to take this trip until recently so I held off on booking. Totally my fault! I guess I also was working under the assumption that DLR restaurants didn't need to be booked up as far in advance as we are used to having to do at WDW.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Try calling for your breakfast reservations, too. Sometimes CMs on the phone can help, even if it's just by filling you in on background information for certain dates. And if anything opens up while you're on the phone, they can grab it for you.
This thread might have some info tidbits on your dates: Navigating DLR, Pixar Pier Opening, and AP Blockouts June 18-30.

 

[HydroGuy]

Try calling for your breakfast reservations, too. Sometimes CMs on the phone can help, even if it's just by filling you in on background information for certain dates. And if anything opens up while you're on the phone, they can grab it for you.
This thread might have some info tidbits on your dates: Navigating DLR, Pixar Pier Opening, and AP Blockouts June 18-30.

OP, I think your dates are great dates actually. Perfect dates in many ways.

 

[wendow]

Try calling for your breakfast reservations, too. Sometimes CMs on the phone can help, even if it's just by filling you in on background information for certain dates. And if anything opens up while you're on the phone, they can grab it for you.
This thread might have some info tidbits on your dates: Navigating DLR, Pixar Pier Opening, and AP Blockouts June 18-30.

Thank you! Reading through this thread helped me calm down and feel good about our dates

 

[Safari23]

There's a conference going on for part of your dates to, so that is likely why the hotels are sold out. Not sure about the dining though.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Thank you! Reading through this thread helped me calm down and feel good about our dates

Glad that thread helped! Don't worry -- any day at DLR is better than not being there, right? With good planning and organization, you'll be fine. You're planning on getting MP for one day -- try to plan that for your most crowded day so you can make the most of your advantage. For the other days, brush up on your paper FP skills (which rides, location, FP machine location, and geographic efficiency, etc.). You'll still get a lot done and have a wonderful time.

 

[DLgal]

July is the best month to visit. If you can rebook into the second or third week in July, that would be ideal.

 

[Nonsuch]

...We are planning June 20-23 as our park days...

OP, I think your dates are great dates actually. Perfect dates in many ways.

Agreed, those are great dates.
We visit earlier in June and would shift to those days, but VGC booking and airline travel make changes impossible.

 

[Mamato4boys]

Darn, I am about to cancel a 7:10 Plaza reservation for 6 on June 19th. For a second I thought I was going to be able to help you out, but I guess I'm a day too early.

I would keep checking. It took me a week or two of stalking to get a reservation for the 23rd once I decided to switch from the 19th, but one did eventually open up for the time I wanted for 6 people. The closer we get to our dates, the more likely someone is to drop a reservation they made "just in case."

I'm a bit worried that tons of people jumped on these block out dates and we will end up with huge crowds, but I'm sure we will have fun regardless. If I was able to reschedule, I probably would go later in July, but we are stuck with the dates.

 

[wendow]

Darn, I am about to cancel a 7:10 Plaza reservation for 6 on June 19th. For a second I thought I was going to be able to help you out, but I guess I'm a day too early.

I would keep checking. It took me a week or two of stalking to get a reservation for the 23rd once I decided to switch from the 19th, but one did eventually open up for the time I wanted for 6 people. The closer we get to our dates, the more likely someone is to drop a reservation they made "just in case."

I'm a bit worried that tons of people jumped on these block out dates and we will end up with huge crowds, but I'm sure we will have fun regardless. If I was able to reschedule, I probably would go later in July, but we are stuck with the dates.

Oh I wish that would work! I think you are right that more times will open up once it gets closer. I've considered rescheduling to later in July but one of my dd's has a dance camp the last two weeks in July and before that we have things we've already committed to as well. Just seems best to stick with the dates and like you say, we will have fun regardless

 

[katejc]

I would also keep checking on your dining reservations. I had some trouble booking a BB F! package a while back. It seemed like there was nothing available, but it was just glitching or something. I tried again the next day and there was plenty of availability. Might help to call as well...

We are going in June, too, after some of the AP blackouts, but before Pixar Pier opens up. I think it will be fine! Just use the best strategy there is: getting up early!

Have fun!

 

[wendow]

So, I had been considering trying to move our hotel stay. We are at the Hyatt House but I have a dd with mobility issues and something closer would be nice. I cannot find all the nights open anywhere closer. I actually contacted one resort to ask and they said the 22nd was booked up, which is the same night that all other resorts are booked too. I asked the guy if he knew why and he said that other than WoC opening back up, he has no other notes as to why they are booked solid. Seems really weird that people would come in for one night to see WoC?!?

 

[Mamato4boys]

My guess is that people are coming in for Pixar Pier's opening the next day. Stay Friday night and be there for opening. Possibly the private opening party on Friday could affect things a bit, too.

 

[HydroGuy]

My guess is that people are coming in for Pixar Pier's opening the next day. Stay Friday night and be there for opening. Possibly the private opening party on Friday could affect things a bit, too.

My thoughts exactly.