Help with blackout dates

[michelle1]

I am planning a short trip to DL with my daughter this June or early July but are flexible with dates. I was reading about blackout dates but find it a little confusing. I don't care about weather as much as crowds so should I pick blackout days to go to DL? Should I avoid weekends also?

 

[jenpace]

In my experience summer days with the most types of AP passes blocked are less crowded. A couple of summers ago our trip to the DLR was in August and the southern CA APs were unblocked half way through our stay. The crowd levels were dramatically different.

 

[cmadara]

How do you find out when these days are? We have a trip scheduled for the beginning of August and I would like to check it out.
Thanks so much

 

[DisneyMomma81]

For sure visit when APs are blocked. Weekdays are generally better.

For more info on this check out *this*

PP ~ you'll be able to see when APs are blocked by going to *this* above.

 

[skiingfast]

How do you find out when these days are? We have a trip scheduled for the beginning of August and I would like to check it out.
Thanks so much

In the link, about midway down is a multicolor area to compare AP types.
It will have a small link on each type to view the calendar.
https://secure-disneyland.disney.go...ated/landing?name=AnnualPassholderLandingPage

 

[HydroGuy]

I am planning a short trip to DL with my daughter this June or early July but are flexible with dates. I was reading about blackout dates but find it a little confusing. I don't care about weather as much as crowds so should I pick blackout days to go to DL? Should I avoid weekends also?

This was written for you!

"Understanding AP Blockouts and Impact on Crowds" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2365983

 

[michelle1]

Thanks for those links! So would I be correct to assume (for example) a day like June 11th would be a good choice since it's a blockout day for 3 types of passholders?

 

[skiingfast]

Thanks for those links! So would I be correct to assume (for example) a day like June 11th would be a good choice since it's a blockout day for 3 types of passholders?

Not nessecarily. The only reason all three passes get blocked is because it's a very popular day. Also when Socals are blocked they are blocking most of the AP's like they are for most of the days around then. When Socal Selects are blocked they are blocking most of the rest of the APs. When Delux is blocked they aren't blocking very many more APs. They are a much smaller group.


June 11th will be very busy, because it's a Saturday and a week after two new attractions will have opened.

 

[LavenderPeach]

Thanks for those links! So would I be correct to assume (for example) a day like June 11th would be a good choice since it's a blockout day for 3 types of passholders?

Not nessecarily. The only reason all three passes get blocked is because it's a very popular day. Also when Socals are blocked they are blocking most of the AP's like they are for most of the days around then. When Socal Selects are blocked they are blocking most of the rest of the APs. When Delux is blocked they aren't blocking very many more APs. They are a much smaller group.


June 11th will be very busy, because it's a Saturday and a week after two new attractions will have opened.

Yes, weekdays in summer are still, generally speaking, less crowded than weekends even with the Deluxe APs blocked on saturdays. Remember that not all locals have APs. There are a lot of people who just go for one day and i would think most would be more likely to go on the weekend since it's just a day trip for them and not a vacation where they would want to take off a day of work. In the past, July has seemed like a good time to go (as far as crowds). It will be busy but manageable.

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks for those links! So would I be correct to assume (for example) a day like June 11th would be a good choice since it's a blockout day for 3 types of passholders?

As Ski and Lavendar have related, the issue is mostly with the two SoCal variety of AP holders because they are more numerous. Your best days will be weekdays where those two categories are blocked. And if you have to choose between a blocked Saturday and an unblocked Sunday, choose Saturday - in a month like June. IMO the best days in June will be June 8-10, June 15-17 and June 22-24 - with the caveat that some of those days will be grad nights.

 

[michelle1]

As Ski and Lavendar have related, the issue is mostly with the two SoCal variety of AP holders because they are more numerous. Your best days will be weekdays where those two categories are blocked. And if you have to choose between a blocked Saturday and an unblocked Sunday, choose Saturday - in a month like June. IMO the best days in June will be June 8-10, June 15-17 and June 22-24 - with the caveat that some of those days will be grad nights.

Thank you for your help...those dates are the same ones I have been thinking about so I think I am on the right track!

 

[donaldstemper]

As Ski and Lavendar have related, the issue is mostly with the two SoCal variety of AP holders because they are more numerous. Your best days will be weekdays where those two categories are blocked. And if you have to choose between a blocked Saturday and an unblocked Sunday, choose Saturday - in a month like June. IMO the best days in June will be June 8-10, June 15-17 and June 22-24 - with the caveat that some of those days will be grad nights.

We'll be there for the last of those days, and the 22-24 are NOT grad nights. Made darn sure of that before I booked! Looks like the 8th, 9th, and 16th are the ones you'll have to worry about. We like (relative) quiet, so we aren't going during grad nights.

I'd also be careful about being at the park during the days right before blackouts, esp the 20,21st as those are the LAST open days for pass holders for a big chunk of time. Probably be super busy, esp with the new rides.

 

[michelle1]

We just got back this week from WDW where I had my first experience with Grad night...wow...I'll be avoiding them at DL!

 

[skiingfast]

We just got back this week from WDW where I had my first experience with Grad night...wow...I'll be avoiding them at DL!

People seem to panic and plan around them.

In May they do not effect hours. May is an offseason month with short hours. Look at the hours today then compare to a grad night, what's being lost?

In June they have some effect. But they haven't always interrupted a long hour period of days. Summer used to get going mid month. Recently new attractions have streched the season out expanding hours during more of the month. So by going during June you are getting more now than in th past.

The Grads don't show up when the park is open adding to the crowds when you are there. They are mostly all locals, who arrive when you are leaving. They have to go to school during the day. Maybe you will see the buses coming in when you are walking out to harbor.

Worst side effect. If you stay near the parks you can be woken by the early morning fireworks.

Mostly a big deal made out of a small dilemma.

 

[yesman70]

People seem to panic and plan around them.

In May they do not effect hours. May is an offseason month with short hours. Look at the hours today then compare to a grad night, what's being lost?

In June they have some effect. But they haven't always interrupted a long hour period of days. Summer used to get going mid month. Recently new attractions have streched the season out expanding hours during more of the month. So by going during June you are getting more now than in th past.

The Grads don't show up when the park is open adding to the crowds when you are there. They are mostly all locals, who arrive when you are leaving. They have to go to school during the day. Maybe you will see the buses coming in when you are walking out to harbor.

Worst side effect. If you stay near the parks you can be woken by the early morning fireworks.

Mostly a big deal made out of a small dilemma.

Ill be at DLR from June 13th to 18th. An earlier post mentioned a Grad Night on the 16th that week. So if there is one, the park closes early? Or am i wrong?

Also, it appears the best days to go that week are the 15-17th since the 13-14 are not blackout days. Is that correct?

 

[HydroGuy]

Ill be at DLR from June 13th to 18th. An earlier post mentioned a Grad Night on the 16th that week. So if there is one, the park closes early? Or am i wrong?

Yes early. See "The Scoop on Grad Nights at DLR in May and June" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2298400

Also, it appears the best days to go that week are the 15-17th since the 13-14 are not blackout days. Is that correct?

If you are willing to have a short day on June 16 then I would say those days are likely to have the lower crowds than when there are no blockouts.

 

[skiingfast]

Ill be at DLR from June 13th to 18th. An earlier post mentioned a Grad Night on the 16th that week. So if there is one, the park closes early? Or am i wrong?

Also, it appears the best days to go that week are the 15-17th since the 13-14 are not blackout days. Is that correct?

Because that is June and the 16th is a grad night the parks will close early. You will loose about 3 hours of park time on that day. The park will still run full entertainment as normal for June. Fireworks, F! and WoC will just happen earlier to finish for the early close.

The reasoning why the 15-17th are the best days is this. New attraction are opening in June. AP can only try them on certain days, so they go on 13 and 14th. This shifts attendance to those weekdays away from the blocked days. Don't take this the wrong way, it's summer, new attractions. This doesn't mean 15-17 will be quiet, just better.

 

[yesman70]

Because that is June and the 16th is a grad night the parks will close early. You will loose about 3 hours of park time on that day. The park will still run full entertainment as normal for June. Fireworks, F! and WoC will just happen earlier to finish for the early close.

The reasoning why the 15-17th are the best days is this. New attraction are opening in June. AP can only try them on certain days, so they go on 13 and 14th. This shifts attendance to those weekdays away from the blocked days. Don't take this the wrong way, it's summer, new attractions. This doesn't mean 15-17 will be quiet, just better.

Well thats cool. Ive still got 2 days where the park will be open late. 15th and the 17th. Thanks for the info.