Help with my November visit!!!

[MacMama0930]

My dad and I are taking a trip to DLR next month, primarily to see the holiday decorations. And honestly, extremely hopeful to see PTN, as neither of us have ever seen it. We are going Sunday November 13th - Tuesday 15th. I was pretty disappointed when I saw PTN wasn't returning until the 18th, so disappointed I thought about rescheduling the trip, but in a moment of clarity I decided to keep our dates.

However, now I've realized that the Friday before we go is Veterans Day which I'm assuming brings in crowds AND it's a marathon weekend. I realize Sunday will be packed, but will the crowds remain on Monday and Tuesday?

We just got back from An insanely busy week at DLR, where Tuesday and Thursday saw level 10 crowds. While it was doable, and manageable, I'm hoping for a little lighter crowds than 10s! But is that what I'm looking at?

A couple of things I'm doing to hope lessen the effects of high crowds:
Staying on site and utilizing MM
AP hotel rate came with FP, plus I do now know the ins and outs of FP
Holiday tour on Monday with preferred seating for holiday parade
WOC dessert party
Not taking kids this time, so navigating is easier and sought after rides like PP aren't necessary

So what do you think? Will it be too crowded? Should I try to move our trip to the Sunday, Monday, Tuesday after thanksgiving? This will allow us to catch PTN, but also means trying to move around all our reservations, including train tickets, etc.

Thank you!!

 

[rentayenta]

We are also going the week after Thanksgiving. PTN is playing that Sunday night (out of the 3 days you'll be there). We generally go during this time. I actually prefer the shorter hours as it allows us to close the park, relax and unwind, and then rope drop the following day. Even during the busiest times of the year, I find those first few hours in park heavenly with regard to low crowds when we are willing to rope drop. We generally have access to EM/MM but go to the opposite park that day; we will see about this trip.

FP is easy. Grab one. The next time you can obtain another FP is either a) in two hours or b) the return time on the previous FP; whichever is soonest.

We also took advantage of the AP rate with FP and $20 gift card. We booked 2 separate reservations so we could two gift cards and double the FPs.

The WoC dessert party looks fantastic! Enjoy!

 

[Happyjenz]

We were there the same exact days last year, Sunday-Wednesday. That was the weekend of the race, holidays starting and season of the force. We expected MAJOR crowds, and with that expectation, were pleasantly surprised. It was busy, for sure, but it's Disneyland!! We decided to do the holiday tour Sunday afternoon and we're able to do jingle cruise, HM and IASW, along with the parade seating, so we felt like a lot was accomplished even with the crowds. It's all in how you approach it

 

[chickapin parterre]

when did the gates close and re-open on your "10" days

 

[soma151]

We went on those dates last year and will never do it again, it was crazy all week. If ya go a week before or a week after it will be better. And PTN wont be going on till the 18th. Also i think the 13th is a black out date?

 

[MacMama0930]

when did the gates close and re-open on your "10" days

What do you mean? What were the park hours? I don't know when/if the gates closed during the day due to capacity. But I do know we always left the park mid day and returned early evening without an issue. The park hours were wonky because of MHP.

 

[soma151]

Park is open till 12am on the 13th, and two pass holders are blocked and one is not for that weekend.

 

[MacMama0930]

I just looked at historical crowds on touring plans. It looks like last years half marathon in November had crowds levels of:
Sunday: DL 7, DCA 6
Monday: DL 7, DCA 5
Tuesday: DL 5, DCA 4

If this is any kind of prediction of crowd levels, I can for sure manage it. Like I said, a couple weeks ago we saw all 10s and 9s AND that was with a large group of 10, including 4 children! My dad and I, alone, could definitely do a 7 or 8 crowd levels! That makes me feel a little better!

 

[rentayenta]

I just looked at historical crowds on touring plans. It looks like last years half marathon in November had crowds levels of:
Sunday: DL 7, DCA 6
Monday: DL 7, DCA 5
Tuesday: DL 5, DCA 4

If this is any kind of prediction of crowd levels, I can for sure manage it. Like I said, a couple weeks ago we saw all 10s and 9s AND that was with a large group of 10, including 4 children! My dad and I, alone, could definitely do a 7 or 8 crowd levels! That makes me feel a little better!

Can you please link me to find the historical crowd calendar? I would love to look at our days. How reliable is the source?

 

[MacMama0930]

Can you please link me to find the historical crowd calendar? I would love to look at our days. How reliable is the source?

The historical numbers are accurate cause it's based on data provided by the parks. The website is touringplans.com but I *think you may need a subscription to access the data.

 

[rentayenta]

The historical numbers are accurate cause it's based on data provided by the parks. The website is touringplans.com but I *think you may need a subscription to access the data.

 

[MacMama0930]

We are also going the week after Thanksgiving. PTN is playing that Sunday night (out of the 3 days you'll be there). We generally go during this time. I actually prefer the shorter hours as it allows us to close the park, relax and unwind, and then rope drop the following day. Even during the busiest times of the year, I find those first few hours in park heavenly with regard to low crowds when we are willing to rope drop. We generally have access to EM/MM but go to the opposite park that day; we will see about this trip.

FP is easy. Grab one. The next time you can obtain another FP is either a) in two hours or b) the return time on the previous FP; whichever is soonest.

We also took advantage of the AP rate with FP and $20 gift card. We booked 2 separate reservations so we could two gift cards and double the FPs.

The WoC dessert party looks fantastic! Enjoy!

Oh and I wanted to mention, we did the dessert this last trip and it WAS fantastic! Even if there are slight view obstructions, it was absolutely GLORIOUS to walk up to our section (ESPECIALLY with the crowd levels we had!) and be seated and brought food and drinks. I wouldn't really do it over and over again, if it were the same show, just because of the cost. But since it'll be a new WOC show during our trip, we want to the party again!

 

[rentayenta]

Oh and I wanted to mention, we did the dessert this last trip and it WAS fantastic! Even if there are slight view obstructions, it was absolutely GLORIOUS to walk up to our section (ESPECIALLY with the crowd levels we had!) and be seated and brought food and drinks. I wouldn't really do it over and over again, if it were the same show, just because of the cost. But since it'll be a new WOC show during our trip, we want to the party again!

One of these days we'll have to try it. We have seen WoC so many times and it's fantastic.