Hours for DL

[SCRAPBOOKQUEEN]

Good Morning:

Going May 22 - 28, 2016 and trying to plan our days. Does anyone know what hours DL will typically have? Since they are not published, what might they typically be? Also, will parades and shows be about the same times? We will encounter one grad night, May 23, so should we start with DL or do CA first? Thank you for your info.

Scrapbookqueen

 

[sherilaine]

That same time last year had full park hours. (DL with 8AM- Midnight and DCA with 8AM to 10PM) That is basically the beginning of the summer season at DLR.

For the grad nite, since the grads get their own party at DCA after it closes - it's best to spend your evening there. If I were you, I'd start early at DL that day, take a mid day break and return to DCA during the evening.

 

[figment_jii]

This thread has links to the historical hours calendars compiled by wdwinfo.com:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/historical-dlr-park-hours-entertainment-and-refurbs.2291124/

It's worth noting that the start of the summer season has been Memorial Day weekend for the last few years. This year, Memorial Day is on May 30th, so you may be there before they start this summer season schedule. It's not yet known if they'll be doing a 24-hour day on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend (May 27). Before that, I would guess DLR will still be operating on a non-peak season schedule.

 

[SCRAPBOOKQUEEN]

Anyone know if it will be packed the week before. I know that most likely starting Thursday or Friday it may be but was hoping that Monday - Wednesday might be tolerable. Thanks!!!

 

[figment_jii]

I've been there the last two years starting on Wednesday (note that there were 24-hour days in 2014 and 2015). I thought Wed and Thu were both pretty manageable; the parks weren't empty, but they didn't seem super-crowded either. The crowds really picked up on Friday (for the 24-hour day) and then stayed high through the weekend (Sat to Mon).

 

[sherilaine]

If I were going that week I would be prepared for it to be very busy - however everyone has a different definition for 'tolerable'. It seems the parks are getting busier and busier all the time so it's likely hard to predict but I'd go expecting it to be packed and then you are at least pleasantly surprised if you get a few days where it's not too bad. I always try to set my expectations such that I will be happy if proven wrong than the other way around.

 

[robin2588]

I read they were not going to do the 24 hour event this year. Theme park tourist is where I read it. IDK if this site is a reputable source, but they are reporting no event.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Crowd tip: Hit the parks first thing in the morning for lowest crowds. Meaning do EMH if you stay onsite or start your day at the opposite park of EMH if offsite. Except for the day of the grad nite. As others said do DL during the day and switch to DCA at night. (Also I see Grad Nites on May 23 & 25 just fyi.)

Edit2: I'm horrible at this today. Looking at historical hours I'm really off with my memories because we went Memorial week last year after everything kicked off. Sorry for the earlier bad post. Here's the deal with hours. Don't trust the historical hours from May of last year for planning this year. With opening the new night shows and kicking of the diamond celebration there were lots of wonky hours for testing and special events that shouldn't repeat this year. The hours come out about 6 weeks in advance.
Have fun! Sounds like a nice long trip!

 

[SCRAPBOOKQUEEN]

Went that week last year and found the parks quite crowded but the hotel (GCH) really quiet. Previous years we did the week of Memorial. Crowdwise the parks felt similar both weeks (sans Memorial Day) so do plan for large crowds. Hit the parks first thing in the morning for lowest crowds. Meaning do EMH if you stay onsite or start your day at the opposite park of EMH if offsite. Except for the day of the grad nite. As others said do DL during the day and switch to DCA at night. (Also I see Grad Nites on May 23 & 25 just fyi.)

Edit2: I'm horrible at this today. Looking at historical hours I'm really off with my memories. Here's the deal. Don't trust the historical hours from May of last year for planning this year. With opening the new night shows and kicking of the diamond celebration there were lots of wonky hours for testing and special events that shouldn't repeat this year. The hours come out about 6 weeks in advance.
Have fun! Sounds like a nice long trip!

 

[gottalovepluto]

SO SORRY I actually went week of memorial last year.

 

[SCRAPBOOKQUEEN]

We are staying off site, will we be able to take advantage of the Extra Magic Hour? We have not bought our tickets yet but plan to here shortly. Just trying to get the times down.

 

[gottalovepluto]

We are staying off site, will we be able to take advantage of the Extra Magic Hour? We have not bought our tickets yet but plan to here shortly. Just trying to get the times down.

Now that my ridiculous brain CAN help with. If you buy 3-day or longer park hoppers you will get one early entry to Disneyland on a Disneyland early entry day but won't have access to any other early entries. EMH are very consistent. Just check the current calendar to see what days of the week it's an option at DL for planning purposes. They rarely change.

 

[sherilaine]

We are staying off site, will we be able to take advantage of the Extra Magic Hour? We have not bought our tickets yet but plan to here shortly. Just trying to get the times down.

EMH is only available for onsite guests. Magic Morning, which comes with 3 day plus tickets allows early entry into Disneyland park only - they occur on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. I'd recommend using your MM on the day with the earliest park hours - so an 8AM over a 9 or 10AM opening if you have such hours during your trip.

 

[Agent 86]

I'm going to Disney Anaheim at around the same time. Is it correct that the park hours are officially announced / released 45 days in advance?