How are the crowd levels on Sundays? UPDATE: We went!

[atmail35]

We might make a last minute trip to DL this Sunday since we will be in S. CA. I'm wondering how crowded Sundays tend to be...and if DL or CA is better/worse for crowd levels.

Thank you!

 

[atmail35]

bumping...anyone?

We'd make a day trip....would the traffic from DL back to San Diego be a nightmare Sunday afternoon/evening?

Thanks!

 

[Califgirl]

Both parks should be pleasantly busy. DCA is hosting the Food & Wine Festival. I believe the guest chef is Robert Irvine from Food Network's Dinner Impossible. The park has a much larger amount of F&W activities than years past, so it's worth a look. There is a lot of construction going on at DCA, but it's still a unique and wonderful experience (IMO, I love DCA).

Disneyland will also be pleasantly busy. Although 'Mouse Adventure', the game put on by Mouseplanet website, will not really add to the overall attendance, you may notice a lot of people dressed in somewhat matching team outfits roaming Disneyland with clipboards in their hands staring at esoteric details trying to solve puzzles. I'll be one of them.

The drive back down to San Diego is usually not bad on Sunday. However if possible, use the car pool lanes to avoid the worst of the traffic.

 

[LavenderPeach]

We go fairly often on sundays and they do tend to be sort of crowded but it is still very managable. The problem we have with sundays is that we usually go to church first so we don't make it to DLR until around 11am (when everyone else is showing up too). So my biggest tip would be do everything in your power to make sure you are there before the park opens. The first couple of hours will be SO much less crowded. You can do the more poplular rides and collect some FPs before the crowds get there.

Also, try planning on lunch around 11am to avoid crowds at all the eating places.

So, in other words, the parks won't be empty but it shouldn't be terrible either, especially if you get there early. I say go for it! You'll have a great time.

 

[atmail35]

Califgirl - thanks for the info!

My DD(5) loves Dinner Impossible and Robert Irvine (I'm sure you have to plan that in advance though)...although I think DLR is better for her general likes.

Thanks for the tip on the car pool lanes. I truly think I'm certifiable to try to get to DL when we are only in CA for 3 days!

 

[nana50]

The drive back to San Diego should be a breeze. Most of the people are driving back up to L.A. after a week-end in San Diego.

 

[atmail35]

We go fairly often on sundays and they do tend to be sort of crowded but it is still very managable. The problem we have with sundays is that we usually go to church first so we don't make it to DLR until around 11am (when everyone else is showing up too). So my biggest tip would be do everything in your power to make sure you are there before the park opens. The first couple of hours will be SO much less crowded. You can do the more poplular rides and collect some FPs before the crowds get there.

Also, try planning on lunch around 11am to avoid crowds at all the eating places.

So, in other words, the parks won't be empty but it shouldn't be terrible either, especially if you get there early. I say go for it! You'll have a great time.

Thanks for the tips! Early lunch makes sense.

Getting there early is a good idea, although with an hour and half drive it means getting up very early. I need to rally the troops!

Another issue is that since we are just doing a day trip, I don't have tickets. I wonder if the lines to buy tickets will be outrageous. I just need to purchase a one day pass and I don't think you can do it on-ine (and I didn't want to commit with a ticket in case something comes up.

 

[atmail35]

The drive back to San Diego should be a breeze. Most of the people are driving back up to L.A. after a week-end in San Diego.

Thanks, this is VERY good to know and will help to encourage us to actually do it.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Thanks for the tips! Early lunch makes sense.

Getting there early is a good idea, although with an hour and half drive it means getting up very early. I need to rally the troops!

Another issue is that since we are just doing a day trip, I don't have tickets. I wonder if the lines to buy tickets will be outrageous. I just need to purchase a one day pass and I don't think you can do it on-ine (and I didn't want to commit with a ticket in case something comes up.

I second the going early suggestion. We have gotten so much done on Sunday mornings before everyone comes streaming into the parks. If you do decide to get up super early and are there before park opening, I wouldn't expect the ticket lines to be super long. We went at 7:40 in the morning on an 8 AM Sunday in October last year to pick up the birthday ticket and only had to wait in line behind two people. I don't honestly know if that is typical or not but I can't really remember seeing super long lines at 7:30 in the morning except during spring break. Also, I read somewhere recently that Disney was experimenting with selling tickets at a couple of designated entrance gates if you only need one (and maybe two-day) tickets so you don't have to wait in line twice. Maybe someone here on these boards knows if they're still doing this and how it works?

 

[LavenderPeach]

Thanks for the tips! Early lunch makes sense.

Getting there early is a good idea, although with an hour and half drive it means getting up very early. I need to rally the troops!

Another issue is that since we are just doing a day trip, I don't have tickets. I wonder if the lines to buy tickets will be outrageous. I just need to purchase a one day pass and I don't think you can do it on-ine (and I didn't want to commit with a ticket in case something comes up.

I know it's hard to get there early when you have to drive that far (we live about an hour and 10 minutes from DLR). If we're just going for a few hours we don't always make the effort to get there at opening but if we're doing an all day trip, we definitely get there early and it is SO worth it. Also, keep in mind it takes about half an hour to park and get to the gates.

About the tickets. If you're getting park hoppers (which i highly recommend), you can order one day parkhoppers off the disneyland website. You then print the ticket and you can take it directly to the turnstyles where they will exchange it for a "real" ticket (no need to stop at the ticket booths). We've been with relatives who have done that and it works great. As far as I know, you can't order one day, one park tickets off the website so it will only work if you want a park hopper.

 

[Califgirl]

About the tickets, since you're in San Diego area, check the grocery stores for Disneyland tickets, they usually have multi day tickets, but they may also have single day tickets. It's worth checking into if you have a store near where you are staying.

There is a Disney Store in Carlsbad at Westfield Plaza on El Camino Real and Hwy 78, I'm pretty sure they sell single day tickets if you're up this way. It would be worth a call before the drive to make sure.

Or duh! Just go to the website like LavenderPeach suggested. I never think of the online options.

Having tickets in advance may save you a little time, but I don't think you'll get bogged down by traffic or the ticket booths.

Have a wonderful time - and if you see a group of ladies in lime green boas, be sure to wave!

 

[atmail35]

Also, keep in mind it takes about half an hour to park and get to the gates.

About the tickets. If you're getting park hoppers (which i highly recommend), you can order one day parkhoppers off the disneyland website. You then print the ticket and you can take it directly to the turnstyles where they will exchange it for a "real" ticket (no need to stop at the ticket booths). We've been with relatives who have done that and it works great. As far as I know, you can't order one day, one park tickets off the website so it will only work if you want a park hopper.

Thanks for the reminder on the parking/getting to the gates taking time...can you (or anyone else) recommend where to park? The Mickey and Friends lot or other?

I don't think we are going to do the park hopper since we have a 5 year old and I don't think we can really get to both parks in such a short time frame. I believe the website said the since day ticket is only available at the main gate.

 

[atmail35]

Have a wonderful time - and if you see a group of ladies in lime green boas, be sure to wave!

will do!

Thanks for the tip on checking the grocery store for tickets...that might work for us.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

You can do it ~ any chance you could drive up the night before *stay at a Harbor hotel* you can read here of our 1 day DLR visit last July *most of the trip was spent in San Diego* http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2232766 I suggest pre buying the 1 day hopper online *my mom and brother did this last year. We had APs last year.

 

[atmail35]

You can do it ~ any chance you could drive up the night before *stay at a Harbor hotel* you can read here of our 1 day DLR visit last July *most of the trip was spent in San Diego* http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2232766 I suggest pre buying the 1 day hopper online *my mom and brother did this last year. We had APs last year.

wow, I'm impressed with your one day trip! Unfortunately we can't go the night before. We are in CA for a wedding and can't really get away to drive down the night before. We fly out Monday so Sunday is our only chance. I want to give it a go, even though we just got back from WDW 9 days ago! Yeah, I'm crazy for sure. I thought it would be fun to say we went to both WDW and DL within the same month, plus we are still on our Disney "high".

I see that you went to Legoland, Sea World and the SD Zoo. I really should just go to one of those attractions as it will save lots of driving time. But as DH said, "if we are so close to DL, maybe we should give it a shot".

If you had to pick one - Lego Land, Sea World or the Zoo INSTEAD of DL, which would you choose and why. I have a 5 year old DD if that makes any difference (she does love Lego).

 

[DisneyMomma81]

wow, I'm impressed with your one day trip! Unfortunately we can't go the night before. We are in CA for a wedding and can't really get away to drive down the night before. We fly out Monday so Sunday is our only chance. I want to give it a go, even though we just got back from WDW 9 days ago! Yeah, I'm crazy for sure. I thought it would be fun to say we went to both WDW and DL within the same month, plus we are still on our Disney "high".

I see that you went to Legoland, Sea World and the SD Zoo. I really should just go to one of those attractions as it will save lots of driving time. But as DH said, "if we are so close to DL, maybe we should give it a shot".

If you had to pick one - Lego Land, Sea World or the Zoo INSTEAD of DL, which would you choose and why. I have a 5 year old DD if that makes any difference (she does love Lego).

No worries ~ heck we visited DLR several times last year and made our 1st trip to WDW last early Oct. ~ in fact we visited DLR mid Sept!

Well I didn't care for the zoo ~ I would like to check out the Wild Animal Park though, have you been to a Sea World before? Legoland is neat, my DD had a great time. Pick one huh ~ I can't! Either WAP *but I haven't been there so maybe you shouldn't listen to me on that* or LL ~ but heck go to DLR!! Get there early, you won't deal with much traffic early Sunday morning.

 

[Armadillo4]

I'm wondering how crowded Sundays tend to be...and if DL or CA is better/worse for crowd levels.

Not to scare you or anything, but Sundays can be fairly crowded because SoCal APs are not blocked out and can visit the park vs. Saturdays when they are blocked. As a local myself, I prefer to visit on Saturdays, because crowd levels are usually lower (but not always). Still, it sounds like you're a veteran, so you probably can manage the crowds skillfully. It's not yet peak summer season, so it might be okay.

Thanks for the reminder on the parking/getting to the gates taking time...can you (or anyone else) recommend where to park? The Mickey and Friends lot or other?

If you arrive in Anaheim between 10am - 1pm, it's best to AVOID THE MICKEY & FRIENDS parking structure on Sundays. This is peak arrival time for most of those aforementioned SoCal APs. The line of cars to enter the structure can stretch out beyond the covered section. But as long as you get there before 10am, it shouldn't be too bad.

IF you can't make it there before 10am, then I would head towards the new Toy Story Parking Lot. I've used it twice already and if you can get over the thought that it's so far from the park, the Toy Story shuttle buses are very efficient and will take less time than trying to park at the M&F structure and waiting in a long line for a tram.

I hope this helps a bit. And enjoy your visit to the park!

 

[atmail35]

Thanks to all for the advice.

We ended up going and had no traffic, arrived around 9:30 and parked at Pumba. We walked over (a breeze), no line to buy tickets, no line for the stroller (and 50% off w/ disney visa), no line to get in.

We got on many rides without more than a 15-20 min wait (Astroblasters, Matterhorn) or zero wait (Jungle Cruise, Star Tours, Tea Cups and a few others). DD had her first ride on Space Mtn. (used FP) DH got to ride it twice.

We saw Donald and Mickey (autographs and photos) around City Hall with a 5-10 minute wait (I barely had time to purchase the autograph book and run back b/c DH was almost at the front of the line).

We had a good balance of Characters/rides/overpriced snacks and souveniers.

We left around 5PM and had no traffic and we were all satisfied with what we saw/did. We got to do several rides that we did not experience at WDW.

All and all a good time!

 

[Dizneydaz]

Glad you had a great time!