How busy have grad nights been so far? Any updates?

[ClaraOswald]

When my son is older, we we likely only be able to do trips in the Summer so this sort of thing really freaks me out. I didn't realize they did so many grad nights. It's kind of annoying, honestly. I mean...I know it's a "locals" park and all. But it's just a bit much. I didn't know the grad nights were now grad ALL-DAYS. And that they are most nights and span months. UGH.

 

[hjgaus]

When my son is older, we we likely only be able to do trips in the Summer so this sort of thing really freaks me out. I didn't realize they did so many grad nights. It's kind of annoying, honestly. I mean...I know it's a "locals" park and all. But it's just a bit much. I didn't know the grad nights were now grad ALL-DAYS. And that they are most nights and span months. UGH.

1
Yes.... 2011 was the LAST YEAR of an actual GRAD NITE (12 am to 5am ) in Disneyland with a 11pm special WOC Grad show ! My older son said it was OVER crowded with teens so maybe that's why they switch to this new format. Although it was over crowded he said it was STILL the BEST time he's EVER had at Disneyland!!

 

[Musthavecoffee]

We were there yesterday, apparently the CM said it was a "small" grad night. She said it will get busier in June when more schools are out. Anyway it was crowded but not unbearably terrible. It is a bit harder with large groups of high schoolers bunched together, I just wish they would be more considerate with their lewd comments (swearing and yelling about having sex) but hey you only graduate high school once so live it up I guess... Wow when did I become the old lady who hates fun?? Just keep an extra eye on your small children, we were at the bugs life splash pad and a high schooler ran through it knocking over two kids before the cm chased him out...

 

[LizzyS]

I always try to schedule my trips *around* any special events and I'm really glad I picked a non-grad night date last month to visit. Food and Wine was going on, but that didn't seem to make much of an impact at all; however, we were there on the last weekend of the festival.

Disney does so many special things these days, it's hard to NOT have something going on during your trip!

 

[poohnpigletCA]

Yeah, we were there for a couple of Grad nights. The crowds, the inappropriate subjects. I know back in the day you had to dress nice for Grad nights. Now apparently shirts are not even required, and yes I am talking about the girls. Many Grad shirts but cut to the point they were barely covering anything.

 

[goofy4tink]

Disney obviously think that they can handle the crowds, they keep the gates open. Your trip may be special to you but grad night is also special to the kids who participated and I don't hear them telling you that you should leave because they spent their money on something special. Like you said, it's your preference, but the rest of what you're saying is that you're in a separate category than other guests in the park. They're not school groups, they're park guests, and in the exact same category as you are.

Disneys idea of handling a crowd is vastly different than what 'should be'. In the area down in front of PoC, you couldn't move. And it was like that through AdventureLand! And when you take away more room to put in double rows of strollers, in the middle of the walkway? A recipe for injuries!
I don't think I'm any more special than anyone else. Truly I don't. But I would have planned my trip differently if existing grad nights had all been listed. But, dates were added. And since I was at an off-site resort, I got into DL early just once.
I know how it works. 50+ trips to WDW since '99. This was my 3rd to DLR. I was just there in early Dec. That trip was wonderful. This time? Not nearly as good. DCA wasn't bad. But DL was miserable. My expectations may have been too high. So be it. As far as my being in a separate category? Well, 'regular' park guests are in a different category then school groups. Most of us don't travel in packs, yelling and screaming, clogging walkways while they chat, holding up lines at counter service places while they yell back and forth, moving from line to line. Are all the kids like that? No. But more than a few were. It's a pack mentality. I just wish I had known what the situation was going to be before booking. I don't think that's too unrealistic.

 

[LizzyS]

I do agree that Disney should plan out all of their grad nights as far in advance as possible so that those who wish to avoid them can do so. There were a few cheerleading groups when we went the last weekend of April and they were a little grating, tbh, so I can only imagine the large packs of high school kids.

 

[Agent 86]

I was there from last Wednesday to Sunday. I'm not local, so I have no idea what standard, non-grad night, crowds are like. Wednesday to Friday weren't too bad, especially if you're at the parks at opening. Saturday and Sunday were crazy! We only got Peter Pan and Matterhorn done during Magic Morning Hour on Saturday. Rides were frequently down and most fast passes were gone by 3pm.

The biggest issue was navigating around Disneyland, especially around Indiana Jones and Pirates. It was a slow shuffle at the worst times later in the day.

But, I think the crowds are relatively standard. The grads did not stand out from the general crowds other than their age. No line cutting, no swearing, no inappropriate behaviour, etc. The grads were just part of the huge number of guests.

 

[maburke]

I'm wondering the same thing! It says on the website that it's from 9a-9p!!

So I just thought of something -- does this mean that DCA is not open late for them? It's just a special deal on regular daytime attendance for graduates?

 

[SMD]

They get a 1 day park hopper and a private party in DCA.

 

[maburke]

They get a 1 day park hopper and a private party in DCA.

Okay, thanks. So they do head over to DCA about 9pm? Wait, no, I just saw the Grad Nite web page and it says the party is from 10-2. With an extra showing of WOC -- anybody know what time that is? I was hoping for a WOC view from our room, but maybe not, if they're going to run a middle-of-the-night show...

 

[mich311e]

Okay, thanks. So they do head over to DCA about 9pm? Wait, no, I just saw the Grad Nite web page and it says the party is from 10-2. With an extra showing of WOC -- anybody know what time that is? I was hoping for a WOC view from our room, but maybe not, if they're going to run a middle-of-the-night show...

I read somewhere the grads have to be at DCA by 9 for admittance. Does anyone know if that's true? If that's the case Disneyland would be relieved of grads from 9 - 11 pm? Just trying to plan ahead for next Wednesday & Thursday & Friday for a few hours before I drive home to Phoenix. We won't arrive till noon Wednesday but Thursday and Friday morning we can do rope drop.

 

[07pilot4me]

going on June 10-14th, shouldn't the blockout of the sSoCal Select AP starting June 10th help crowds?

 

[Jeniie]

Okay, thanks. So they do head over to DCA about 9pm? Wait, no, I just saw the Grad Nite web page and it says the party is from 10-2. With an extra showing of WOC -- anybody know what time that is? I was hoping for a WOC view from our room, but maybe not, if they're going to run a middle-of-the-night show...

I was staying at Paradise Pier during the Grad Night on May 18th and was able to watch WOC twice that night from the room, WOC Celebrate at 9pm and then the Grad Night version at 1:45am.

 

[agamble]

When my son is older, we we likely only be able to do trips in the Summer so this sort of thing really freaks me out. I didn't realize they did so many grad nights. It's kind of annoying, honestly. I mean...I know it's a "locals" park and all. But it's just a bit much. I didn't know the grad nights were now grad ALL-DAYS. And that they are most nights and span months. UGH.

Grads come from all over CA, not just So Cal. So they're not all locals. A lot of kids come down from Central and Northern CA to participate in a grad night, and since they're not local they may have spent very little time at Disneyland before. It could be a very special trip for them.

Just go the last part of June or any time in July after Independence day into August. It's busy, but the school crowds will be gone.

going on June 10-14th, shouldn't the blockout of the sSoCal Select AP starting June 10th help crowds?

That's only the Select, which is the pass that is no longer sold. The other So Cal pass is still valid most days in June. And the Deluxe AP is valid every day but Saturdays and July 4 from June-August. So there will still be plenty of locals. It will help, but not as much as before they removed the Select pass.

 

[disneychrista]

Grads come from all over CA, not just So Cal. So they're not all locals. A lot of kids come down from Central and Northern CA to participate in a grad night

I meet a group a very nice grads that had come from Arizona. So it isn't even limited to California. I am sure they get Kids from Nevada too.

 

[grnflash]

We were in DL yesterday from 3:30 on. We had a great visit. Props to all the parents of the grads we encountered - you raised your kids right!

 

[07pilot4me]

That's only the Select, which is the pass that is no longer sold. The other So Cal pass is still valid most days in June. And the Deluxe AP is valid every day but Saturdays and July 4 from June-August. So there will still be plenty of locals. It will help, but not as much as before they removed the Select pass.[/QUOTE]

good to know, I think we will stick to the plan of going for a mid morning/afternoon break then closing the park. I think as everyone else has mentioned, the parks have been crowded this season. If its not the grads thats making up the crowd, some other crowd will take their place.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Grads come from all over CA, not just So Cal. So they're not all locals. A lot of kids come down from Central and Northern CA to participate in a grad night, and since they're not local they may have spent very little time at Disneyland before. It could be a very special trip for them.

Just go the last part of June or any time in July after Independence day into August. It's busy, but the school crowds will be gone.



That's only the Select, which is the pass that is no longer sold. The other So Cal pass is still valid most days in June. And the Deluxe AP is valid every day but Saturdays and July 4 from June-August. So there will still be plenty of locals. It will help, but not as much as before they removed the Select pass.

The select pass is still sold. It's the standard SoCal pass that's gone.

I'd agree that it's better to miss any pass's "last days" available, but it's not going to make for lesser crowds as much as it WON'T make for weirdly inflated crowds like going a few days earlier might, if that makes sense?

 

[AZMermaid]

The main thing I found frustrating about this year's Grad Nights was the late addition if June 2 and 9. It was still added months ago, but we had planned already for the two on our 5 night trip (one on our resort/off day and one on a DCA day). Only managing one seemed totally doable. But, with the later addition of June 9.... This is the night we are going to Blue Bayou and doing the PTN package. It really doesn't work to move it, so we are going with it. The grad night sealed the package for me. I have read reports of them yelling at the diners... which, honestly I am sure I would have found hilarious at 18. So- we will manage and I am sure we will have a fun trip. We just don't plan on getting too much done the evening of the 9th. Tiki Room is on the schedule!