How do you handle crowds at DL?

[j_lehr]

I have been to WDW several times. I have been to DL once and didn't have a plan but we got extremely lucky - we went for one day, a Sunday in August, and it was completely dead!

We'll be there this July - during the 53rd anniversary. I am pretty sure there will be massive crowds since my DH cousin works there and normally he can get family in except that these days that we will be there are part of a black out period. That alone tells me that Disneyland expects it to be packed!

So what do you guys do to avoid crowds? There is plenty of information for WDW, espeically with TGM around. Is there anything like that for DL?

Thanks,
Jes

 

[ballarinamom]

Some people will use Ridemax. I personally think if you are on Main Street each day for rope drop, utilize MMornings and know the Fastpass system you can be ok. Since it is so easy to hope over to DCA, We will head over there when DLR gets unbearable

 

[mindylovesmickey]

I think heading to DCA is a good idea. Because we have small children and I push a double stroller, I find when the crowds get unbearable for us it makes me cranky which in turn makes the kids cranky, it's honestly better for us to leave and take a break for while and try to come back to the parks in the evening when people start leaving by the bus loads.

 

[audrabolster]

I personally just stay away. I get too stressed out over the crowds and lines.

However, I second what the first commenter said. Utilize fast passes, get there early for the rope drop, and run to those with the longest rides first.

 

[swtmommie2four]

I personally just stay away. I get too stressed out over the crowds and lines.

However, I second what the first commenter said. Utilize fast passes, get there early for the rope drop, and run to those with the longest rides first.

what rides have the longest lines first thing in the morning?

 

[DoomBugger]

It seems that Nemo and Peter Pan are the targets of many upon rope drop. I would pass on those and go to SM or Indy and get your first FP and then jump on! There is the whole "fantasyland first" theory which works well if you have the kids and that is their focus, which is to ride all those first before they get really crowded. If you do that and have two adults send one to go get the first fast passes so you can get yourself that much closer to getting your second and so forth.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

So what do you guys do to avoid crowds?

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are relatively less crowded. Try to avoid weekends -- Saturdays and Sundays are the busiest days of the week.

Take advantage of Magic Mornings whenever you can.

Since you are familiar with WDW, check out these threads at the HydroGuy Tips Compilation:
"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets"
"Getting the Most Out of a Summer Visit"
Hound 109's "Why I Park Hop at DLR"

HTH

 

[audrabolster]

what rides have the longest lines first thing in the morning?

I think I wrote that out wrong. What I meant is that some people will rush first to say, Pirates or Haunted Mansion. I always like to save those for later in the day because even if it is a relatively long line, Pirates moves fast, and Haunted mansion has fast pass.

Instead, I like to go to something like Nemo, or some of the dark rides, which can get long fast and have no fast pass.

 

[DangerMouse]

I think I wrote that out wrong. What I meant is that some people will rush first to say, Pirates or Haunted Mansion. I always like to save those for later in the day because even if it is a relatively long line, Pirates moves fast, and Haunted mansion has fast pass.

Instead, I like to go to something like Nemo, or some of the dark rides, which can get long fast and have no fast pass.

Just a clarification: HM only has FP during the HMH overlay.

How do I hanlde crowds at DL? I don't. I avoid school holidays and weekends as much as possible. My next trip is on a weekend in April with the Dis Ladies, and I'm planning on just hanging out and not worrying about what rides I get on.

 

[DLR29]

How?

1) Arrive early! Early, early early! The best way to beat the crowds is to arrive early. BTW, I think you should arrive early . You can get so much done in those first couple hours.

2) Use FP! The first thing you should do when entering either park is grab a set of FPs. That way, you can grab your second set ASAP, and so on and so on. Also take advantage of Roger Rabbit and Grizzly River Run being disconnected to their park's systems, as well as both park's systems being disconnected from each other. Another great tip is that you can use your FPs any time that day after your time window is open. So for example, if you grab some FPs that have a window of 11:30-12:30, you can use it any time after 11:30.

3) Understand the type of attraction. You shouldn't be rushing first thing in the morning to Pirates or Snow White or Mark Twain Riverboat or Winnie-the-Pooh. All of those rides (and tons of others) can be done in the afternoon when the crowds are high. You should get low capacity/long line rides done in the morning such as Peter Pan, Dumbo, Alice, Matterhorn, Star Tours, and any ride with FP.

 

[Monkey Monkey]

Try to take in the big entertainment options during the week if possible, or on your first couple of days - Fantasmic!, fireworks, parades...and if you don't need to see them again, go on busier rides during those things.

And like DLR29 said - go early early early, and take a break in the afternoon and then stay late late late.

 

[grumpymakesmehappy]

I know this is going to sound extremely silly but what exactly is Ridemax? I keep seeing people post that and I have no idea what it means.

 

[DevilDuckie]

We utilize the board at the hub a LOT! We check to see what rides have reasonable wait times at the moment and hit those.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

I know this is going to sound extremely silly but what exactly is Ridemax?

RideMax is a computer software program that you can buy. You enter the attractions that you wish to ride, and it creates an itinerary with minimum-wait-times. Here is a link to the RideMax web-site.

HydroGuy wrote about RideMax in this thread.

RideMax costs $15 for 3 months, and $25 for 1 year.

HTH

 

[temeculateacher]

We just got back from Disneyland on Sunday, March 9. We got there before the park opened and were in line to get in when it did. My wife, friend and kids went to Nemo and they rode it and were done by 9 am. My friend, son and I hit Splash Mountain, Indiana Jones and the Matterhorn - while also getting fast passes for Splash and Indiana before meeting them at 9 am. We then, through a process of collecting fast passes and riding rides did all of the following by the time we left at 7 p.m.:

Space Mountain
Buzz Lightyear twice
Star Tours
Matterhorn twice
Alice in Wonderland twice
Snow White twice
Pinocchio
Mr Toad
Peter Pan
Big Thunder twice
Splash Mountain three times
Haunted Mansion
Pirates
Winnie the Pooh
Tom Sawyer Island
Indiana Jones twice
Jungle Cruise
Tree house twice
Roger Rabbit
minnie's house
Mickey's house

Been doing this for years and the only way to get this much done with the big crowds - which were person to person by noon - is to be there early.