How insane is labor day weekend

[El&Asmom]

I'm thinking or running the DL half marathon in '11 to get the coast to coast medal. We have never been to DL, but keep thinking about going.
Assuming they keep the DL half marathon over labor day weekend, I was wondering how crazy it will be at DL then. I would think that the race would increase the crowds, coupled with a holiday weekend.

Would it be worth bringing the kids for a long weekend if we have to battle crowds, or should dh and I just go for a few nights so I can run the race and not be too stressed about crowds. Then maybe we can make it there with the kids when most of the renovations are done at a less busy time. I hate crowds, and I've read that it can be worse at DL since the park is smaller.
Thanks

 

[ScooterL]

To me, Labor Day is about as busy as any other summer weekend - I haven't found it to really be any worse. Disneyland is pretty much always busy on weekends no matter when you go. I don't think the race itself increases the crowds because so many people are local and just run the race and don't go to the parks.

BTW, the Coast-to-Coast medal is SO cool - I got one last year, and will be going for one next year, too.

 

[mamaso]

I am not an expert at all, but just for the sake of it I will share my two cents! All 3 of the Disneyland resorts are sold out that weekend! When trying to book a package, a couple of other Good Neighbor hotels were sold out as well.

Don't know if that means anything.

 

[kim3339]

I've done the half the past three years, and it's not that bad. There are crowds, yes, but it's not that insane. Ditto what ScooterL said about a lot of people being local and not going to the parks. I went into the park last year, and 3 years ago amnd am planning on going in this year, and it wasn't as bad as people may think. The nice thing is that a lot of kids are back in school by then, so that takes away from the crowds. I don't think it should be that bad for your kids, just let them know that there are going to be some lines, and you guys won't be able to walk on every ride. The parks are smaller than WDW, but they are across from each other so going to both in one day is easier than WDW. But overall, it's not that bad.

 

[El&Asmom]

I am not an expert at all, but just for the sake of it I will share my two cents! All 3 of the Disneyland resorts are sold out that weekend! When trying to book a package, a couple of other Good Neighbor hotels were sold out as well.

Don't know if that means anything.

That's the other thing I am worried about. We would probably use points at the VGC which we would have to book at the 7m window. I'm thinking we would be out of luck for that weekend. I suppose you never know though.
The other thing I have to consider is park and plane tickets for the three kids for such a short trip. I think we may just make it a mom and dad only trip and plan for a longer week with the kids when we don't have a 10n trip planned to WDW for two months after the race.
I'm glad to hear that it's not that bad. I thought it would be wall to wall people. It may be fun to visit the park alone as adults, but will have major guilt since dds have never been there.

 

[kim3339]

Hotel tips- if you can't use your points for that weekend, there are a ton of motels along Harbor & Katella if you don't want to stay at one of the resorts. The nice thing is that Harbor borders the parks and Katella is on the backside of DCA. So transportation is relly just walking across the street or down a few blocks. The race starts near the DL Hotel parking lot. If you stay at the motels on Harbor, it's only a 10 minute walk to the start. Location wise, it's better situated than the WDW races, easier acess from hotel to start lines. Check early too. I was able to book the motel for this year's race last October. Most of the hotels do AAA Discounts too. Booking a h/motel isn't a problem as long as you do it in advance. Knowing that you are coming already puts you ahead of the people who register towards the end and places are already booked.
Park tips- unlike the races at WDW where hotels and tickets are bundled through Disney, DL 1/2 hooks up with a company where you can buy discounted park tickets. You can pick up your tickets at the Expo. Only downside is if you want to go to the parks before the Expo, you have to pay for shipping to you.
Another thought about you and DH vs family, is how you think you will feel after running the race and then walking around with the kids versus just you and DH. It might not be a problem, just something to think about.

 

[gatorfreud]

I am running the half this year and will be in the parks Fri-Sun so I'll let you know how it is when I get back!!

Kim

 

[roxyrokz115]

It's usually crowded on that Holiday but you can through with the whole park if you take advantage of the Fast Passes.

 

[usschmidt]

We were there the Sunday of LD in 2008. We thought it was very crowded, could harldly move. (I don't know about Monday as we had to leave unexpectedly for a family emergency.) It scared my husband to death, but then again that was a first experience with the high season.