I really couldn't imagine going to DLR when it's "busy"

[HydroGuy]

Obviously everyone should take their own prefrences, gather information and make their own decisions. No matter what kind of advice people offer to "handle" a crowded park, I know that I can't stand crowds. Period. It isn't that I think the park is better one way or the other. I KNOW I miss out on things because of when I go, (and I only go once a year) but I also know I would be miserable managing crowds.

People's opinions vary a great deal...who likes this park, who likes WDW better...who insists on staying on-site and who is loathe to spend the extra money. Use these boards to gather as much details as you can and then DECIDE FOR YOURSELF what is best for you.

Here's to hoping everyone who visits Disney has a GREAT time.

It sounds like you are completely informed and know what works best for you. That is the way it should be.

Your post also made me realize something. There is a difference between not liking "crowds" and not liking "lines". You do not like crowds at all. For me, crowds do not really bother me that much. What bothers me are lines. I hate waiting in lines. Some people around here say they hate crowds when they really mean they hate lines that often go along with crowds. But some people like you really hate the crowds.

If I can avoid most of the lines, then crowds become part of the experience for me. An analogy would be going to a Broncos game. It would be downright strange to go to a Broncos game in an empty stadium. The crowds are part of the experience.

Similarly but to a lesser degree, crowds are part of the experience at DLR for me. I mean, I would not enjoy DLR as much if the park was completely empty. To some degree crowds enhance the experience for most people. The question becomes for each individual when the crowds change from an enhancement to a detraction. And that will vary between people.

From what I have read about Vet's day and New Years Eve, I think the crowds would bother me. I would not go to DLR on those days. And even in the summer I choose weekdays over weekends because they are less crowded.

Bottom line is I agree with you. If people make informed decisions on what is best for them, then they are getting the best experience possible.

 

[AskTheChief]

One of the benfits of having a double stroller is being able to mow all the crowds over with it. I still feel bad about that old lady with the cane, though.

 

[Dis Ohana]

Obviously everyone should take their own prefrences, gather information and make their own decisions. No matter what kind of advice people offer to "handle" a crowded park, I know that I can't stand crowds. Period. It isn't that I think the park is better one way or the other. I KNOW I miss out on things because of when I go, (and I only go once a year) but I also know I would be miserable managing crowds.

People's opinions vary a great deal...who likes this park, who likes WDW better...who insists on staying on-site and who is loathe to spend the extra money. Use these boards to gather as much details as you can and then DECIDE FOR YOURSELF what is best for you.

Here's to hoping everyone who visits Disney has a GREAT time.

Exactly what I was going to say! I really can't stand being in large crowds. It's not even a matter of being too impatient to wait in a line, it's just extremely uncomfortable for me.
I've gathered so much valuable information on this message board - but I've had to make my own decisions on when to go, what to do, etc. based on what I know is best for me and my family. There are regular posters here that have a wealth of information and they're great about sharing!

 

[Dis Ohana]

One of the benfits of having a double stroller is being able to mow all the crowds over with it. I still feel bad about that old lady with the cane, though.

That's so wrong!

 

[AskTheChief]

That's so wrong!

Hey, she put up a good fight before she went down (I had ds grab her ankle when she just wouldn't move). She had a lot of spunk, that old lady.

 

[AZMickeyfans]

Hey, she put up a good fight before she went down (I had ds grab her ankle when she just wouldn't move). She had a lot of spunk, that old lady.

OMG! Again I'm laughing so hard I just woke up Dh.

The rest of this thread is too deep for me to get into tonight. Maybe throw my opinion around here tomorrow.

 

[HydroGuy]

FWIW, I have been working on a post on this topic which I finally got posted tonight.

"Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

 

[RanStak65]

Our very first trip was between Christmas and New Years two years ago. We knew it would be busy, but having never experienced Disneyland, we had no idea the what we were in for! It was CRAZY!! But, we still had a wonderful time. Last
year we came during spring break and again, it was busy. Nothing like Christmas though. I think the most we waited for anything was 20-30 minutes. We will be there again this year during spring break, but the crowds don't bother us. I think its because our first experience was so over the top crowd wise. Also, I am one of those for whom vacations are so exciting that it would take A LOT to ruin my good time!

 

[Amy&Dan]

I have to agree with everyone! Seriously, it is very fun when its a nice warm, not hot day, the crowds are not to be found and you just walk right onto any ride at 2:00 in the afternoon. But again, I want to reiterate, you can walk onto plenty of rides in the summer/busy months too. And I want to stress again that summer is wonderful, not always guaranteed to be broiling hot (I could post plenty of pictures of myself and my kids wearing sweatshirts in June and even August). Many of you who travel off season now won't find that so easy when your kids get older and can't be pulled from school. So just know that when that day comes it will still be great. It will take some planning and some flexibility but it can be done. I used to pull my kids out of school without missing a beat. I did that for our cruise in September and my poor middle school son basically went from being an all A's and B's student to getting some c's and d's that quarter. It was so hard to catch up and a few of his teachers got downright hostile about it. Never again! And I also want to stress again that crowds can be hard to predict. So don't go in an off time and set yourself up for walk ons and nothing but walk ons. Because I once pulled my kids in early December to go and DL was closed to capacity that Saturday and even some of our weekdays were pretty packed. So I went to all that trouble to still face crowds. I know it would have been worse a few weeks later but it was hardly the scenario I had envisioned. So its important to go with an open mind and not too many expectations regardless of when you go.

 

[AJA55]

Thank HydroGuy, I haven’t read your summer advice yet, but I’m looking forward to absorbing the offered info.

I’ve not visited DLR since DCA opened. That last visit was during Spring Break. This year we’ll be at DLR during the July 4th holiday week. Yes… we’re well aware that this’ll be a crazy time. But that’s one of the reasons I’m here on the Dis for the next few months. (OK a admit it… I visit ALL the time) We don’t mind crowds, we’re major people watchers. We take a trip every July 4th and decided that this would be different than the usual Oregon coast. Our plans are DL in the morning, lunch, swim, nap, DCA in the afternoon and evenings on our balcony sipping a glass of wine and people watching. . “Different people…Different plans”

Been to DLC late April, June, July and August. WDW May, June, September and November…..
I have to admit that I like the off season better but…..like everyone’s said… Disney and any time of year…………yep………..

 

[lulubelle]

I just want to clarify my earlier post....
Yes, I am one of the whiney ones complaining about the peak season crowds and heat. But, our DD is 20, we live close by and can easily go during off season - and go fairly often without incurring a lot of expense (even thou we usually spent a few nights). We went to WDW twice when DD was in Jr High/High School and went once during Pres Week and once during Spring Break along with a bazillion other families , so I hear ya! It is definitely do-able and enjoyable ANYTIME of year, but for this middle aged woman with a flexible schedule, I choose the slower months

And for any of us, any time of year, Hydroguy's tips are invaluable. Thanks, Trey!