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

[KamikazeSquirrel]

I was there in early January for the first time in about ten years, and it seemed very busy. When Space Mountain and Peter Pan each had 25 minute waits, I thought THAT was an insane amount of time to wait for a ride. Since I got back, I've been reading up on "busy" times. 2 hour waits for Splash Mountain in the summer? I was able to go on four times in a row because their were literally no lines at all. 55 minute lines that are reasonable wait times for the mountains? Wow...I really don't think I could handle that.

 

[hlbtimes2]

There is a trade off- when you go in the peak busy season all the rides are usually open. The entertainment schedules are full. The park is open long hours. Some people dont mind the long lines for that trade off.

My family goes in the off season. I'm with you, I like short lines and being able to ride things multiple times. I dont care if I have a couple less hours and a ride or two down!

 

[KamikazeSquirrel]

Well the only rides down were Haunted Mansion and Dumbo. HM being down was kind of dissapointing, but I could live with it. Dumbo didn't really bother me at all to be honest. Thank God I went when I did though. The castle was closed just days after I left. Phew.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

I know what you mean. We go at off times when it isn't too crowded, I think it's spoiled us. We'll never be able to go at a peak time.

 

[eatmypixiedust]

Ugh, never go during a busy holiday/season. That happend to me last year and I felt like I was trapped in a herd of cattle!

 

[disney-super-mom]

I've found that if the posted wait time says 25 minutes, it really means 5-10 minutes. Last October when we were there, the posted wait time for BTMRR was 40 minutes. We get in the standby line, and we were on the ride in 10 minutes (My DH actually timed it on his watch. He really did!). He timed it twice in a row (because we rode it twice in a row).

On the other hand, we're also spoiled and would never dream of going to DL during a busy season.

 

[azgal81]

I'm with you! We always go in the off season and walk onto all the rides. I think we are spoiled I can't imagine waiting more than ten minutes for anything. The longest line a few weeks ago was matterhorn for some reason I think becasue they only had one side open so the line was double! I thought the people waiting in line for 40 minutes were crazy.

I just can't imagine it no ride is worth that. And yes we walked onto the matterhorn first thing every day we were there. I remember looking at the line and wondering what they were all in line for, realizing it was the matterhorn and then mentioning that it was no where near the entrance that line was insane!

 

[lulubelle]

I agree with everyone who posted. We will not go again when it is "peak" season. Or during most of the summer. Last year it worked out that we went the last weekend of August and we were miserable. It was super packed and hot - like 95. We spent more time in our hotel than in the parks. I knew better when I booked, but thought maybe it wouldn't be too bad. Well, it was. Lesson learned We stick to months like Jan, late Feb, late April, May, late Sept & Oct.

 

[MATTERHORN]

Yep, you definitely will not catch us there during a busy/peak time. It's a waste of time to me, I had a friend come back and tell us between waiting in lines and waiting for food the got on 7 rides all day!!! SEVEN? I can't even imagine!!! Not worth it to me! We also go off season, the closest we go to busy time is the second week of June and even that's pushing it.


Andrea

 

[MATTERHORN]

I've found that if the posted wait time says 25 minutes, it really means 5-10 minutes. Last October when we were there, the posted wait time for BTMRR was 40 minutes. We get in the standby line, and we were on the ride in 10 minutes (My DH actually timed it on his watch. He really did!). He timed it twice in a row (because we rode it twice in a row).

On the other hand, we're also spoiled and would never dream of going to DL during a busy season.

I agree with you there, we almost never end up waiting as long as the posted times. Usually it's about 1/2 the time!!

Andrea

 

[AskTheChief]

I've been going since I was a baby and don't ever recall it being too busy to enjoy myself immensely. I'd rather be at DL any day. LOL

 

[Albort]

oh god, you dont know what insanely busy is!

New Years Eve, park closes its doors at 12PM... The hub completely packed at 5:30PM just to wait for fireworks... i mean like, OMG, you ppl are insane!

 

[HydroGuy]

Yep, you definitely will not catch us there during a busy/peak time. It's a waste of time to me, I had a friend come back and tell us between waiting in lines and waiting for food the got on 7 rides all day!!! SEVEN? I can't even imagine!!! Not worth it to me! We also go off season, the closest we go to busy time is the second week of June and even that's pushing it.


Andrea

Andrea this is not directed to you but to everyone else out there. For folks who like to sleep in and get to the parks a few hours late, stay all day, and then leave early, this does not surprise me. It is probably best that such people go during a less busy time of year.

But it really doesn't have to be this way. If you understand the trends at DLR you can work in the opposite direction and it is not hard.

If you do the following you will get on way more than seven rides:

1. Get to the park gates 15-30 minutes before the park opens. This goes for regular and EE days (note: we get on seven rides during the first hour as opposed to the whole day)

2. Focus on rides for the first few hours

3. Collect FastPasses starting first thing.

4. Take a long hotel break during the afternoon when the lines are longest.

5. Return in the evening when the crowds are leaving and stay until park closing. Use FastPasses collected earlier.

With the above strategy we are able to do as many as 30 rides per day in mid-summer without being commando. Even with taking time to see every show at DL and DCA, and time for shopping, and taking 5 hour breaks every day, we averaged 17 rides per day on our last multi-day trip.

It can be done, and it is not that hard.

For those who need more help getting on rides, consider using RideMax - www.ridemax.com

But as I said, this works if you can get yourself up early and to the parks. If not, then stick with less busy times.

 

[TwingleMum]

ITA with the Chef. Of course I would prefer to go during a less crowded time of year but sometimes life is messy. School, work,family obligations etc all can interfer. But I'd rather go and have the attitude I AM IN THE MOST MAGICAL PLACE ON EARTH!!! I also agree with the OP that if at all possible its wise to go during a slower time of year but peak also has some advantages in longer park hours , more parades etc. Christmas is a crowded time of year but its also one of the most magical. So you take the good with the bad. And study Hydrguys helpful hints

 

[CindyH]

If you go when it's busy, but think that there will be no lines, then you'll be frustrated, annoyed, and won't enjoy anything. But if you already know it'll be busy, just use the tips from Hydroguy and it'll work out.

I think with us, it helped knowing that we had 5 days - there was no pressure to get everything done in a small amount of time. Also, we started each day asking the kids what 3 rides they really wanted to hit - everything else was an extra bonus.

 

[Mom2micayla]

We've gone so many times in the last 10 years I can't even count. We always go during off season because we're really spoiled. I hate to wait more than 10 minutes, especially now that we have small children. We went during Easter weekend about 3 years ago for my daughter's birthday and HATED it. OMG, the lines were insane. I remember waiting for 45 minutes to ride Flik's Flyer's in CA. 45 minute wait for a 30 second ride is not my idea of a good time.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Andrea this is not directed to you but to everyone else out there. For folks who like to sleep in and get to the parks a few hours late, stay all day, and then leave early, this does not surprise me. It is probably best that such people go during a less busy time of year.

But it really doesn't have to be this way. If you understand the trends at DLR you can work in the opposite direction and it is not hard.

If you do the following you will get on way more than seven rides:

1. Get to the park gates 15-30 minutes before the park opens. This goes for regular and EE days (note: we get on seven rides during the first hour as opposed to the whole day)

2. Focus on rides for the first few hours

3. Collect FastPasses starting first thing.

4. Take a long hotel break during the afternoon when the lines are longest.

5. Return in the evening when the crowds are leaving and stay until park closing. Use FastPasses collected earlier.

With the above strategy we are able to do as many as 30 rides per day in mid-summer without being commando. Even with taking time to see every show at DL and DCA, and time for shopping, and taking 5 hour breaks every day, we averaged 17 rides per day on our last multi-day trip.

It can be done, and it is not that hard.

For those who need more help getting on rides, consider using RideMax - www.ridemax.com

But as I said, this works if you can get yourself up early and to the parks. If not, then stick with less busy times.

Again I have to agree with HYDRGUY, we have been going in August and feel that we have virtually missed nothing and ride as many rides in a day that we can tolerate. I do not care for the masses, but with a plan most of the crowding problems can be worked around. Our family enjoys the hot weather and usually all the rides are up and going. And finally, I do not have to take the kids away from school.

Jack

 

[Amy&Dan]

I have to also agree with Hydroguy. And never say never about going in peak season. Time was when we used to go to DL in the off seasons. My kids were younger and they had year round schooling with lots of nice breaks througout the less busy times. We also would pull them for two or three days in September to go just after Labor Day for my dd's birthday. Those were the trips where we sometimes didn't even need to exit the rides, they would just let us stay on. It was nice. But now my son is in middle school, standard school year schedule and he is too old to pull. So we have gone in peak seasons not only to DL but WDW too. Summer, Christmas and President's weeks. If you do what Hydroguy says, you won't be waiting in any two hour lines believe me. And to my family the deal maker is that we love the nighttime entertainment EVERY night. The Electrical Parade doesn't even run during the year except peak seasons. So to us its worth it. The hot weather is also a factor but if you go in the early morning, drink lots of water, see the shows, sit in the shade to enjoy a parade or live musical act you can really recharge and still have fun. And a midday pool break is helpful too which is another reason to stay close by so that you can do that easily.

Now even if we could go offseason, we might not if it was our only opportunity to go. I would miss the longer hours and entertainment too much.

I also agree with CindyH, longer trips (as in more than two or three days to DL) are a must in the peak seasons. And I also have to point out that weekends at DL are typically insane and busy all year long unless the cold weather keeps the locals away. So don't plan a weekend off season and think it won't be busy. Because it will be. But again, on weekends make sure you get there early, in line 30 minutes before opening and those first couple of uncrowded hours that then begin to build gradually will set the tone for a great day, crowds or not.

Oh, I also have to add that better weather and off seasons is somewhat relative. I have been to DL and WDW in January and February for off seasons and froze. I remember being at F! once and my daughter crying she was so cold. Wearing jackets, gloves, hats and long pants is not my idea of fun either. I can do that in Colorado all winter long for free!

 

[kelmac284]

I agree with Hydro guy. I prefer off times because I just plain don't like it when the park is so crowded you can't even walk down the walkways but since my kids are all in school and one is in high school going for a week or even a few days and missing school is no longer an option.

We went over veterans day weekend this year and on the 29th of December and BOTH days the park completely sold out.

As Hydro said if you don't mind being up early (and I mean 6 or 7) and get to the lines so that you can be farely close to the entrance then you get in and do as many rides as you can getting fast passes as you go and then take a mid day break either before or right after lunch. And as he said sometimes we didn't even come back till AFTER we had had dinner at either DTD or one of the restaurants on harbor.

That way we didn't have to fight the crowds OR pay the crazy park prices.

Then we would come back rested and fed and hit all the rides in the evening with our FP's.

Sure I would prefer off times too but if you HAVE to go when it is busy (and we are doing it AGAIN going on Presiden'ts week in a few weeks) you CAN make it work.

But it is just a preference thing I think.

 

[MATTERHORN]

Andrea this is not directed to you but to everyone else out there. For folks who like to sleep in and get to the parks a few hours late, stay all day, and then leave early, this does not surprise me. It is probably best that such people go during a less busy time of year.

But it really doesn't have to be this way. If you understand the trends at DLR you can work in the opposite direction and it is not hard.

If you do the following you will get on way more than seven rides:

1. Get to the park gates 15-30 minutes before the park opens. This goes for regular and EE days (note: we get on seven rides during the first hour as opposed to the whole day)

2. Focus on rides for the first few hours

3. Collect FastPasses starting first thing.

4. Take a long hotel break during the afternoon when the lines are longest.

5. Return in the evening when the crowds are leaving and stay until park closing. Use FastPasses collected earlier.

With the above strategy we are able to do as many as 30 rides per day in mid-summer without being commando. Even with taking time to see every show at DL and DCA, and time for shopping, and taking 5 hour breaks every day, we averaged 17 rides per day on our last multi-day trip.

It can be done, and it is not that hard.

For those who need more help getting on rides, consider using RideMax - www.ridemax.com

But as I said, this works if you can get yourself up early and to the parks. If not, then stick with less busy times.

Hi! I know you said it wasn't to me but wanted to respond! We have always done exactly what you are mentioning here. This has been my touring plan since 1995! It doesn't matter to me though, since I have the choice to go at non-busy times, I would never choose to go when it's busy. It wouldn't make sense for us. We are there before opening, collect tons of fastpasses, and we stay till close no matter what the hours are!! I still like to get on more rides than 17 in all that time!!!

We also never get EE (AP's) so that's out unless we stay onsite. But I won't wait 30-40 minutes for Buzz when I know that if I had traveled just a week later, I would have walked-on! I just can't do it!!!

Now this also doesn't work for everyone as I am very flexible with my travel since it's just me and the kids and DH doesn't go, I dont' have to worry about work schedules. And although it is do-able, I recommend whole heartedly to anyone that will listen to go during off season or weekdays!!!


Andrea