If we go Early June are we missing gradnite and other crowds?

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

We're thinking of nailing down the dates of May 31st through June 7th 2010. Are we going to be missing crowds at all? Are we getting in there before the school districts get out? Are we hitting grad night?

I know May 31st is Memorial Day (right?) but we'll be getting to Anaheim that day, so we won't be going to DL'd...

Anyone? anyone?

 

[Krissy Marissy]

We went the first week of june this year, there was 1 grad night but it didn't change the crowd level during the day...just an early closing. There were however TONS of school age kids (middle and high school) everywhere. And while some were behaved....most were not. I am happy my kids didn't pick up any four letter words. lol We definitely will not be going during that time again. If the kids dont bother you then it's a good time...waits weren't bad at all and weather was decent.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Dang. Hmm

 

[toddbushman]

http://disneylandyouthprograms.disney.go.com/dlyp/index?id=Chaperone2009DatesPage

The above is a link showing the dates for grad night in 2009. They tend to follow the same time frame year after year (every Thursday from the middle of May for 6 weeks until the middle of June with 1 Wednesday in June). If it follows suite in 2010 the dates would be May 13, 20, 27 and June 3, 9, 10, and 17th. On June 9th, which is the only Wednesday they would also have MM instead of on Thursday due to the grad night keeping the park open until midnight. Of course there is the chance a night might not be booked, but it is a pretty safe bet that those days will be grad night days.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Cool, thanks! So we'd probably only hit the theoretical June 3rd date. Not a huge deal, we have little ones, so they'll probably need an early crash on a few nights.

SO I guess more than grad night, the issue would be kids out of school already?

 

[toddbushman]

My son's birthday is the week that has 2 grad nights and we have been the past 2 years that week for his birthday (this year got the $59 gift card from it!), and there are definitely more kids there than off season, but most schools in CA are still not out it seems so it really hasn't been that bad. Besides Wednesday through Saturday on that week tend to have blockout days for both SoCal type of Annual passes. (I believe the week before Thursday through Saturday is blocked out). Having little ones it did make for a good mid week knock off early couple of nights for us.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Besides Wednesday through Saturday on that week tend to have blockout days for both SoCal type of Annual passes. (I believe the week before Thursday through Saturday is blocked out).

Ooookay, Explain this part LOL

Meaning, people with AP's CAN'T go right?

 

[MAH4546]

Ooookay, Explain this part LOL

Meaning, people with AP's CAN'T go right?

People with SoCal APs can't go on certain dates, but people with Premium or Deluxe APs can go.

Grad Nite has no effect on crowds, but late May through early June, the park is invaded by middle school and high school field trips, school choirs and school bands. It can't be avoided.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Ohhhhhhhhh

Sorta like our amusement park here. Didn't think about that. Dangit

 

[Brady's Mom]

Emmers,
We arrived Monday (Mem. Day) this year and it was pretty crowded. We were hoping that Tues through Thurs would be quieter since school was still going in CA - but not for our Utah kids. Sadly, it did not really let up crowd-wise the whole time we were there. We did see a bunch of Band t-shirt kids and other kid groups - mostly Jr. High size kids. We did see a group of private school or charter school kids who were on some kind of tour that gave them some front of line privileges, but it was only about 15 kids, so it was no big deal. The kids do stay late, it seemed they were there until about 10ish?? It was do-able, but more crowded than I wanted to experience. Although......nothing like going again for DH's b-day in 3 weeks!!! Expecting big crowds!

Fireworks were shown every night we were there (Mon. thru Wed. night) but Fantasmic was down - so I don't know if that's why the fireworks were shown.

Good luck choosing!

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Hmmm..we've started looking into the second week in June because of date issues now..

I wish you could jus tlook into the future LOL

 

[andee2000]

Hmmm..we've started looking into the second week in June because of date issues now..

I wish you could jus tlook into the future LOL

I'll be watching this thread closely because I was originally planning on getting to California Wednesday, May 26th hanging out at HoJo's pool that afternoon and getting to DLR Th - Sun or Mon, but now I think it may be too busy for us. So now now I'm thiking June 7th through 11th or June 14th through 15th. What to do; what to do.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Ya we're thinking the 4-11th.

Are there any other weird things going on in June? Someone mentioned the wine fest? Is that this week?

 

[lntsmom]

We were also there the first week of June this year. There was a grad night. Many (most?) of the major entertainment offerings weren't running.
That's the bad.

The good: small crowd levels! Last trip we went a week earlier(which was Memorial Day weekend that year)...and the crowds were twice the size! Other than a large tour group from Israel that seemed intent on beating everyone in the HM line black and blue with their VERY large and very pokey backpacks, everyone was friendly and quite polite.

We didn't run into any wild children, rude adults, or fighting families. We spent 5 days in the parks and never once ran into a school group. There was a HUGE family...all wearing lime green...but they traveled in smaller groups. It was a never a problem. Maybe it was the combination of the good weather and the short lines!

Would I go again that week? HM. I'm not sure we're going to go again at all...mainly because Disney makes it impossible to plan ahead for a trip to DLR. I MUCH prefer WDW where I can make my plans and count on them to have their entertainment up and running.

My advice would be: as long as you'll be there for one full weekend, do it. The 4th - 11th would probably be a great time. The crowds got heavier on Saturday...heavy enough that if I were going an extended time and could plan an "off" day, I'd plan it for Saturday- or maybe just go to the park that night for shows! But, compared to Memorial Day weekend, the first week of June was a dream!

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Thanks! I'm sorry to hear you don't wanna do DLR again tho!

Yeah we're fine with only seeing the shows one night or two. We'll be lucky if DS5 will make it that long..DD3 can outlast him no problem LOL

 

[jenjersnap]

We were there approximately June 1 - 5 both years. The lack of entertainment (this year. Last year they did show F! and DEP on weekends) is the only bummer.

We really like this time period because it doesn't seem overly crowded and the weather has been gorgeous both years. Lots and lots and lots (did I mention LOTS? of school groups which is mostly a non-issue for us (the only bad this year my kids didn't witness, thank goodness - I rode GRR with a dad and his 5-year-old and three teenage girls who screamed "S**T!" every time a drop of water landed on them, i.e., constantly. The dad handled it better than I would have!)

We'd go this time of year again and likely will!

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

UGH! I wouldn't have DARED utter a swear around my mom!!! kids today! hehe

Ok so..I think I'm feeling better about the 4-11th than the 28th through the 4th.