It’s finally happened: lines all the way to DCA

WonkaKid

DIS Veteran
Joined
Apr 2, 2009
Messages
4,718
Folks, whatever your plans are for DL, be sure to arrive at the park gates by no later than 6:30 and preferably earlier. I arrived at 7:25. The DL gates were open as guests streamed in. The lines were the worst I’ve ever seen. Not only were they *all* the way to DCA but in some cases they even extended into the scanning kiosks. What a mess. I’ve never seen it this bad. At this point I’m just concerned that I’m through the gates by 8:00 so I can try for a BG. 12 minutes left and I’m 75 feet from the gate.

695D7A10-9C16-4F57-BE85-FCB13CBDCBB2.jpeg
 
I can't help but think that is partially to do with SuperBowl Sunday. Years ago, the parks were nearly empty on SuperBowl Sunday. After everyone broadcasting about that for years, it became one of the busiest days, I'm assuming because many people thought it would be empty.
 

I swear I remember someone posting that the lines went inside the DCA gates and into DCA on another day.

And there was a day I saw reports of the lines curving and looping up in an attempt to avoid having to go inside the DCA gates.

Or maybe they were the same day and two different issues were being caused lol. I just remember reading about both in the BG thread.
 
Folks, whatever your plans are for DL, be sure to arrive at the park gates by no later than 6:30 and preferably earlier. I arrived at 7:25. The DL gates were open as guests streamed in. The lines were the worst I’ve ever seen. Not only were they *all* the way to DCA but in some cases they even extended into the scanning kiosks. What a mess. I’ve never seen it this bad. At this point I’m just concerned that I’m through the gates by 8:00 so I can try for a BG. 12 minutes left and I’m 75 feet from the gate.

View attachment 470317
YIKES ! Hope you got a BG. Sending Pixie Dust your way :tink:
 
"Finally"? It was like this several times for us in May 2019. DL has a SERIOUS entry problem. Really killed our early morning park hopping attempts and gave all of us DL first timers a bad taste in our mouth.
Really? I am there at least 1 weekend a month, and until the opening of Rise, haven't seen it like this, even over Christmas.

But park hopping isn't too bad as once you head to DCA, the lines into DCA are empty. It is simply everyone trying to get BGs.
 
It’s basically been like this since ROTR opened. Lines were back to DCA and curving around as there was no more room when I went last Tuesday. Lines actually moved pretty quickly once they opened the gates. Took me 18 minutes and I was back by DCA.

Hope you got a BG!
 
Really? I am there at least 1 weekend a month, and until the opening of Rise, haven't seen it like this, even over Christmas.

But park hopping isn't too bad as once you head to DCA, the lines into DCA are empty. It is simply everyone trying to get BGs.

According to locals I spoke with at the time, an hour in line to get in gives you a lot of time to make friends, it was during the time right before the Galaxies Edge blackout occurred so APs were there in larger than usual numbers. That being said it really emphasized what a poor entry systems is in place with the eye pad photos/retinal scan what ever the heck it is. SO SLOW.
 
Waiting to hear if WonkaKid got his BG!! Friends that are there got BG 20. They arrived at 7a and were in the gates by 730.
Yup, got mine - BG 59. Got it about 30 seconds after 8:00. I hate how manic the park has become and hope that it subsides relatively soon although I count on nothing. I don’t mind just hanging in the park. But I have sympathy for folks that come from out or town in the near-term.
 
Yup, got mine - BG 59. Got it about 30 seconds after 8:00. I hate how manic the park has become and hope that it subsides relatively soon although I count on nothing. I don’t mind just hanging in the park. But I have sympathy for folks that come from out or town in the near-term.
Yay! Last weekend when we were there, lines were long, but moved very fast. They are holding off taking pictures until after the rush. We found once inside and the "manic" of getting a BG was over at 8:03, the rest of the day was easy and mellow. But being Super Bowl Sunday, don't know how that will be today. They opened the gates at 725 this morning, so you got there just as they were opening.
 
Yay! Last weekend when we were there, lines were long, but moved very fast. ... But being Super Bowl Sunday, don't know how that will be today.
It took me about 25 minutes to get from the DCA gates into the park.

In my experience, the Super Bowl has no effect on crowds. At least not in the past five years or so.
 
Last edited:
According to locals I spoke with at the time, an hour in line to get in gives you a lot of time to make friends, it was during the time right before the Galaxies Edge blackout occurred so APs were there in larger than usual numbers.
That might be the culprit of the super long lines you experienced. Don’t get me wrong, the entry system at DL is very slow, and it’s my least favorite about going at rope drop. But even on a busy day, the lines don’t go beyond the monorail track, let alone all the way back to DCA. Also in May, the SoCal resident tickets are about to expire, so people were probably trying to use those...and those require people to show a Photo ID& get pictures taken 🙄🤪
 
Was there last weekend. Same on Sunday. By 715 it was looping back on itself with people facing DCA to get into DLR. That's when all the line cutting really started in earnest.

Management really should open up both sides early. Saves a lot of traffic rework between 730-830
 












Save Up to 30% on Rooms at Walt Disney World!

Save up to 30% on rooms at select Disney Resorts Collection hotels when you stay 5 consecutive nights or longer in late summer and early fall. Plus, enjoy other savings for shorter stays.This offer is valid for stays most nights from August 1 to October 11, 2025.
CLICK HERE







New Posts







DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest

Back
Top