July 17th

[mikana876]

What do you think July 17th will be like? I know it will be very packed, but how packed? Like, close-the-park-due-to-capacity packed?

I'm asking because my 30th birthday is July 17th. I would really like to go to DL for it. I have been to DLR many times, so I don't need to do a ton of stuff. I would just want to maybe ride a few rides (Splash and HM), eat at BB Fantasmic Package, see the fireworks and that's about it. Anything else would be a bonus.

But I don't want to go and then not even get into the park due to capacity. I don't mind getting up early to get into the park, but I've heard people saying that people will be camping out overnight just to get in?? Is this true?

Basically I'm just trying to gauge how truly packed this day will be. Thanks!

 

[slimplaw]

I'm wondering the same. We're taking our first trip there for the 60th anniversary. My BIL was born the same day as DisneyLand opened and he wanted to be there for his 60th birthday.

 

[lalasmama]

I have no doubt that it will be close-the-parks busy... July 17th is a Friday, which is busier during normal (non-celebratory) times.

Capacity is somewhere around 85,000 depending on differing reports. Obviously, 85,000 people aren't going to be camping there the night before. And many/most people will still be working that Friday (except for the really, really excited folks ), so crowds will probably be light early on, and then get closer to capacity as the day wears on. I'd expect it to hit capacity sometime in the early evening, when people are getting off work a bit early, and know it's a big Disneyland day. I'd plan to stay in the park once you enter in the afternoon. Get all your preferred things done early, and make your reservations for meals right at the 60-day mark! I wouldn't plan on park-hopping after about 2-3pm.

We were there for the 58th, and it was sufficiently busy by about 3pm, but no where near capacity. Of course, though, the 60th is a bit of a bigger thing!

 

[mikana876]

Thanks for the info!

So, yes it will probably hit capacity, but I should be able to get in the park early in the morning and be able to do a few things before crowds get too massive?

 

[Dawnlight]

I share your birthday, too. I have no idea about crowds, but what a great way to celebrate your 30th!!

 

[mikana876]

It's neat to share a birthday with Disneyland huh? And thanks, I thought it was a neat way to do my 30th birthday Hopefully it all works out!

 

[Fantaluminishes]

What do you think July 17th will be like? I know it will be very packed, but how packed? Like, close-the-park-due-to-capacity packed?

I'm asking because my 30th birthday is July 17th. I would really like to go to DL for it. I have been to DLR many times, so I don't need to do a ton of stuff. I would just want to maybe ride a few rides (Splash and HM), eat at BB Fantasmic Package, see the fireworks and that's about it. Anything else would be a bonus.

But I don't want to go and then not even get into the park due to capacity. I don't mind getting up early to get into the park, but I've heard people saying that people will be camping out overnight just to get in?? Is this true?

Basically I'm just trying to gauge how truly packed this day will be. Thanks!

I've been at Disneyland on July 17 in 2005 and 1995 (plus last year as well). While it is crowded, it has not been unbearable, and neither time did the park close due to capacity. I'm 99% sure that won't happen this year either. In fact, for the 50th in 2005, I was surprised at how the crowds thinned out after the ceremony at the castle in the morning. Most people that braved the overnight line-up at DCA stood in another line to get into Big Thunder Ranch for merchandise. That line stretched all the way out to the boarding dock for the Tom Sawyer island rafts. I was of the impression that many tourists stayed away fearing that the parks would be too crowded. DCA was pretty empty, but this was way before the remodel. DL was very crowded on July 16 and 18 (Saturday and Monday).

Here's a story I wrote for my website about that day (hopefully the link works):
http://jvpentertainment.tripod.com/id2.html