July 4, 5, 6 crowds???

[madysmom]

We are planning our very first visit to Disneyland, and it just happens to work out in our schedule to visit on Sunday-Tuesday the 4th, 5th and 6th of July. Am I crazy...is this a bad idea? I am worried about it being terribly crowded. What should I expect for wait times for attractions? Our entire vacation is June 28-July 8th...I am wondering if I should try to change the dates we plan to visit DL?

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I'm hopin' so ~ we'll be there for my DD's B-day! Supposedly last year was prettty calm over the 4th of July weekend, I hope it's the same this year, all APs *except the 1 AP that isn't blocked out ever* are blocked 7/3-7/5!

 

[Disney Dreams]

Historically (except last year), July 4th is one of the busiest days of the year at DLR. Expect crowds. Plan for crowds. If you get no crowds, consider it a holiday treat.

If it were me, and I could plan any days in my vacation, I would not plan July 4th. However, if those are the only dates that work, I would not skip DLR because of it. Does that make sense? hehe Hope so!

- Dreams

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Historically (except last year), July 4th is one of the busiest days of the year at DLR. Expect crowds. Plan for crowds. If you get no crowds, consider it a holiday treat.

If it were me, and I could plan any days in my vacation, I would not plan July 4th. However, if those are the only dates that work, I would not skip DLR because of it. Does that make sense? hehe Hope so!

- Dreams

Why do you think this year would be much different from last year? The days prior to and after the 4th (and of course the 4th) are blocked for APs (that have block out days & supposedly most APs do) *I assume blockouts were the same last year, I don't think the econony is any different (better). I'm hoping locals won't be there cause they're blocked and not a lot of out of towners will visit *they'd want to be home with family/friends for the holiday* *don't have the $$ to make an out of town trip* *they think it'll be really crowded* ~ I'm really only going for my DD's B~day (7/3)

 

[LavenderPeach]

We went July 6 and 7 last year which was a monday and a tuesday and it wasn't that crowded. We were pleasantly surprised. It was less crowded than when we went during the week in may.

 

[Albort]

Why do you think this year would be much different from last year? The days prior to and after the 4th (and of course the 4th) are blocked for APs (that have block out days & supposedly most APs do) *I assume blockouts were the same last year, I don't think the econony is any different (better). I'm hoping locals won't be there cause they're blocked and not a lot of out of towners will visit *they'd want to be home with family/friends for the holiday* *don't have the $$ to make an out of town trip* *they think it'll be really crowded* ~ I'm really only going for my DD's B~day (7/3)

The increase in the # of the lowest 3 tier APs is what really builds Disney's business... with those 3 blocked out, one one really goes. July 4th was seriously dead. TSMM was like a 5 min wait...

 

[Disney Dreams]

Why do you think this year would be much different from last year? The days prior to and after the 4th (and of course the 4th) are blocked for APs (that have block out days & supposedly most APs do) *I assume blockouts were the same last year, I don't think the econony is any different (better). I'm hoping locals won't be there cause they're blocked and not a lot of out of towners will visit *they'd want to be home with family/friends for the holiday* *don't have the $$ to make an out of town trip* *they think it'll be really crowded* ~ I'm really only going for my DD's B~day (7/3)

I think last year was the exception (for whatever reason). The 4th is historical a very busy day at Disneyland. It's a holiday, nationwide. Virtual every school and almost all business are closed. This year, with it landing on a weekend, schools and businesses get a "bonus" day.

You said that you are hoping "locals won't be there [because] they're blocked..." I think your hope is built on a false belief. Locals are not blocked. I have at least 9 friends that come to mind with just a few seconds of thought that all live locals, have APs to Disneyland, and are not blocked on the 4th of July. Locals are not blocked. I understand that you are probably refering to those holding So Cal APs, but I am attempting to point out that just because someone is local, does not mean they have the lower teir APs. Not one AP holder I know who lives in So. Cal. has the lower APs.

Additionally, I think out-of-towners WILL come in for the 4th. Why wouldn't they? The 3 reasons you offered are "the hope," but are they the reality?

1 - They want to be home with familly / friends.
Or - better yet, let's take the family to Disneyland since it's a long weekend!

2 - Don't have the money to take an out-of-town trip
Look at all the posts on these boards. People find the money. Discount hotels, sharing meals, 3 nights instead of 5, volunteer to get a free day for everyone in the family, and on and on.

3 - They think it will be really crowded.
Well, yes, but there is always the subscribers to the "Maybe everyone else won't go this year," theory.

I think it'll be busy. I could be wrong, as my crystal ball is only as good as anyone else's, but since you asked, there's my thoughts.

I hope your DD has a great birthday!

- Dreams

 

[madysmom]

I appreciate all of the info and insights! Since we are planning 3 days, I am hoping that at least maybe it won't be too crowded all of those days...

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Virtual every school and almost all business are closed. This year, with it landing on a weekend, schools and businesses get a "bonus" day.

I think it'll be busy. I could be wrong, as my crystal ball is only as good as anyone else's, but since you asked, there's my thoughts.

I hope your DD has a great birthday!

- Dreams

I'm sure she will! About the 4th landing on a weekend this year ~ it was on a Sat. last year, so bonus day last year as well. In this case I hope my crystal ball is right I'm one who would get that bonus day ~ I'm a federal employee, so the 5th is a paid Holiday for me this year, last year it was the 3rd. If it is awful I'll wish I would've taken her for her B~day last year, but I'd always say "Poor DD with her B-day being the 3rd of July will never visit DLR for her B~day" as I figured the 4th would always be crowded but after hearing (reading) how it really wasn't that bad last year I'm hoping this year is the same. **OP I assume the days leading up to the 4th will be super crowded ~ AP blockouts don't start till 7/3.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

The trend is your friend, and right now the trend is that DL is less crowded when the APs are blocked out during the summer (SoCal Select AP and So Cal AP).

"... The irony is that lesser holiday weekends like Columbus Day and Veterans Day now routinely pull in bigger crowds than the 4th of July weekend, and the average weekend in July and August is now less crowded than the weekends in the fall and spring. ..."

- Al Lutz (June 16, 2009)

Source: http://miceage.micechat.com/allutz/al061609a.htm

Your 3-day Park Hopper ticket comes with one Magic Morning:

"Magic Morning (Early Entry) Super Thread" by DLR29
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403

"Critique of MM/EE" by Hound 109
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1392671

Last year, the morning of July 5 had really low crowds. An hour and a half after Magic Morning started, the longest wait-times in Fantasyland were still only 3 to 5 minutes (except for Peter Pan).

Here's another very good thread:

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

HTH