June 8 or 11

[erocrobro]

We were planning on being in the parks from June 6-8. I planned those days long before the new format of grad nights was announced and I planned according to blackout dates and trying to beat the Carsland crowds. With some of the things I have been reading about grad nights, I'm wondering if I should change our dates. We are locked in to the 6th and 7th, but I could switch the 8th (which is a Friday) to the 11th (which is a Monday). The trade off would be that the 11th is not a grad night, but is only a blackout day for the bottom tier SoCal APs. I'm a little concerned about being in the parks on a weekend night that is also a grad night. Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[cmwade77]

Niether one is a very good option, June 8th being a Grad Nite and June 11th being the AP preview to Carsland.

The Carsland preview could add up to 63,500 people, there are 10,500 emails going out and each one could have up to 6 people on it.

Granted, 1/3 of these will most likely be in DCA at any given time; however, this is a lot of people and if they are going to the Carsland preview, their blackout date doesn't apply to them. Even expired APs will be accepted, as long as they were valid during the contest entry period.

So, chances are that both parks will be extremely crowded that day, especially when the majority of these people wouldn't have gone on this day anyway, as many woud normally have to work, but are taking a vacation day if they get in. (Myself included, but since it's the day before my Birthday, I am taking the entire week)

In this case, I would actually suggest June 9th or 10th, but only for Disneyland, not DCA, since there are paid AP previews for Carsland both nights.

The 4th and 5th would actually be better options, as there is no Grad Nites or AP Nights.

 

[erocrobro]

Thanks! I didn't know about the AP preview on the 11th. I may be able to rearrange some things and go on the 5th instead. It would probably mean doing Seaworld or Legoland after DLR which might be a sort of letdown, but I would much rather not have to fight crowds if I don't have to.

 

[cmwade77]

You are welcome, just a heads up, Sea World starting Early Entry for passholders on June 2nd for Manta.

So, depending on how many days you are going to be there, an annual pass may make sense. A Platnium pass may make sense, if you are going to come multiple times in the next day or live near one of their other parks (except Discovery Cove), since it allows entry into all of their parks in the U.S., except Discovery Cove.

Also, Platinum passes get 1 free admission ticket per person and you can do them on monthly payments, no matter where you live in the U.S.

Platinum passes also get preferred seating at all shows and free preferred parking.

 

[Chaseme]

I'm also looking at dates in early June.....60,000+ people for the AP preview sounds high? I understand they sent out the emails but thought it was more like a contest, not everyone gets to go? Can anyone clear that number up?

 

[cmwade77]

I'm also looking at dates in early June.....60,000+ people for the AP preview sounds high? I understand they sent out the emails but thought it was more like a contest, not everyone gets to go? Can anyone clear that number up?

In is indeed a contest; however, the numbers I provided are the maximum that could attend the Carsland preview event on June 11th.

I have double checked my math and here is the results:

They are sending out 10,500 emails, each email is valid for up to 6 people each, this means that there COULD be as many as 63,000 passholders.

Now, in all reality, it will probably be an average of about 4.5 people per letter, with some coming in with fewer than 4 and some more than 4, which would still amount 47,250.

No matter how you look at it, this is a lot of people. Remember there are around 1 million passholders out there, so percentage wise, this is a very small number of people that can attend.

 

[Lady_Sarah]

I am there at the exact same time and was trying to figure out the same thing. Originally I was going to do the 6th, 7th, and 9th. But due to those extra people previewing Cars land, I think we are planning on going on the 8th now instead of the 9th.

 

[Chaseme]

Cmwade, how many grad night tickets are offered each night? What will have a bigger impact, the AP preview or a grad night? The grad night reviews so far seem mixed.......and teenagers don't scare me, I live with a few of them.......

 

[JaxsonsMom]

Aren't the previews on the 9th and 10th?? I didn't think there was one on the 11th....

 

[cmwade77]

Aren't the previews on the 9th and 10th?? I didn't think there was one on the 11th....

There are paid previews on the 9th and 10th and a freebie on the 11th.

 

[JaxsonsMom]

There are paid previews on the 9th and 10th and a freebie on the 11th.

Thanks - I missed that... and now i'm registered!

 

[erocrobro]

I will keep watching the boards for updates. I was able to add an extra day to our reservation at Hojo so that we can go on the 5th instead of the 8th, but when I checked the calendar I noticed that it is the last day that Socal AP holders can visit. Now I'm worried about the parks being overly crowded with people trying to get in one last visit. I'm stressing way too much over this. I need to just choose a date and let it be. We will have fun either way.