June Crowd Differences

[keishashadow]

Sorry to be asking so many newbie questions

Have read a few posts suggesting that "early" June is better than the period of late June until end of August both crowd-wise and hotel-rate wise @ DL.

What about "mid" June; is it worth it to move trip up (beginning 6/11 or 6/12?)

Can't drag DS out of school for another trip finals scheduled, factoring in a few snow days and lengthening of school calender; we could probably start our 8 night trip earlier in the month - June 11th-12th instead of June 23rd.

hate to push trip up if it's not going to be a substantial difference...help!

 

[HydroGuy]

Here are some issues.

First, look here www.laughingplace.com/Guide-Cal-DLR2-200706.asp for hours and entertainment in June 2007. I went the last week of June 2007 as that fit our other schedules.

Grad nights go for the first few weeks. Grad Nights occured on evenings where DL closed at 9PM (e.g., June 7), which means reduced park hours, potentially reduced entertainment, and disruption of EE as DL does not do EE on the morning after a Grad Night.

1. First week of June was reduced entertainment and slightly reduced hours. School not out on SoCal. Grad Night on Thurs.

2. Second week was full hours and full entertainment, with the exception of Fantasmic which was in refurb until June 14. That will not happen again in 2008. Grad nights were on Wed and Thurs. Schools start to get out late this week or the following week.

3. Third week has full hours and entertainment. Grad Night on Thurs. All SoCal schools out by this week.

4. Fourth week is fully into summer operating mode. Full everything, with no Grad Nights. One issue that occurs this week are SoCal AP blackouts, which go into effect this week. This means all SoCal AP holders (which are the majority) get blocked out until late August. After the blockout the crowds reduce, but before the blockout the crowds increase as the AP holders squeeze in one last visit. This has been especiilay true the last couple Junes when AP holders have squeezed into to see the Nemo Subs (2007) and the POTC refurb (2006). I was there this week this year and noticed the crowds drop noticably but not hugely before and after the blockout. See the 2008 blockout schedule here: www.mouseplanet.com/misc.php?pg=blackout

If it was me and I could go during the second week with full hours and entertainment, plus SoCal schools not out yet, I would chose that week. But do not assume that will absolutely be the case. I seem to remember that in 2006 DLR did not begin summer operating hours until week #3 or 4.

 

[keishashadow]

Really appreciate the thorough answer , printing it as we speak

Starting to think that perhaps we'd be better off week of Columbus day afterall. Went back to my notes, if I jotted it down correctly, i see that Gay Days are the weekend prior and assume Columbus Day itself is busy; was wondering if the rest of the week might be slow (or at least slower than most of June)?

Didn't realize that until this past week from posts here, that many parts of the country don't get the school day off (some in the NE get the whole week as a vacation).

I can vouch that the entire week is very busy @ WDW; that may be more of a F&W thing though.

Probably sound bizarre to you DL vets to stress so about the timing, just that it's our 1st trip & i'm trying to set up optimum conditions to fully enjoy it.

 

[DangerMouse]

Really appreciate the thorough answer , printing it as we speak

Starting to think that perhaps we'd be better off week of Columbus day afterall. Went back to my notes, if I jotted it down correctly, i see that Gay Days are the weekend prior and assume Columbus Day itself is busy; was wondering if the rest of the week might be slow (or at least slower than most of June)?

Didn't realize that until this past week from posts here, that many parts of the country don't get the school day off (some in the NE get the whole week as a vacation).

I can vouch that the entire week is very busy @ WDW; that may be more of a F&W thing though.

Probably sound bizarre to you DL vets to stress so about the timing, just that it's our 1st trip & i'm trying to set up optimum conditions to fully enjoy it.

You might want to read some of hte recent posts from people who have just returned after going to the parks Columbus Day / Gay Day weekend. They commented that the parks were PACKED, and they have continued to be packed this week because of Fall breaks in AZ and other states. I would honestly stick with mid-June. October has become a very busy time at DLR.

 

[keishashadow]

gotcha off to find them ; probably will just stick with mid June & try to avoid the weekends

 

[kiwitravel]

Here are some issues.

4. Fourth week is fully into summer operating mode. Full everything, with no Grad Nights. One issue that occurs this week are SoCal AP blackouts, which go into effect this week. This means all SoCal AP holders (which are the majority) get blocked out until late August. After the blockout the crowds reduce, but before the blockout the crowds increase as the AP holders squeeze in one last visit. This has been especiilay true the last couple Junes when AP holders have squeezed into to see the Nemo Subs (2007) and the POTC refurb (2006). I was there this week this year and noticed the crowds drop noticably but not hugely before and after the blockout. See the 2008 blockout schedule here: www.mouseplanet.com/misc.php?pg=blackout

This was something we suspected, because of School Holidays here in NZ we have to go in the last week of June. We found black out days quieter, the quietest day in the park of our last trip was July4 (we had a 14 day pass so went into the park most days.) I feel this last week of June through early July to be the best time to go, everything is open, fireworks every night, park open till midnight on weekends, 11pm weekdays and it is just before the really big crowds hit. We noticed the crowds increasing as we got further into July.

 

[keishashadow]

thanks - i am shocked that the 4th of July was "quiet"; that week would be even better for us.

do know that the hotels I've looked at seem to be pricer for the holiday though

 

[kiwitravel]

thanks - i am shocked that the 4th of July was "quiet"; that week would be even better for us.

do know that the hotels I've looked at seem to be pricer for the holiday though

We were shocked too, we expected the park to be crazy that day and went in to do a bit of shopping, a lot of the rides were walk on and we even got to ride Splash three times without having to get off (during the fireworks) got to see the fireworks from the log and had a real blast. I think the main reason for it being quiet was that the 4th was a Tuesday (not a Monday or Friday) and just about all APs are blacked out.

 

[vbecky]

We went this last June the last week and I was really quite suprised I don't know if I had planned ahead of time for it to be so busy, but I thought it was actually fine. Have to have a little more detailed plan on what you are doing we used ridemax, and definately want to use your early entry for Fantasy land rides. we were there a Sunday-Friday Monday was really busy but Tues Wed. & Thursday was really managable we usually had rode the majority of the rides by about 2ish went back to hotel and then back in the evening again. I was so impressed that I would definately go back again that time of year instead of having to pull kids out of school? Hope this helps.

 

[keishashadow]

more good info

believe the 4th of July is a Friday in '08; so it'll probably be more crowded.

according to the blackout schedule link Hydroguy listed, i just realized the last full week of June isn't blacked out for '08 So Cal Annual Passport leading me to think it will indeed be busy.

After talking it over with DH I'm afraid to chance earlier in the month (last year we had 4 snow days added onto the calender - who knows what this year will bring-weird weather all year in our part of country) & nephew getting married on the 21st eliminates the 3rd week of month for us.

Shall be optimistic & plan for the last week, according to the early entry days, etc. - thanks again everyone.

 

[kiwitravel]

I don't know how many day pass you have and how long you plan to stay, last year we arrived on 28 June and went into the park on the 29th. We had a 14 day pass and we were there for 15 nights. Having the 14 day pass we were able to gauge the following:

Yes the first week we were there the weekdays weren't blacked out but the weekends were, we noticed the park was indeed busier on the weekdays. The blackout for SoCal passes started from July 4, we noticed the park was definitely quieter after July 4 but crowds started to build again quickly. The quietest period was July4 - 9. This was mirrored by the fact that the park stayed open till midnight that first week we were there but after July 4 returned to 11pm closing except on weekends. Fireworks and Fantasmic was every night and everything was open.

I would say either go a week earlier than we did, or aim for around the 2nd. I never put two and two together as to why it was busy those first few days we were there but following Hydroguys post on the subject I now understand.

 

[HydroGuy]

I don't know how many day pass you have and how long you plan to stay, last year we arrived on 28 June and went into the park on the 29th. We had a 14 day pass and we were there for 15 nights. Having the 14 day pass we were able to gauge the following:

Yes the first week we were there the weekdays weren't blacked out but the weekends were, we noticed the park was indeed busier on the weekdays. The blackout for SoCal passes started from July 4, we noticed the park was definitely quieter after July 4 but crowds started to build again quickly. The quietest period was July4 - 9. This was mirrored by the fact that the park stayed open till midnight that first week we were there but after July 4 returned to 11pm closing except on weekends. Fireworks and Fantasmic was every night and everything was open.

I would say either go a week earlier than we did, or aim for around the 2nd. I never put two and two together as to why it was busy those first few days we were there but following Hydroguys post on the subject I now understand.

We were there Monday-Thursday this year during the last week of June (25-28). I am quite sure the blockout started on Wednesday 27 this year. Usually that is about when it starts, and I was surprised the 2008 blockout will be starting later. Not sure why.

In truth I was expecting the difference before and after the blockout to be larger than it was. All else being equal, I personally would choose a different week if possible. But this year it was not possible for us and all turned out fine. So my advice to the OP is the last week will be fine and I am sure you will have a great trip. As you said, an early start is the key to avoiding whatever crowds may exist.