Just back & already planning our next trip...need your expert advice

[DisneyJamieCA]

We just got back from an extended holiday weekend trip to Disneyland and had a blast! So much so that we are already planning our next trip back. We are AP holders (premium) and would like to go back in the summer, in Oct & again around Christmas time.

Right now, I need your advice on when to go over the summer. Currently, we are looking at June 6-12 (Wed to Wed). I understand from searching that grad nights will be offered 4 of these nights. My understanding is except the for the possibility of more people during the day, these aren't expected to impact regular guests like they have in the past? And is it still typical for these to be 1 day trips (bussed in, bussed out at the end) as opposed to overnight stays?

I also saw HydroGuy's recent Al Lutz update on the opening of Carsland. I see that the AP previews will likely be held while we're there cool1: - especially for my DS!). How crazy do these get? Also, in the past, how does the cast preview days impact the park (DCA). It is only that one area or do they close the entire park?

Is there anything to worry about with having both cast preview days at DCA on the same days at grad nights in DL (June 6,7 & 8)?

I am sure we can find things to do outside the parks (we might do Universal one day), but I want to make sure we aren't wasting our time picking this week. Would you say this week is ok to go or should we look later in the summer? How are all things likely to affect crowd levels. My kids get out of school very early (late May as opposed to mid June), so I was hoping to beat some of the crazy summer crowds. Although being able to see Carsland would be great, it's not a must since we'll back again later in the year.

Also, any ride closures slated? I will try to search the forums on my own, but any advice you can give is much appreciated.

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

I would be a little concerned about a lot of things going on during that week. I would delay to early to mid August if you could swing it. All of the lower tiered AP's will be blocked.

Not sure if there will be a time at all this sumer when CA will quiet down, but I would certainly opt for August when the CM's may have crowd control figured out for Carsland.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Thanks for your advice. Unfortunately, mid-August is a no-go as my kids go back to school then. We're still playing around with dates, so we'll see. I did get our October trip booked though!

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

We're going during the 6,7,8 dates too. I was upset (loosely used here) initially because I thought they were doing the typical close early stuff. All I read about it sounds like it won't be a huge issue.

Our biggest debate has been whether to use more days while AP's are allowed or more days when it's grad nights. We're going from the 2-9th and getting 5 day park hoppers.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

As far as AP previews of Carsland go, please remember that those are rumors only so far. Al Lutz gets a lot of things right, but he is not an official Disney source. If AP previews do in fact occur during those dates, I would expect (but obviously have no actual knowledge) that they would be run as some sort of controlled entry, not a free-for-all for every AP who happens to be in the park. I think they ran a drawing or something like that for the Star Tours AP previews. That being said, you could be one of the lucky chosen ones. Also, it isn't unprecedented to get a shot at a soft opening if you happen to be in the right place at the right time. I seem to recall something about people getting early chances to ride Star Tours even without the benefit of being picked for the preview. All I'm really trying to say is don't get your hopes too high about Carsland just because you will be there close to the right time and have an AP.

As far as cast previews of Carsland, I don't see how that would have any impact on you since that's really just an opportunity to have some guinea pigs ride the rides while simultaneously giving cast members the perk of riding before the general public. They don't close down the whole park for this.

I haven't been during Grad nights before, and I have also read that they are being run differently this year. It sounds like Disneyland will not be closing as early as in years past, but there will still be a private after-hours party for the grads. My only concerns about the impact of Grad nights would be to wonder if this will affect opening hours or magic morning hours in any way, and if there will be any noticeable difference in crowds on grad versus non-grad nights. I'm not sure that I would allow this to deter me from going to the parks; I would just want to pay close attention to the schedule since it may not be quite "normal".

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Thank you for the information. Like I said, I will not be heartbroken if we miss Cars Land this trip, as we are coming back after it's open. It's having the "maybe" that is sort of exciting. But I am glad to know in past experiences, it hasn't been a huge problem with the parks. I think I can deal with the rest of it. We've been at some pretty peak times (so have experience with that) and our trip will hopefully be long enough were we can spread it all out over multiple days.

You have made me feel better about these dates!