Just Returned - a few thoughts and will answer q's

[Lm3js]

We just returned from DL/DCA and thought I would share tips/thoughts in case it helps others. Also, if there are any specific questions you have, I would be happy to answer.

We were in the parks from Saturday 6/6 ~ noon to Tuesday 6/9

1. Saturday 6/6 was a grad night. When we arrived around noon it was pretty light on crowds. I was very surprised. The crowd levels progressed during the day and was shoulder to shoulder in New Orleans Square/AdventureLand area by 7:45 pm. Though it was crowded, we didn't experience very much bad teen behavior with the exception of some running while holding hands. We did the Blue Bayou Fantasmic dinner package 6:10 reservations for 9:00 show and I thought it was definitely worth it. Seating was front and center even though we didn't arrive to Fantasmic show until about 8:45p. We stayed for the fireworks after and they project the same show as on mainstreet on the water screens. The only thing you couldn't see well were the arial flyovers by Tink, etc.

BIG WARNING - The HUB after the fireworks is a ZOO. Frankly, it was badly managed and very scary. I was afraid that we were going to be trampled. There were no cast-members giving directions and it was jut a big sea of people. I have never been afraid in DL until then.

2. Sunday 6/7 - We spent the day at DCA and it was pretty light on crowds all day. We were able to do RSR 2x with Fast Passes. RSR FP ran out around 2, I think. At 11:45a, the FP was for 7:15 - 8:15pm. Screamin was walk-on to 15 minutes almost all day (we rode it 4x). ToT/Soarin/TSMM were consistently 45min. Grizzly Rapids over an hour as it was hot and broke down a few times, but FP were available most of the day. We did the Wine Country Trattoria dinner package for WOC. I am glad I did it once, but wouldn't do it again unless it changes again. I like the original show better than this one. I just don't like standing for that show and having the kids not being able to see unless you get there and hold a spot early.

3. Monday 6/8 - Most of the day was spent at DL and it was more crowded than Saturday or Sunday. I think because of the APs not being blocked out. Due to the crowd levels after the parade, they were moving people through the service gates to get out.

4. Tuesday 6/9 - Similar crowds as Monday. We watched the Paint the Night parade. It was AWESOME!!! Were able to find a good viewing area in front of the Train Station on Main Street behind the benches at the circle. We were right behind the benches and the kids found a spot on the curb. We didn't arrive until ~8:15pm and it was only 2 - 3 rows deep behind us when the parade started. This was a great place to watch as we were able to make a quick exit afterwards to avoid the craziness.

Great trip through and through. We normally go this time of year and did notice it more crowded this year, but not too much worse... I thought everything looked cleaner and refreshed as well as LOVED all the new decorations!!

 

[PlutoRocks]

I agree with you - the post PTN/Fireworks crowds are scary!! There were CMs trying to direct traffic but they were completely overwhelmed with the sheer number of people in the area. Every once in a while I would see one of their flashlights pop up over the crowd but they were in the middle of it too and people were NOT paying attention to them they were just forcing themselves the direction they wanted to go. We were a group of 3 adults and we all made it through the crowd but not together. We re-connected outside the gates - it was madness!

 

[Gisele]

I agree with you - the post PTN/Fireworks crowds are scary!! There were CMs trying to direct traffic but they were completely overwhelmed with the sheer number of people in the area. Every once in a while I would see one of their flashlights pop up over the crowd but they were in the middle of it too and people were NOT paying attention to them they were just forcing themselves the direction they wanted to go. We were a group of 3 adults and we all made it through the crowd but not together. We re-connected outside the gates - it was madness!

That's when it's a good idea to take a que from parents with their tots (Ooh glad I caught that spelling, naughty auto correct lol) anyway hold hands and create a movable chain. That way you can't become separated. Not easily anyway.

 

[mr.bungle]

Oh shoot I forgot about grad night. I hope it isn't too bad tomorrow.

 

[Creaking Crypt Door]

I agree with you - the post PTN/Fireworks crowds are scary!! There were CMs trying to direct traffic but they were completely overwhelmed with the sheer number of people in the area. Every once in a while I would see one of their flashlights pop up over the crowd but they were in the middle of it too and people were NOT paying attention to them they were just forcing themselves the direction they wanted to go. We were a group of 3 adults and we all made it through the crowd but not together. We re-connected outside the gates - it was madness!

I will be far, FAR away from the parade when it happens. I see the route does not go through Adventureland/Frontierland/NOS, so I'll be hanging out there for that haha.

 

[Disney Dory]

Wow! I hope they can get a handle on this soon! it sounds pretty wild! Those poor CMs trying to herd everyone and occasionally jumping up and flashing a flashlight only to be sucked back into the sea of people probably never to be seen again! Wow!! Can anyone tell how long it takes to clear the street again enough to get through if you have little ones in a stroller? Is it best just to hang out somewhere else for an hour after the fireworks before trying to get down Main Street?

 

[KeKy4]

Wow! I hope they can get a handle on this soon! it sounds pretty wild! Those poor CMs trying to herd everyone and occasionally jumping up and flashing a flashlight only to be sucked back into the sea of people probably never to be seen again! Wow!! Can anyone tell how long it takes to clear the street again enough to get through if you have little ones in a stroller? Is it best just to hang out somewhere else for an hour after the fireworks before trying to get down Main Street?

We like to sit at Coke Corner and watch the crowds leave. It's amazing just how many people can be in Disneyland at once, even on a "slow" night. We stayed for 30 minutes once and it had only slightly lightened up! But worth it! Less scary!

 

[HopLow1968]

Is the hub craziness because of grad nights? Or is that just the way it is right now?

 

[Gisele]

Is the hub craziness because of grad nights? Or is that just the way it is right now?

That is just the way it is or may be. Especially during summer, Friday Saturday and Sunday and or holidays.

 

[Disney Dory]

Is the hub craziness because of grad nights? Or is that just the way it is right now?

From what I've been reading, it sounds like it is so crazy in the hub due to the new 6oth PTN parade followed right after by the new 60th Fireworks. Plus it's amazing how many people begin lining the streets hours before the parade begins. And it sounds like, from what people are posting, that it's difficult to get down Main Street even before the parade begins.

 

[707MickeyGirl]

We didn't find it difficult to get up/down Main St. before the parade, as long as you stay in the street. The sidewalks are nearly impassable. Getting in/out of shops is difficult because so much of the street is roped off, but if you're just trying to get into or out of the park, stay in the street and you'll be fine.

 

[ashleyrm]

We did the Blue Bayou Fantasmic dinner package 6:10 reservations for 9:00 show and I thought it was definitely worth it. Seating was front and center even though we didn't arrive to Fantasmic show until about 8:45p. We stayed for the fireworks after and they project the same show as on mainstreet on the water screens. The only thing you couldn't see well were the arial flyovers by Tink, etc.

This is what I have planned for my arrival day as well. Should be in DL by noon and have a 5:30 Blue Bayho F! reservation. Sounds like it's a good plan!

 

[ktlm]

We have been those same days (the week after memorial day) several years. You have described exactly what we experienced each trip. The Saturday and Sunday were light on crowds, but the Monday and Tuesday were crowded. We typically are in the parks 1/2 a day on Wednesday too, and the crowds usually lower back down that day.

Good to hear you loved the parade. I was debating whether it is worth fighting the crowds, and DH and DD whining, when we go. I love the parades, but DD and DH, not so much. Really, they like the parades, they just don't think they are worth waiting forever to see. I may try to find something around the spot were you were. Thanks for the tip.

Thanks also for the warning about the hub after the fireworks. I have been caught in the crazy crowd around there in the old fireworks show, and it sounds like it is amplified by about 10 with the new fireworks show. I'm guessing maybe because people care even more about being in that area since it now involves all the projections?

I'm a little fearful of the new WOC show. I absolutely loved the last one, and I saw a minute of the new one on line, and I was not impressed. I'm worried I might feel the same way you do after we see it!

Glad you had a great trip!!

 

[arichau]

Just wanted to add my experiences from last Mon and Tues night. Was in the hub for fireworks and we left right after (with a stroller) and a large group and didn't have a hard time getting out and didn't come close to being separated. Lots of people but we didn't experience anything scary like some of reported on these boards (not to say that wasn't someones experience) but after getting home and reading some reports I'm surprised by some of the reports. Lots of people for sure but not a big deal for us.

 

[2boysmom1998]

Is the hub craziness because of grad nights? Or is that just the way it is right now?

I was there for four days last week and getting out through the crowds is insane. The worst I have ever seen and I have gone to DL for the last five years. I feel really sorry for people with little ones who are trying to get out. I don't think that Grad Night has anything to do with it, and I was there last week during 3 Grad Nights. I think it's the passholders coming to see the evening shows. When you go through the turnstiles in the late afternoon early evening you will notice most of the people going through have their passholder cards. It's not the vacationers.

 

[Jkpark]

Can I ask about your fireworks view from the F! seating? I think I want to do Blue Bayou, Fantasmic, staying there for fireworks - staying in that area while crowds clear doing a ride or two, and then catching 2nd parade. I know I will miss Tink. Otherwise is the view okay? Music piped in? I have read my other options are fireworks by small world/matterhorn and catching 2nd parade. I think I can't see fireworks from Main St without committing to first parade or the strategy of waiting in shops and rushing into the street. I'll be with husband, 2 kids (7 and 9) and likely my mother in law who can't move that quickly (knee issues). Sorry for the long post, just stressing as we have just that one night and I want to see both the fireworks and parade - but I don't want to invest 2 hours pre-parade to make it all happen. I will be back in September and November when hopefully things are a little calmer.

 

[carrierael77]

"Running while holding hands" you say? I heard that is a gateway to teenage pregnancy.

J/k. I know what you meant, but the first image that popped in my head had me cracking up.

 

[Gisele]

Op....is the singing donkey back yet please? TIA
He has been AWOL since last December. Ugh!...

Cry....cry...

 

[mr.bungle]

I was there yesterday from about 10am until around 11:30pm. We park hopped a couple of times and the crowds really weren't bad. Walked on to the Cars ride via single rider, no wait at about 11. The longest wait (during the day) we committed to was about 45min for Tower of Terror. We don't "plan" or have a strategy, just decided what we felt like doing and did it.

Around 6ish the parks started to fill up, presumably for grad night. There was an influx of teens, of course. We concentrated on CA Adventure since the kids hadn't been there before and this didn't leave us a ton of time to do the majors at DL. But we still rode Small World, Thunder Mountain, Star Tours, Astro Blasters, Matterhorn, and some others.

I think the main issue with the crowds wasn't the ride lines and wait times, it was physically navigating through the "butts to nuts" crowds to get where we wanted to go. I had a 7 and a 10 year old with my gf and me and because of their height, people kept steam rolling over them as we navigated through the sea of people. It seems that spacial awareness, common courtesy and sense has gone out the window, along with walking on the right to go one direction and the opposite direction on the left, much like traffic. So many people seem to think it's a great idea to ignore everyone around them and just stop in the middle of a traffic way for whatever reason, especially with scooters or strollers. It was so crowded toward the end of the night that people driving scooters could barely move and when they did it was just so dangerous to those walking around them.

And don't get me started on selfie sticks...

I'm a local and generally avoid going during busy times so maybe this is all normal? We just wanted to give the kids an end of school surprise (which they loved and we had them fooled until they saw the Disneyland Drive signs on the freeway)

Overall it was a really good day, we did a lot and the weather was great.

My question is, are they doing grad night differently now? Granted, I did mine 15 years ago and CA adventure was still being built. But, we weren't allowed into the parks until pretty late at night and it was an all nighter, leaving at 5 or 6am. What I read about grad night now is that their park hopper tickets are good all day and they got the park to themselves until 1 or 2am? I also recall having a dress code for grad night which didn't seem to apply now. Not that I am one for dress codes, I'm more jealous since I wasn't allowed to wear jeans or a t-shirt to mine.

 

[Gisele]

I was there yesterday from about 10am until around 11:30pm. We park hopped a couple of times and the crowds really weren't bad. Walked on to the Cars ride via single rider, no wait at about 11. The longest wait (during the day) we committed to was about 45min for Tower of Terror. We don't "plan" or have a strategy, just decided what we felt like doing and did it.

Around 6ish the parks started to fill up, presumably for grad night. There was an influx of teens, of course. We concentrated on CA Adventure since the kids hadn't been there before and this didn't leave us a ton of time to do the majors at DL. But we still rode Small World, Thunder Mountain, Star Tours, Astro Blasters, Matterhorn, and some others.

I think the main issue with the crowds wasn't the ride lines and wait times, it was physically navigating through the "butts to nuts" crowds to get where we wanted to go. I had a 7 and a 10 year old with my gf and me and because of their height, people kept steam rolling over them as we navigated through the sea of people. It seems that spacial awareness, common courtesy and sense has gone out the window, along with walking on the right to go one direction and the opposite direction on the left, much like traffic. So many people seem to think it's a great idea to ignore everyone around them and just stop in the middle of a traffic way for whatever reason, especially with scooters or strollers. It was so crowded toward the end of the night that people driving scooters could barely move and when they did it was just so dangerous to those walking around them.

And don't get me started on selfie sticks...

I'm a local and generally avoid going during busy times so maybe this is all normal? We just wanted to give the kids an end of school surprise (which they loved and we had them fooled until they saw the Disneyland Drive signs on the freeway)

Overall it was a really good day, we did a lot and the weather was great.

My question is, are they doing grad night differently now? Granted, I did mine 15 years ago and CA adventure was still being built. But, we weren't allowed into the parks until pretty late at night and it was an all nighter, leaving at 5 or 6am. What I read about grad night now is that their park hopper tickets are good all day and they got the park to themselves until 1 or 2am? I also recall having a dress code for grad night which didn't seem to apply now. Not that I am one for dress codes, I'm more jealous since I wasn't allowed to wear jeans or a t-shirt to mine.

Is the singing POTC donkey back? Gracias.