Memorial day weekend crowds?

[princessaw]

Helping out a friend on this one! She and her family will be down in OC for five days (thurs-mon) visiting family. They want to do just one day at disney (probably just one park, too) and they want to go on the least crowded day. I know what you are thinking: Holiday weekend crowds=!

They already have plans for thursday, so that's not an option. Does anybody have any experience with crowds for these days? Best/worst days to go? Or have any reccomendations on which parks/rides to avoid? Any advice is welcome! Thanks a bunch!

 

[CrazyDuck]

I'd say Sunday may be their best bet. It is a blockout day!

 

[ConnieB]

I have a friend going that weekend too and her philosphy (or maybe just big hope) is that because Star Tours and Little Mermaid open the following week that a lot of locals are going to skip going Memorial Day and instead be there for the grand openings.

Going on the AP blocked Sunday would definitely cut down on SOME of the holiday craziness.....but their very best bet is to go into the parks with the mindset that it IS going to be busy....plan their priorities ahead of time, be there at rope drop, take advantange of Fastpass for anything they can and just remember, being in a crowded Disneyland Park is still better than being at work (or at home, lol).

 

[TravelingJen24]

I have to agree that any day that is blocked out is probably your best bet. It will be crowded, so get there early, grab your fastpasses and hit the rides. It will probably be a little warm as well, so bring water.

 

[Huff]

AP's except for premium are blacked out both Sat. and Sun. for Memorial weekend. Hotels are easy to find for Fri. and Sun. nights but Sat. night shows far less availability and rates rather high. That hints that both Sat. and Sun. will be crowded but Fri. and Monday not as bad. We are heading there Fri. just for 1 day as we only have DLX AP's.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Even though most APs aren't blocked out on the Monday, I might be tempted to choose the Monday for a couple reasons. It won't be an early entry day, so there won't be people in the parks ahead of you. Also, since Monday is the end of the holiday weekend, vacationers may be heading home throughout the day, and locals possibly may not stay quite as late/long or want to deal with the holiday traffic. Just speculation.

 

[furb & dez]

You can probably expect living hell. Go on the blocked out date, if you can. It'll have a significantly smaller crowd of obnoxious APs.

 

[mvf-m11c]

I will be heading down there that weekend, I would say that all of the days during that weekend will be busy. I would say that it might be good to go on Sunday.

 

[princessaw]

Thank you for all of the helpful answers! I will pass all of your wonderful advice onto my friend!

 

[rebecca1176]

Princess don't let the fact that it's a holiday scare you. I was so sick to my stomach after planning our trip for Easter weekend and reading it would be a mad house...One website said "Don't Even Bother Going" due to crowds I wanted to just cry.

Okay, so Easter Saturday wasn't too bad at all....Busy, but not nearly what we were expecting for our first trip.

And Sunday, ha ha....several rides there were NO lines. My kids were on one ride when a cast member said, if you'd like to go on this ride again, just remain in your seat!

It was actually the following day, a Monday (perhaps spring break?) that was more busy! Yet, we went on the teacups twice back to back at night

Anyhoot, that was just my experience...hoping it flows well for you and your gang!

Have a great trip!

 

[the donut]

I'm not sure how much this will affect crowds, but there is an AP preview event for Star Tours on Saturday and Sunday but not Monday.