Memorial Day

[Disneys54321]

Hi all
We are visiting LA in late May (we are coming from NZ), we were trying to work our itinerary so that we were not at Disney (or any other theme park) during Memorial weekend, however due to other tours and stuff that we were planning on doing not being available some days it looks like we will be going to Disneyland on the Monday of Memorial weekend and that will be our first day at the parks. We have a three day parkhopper so will then go again the next two days (Tues and Weds) and will use our magic morning entry on the Tuesday.
So any tips for managing the crowds on Memorial day? I hope it is not unbearably crowded. We will get there at 8am and stay until midnight. We want to ride every ride and see all the shows etc. Is this possible in three days? It's just me and a friend in our twenties going so no kids.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

This is definitely possible to see everything in 3 days - especially since you have youth and stamina on your side!

The crowds will slack down that Monday a bit, and definitely the next couple days after. Most California schools are already out by Memorial Day, but folks aren't necessarily planning huge vacations yet.

I would take that Monday as your "casual, suck in the details and find the little things that people normally pass by in their rush for the big things" day. Do the big things early and late - and using Fast Passes and spend the rest of the time just doing shows, parades, and some minor attractions in both parks that don't have FPs - Casey Jr Circus Train, Big Thunder Ranch, the Carousels, Tiki Room, Tarzan's Treehouse, the Castle Walkthrough, visit Tink at Pixie Hollow, or hit DCA's Tough to be a Bug, Bugsland, Toy Story Midway Mania (the line is never shorter than 45 min), Mickey's Fun Wheel, the Animation Building, Silly Symphony Swings.... you get what I mean.

Then, plan which big thing you want to do in the evening. That could mean planning to grab a World of Color FP, or deciding to grab Plaza Inn chicken dinner to go (ask for carry out packaging when you get to the cashier) and take it over to eat while sitting in your extra early snagged place for Fantasmic. People watching here can be really great. Since it's just the couple of you - you could definitely do the late show of Fantasmic - if there is one. The chicken dinner plan works fabulously for fireworks and getting a seat right up front, too.

Do things simple adult things - like explore the hotels, eat the lobster nachos at DCA's Cove Bar, have a hot cocoa or stronger (if age appropriate) at the Hearthstone Lounge at the GCH - stuff like that.

That's my plan for beating crowds. No matter what, you'll have a great time and find what works for you!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Most California schools are already out by Memorial Day, but folks aren't necessarily planning huge vacations yet.

I would actually question the "most" in this statement. I looked over some school calendars when trying to decide whether and when to take a June trip, and I found that San Diego county, Los Angeles county, Orange county, and Anaheim all have schools in session through June. Their last days depending on district range anytime from June 7-21. I know that many northern California schools are still in session until sometime in June as well. So I'm not sure I would say most California schools are out of session by Memorial Day. Some certainly are, and whether the school year has ended or not, kids will have that day off as a holiday, yes, but they should be back in school on the Tuesday and Wednesday following. So the Monday may be a bit busy since it's a holiday, but I would just look at Memorial Day as similar to any other nice-weather weekend day.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

we will be there too sund-thursday and monday will be 8-11 at DL and then 1130 is our lunch at princess, i am also gona do World of color on this night. I know it will be busy compaired to the last week of NOV i love. But i think some who normly go this day will wait a few weeks just to see cars. I expect it to be busy but not to busy if that makes since.

 

[Disneys54321]

Thanks for your suggestions. I think our plan will be to ride some of the most crowded rides in the morning and collect as many fastpasses as we can then just take it easy in the afternoon and maybe see some shows and parades. For shows like Aladdin does it fill up and seating run out or is it ok to turn up just before the show starts. What time in the evening does the park generally start getting quieter, and are rides still all open when the fireworks are on?

 

[mysteriouspnai]

Thanks for your suggestions. I think our plan will be to ride some of the most crowded rides in the morning and collect as many fastpasses as we can then just take it easy in the afternoon and maybe see some shows and parades. For shows like Aladdin does it fill up and seating run out or is it ok to turn up just before the show starts. What time in the evening does the park generally start getting quieter, and are rides still all open when the fireworks are on?

DBF and I turn up before the show starts, but the later you get there, the higher you may be placed. I wouldn't necessarily say the parks start getting quieter per se, rather, the crowd changes from families with strollers to college age and below and those not bringing kids into the park. The park felt less crowded after fireworks and fantasmic definitely, but right after fireworks everyone and their mother head towards Space Mountain, so you may want to avoid that and go towards Indy, BTMRR and other stuff on that side of the park.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

What time in the evening does the park generally start getting quieter, and are rides still all open when the fireworks are on?

Many Fantasyland rides close down for the fireworks but reopen after. ToonTown closes before the fireworks and doesn't reopen.