Mid-November no longer a "secret"

[ddwlms]

Someone on another board reported that one day tickets are now requiring a photo and signature. This is probably slowing down the lines, too.

I think it was on Tuesday, the 8th, (might have been Monday) the CM at the entrance told us that this was the first day in DL history where they would not be requiring hand stamps, -because they were photographing even the 1 day ticket holders.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I think it was on Tuesday, the 8th, (might have been Monday) the CM at the entrance told us that this was the first day in DL history where they would not be requiring hand stamps, -because they were photographing even the 1 day ticket holders.

I can confirm that no hand stamps were required for any of our park days (Nov. 9th-14th)

 

[mich311e]

My dad actually suggested something about this on our vacation...that those using tickets for the first time (so those needing photos/signatures) should have their own lines so that those who already have everything all set can get in faster. but, as darkbeer1 said, that requires that people read the signage. Even if you split the turnstiles in 1/2 and said the 1/2 to the right are for first use, 1/2 to the left are for those who already have signatures and photos, you'll still get plenty of people who don't read the signs at all. I have to admit disneyland did a good job with the entry lines and adequately staffing the turnstilea. Even when we were so far back in line that we were closer to dca than dl, it didn't take more than 20 mins or so to get from there through the turnstiles.

We can dream, can't we! I know it's not possible but it would be the greatest perk. I always pick the slowest line!

 

[MacMama0930]

The other thing about AP only lines or "bag less" lines is that would split groups up. I would think that would create quite a cluster at the entrance inside while AP'ers or bag less folks waited for the rest of their party.

 

[cacruisin]

We went yesterday 11/15 and we went in on a one day ticket they did in fact take our pictures but stated that in order to return to the park we would still need to do a hand stamp....

As for Mid-Nov crowds....I'd say it was on the light side...not dead there but we didn't wait in any line longer then 20 minutes all day and we rode everything we wanted....even PP's line was only 40 min most of the day (but we didn't care enough to wait for that one)...

 

[GatorChris]

I'm here now too and agree that Fri-Sun were insane. Some of the worst crowds I've ever seen outside of the summer and major holidays.

Today (Tuesday, Nov 15), though, was a completely different story. The park was a complete joy to be in. While it wasn't dead, crowds were extremely manageable, lines were for the most part short, and the weather was darn near perfect.

Yeah, it's odd. Tuesday and Thursday were pretty easy to get into DCA. Monday, as I stated in the original post was NUTS. And Wednesday, the line to get in at rope drop was halfway through the esplanade. I'm wondering if that had to do with the parade taping and some locals showing up. Friday was crowded as it always is.

Once we were in, lines were pretty normal. That means that they were loaded...not light like it used to be in November. I'm gonna have to start changing the dates I come to DL, I guess.

 

[closetmickey]

See, and I just got back and found Sunday delightful at Disneyland (even before the rains) but Monday was much worse at DCA.

 

[mom2rtk]

I think it was on Tuesday, the 8th, (might have been Monday) the CM at the entrance told us that this was the first day in DL history where they would not be requiring hand stamps, -because they were photographing even the 1 day ticket holders.

I can confirm that no hand stamps were required for any of our park days (Nov. 9th-14th)

We were there through the 20th and that very morning CMs were telling people "Hand stamps are only required for one day tickets" as we exited the parks. So they were definitely still requiring them.

 

[mom2rtk]

See, and I just got back and found Sunday delightful at Disneyland (even before the rains) but Monday was much worse at DCA.

You must have a better tolerance of crowds than I do.

We were at DCA from 7:15 to 8:30 Sunday morning, then DL from 8:30 to 12:30. I thought it was really busy. Around noon, Space had a 105 minute wait. I believe Touring Plans rated this as an actual crowd level of 9 out of 10 that day.

 

[Angel Ariel]

We were there through the 20th and that very morning CMs were telling people "Hand stamps are only required for one day tickets" as we exited the parks. So they were definitely still requiring them.

Interesting..they had sandwich board signs up when we were there saying no hand stamps were required at all.

 

[mom2rtk]

Interesting..they had sandwich board signs up when we were there saying no hand stamps were required at all.

Maybe it was a test? We were in the parks the 16th to the 20th and never saw such sandwich boards, and heard "hand stamps for one day tickets only" many times.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Maybe it was a test? We were in the parks the 16th to the 20th and never saw such sandwich boards, and heard "hand stamps for one day tickets only" many times.

Maybe..>I don't know if I have any pictures of the signs or not...probably not unfortunately, as my camera was likely away when we were exiting.

 

[closetmickey]

You must have a better tolerance of crowds than I do.

We were at DCA from 7:15 to 8:30 Sunday morning, then DL from 8:30 to 12:30. I thought it was really busy. Around noon, Space had a 105 minute wait. I believe Touring Plans rated this as an actual crowd level of 9 out of 10 that day.

Well, we were at DL by 7:45 Sunday for 8:00 rope drop and 2nd back waiting to enter Fantasyland. We took a break at the hotel from about 2-4 and had dinner reservations at Carnation cafe for an evening break. So maybe all that helped!

 

[ericopia]

A CM at the DGCH entry to DCA told us that they had tested running without handstamps ... but there was some lingering confusion as they had chosen to test it the first weekend of Holidays and on a runDisney event weekend to boot. On our arrival day (11/16) we had a mixed bag of handstamp/no handstamp moving between parks, but the confusion seemed to go away by Thursday morning.