Most accurate crowd calendars?

[MATTERHORN]

I have a secret weapon with my husband being a CM! Lol! Most days that we are blocked out from signing people in, I know those are expected to be terrible!

 

[HydroGuy]

I have a secret weapon with my husband being a CM! Lol! Most days that we are blocked out from signing people in, I know those are expected to be terrible!

Hmmm, sounds like you you start a website to give advice on crowds...

 

[MillauFr]

I have a secret weapon with my husband being a CM! Lol! Most days that we are blocked out from signing people in, I know those are expected to be terrible!

Isn't it the exact opposite? The days that you are blocked along with most of the annual pass holders are the best days to go. The days the cheapest passes are unblocked are a complete zoo. Probably a big reason why Monday is often the worst day of the week to go.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Isn't it the exact opposite? The days that you are blocked along with most of the annual pass holders are the best days to go. The days the cheapest passes are unblocked are a complete zoo. Probably a big reason why Monday is often the worst day of the week to go.

CMs and the lower APs are blocked on certain days because Disney expects large numbers of day crowds, e.g. Christmas Week. DL hits capacity 2-3 times on average that week each year with CMs and most APs blocked. (APs usually make up only 20% of the crowds during that time -- they're not the reason for the crowds then.) There are crowds on those days, but the make up is different. Being in crowds of mostly newbies who don't know where anything is located, don't understand the FP system -- or even know that it exists, don't know where the restrooms are, etc. is a different experience from being in crowds of experienced park goers who know the ropes, know where they're going and how to get there quickly, have the app and know how to use it, etc. The parks are just crowded anyway -- it's just a different kind of crowded depending on when you go.

 

[MATTERHORN]

Isn't it the exact opposite? The days that you are blocked along with most of the annual pass holders are the best days to go. The days the cheapest passes are unblocked are a complete zoo. Probably a big reason why Monday is often the worst day of the week to go.

Yeah, like luckyrabbit said, the days they let us go are usually days they expect to NOT be as busy. I've literally had them unblock days at DL when it ended up raining and they knew crowds would be lower. Happened to me in December and in January, ended up being able to sign in even though we were ready to use tickets. This was due to weather and crowd level predictions dropping last minute! They definitely keep us out when expecting crowds!

 

[DLgal]

The AP blackout calendar is the best crowd calendar out there. Avoid days where Deluxe and lower can go and you will be golden.

 

[GatorChris]

I see DL as two types of days. The busy days, which see lots of waiting for security and ticket gates because of late opening. The really busy days like Christmas, Spring and Summer Break....but they open earlier and stay open later so there's more wiggle room. Either way, you'll get in the same amount of rides and attractions. When I have a choice, I choose based on weather.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I see DL as two types of days. The busy days, which see lots of waiting for security and ticket gates because of late opening. The really busy days like Christmas, Spring and Summer Break....but they open earlier and stay open later so there's more wiggle room. Either way, you'll get in the same amount of rides and attractions. When I have a choice, I choose based on weather.

These days, I think this is a practical and sane way to look at it. Some people choose dates based on hours, some based on weather, some based on events in the parks, some based on when it's possible for them to go, etc. Go when you go -- just have a sound plan, a backup plan, lots of patience and a positive attitude. Then get ready to have fun in the parks!