Nervous about Aug 21-23 trip :(

[mamaliu]

New to the forums and recently booked a trip to DL for 8/21-23 not knowing this is the first week many AP holders will be unblocked since the beginning of summer. I am super nervous these first 3 days will be crazy crowds. Please please talk me down from canceling our trip

 

[haileymarie92]

I definitely wouldn't cancel. Even though the southern cal APs aren't blocked anymore, the crowd ratings still aren't terrible. Plus it's a Mon-Wed which is typically a good time to go. Most schools are back in session now, so that's on your side too.

 

[IntoDeNile]

I wouldn't worry too much since as stated above me some schools are back in session so students with the lower level ap passes wouldn't be able to go anyways. There may still be more crowds than the last few weeks, but hopefully it shouldn't be too bad.

 

[Lesley Wake]

Get there for rope drop and optimize your time in the beginning of the day. Crowds may start to pick up in the evening after school and work. Monday will probably be the worst as it will be the first day.

 

[MacMama0930]

Keep your expectations realistic. So Cal APs definitely affect crowd levels. But don't be nervous and don't go into it with a negative outlook. A crowded day at Disneyland can still be super awesome! I've been there during some really busy times and relatively slow times - of course less crowds are better, but I have still always been able to do almost everything I wanted to do.

First, I highly suggest you spend the extra money and do Max Pass. I cannot praise this system enough. We did everything, multiple times, with little to no wait. Second, if you can, get there at rope drop (or even better MM if you have it). Third, take afternoon breaks. Get away from the crowds and heat for a while and recharge your batteries and rest your legs. With Max Pass, you can book FPs from your hotel room during your break. So go back in the evening when the weather has cooled, armed with a couple more FPs.

If you have kids, have things to occupy them during lines. Wiki Stix are fun. Little snack bags are helpful. If it's just adults, waiting in line isn't terrible any way.

Also, make sure to have some kind of reservation for food, so you're not scrambling to find food when your hot and/or crowds are getting to you. That's a recipe for crankiness!

Definitely don't cancel your trip. Just go in with a plan and enjoy all there is to see and do

 

[gottalovepluto]

Crowds are always crazy these days. You can still do plenty of stuff but you will wait in line & be bumping into people next to you to some degree for fireworks & parade viewing. That's just how it is. If you plan a trip for a "low crowd" period lots of rides will be down for refurbishment & hours will be short and you'll feel you got "ripped" (seen that complaint so many times on the boards!). Don't cancel your trip, do pack your patience.
If you truely do not want to deal with any crowds at Disneyland please save your money and consider a different vacation option. I'm not being snide here, just honest. I love DLR but I realize it isn't for everyone.

 

[mamaliu]

Thanks everyone for the reassurance! I guess I was just a little jealous reading about the "light" days y'all been having in the parks . We definitely will give the MaxPass system a try, tho I'm still confused whether I should buy 2 or 4 MaxPass upgrades for our family of 5 with 1 under 36" who we'll be needing rider switch to stay with.

 

[Elima2015]

Plan ahead and you will be fine! We just returned and I don't know how the crowds officially rated, but I would say it was pretty crowded. We had a blast! Never waited in line for anything more than 20 minutes.

Be there before rope drop - we got a ton done the first couple hours the park opened. We used MaxPass and could book our next rides instantly. I also highly recommend park hoppers. When one area got crowded, I booked us rides in the other park. When we didn't have a fast pass window open, we rode the rides that didn't have FP and without long lines (like Pirates, Monsters Inc, Ariel). We sprung for the Fantasmic! dining package and I'm really glad we did. We showed up at 8:00 and got great seating on the ground. I brought glow sticks and between that and a bathroom run, my kids were completely occupied for the hour wait. I also bought my kids 'neon stretch strings' off Amazon and it kept them occupied in lines. Probably the best $8 I spent for the trip. We took a couple hour break in the middle of the day to get out of the crowds, heat, and stimulation. I also recommend strollers for all younger children - it allowed them to rest their legs, us to walk quickly, and for when it was very crowded, it gave them a safe space and we didn't have to worry about getting separated (for reference, we had our 5 yr old twins with us).

 

[Rabb it]

Like other people posted, school will be back in session and you're going during the week which definitely helps!

 

[smartlabelprint]

I'd buy 2. You definitely don't need a fp for the shorty.

 

[hootey]

Do not Cancel your trip! We used to go to DL several weeks a year. Now, we go for the week of Christmas and maybe a three days in early summer, maybe. The week of Christmas every year is crazy. One day the parks will be at low levels and the next day the parks will be at MAX. We have learned to roll with it. Make the most of any day at DisneyLand, E N J O Y

 

[SteveMP]

I'm a socal select AP holder and me and "my people" are the least of your worries. Most of us go there several times a year. We skip things that are crowded, since we aren't in any hurry to see things. If a ride is more than 20-30 minutes we'll just do sometiing else. And many times we bring our own food or eat out of the park. So we may not add to the food crowds etc as much as non AP holders.

 

[wildflower329]

We went that week two years ago and it was definitely much less crowded than our October trip, and about the same as our November trip a year and a half before that. We had a great time, and I am sure you will too!

 

[l4dyj8]

It's still a weekday. Many local schools have already started. We have a deluxe pass and it's Sundays that are the worst. Saturday's being unblocked are what we are looking out for. But I have never really cared when days were unblocked. Also I have never really cared for the hot summer months. Summer is for vacationers/visitors and those with school aged children. School has started and if I didn't have kids I could wait for another week or two. In fact, I wait til September. Anyone within the city limits waits til after work or school.

 

[PHXscuba]

I am right there with the OP, as our trip is same dates. I think knowing all of this ahead of time helps you greatly to both plan and manage expectations. Here's what I'm doing:

1. Luckily staying on site so planning to get up for the 8 a.m. EMH times.
2. Hitting Guardians of the Galaxy, the train, etc. -- things that are shiny-new to APs -- early each day
3. Using MaxPass
4. Booked a River Belle Terrace Fantasmic package so we have a guaranteed seat

I think going early and using FastPass/MaxPass strategically will make a huge difference.

I realize several of these are added-charge upgrades but it is a special anniversary trip and we were locked into these dates. The money I saved using an AP rate at the hotel is funding the MaxPass and RBT package for sure!

PHXscuba

 

[tlovesdis]

I was just there Sun and Mon and Monday was busier than Sunday! It's still summer for a lot of out of towners, so just go in knowing it will be busy. Mornings are great, if you get there early, you can get a lot done!

 

[BayouQueen]

I agree with others...don't cancel. Just plan well and make it work. Honestly, if you were to cancel, I don't know when it would be a good time to reschedule. What with Halloween stuff, holiday stuff, post-holiday refurbishments, it's gonna be crowded no matter when. Just gotta do it!