Opening day strategies?

[SOCALMouseMommy]

No - the CMs I know are saying there are less than half the number of “guests” that will be there opening day. Some of them think they’re increasing the next three days, so Thursday might be closer?

That would be a smart plan for Disney to work out the kinks.

 

[midnight star]

Rental prices:
Single Stroller rental: $18
ECV: $80
Wheelchair: $35

Idk what the prices were like pre -covid but the person reported that it’s an increase.

 

[V & S]

I just got a chat response re: Harbor Entrance. "Good afternoon! The Harbor Blvd side will be open at 6am" (on opening day!)

 

[GBRforWDW]

I just got a chat response re: Harbor Entrance. "Good afternoon! The Harbor Blvd side will be open at 6am" (on opening day!)

Did the chat CM add opening day in parentheses or was that you? Is opening everything up at 6am for a 9am opening going to be standard practice? Or is this just an opening day thing?

 

[crystal1313]

Did the chat CM add opening day in parentheses or was that you? Is opening everything up at 6am for a 9am opening going to be standard practice? Or is this just an opening day thing?

According to Disney it’s only opening weekend. 4/30-5/2. 5/3 and beyond parking will open 30 min prior to park opening.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I'll be joining those of you going on May 1. I think I chose Saturday in case my daughter can join me, or so more people can see the live stream. I'm going to go in from the Mickey & Friends parking structure so I can check out the walk way to the parks and share that. If my daughter doesn't go, then I'll just be solo. I hope to see some of you there! I have hoppers, so will be going to DCA first, and then DL, but on Tuesday I can go to DL first thing in the morning.

I’ve waited in line super early for both the 50th and the 60th but it was just me. This time it will be my DH and DS13 and DS11 with me. So I don’t think they will want to get in line much earlier than 7 . I’m half tempted to just get up early and get in line but I’m not sure how difficult it would be to have them join me later. Plus waiting in line with a bunch of people who love Disneyland as much as you is always fun!

I pulled my kids out of school for the 50th first day. We got there at 5am and the line was so long. That day was spectacular. We were there for the 60th, too, and it was another awesome day. I can so relate to waiting in line with a bunch of Disney lovers.

 

[V & S]

Did the chat CM add opening day in parentheses or was that you? Is opening everything up at 6am for a 9am opening going to be standard practice? Or is this just an opening day thing?

I added that, as I just asked about opening day.

 

[ycsteves]

I'm gonna err on the side of caution: using mickey and Friends- only because two different CM's gave one answer and now another CM is giving another. I would want to be able to confidently make my way to the esplanade without any hiccups. Also, I just remembered that it's going to be hot on opening so I won't want to walk back to my hotel that day anyway lol.

 

[crystal1313]

I'll be joining those of you going on May 1. I think I chose Saturday in case my daughter can join me, or so more people can see the live stream. I'm going to go in from the Mickey & Friends parking structure so I can check out the walk way to the parks and share that. If my daughter doesn't go, then I'll just be solo. I hope to see some of you there! I have hoppers, so will be going to DCA first, and then DL, but on Tuesday I can go to DL first thing in the morning.


I pulled my kids out of school for the 50th first day. We got there at 5am and the line was so long. That day was spectacular. We were there for the 60th, too, and it was another awesome day. I can so relate to waiting in line with a bunch of Disney lovers.

So fun! We will be there May 1st too! If you see a north face backpack with a stuffed porg keychain on it, that’s me! (Also be with two teenage boys, one with a chewy backpack and one with a porg backpack)

I can’t wait to share my experience with my kids!!

 

[Skyegirl1999]

I'm gonna err on the side of caution: using mickey and Friends- only because two different CM's gave one answer and now another CM is giving another. I would want to be able to confidently make my way to the esplanade without any hiccups. Also, I just remembered that it's going to be hot on opening so I won't want to walk back to my hotel that day anyway lol.

How far is your hotel? Without the trams running, it’s a bit of a hike from the structure. Between that, the potential car line, and the parking fee, I’d be tempted to stick with the hotel and walk!

 

[midnight star]

How far is your hotel? Without the trams running, it’s a bit of a hike from the structure. Between that, the potential car line, and the parking fee, I’d be tempted to stick with the hotel and walk!

This is where I am at right now. Harbor entrance is a shorter walk. Plus no traffic on that side. One thing I like with structure is that it's covered (as long as we aren't on the roof).

Hmm

 

[coaches24]

I'll be joining those of you going on May 1. I think I chose Saturday in case my daughter can join me, or so more people can see the live stream. I'm going to go in from the Mickey & Friends parking structure so I can check out the walk way to the parks and share that. If my daughter doesn't go, then I'll just be solo. I hope to see some of you there! I have hoppers, so will be going to DCA first, and then DL, but on Tuesday I can go to DL first thing in the morning.


I pulled my kids out of school for the 50th first day. We got there at 5am and the line was so long. That day was spectacular. We were there for the 60th, too, and it was another awesome day. I can so relate to waiting in line with a bunch of Disney lovers.

I was there on the 50th by accident. It was the 2nd day of 3 day park hoppers I had won off the radio. I hadn’t been to DL since 1987 before that and I was a kid then. Had no clue about the parks (I didn’t even know DCA existed till we got there) or that it was the 50th anniversary day. I thought we were getting to the parks early by arriving a little before park opening and I was shocked by the crowd. Arnold Schwarzenegger the governator was there giving a speech near the castle. We tried to get to space mountain to ride it and it was a wall of people. At about 8:15 or 8:20 we got over and to SM and the line was several hours long and the fast pass was already to dinner time. I learned to do some research before we made it back to the parks after that lol.

 

[ycsteves]

How far is your hotel? Without the trams running, it’s a bit of a hike from the structure. Between that, the potential car line, and the parking fee, I’d be tempted to stick with the hotel and walk!

I'm staying down the street at a hotel on harbor, but I don't trust that they are going to let people through as soon as they will with the parking structure. They may let people line up, but I'm worried that, in the spirit of maintaining a decent flow/ crowd they will focus on placing cms at the check in on structure side. Or it might be the other way around,, but the only explicit directions and details they have given about arriving in the morning is for the parking structure. Since harbor is so up in the air, I may stick to the structure. I will wait until Thursday night to make my final decision.

ETA: Best case scenario is those lined up at harbor at 6am are let in at the same time they're letting in people from the parking structure. But I don't like the mixed responses at to how they are handling harbor

 

[theluckyrabbit]

This is where I am at right now. Harbor entrance is a shorter walk. Plus no traffic on that side. One thing I like with structure is that it's covered (as long as we aren't on the roof).

Hmm

Another plus with the structure is that there are restrooms. When we brought youngest, having restrooms nearby was always a necessity!

 

[crystal1313]

I'm staying down the street at a hotel on harbor, but I don't trust that they are going to let people through as soon as they will with the parking structure. They may let people line up, but I'm worried that, in the spirit of maintaining a decent flow/ crowd they will focus on placing cms at the check in on structure side. Or it might be the other way around,, but the only explicit directions and details they have given about arriving in the morning is for the parking structure. Since harbor is so up in the air, I may stick to the structure. I will wait until Thursday night to make my final decision.

ETA: Best case scenario is those lined up at harbor at 6am are let in at the same time they're letting in people from the parking structure. But I don't like the mixed responses at to how they are handling harbor

Are you planning on lining up at 6 if you can? We are also staying on Harbor. We can’t decide what time to go to try to line up! My mind says not earlier than 7:30 but my heart says 6am! Haha!

 

[ycsteves]

Are you planning on lining up at 6 if you can? We are also staying on Harbor. We can’t decide what time to go to try to line up! My mind says not earlier than 7:30 but my heart says 6am! Haha!

Haven't decided yet, but mostlikely 6am. I am SO eager to get there in order to ride as many rides as possible. Given the shorter hours and possible longer lines I'm thinking the earlier the better.

 

[DisneylandMommy]

I’m wondering if the crowds will be better if I arrive a little after 9. There is no way I am getting there at 6am! I live about 15 minutes away. Trying to decide what time I want to leave. We are starting in DCA then hopping to DL in the afternoon.

 

[Mathmagicland]

Add to general "to bring list" for all folks, but very important for you opening day folks: tissues. Lots of tissues. Get the good super soft kind, too.

Also only wear waterproof makeup if you wear any that day . There's going to be a lot of tears if that short little live broadcast was any indication of how many of us will react.

After watching several of the videos from yesterday, I think this is the best advice!

 

[Iron Dan]

Has anyone seen any YT or IG videos of the preview days from people who entered on the Harbor side?

ETA: Check out what these guys are saying about parking / arrival (they start discussing it at the 7:00 minute mark in the video).

(link to Five Fires)

They also said that the DLR had a hard close at 3:00 pm, and even people who were already in line were turned away.

ETA: DLR = Disneyland Railroad

 

[mistyinca]

I remember reading that have to cancel the day before.

I asked via chat. They said you don’t have to cancel the reservation that your ticket would just go unused.