Opinions Needed - Disneyland at the end of June

[Dandi1212]

We have made reservations to take our kids to Disneyland at the end of June. We would be in the parks on 6/30, 7/1 & 7/2. I'm starting to have second thoughts though because I just read that 4th of July is the VERY busiest time of the year.

I knew it would bad because of summer, but apparently 4th of July (and I assume that is not just on the 4th, but on the days preceeding and following) has 20,000 more people than on a regular summer day, with waits on some rides of 90+ minutes.

So, do you think we are crazy??? Do you think the Thursday and Friday BEFORE the 4th, which is Monday, will be horrible. I think we would do Disneyland on Thursday and Friday and Disney California on Saturday.

I could not handle many 90+ minute waits, and I do not think my kids could either.

The problem is we wanted to take our son for his birthday in June, and other than this week, my husband will not be able to take any more time off this summer. I'm seriously having second thoughts though and we have a few more days to cancel.

Diane

 

[JC Butterfly]

Diane, Welcome to the DIS!

This year Disneyland is celebrating its 50th anniversary and the celebration just kicked off two weeks ago. Therefore this entire summer is going to have record crowds! Yes, the July 4th weekend will be extra crazy. For the same reasons that it works for your family, millions of others will make the trek here too.

That isn't all bad. It's peak season and that means longer hours and more shows. If you take advantage of going to the parks for early entry and make sure to take some downtime at your hotel or around the pool to avoid any major meltdowns, I'm sure that you can still have a fabulous time.

Fastpass is free and will cut down on some of your wait times.

But you should go with your eyes wide open. Know that it will be packed and hot so don't expect to see absoultely everything for this trip.

If this is truly a "once in a lifetime" type of experience for you, then you might do better to plan this for the fall (if you can get your kids out of school) but really this is such a festive time to be there!

 

[raidermatt]

I'm sure it will be busy, but Thursday and maybe Friday should be manageable. I'm not sure its actually THE busiest time of the year, but its probably close.

Saturday will be Krazy with a capital K, making DCA the better choice, as you planned.

But its definitely worth making the trip, especially if you don't have other dates available.

Use FP religously... meaning get your first as soon as you walk in the park, and continue getting them as soon as you are eligible. If you're an early person, take advantage of the early hours, and if you're a late person, the late hours.

As Butterfly said, just understand going in that it will be busy, and have your plan for dealing with it.

 

[KyMattDisney]

oh no....now I am getting nervous...we will be there June 26-July 3rd.....planned on doing

Mon 6/27--arriving early evening from San Diego (spending 6/24-6/27 in SD)
Tues 6/28-DL
Wed 6/29-DCA
Thurs 6/30-DL
Friday-Hollywood AM/Parks PM
Sat-Park Hop
Sun-leave

Since we are staying at DL planning on doing alot of early mornings..mid day breaks and back at night...will this work?????

 

[geffric]

sounds like we will all be there at the same time..

We arrive in Friday the 1st of July... plan on not doing any Dis on the first since it is not a full day.. but will hit Saturday early and stay late.. BTW we are at the GC so acccess will be easy... do you think we should book Storytellers on Sat or Sunday??

 

[mskani]

KyMattDisney--

Your trip plans almost mirror mine. We'll arrive in San Diego on the 25th.

6/26-Sea World
6/27-San Diego Zoo
6/28-Drive to Anaheim
6/29-7/1 DL/DCA
7/2-visit w/family
7/3-drive back to San Diego and fly home.

I am now starting to get very concerned about the crowds. At least at WDW, if MK got too crowded, you had your choice of three other parks and countless other activities. I am getting very excited though.

 

[Dobie]

Get there early, like at least half an hour before opening. Eat before you go. Do the DL biggies (splash, Indy, jc, BTMRR) on one side of the park first thing, then things like POTC, HM. Always be holding a fastpass. When it gets wild,around 12-1, cross over to DCA. The next morning, do the biggies at DL at the other side of the park (Space Mountain, Matterhorn, Peter Pan) and follow the same strategy to cross to DCA later. Plan to eat in DCA. Rest for a couple of hours in the afternoon, plan an evening to watch parade/fantasmic/fireworks.

You will have a blast!