Paint the night parade...more crowded the first night in CA?

[grannyminnie]

Before I ask for opinions, I know nobody can give me a guaranteed answer. I do wonder tho if perhaps those of you who are local and visit the parks frequently may have noticed a trend.
I'll be visiting the parks during that first weekend that the Paint the Night parade moves over to CA. I have the option of going on Friday, April 13th, or Sat. the 14th. (I'm not buying a park hopper) Anyone care to theorize which night might be more crowded? My first thought is that more locals might be attending on that Saturday, as opposed to a school day/night. I'm not sure there will still be many people there for their spring/Easter breaks. Seems like they would be mostly over by then. My main reason for asking is that I am still considering a dining package for the parade, but by now, most of them have been taken, so that's just about a moot point.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[poptart90]

I would vote for watching on Saturday night. More local annual passes are blocked on Saturday 14th - No Deluxe, So Cal, or So Cal Select annual passholders are allowed in. I'll be there starting Friday 13th for Pixar Fest too. We have the Sonoma Dining Package booked for Monday, but we also plan to watch on Saturday. Hoping crowds might be a bit lighter with the local passes out. Fingers crossed? lol I'm honestly just getting used to "nuts" all the time too...

 

[grannyminnie]

Oh, well, maybe all those people who can't attend might make a difference then. Let's hope so. I tried earlier to get a dining package but looks like I missed out. Someone posted when I asked that it should be easy to get a good viewing spot because the parade route is long enough. I just don't want to have to stand or sit for a very long time holding a spot (it's just me going), so thought a meal would be better to guarantee a spot.

 

[DLgal]

Go for Saturday, definitely. It will be much less busy.

 

[grannyminnie]

Thank you! Seems like Saturday it is!

 

[MommaBerd]

I would vote for watching on Saturday night. More local annual passes are blocked on Saturday 14th - No Deluxe, So Cal, or So Cal Select annual passholders are allowed in. I'll be there starting Friday 13th for Pixar Fest too. We have the Sonoma Dining Package booked for Monday, but we also plan to watch on Saturday. Hoping crowds might be a bit lighter with the local passes out. Fingers crossed? lol I'm honestly just getting used to "nuts" all the time too...

Oh my goodness, I realized I read the calendar backwards! I was fearing the crowds on Saturday night PTN, as I thought there were NO blackouts! That’s what I get for not reading carefully enough!

 

[MikeRx]

We try to travel to The DLR when there are extensive blockouts as it is always less crowded. We've faired very well on Saturdays around major holidays over the past year. Good luck with PTN. We too have the Sonoma Terrace reception when we are there for Dapper Weekend the 20th. We hope it will make even a busy night more relaxing.

Mike

 

[theluckyrabbit]

To the OP: If you still want a Dining Package, keep checking for cancellations. It is possible that something may open up before your trip.

 

[grannyminnie]

Thank you for that suggestion. I considered the Sonoma Terrace reception but just having a hard time with that price!! The Wine Country lunch price is more doable for me.

 

[tarheelalum]

Paint the night is a wildly popular parade. On it's first weekend back I would expect it to be jammed packed every night. If any packages are left that provides seating I would jump on them.