Park crowds throughout the day?

[honicakes]

I know a number of folks tend to head back to their hotels for a break during some point in the day. Is there a time of day when the park crowds seem to wane a bit?
We may take a break too, but being adults with no kids, we aren't subject to typical kid schedules (eat at noon etc) - so I'd like to try to plan our break when crowds are coming back.
In other words - what are the peak and non peak times of the day for ride waits?

 

[Bud Ice]

Can depend on the overall crowd, there's calendars floating around here showing when things are happening at Disneyland.

Some key times on crowd mix...

Lunch - Noon
Dinner - 5-6pm (Many families with kids leave about here, no late night with kids in tow )
After Fireworks - 10pm
Park Closes - 12am

These can vary depending on the Park Hours. But general rule of thumb.

 

[Geemo]

We try to take advantage of others break times. Anything to have less line wait time.

I figure 11:30a to 1:30p is a general lunch period for most.
Dinner range is 4:30p to 6:30p.

I make sure our group has a good (wish it could be healthy) breakfast to start the day. For lunch if anyone's hungry we'll grab something fast and easy.
A nice dinner meal will be before 4:30p or at 6:30p.

So I don't have to pack everyone's snacks for the day along with their water, I have made everyone a cinch bag.
I use to put snacks in zip-lock bags. But that got a little too messy. Now I have small plastic peanut butter jars for the kids to use. With twist on-off lids it keeps food tidy in the cinch bags.

I set up a snack buffet of protein bars, crackers and candies in the hotel room. The grandkids are responsible for packing what they'll need.

Geemo

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

So I don't have to pack everyone's snacks for the day along with their water, I have made everyone a cinch bag.
I use to put snacks in zip-lock bags. But that got a little too messy. Now I have small plastic peanut butter jars for the kids to use. With twist on-off lids it keeps food tidy in the cinch bags.

This sounds so cool! I would love to see a picture if you are able to post one sometime!

 

[Geemo]

As not to hi-jack OP's thread
Cinch bag pic's in new thread

 

[figment_jii]

Truthfully, I don't think there is really a noticeable drop in crowds during the afternoon when some folks head back to their hotels for the breaks. I've found that the lowest crowds tend to be for the first few hours right after park opening and then the crowds steadily build and remain high (although what is "high" depends on the day/season) throughout the day. I don't think the lines at the thrill rides or really popular rides really decrease at all in the afternoon or evening. There might be a slight decline the last hour or so of the day, but even then the lines for things like RSR and Space remain long even at closing.

 

[chickapin parterre]

I find that train stations really crowd up about 2:00, except for tomorrowland, the other three will not load every waiting passenger. I use this as a gauge of folks tired of bumping around on the crowded paths and not willing to walk back to gate and not doing their homework about boarding in the afternoon. I ride several loops around to rest so I pass the capacity stations frequently And I am surprised about how empty the flag pole hub is around evening ceremony in early December. not many folks leaving or entering so that seems to be a wane for the winter months.

 

[grnflash]

Truthfully, I don't think there is really a noticeable drop in crowds during the afternoon when some folks head back to their hotels for the breaks.

I really agree with this. No matter what time the park opens, it seems busy at 11, crowded by noon with no let up till the parade/fireworks.

 

[millie0312]

I really agree with this. No matter what time the park opens, it seems busy at 11, crowded by noon with no let up till the parade/fireworks.

I also agree. I do think the last couple hours are less busy but still busy. I find the early morning hours to be the best time. We usually eat an early lunch and do a couple more things until 1 pm-ish, then head to the hotel from 1-5 pm. We try to plan dinner during this time too. We come back around 5 pm for the parades, shows, night entertainment then close down the parks. We end up missing what seems to be the busiest times in the park this way including when we eat.

 

[tlovesdis]

I really agree with this. No matter what time the park opens, it seems busy at 11, crowded by noon with no let up till the parade/fireworks.

Totally agree!!

 

[McNs]

My observations match others - busy from 11 onwards. One opportunity for quiet(er) times on rides is when parades or fireworks are on, as these suck up a lot of people out of ride lines. Hitting the parks as early as possible is the way to go, and the earlier the park opening the better it will be (apart from having to get up early on vacation!)

 

[chickapin parterre]

very interesting thread, went back and re-read you OP and it looks as though you are seeking two views of the park; when to leave the park for break when folks are coming back and the level of peak riding. One common thread is that once we leave the park, there is great chance that we have positioned ourselves to no longer able obtain Fastpass, so we focus on fireworks, parades, and entertainment. So ideally, if you are in the park at 5:00 and ready to leave to avoid crowds because we are coming back into the park after rest at lodging, chances are we "nappers" are not riding but preparing for entertainment. So I don't think returning "nappers" influence the level of crowds riding attractions. We may be filling in the hubs and routes, but probably not riding if we opened the park. I know that when I leave Disneyland at 12:30 to ride GRR in DCA, I am done with E attractions for the day. With the exception of BTMRR during fireworks.

....and now the potato salad is done for the labor day picnic tomorrow.....