Planning for Summer 2012

[erocrobro]

I am planning a trip to DLR for my sons (ages 10, 7, and 5) and I for this summer. Reading about the onslaught of people that are expected to be there when Carsland opens has gotten me a bit worried. If I plan for early to mid June, would we most likely be able to avoid those crowds? I know that they would enjoy Carsland, but since we have never been to DLR everything will be new to them and they won't know what they are missing anyway. I would really rather be able to enjoy as much as possible without spending 2-3 hours in line for some of the Cars attractions, which is what is being predicted according to what I read today.

 

[taaren]

The answer is: nobody knows for sure when the construction will be done, possibly not even Disney if there are storms/rain this winter which delay construction. If you really want to avoid crowds, plan on early May since its highly unlikely Carsland/Buena Vista will be complete by then. Early to mid-June is going to be a mystery for awhile. I'm keeping an eye on it since we have a tentative reservation in mid-June and would love to see Carsland but would also be okay with less crowds/just getting more use out of my AP and DVC points.

 

[skiingfast]

Like Taaren said the date is not clear.

Given that, if you must go in June running the risk of missing Carsland, go when most APs are blocked out 6-9th or the 13 and beyond.

If you can delay further, which will be a lot better for Carsland. Mid July to Mid August, midweek is very nice.

Also I would suggest you read the DLR guide for WDW vets.

 

[erocrobro]

Ohh, I hadn't thought about checking out blackout dates. Does that make a big difference in crowd size? Thanks!

 

[skiingfast]

Ohh, I hadn't thought about checking out blackout dates. Does that make a big difference in crowd size? Thanks!

Yes it can and this summer it likely will. With so many AP holders anticipating Carsland, it will likely be like last summer, when LM and ST opened and the summer before when WoC opened. Since these opened giving those AP holders a very short time to see them before being blocked, they swarm in.

If it opens after they are blocked for the summer, they will be waiting at the gaits to swarm in when they are unblocked in August.

You can see the dates in the link. The SoCal APs matter the most, Delux APs very little.
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/passes/blockout-dates/

 

[AngelDisney]

How bad would the crowd situation be compared to July 4 at WDW? The only time I can visit this summer is the week right after the blockout period in August. Touringplans.com is showing a crowd level of about 6. How accurate is that after Carsland is open? If I can handle the "Independence Day" week at WDW, can I handle Carsland opening in August after AP blockout?

 

[skiingfast]

How bad would the crowd situation be compared to July 4 at WDW? The only time I can visit this summer is the week right after the blockout period in August. Touringplans.com is showing a crowd level of about 6. How accurate is that after Carsland is open? If I can handle the "Independence Day" week at WDW, can I handle Carsland opening in August after AP blockout?

It will really depend on if the APs get a chance at Carsland before they are blocked in June or not. If the bulk of them have seen it, it will probably be better than the weekend around the fourth, if not worse.

Sometimes school interfears, but if you can go the week after they are unblocked in August it gets much better. Partly because a lot of the APs have gone in, and a lot of people are getting back to school. The biggest dissapointment is Haunted Mansion usually closes that week for it's seasonal layover.

 

[HydroGuy]

Ohh, I hadn't thought about checking out blackout dates. Does that make a big difference in crowd size? Thanks!

See "Understanding AP Blockouts and Impact on Crowds" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2365983

 

[HydroGuy]

How bad would the crowd situation be compared to July 4 at WDW? The only time I can visit this summer is the week right after the blockout period in August. Touringplans.com is showing a crowd level of about 6. How accurate is that after Carsland is open? If I can handle the "Independence Day" week at WDW, can I handle Carsland opening in August after AP blockout?

The crowd levels from touringplans or anyone at this point are meaningless because everything hinges on CL and BVS and when they are opened. Non-blocked AP times this summer will be swamped after CL and BVS open. Period. Blocked times during the summer will be busy - probably not as bad as the non-blocked time.

The last few years July 4 has not beed too bad. But this summer Disney is going all out with a marketing campaign to get people to the parks and show off the new DCA.

There is a chance CL and BVS will not be open at July 4 which means crowds will be modest. If they open in June then the opposite.

 

[erocrobro]

This is why I love the DIS boards! Thanks for all of your help. We are going to shoot for June 6-9 at the parks. I decided I would rather try for smaller crowds vs. seeing Carsland. Plus, that's just an excuse to go back a couple of years later!

 

[joelnkelly]

we are booked to be visiting disneyland the 9th-16th, this will be our frist trip out west with the kids so hoping for carsland to be open but understand the crowds might be a bit crazy. Looking at the blackout dates we will be good for our trip as those dates will mostly be blacked out. Thank goodness.