Please help to convince me!

[mystic_path]

I am having an issue trying to decide...

One of my close family friends is a writer for Disney. She spends a month a year in Southern California to deal with her publishers etc, and she is going in Early July to Early August. She is staying in one of the On site resorts, and she told me all I need is to get is a park pass and a flight. That doesn't seem difficult at all, and I would do that in a heart beat. Especially since I have a free place to stay. Her daughter who is a year younger then me is spending her birthday there in the park. So that would be fun to join in. My whole problem is that I try and avoid Disneyland during peak summer months at all cost. I cant stand major crowds, and now with 2 new rides opening in June, I am terrified that the summer months will possibly be even busier then normal. I know I am probably sounding silly as it is Disneyland, a free place to stay, and my friends birthday, so why wouldn't I go? But I am also taking a trip there in Mid November after Vetran's day, and before Thanksgiving when it shouldn't be too super busy. I also have another friend who wants to see the two new rides for the first time with me, but cant go till November but she is unsure if she can get the time off work, and I have to let my work know as soon as possible what my travel plans are. For July I could possibly take a week off to go.

I have read all of Hydro Guy's amazing tips, but for those of you who have been in the summer months, feel free to slap me around a bit!!!! Knock some sense into me.

 

[Brady's Mom]

DH and I went in mid-July and it wasn't as bad as I expected. Granted, there weren't new rides open either!

We really did take HydroGuy's advice. We went early, gathered FP for the rides we wanted to ride, watched the crowds build around 10:30 am or so, enjoyed the lower crowds early, went back to the hotel after lunch to rest and get out of the sun/heat, put our feet up, went back to the parks around dinner with our FP's and had a great time.

I would take my kids with this strategy, we just haven't done it, yet.

I sunburn super easily so I need to either stay out of the mid-day sun, or wear a hat, or both and wearing a hat all day makes me crazy!

Depending on how long you will be there, I would also recommend a sleeping in day - I know this goes against disboards wisdom, but getting up early to be in the parks early every day gets tiring. I love to go early/stay late for a couple of days, then have a sleep in day and open CA, and then go back to the early/late plan. It works for me and my family.

Good luck deciding!

 

[mystic_path]

You sound like me. I sunburn really easy too. Afternoon naps are a total must anyway, and a good plan for swim time! I totally agree with the Fast Pass idea!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Heck ~ DD & I spent this past 4th of July weekend there *our dates were 7/3-7/6* and we had a fantastic time *thanks to AP blockouts crowds were minimal to average except for the evening of the 4th. Morning and evenings were cool *a sweater or jacket was needed* Park hours are nice and long so it's easy to take a mid day break/nap and still have plenty of time to enjoy the parks ~ DL was empty the 1st couple hours each day ~ our 1st ride 3 of our 4 days last July was Peter Pan *and we walked on each time* *2 MM days 1 non MM day!!

We also spent a Wednesday in the parks mid July 2009 and again had a great day.

 

[PinkBudgie]

We've been every summer for the past several years. I love the summer there! All the shows are up and running, hours are long, the weather is warm. Last summer was definately more crowded than previous summers and I believe that was just due to WOC. However, I have seen it much worse over the smaller holiday blocks.

Don't sleep in, better to go to bed early than to sleep in. Morning is the most uncrowded time of the day. You can get a lot done on crowded days if you arrive first thing in the morning. We take afternoon naps too. We avoid June for various reasons and prefer July.

 

[yupikgal]

We are going this year the week of the new ride openings, and although I'm a little scared, nothing will stop me!! I know that there is only one block out day for AP holders (we are not) I checked, but hopefully with the fact that I've heard that soft openings are starting as early as May 20th, maybe the AP holders will go during that time instead of the opening week! The day that is blocked is June 4, of course this is only for Deluxe holders, I guess the Premium holders don't have block out dates at all?

In our case, I already purchased our air tickets, so nothing is going to hold us back, we do a lot of early mornings, and then I take a break in the afternoon, our kids are teens, and they are kind of die hards, so the nice thing is, if they want to stay, I'll just go back on my own and rest...another good reason to stay within walking distance of the parks!!

 

[sierranevada]

I use to be like you and avoid DL at all costs in the summer but DS grew up and we had to vacation at "regular times". So we have been going in the summer a lot!!! Honestly, it is not as bad as you are imagining it. Just get up early and take a long afternoon break. This and FP collecting makes it a great trip. And not only do you have a free place to stay - it is onsite! So you can take advantage of MM every day that it is offered!

I say go - but then again, I always say go to Disneyland!!

 

[Huff]

I tend to doubt that Star Tours and Mermaid will draw huge crowds to the parks. Probably a bit crowded when they first open. When Pooh opened it didn't draw huge crowds! Takes an E-Ticket ride to do that. When Carsland opens that could very well draw large crowds for several months.

 

[sierranevada]

I tend to doubt that Star Tours and Mermaid will draw huge crowds to the parks. Probably a bit crowded when they first open. When Pooh opened it didn't draw huge crowds! Takes an E-Ticket ride to do that. When Carsland opens that could very well draw large crowds for several months.

I actually think that they will be big draws. There were huge lines for the last showing of Star Tours and I think the redo will be another anticipated event. I also think LM will draw large crowds just as TSMM is still drawing large crowds. But as I said, I would not let that keep you away!

 

[KBelle5]

^^It's Pooh. Even if nobody knew what a boring attraction it was at the time, I doubt it would have garnered much hype at opening.

I feel like the majority of the crowds will be in the area of the new attractions, leaving the rest of the park not so busy, because a lot of people will probably go just to wait in line and say they were there for opening. I would take the chance and go, and just steer clear of those areas (although easier said than done). Tomorrowland is probably going to be kinda crazy.

Ooh, I almost forgot! How did she become a writer for Disney? That would be a cool fallback if this whole law school thing doesn't pan out.

 

[yupikgal]

Good question KBelle5, I was wondering how she became a writer for Disney also! My daughter is an excellent wordsmith, she loves reading & writing, and has considered doing this also, especially since she loves Disney! Please share, OP~??

 

[PinkBudgie]

I tend to doubt that Star Tours and Mermaid will draw huge crowds to the parks. Probably a bit crowded when they first open. When Pooh opened it didn't draw huge crowds! Takes an E-Ticket ride to do that. When Carsland opens that could very well draw large crowds for several months.

Mermaid and Star Tours are both E ticket. How many people have been waiting for years for a new Star Tours? I know I have! I fully expect summer crowds be big. But still do-able. We are going 5 1/2 days this summer to allow us time see new things and old favorites.

 

[mystic_path]

^^It's Pooh. Even if nobody knew what a boring attraction it was at the time, I doubt it would have garnered much hype at opening.

I feel like the majority of the crowds will be in the area of the new attractions, leaving the rest of the park not so busy, because a lot of people will probably go just to wait in line and say they were there for opening. I would take the chance and go, and just steer clear of those areas (although easier said than done). Tomorrowland is probably going to be kinda crazy.

Ooh, I almost forgot! How did she become a writer for Disney? That would be a cool fallback if this whole law school thing doesn't pan out.

Thank you so much everyone for all your replies. I am going to take them all in to consideration for sure...

As for her becoming a writer, from what I understand, since she's been writing novels for years, and her publisher for that is in LA, there was a connection through her publisher. She doesnt really discuss it much, and is very tight lipped, and she wont even tell me what she is writing. I guess that's in her job discription to keep it hush hush. However she does give me a hint here or there that I can toss around and ponder with other people. Last time, she said right out "I am working on a girl with a purple dress, kinda gypsy style" but told me nothing else. I didnt say much to anyone over that. My mom and I squealed in the movie theater one night when Tangled was a preview. Rapunzel's mother is kinda gypsy like and Rapunzel is in a purple dress. Its funny because I know there are A TON of writers who work on the movies, but perhaps you need a certain style of humor or personality because my friend has a quirky sense of humor and I could see her all through this movie. It's great. I was last week given 2 more hints on a project she is working on, but I don't know what it could be. All I got was

1. If I turn my head upside down like this, maybe I will think differently

2. If you look at a square within a square and that smaller square was a door and opened up into a new world, where would it be?

I am thinking Cheshire Cat / Alice in Wonderland sequel, but I could be very wrong. Any other guesses?

 

[DizNee Luver]

I'm assuming you wouldn't got for the entire time she's going to be there.....so I'd try to hit the parks on the weekdays vs the weekends. We were there the last week of July & first week of August last summer & didn't find the crowds to be an issue. Yes some of the bigger rides, had longer lines.......but it was vey doable.....especially with gathering FP's in the morning, taking an afternoon break & then coming back & using the FP's in the evening. Both parks will probably be busier, since both parks are opening new rides........but during that time, a lot of the AP's are blocked....so that will help a little!

I, myself, would not pass up the opportunity to go......especially with your stay being free!! You can come & go as you please to the parks and not feel like you sunk your life savings into this trip.

There are lots of options to beat the crowds.......the Animation Building is a great place to go, any of the entertainment/shows is always fun (even with crowds), The Great Moment's with Mr Lincoln & exhibit is a great place to escape. You can always find a bench in the shade & people watch......it's fun to do it around the flag pole & watch the characters come out & all the little kids lighting up when they see them.

Hope this works out for you.......even with the 2 rides opening.....I bet you'll still have fun!!!

 

[mystic_path]

I'm definitely feeling waaaaaaaaaay more convinced!