Quick AP Blackout Days Question

[nunzia]

I'm noticing that AP blackout days this year incude every Saturday in May. Is this common? I am asking because I'd like to upgrade to AP on my Sept trip and then come for Food and Wine next May and use my VGC points. Since I have to book in June for this, the new AP calendar won't be out, but I'm thinking I should avoid Saturdays since every single one is blacked out this year. Opinions?

 

[ScooterL]

Yes, Saturdays are usual blockout days for all of the APs except the Premium. The Deluxe has some Saturdays available in the "slower" months - late September, October, most of November, January, etc. but from March-July they are typically all blocked out.

At this point the DL site has the AP calendars through April of next year, so you should know in June what the blockout days will be for May.

If you're only going to use your AP on one Saturday in May than you'd still be ahead by getting a blockout day ticket rather than upgrading to a Premium.

 

[Eeee-va]

My opinion is that I've heard Saturdays can actually be LESS busy than Sundays. Yes, Disney blocks out Saturdays because they are predicted to be busy, but there are so many locals visiting Disneyland that a weekend day that isn't blocked out could easily be busier than one that is.

I also agree that going for one blockout day isn't terribly expensive...between the comparatively low cost and the potential slightly smaller crowds, I would book whatever days you'd like.

 

[MAH4546]

Premiums are totally worth it right now. So many locals have the SoCal and Deluxe APs, that Saturdays are now "the" day to go to Disneyland.

 

[mechurchlady]

Originally Saturdays was the busiest day of the week. It was Friday after 3 pm, almost all day Saturday, and Sunday which was about 2 hours after opening. That is why they chose Saturday as a block out day. Now people with block out days are going on Sundays more often so that the slightly less busy Sunday is now the most busy day.

October was the quiet month until they added all of the Halloween parties at DCA and other stuff. DLR is very good at attracting people for the off seasons.

 

[nunzia]

My opinion is that I've heard Saturdays can actually be LESS busy than Sundays. Yes, Disney blocks out Saturdays because they are predicted to be busy, but there are so many locals visiting Disneyland that a weekend day that isn't blocked out could easily be busier than one that is.

I also agree that going for one blockout day isn't terribly expensive...between the comparatively low cost and the potential slightly smaller crowds, I would book whatever days you'd like.

How much is a blockout day ticket?

 

[mechurchlady]

Block out tickets are $40 a day.

 

[nunzia]

Block out tickets are $40 a day.

wow..well,, I think Wed, Thurs and Friday next May sounds good! Less points too..but 1 extra vacation day for DH...

 

[ScooterL]

wow..well,, I think Wed, Thurs and Friday next May sounds good! Less points too..but 1 extra vacation day for DH...

Good plan - I'd stick with the weekdays! I have been there the last two weekends (Saturday April 25 and yesterday - Sunday) and both days have been VERY crowded. I don't think the "Saturday is less crowded" theory holds up - there still seemed to be lots of single day visitors there last Saturday - none of the big rides had lines shorter than an hour in Disneyland, and everything in DCA was 40 minutes or longer.

 

[mechurchlady]

I got 4 then 3 then 5 hours sleep since coming home yesterday. You do not want to do weekends. DCA was a dingbat magnet and there was lines for the bathroom at the frount. Definitely quieter weekdays usually