Rose Bowl Crowd

[All American]

We went to Disneyland today, and in addition to the holiday traffic, the football players from USC and Michigan (and friends and families of the players) were at the park. I had no idea that was going on. It was a little surprising but fun to watch at the same time.

I just wanted to pass this information along to anyone who plans to visit this week. I have no idea if it is part of the holiday crowd or adds to it. On the bright side, even though the park was pretty crowded today, the entrance part (getting onto the tram, through security, and past the front gates) went rather quickly for us.

I don't know if this will help anyone confused3 ), but I thought I'd share just in case.

Go team!

 

[Laralyn]

How crowded was the park in general? I'm thinking about going to the park tomorrow, but it sounds like it will be packed. Are the streets pretty jammed?

Thanks!

 

[All American]

It wasn't terrible. Like I said, getting into the park wasn't the nightmare it can be (think summer). Here's where we (husband, wife, 2-year-old, and Grandma) spent the bulk of our time and my take on it.

Fantasyland: A little more crowded than usual. The wait for Dumbo was between 30-45 minutes (talked to a girl who waited an hour-and-a-half for it on Christmas Day---yikes!). "It's a Small World" had a really big crowd out in front, and we couldn't tell why.

ToonTown: Ridiculous. Mickey's house. Even worse. We just wanted to walk through, but it was packed. Standing room only from the front door to taking pictures with the head cheese.

Tomorrowland: Alot of people, but bearable. We ate at Pizza Port at noon, and even though the line was out the door we found a table (big booth actually) quite easily.

Main Street shopping: My favorite and very pleasant.

CA Adv.: More people than usual, but still really easy to get around.

All-in-all, it wasn't terrible. We actually had a really fun time and that was with a stroller and big ol' bags of souvenirs. We noticed the crowd but didn't feel it (except in Toon Town). I would say if you have been to Disneyland alot and don't feel the need to go on every ride and do it all in a day, go for it! (That was us. been there, done that. Let's just enjoy the atmosphere type of thing.) Otherwise, I'd say wait until everyone goes home and back to school.

HTH!

 

[Albort]

haha, well i loved many people who wore UCLA shirts and sweatshirts...

i found out on Friday, was gonna post about it, then board went down

 

[Pooh's Purple Pal]

It was nuts yesterday! The line for Pirates started over near Frontier Land and the switchbacks stretched all the way down past Cafe Orleans (where lunch was delicious, BTW ). Then they blocked off the entrance of Adventureland so that when we wanted to go to the Tiki room from the hub at the end of main Street, they told us we had to go all the way through Frontierland and down and around Indiana Jones and back up because it was now one way traffic only! It was a total zoo! Lots of folks were cranky (my kids always notice when parents yell at their children - we call it a disturbance in the force) and seemed surprised that the park was so crowded.

DCA was lovely, not nearly as crowded and people seemed a little more jovial.

 

[All American]

"Disturbance in the force" Very funny and thanks for the laugh!

I agree about California Adventure being a more pleasant atmosphere. That's were we headed after fighting the masses in Toon Town. We knew we could go to the Animator's Palette (is that the one with the big room and movie screens,) find a comfy chair, and relax. Ahhh, so nice. Wish I was there now.

 

[Albort]

"Disturbance in the force" Very funny and thanks for the laugh!

I agree about California Adventure being a more pleasant atmosphere. That's were we headed after fighting the masses in Toon Town. We knew we could go to the Animator's Palette (is that the one with the big room and movie screens,) find a comfy chair, and relax. Ahhh, so nice. Wish I was there now.

Today, 12/28... 12PM DLR = 35,000 people.... DCA = 8,000 people...

Big difference ehh? ^_^

 

[Pooh's Purple Pal]

Wow, Albort, that's interesting! We knew DCA felt less crowded, but the numbers are fascinating. Thanks!

 

[funnygarcia]

We were there 25th thru 28th
Christmas Day was crowded but very tolerable. We stayed the whole day. Managed to hit a bunch of rides, ate early in day with no long waits for food, early in the day was nice, mid afternoon corwdeed and then evening was very nice with minimal lines.

Tuesday and Wednesday, not too terrible. Spent most of Wednesday in DCA, had a great time in the Animation building (we stayed there along time, did three classes in a row, plus the other offerings). Hit nearly all the rides with very little wait.

Thursday we did EE, it was a busy EE! Had a 20 minute wait for Peter Pan, 10 minute for Alice, walk on for Tea Cups and hit Small World just as it opened with no wait. Went to breakfast before lines got too long.

Later in the day we were overwhelmed by the crowds.
Bailed and went outside of park for lunch. Signs saying DL was closed, DCA open but noticed they were still allowing guests into DL gates. Got back into park in time to watch 3 pm parade. Crowds seemed to have lessened on Main Street.
Loved the band from Mexico that was featured, they were awesome! Nice to see those talented young people all over the park and DCA after the parade.

Took train to NOS after parade, complete zoo and could not move! Pirates lline was wrapped all over NOS and into Adventureland. Long line all the way back to Aladdin and Jasmine story hour area, just to get fast pass for Indy! Escaped crowds by going thru the Gallery, saw Tiki and wandered back up to Main Street. Caught various groups performing all over Main Street which was very nice. Didn't hit any rides in DL after breakfast except Tiki ,the 50th movie, and the Twain.
Just as things were gearing up for 6 pm parade we wandered out to DCA. Lots of guests leaving DCA to get into DL ( read on another board that they had day tickets allowing entrance to DL after 6 pm, visit to DCA before that time period) at that time. DCA was a nice break. Strolled along Paradise Pier, waited 20 minutes for non swinging gondola. Single rider line for Screamin was very long so BIL and DS skipped it. Saw It's Tough to be a Bug and a few other rides in the area.

DH decided that the holiday decorations and extra entertainment were enjoyable but much preferred our spring trips.
He was cold most of the trip and became discouraged with crowd size on Thursday.
We slept all day today, those early morning hours and late nights took the toll on the family.

But we were happy to say that we were at Disneyland on Christmas Day!