Said I wasn't going to go in July...

[Maddysdaddy]

But now that our summer trip to San Diego is upon us, feeling guilty about not going simply because of (assumed) crazy summer crowds (we've always gone Feb or Sept).

If we do have a last minute change of heart, thoughts on Mon/Tue (the 21/22) vs Tue/Wed (22/23). We'd probably stay on site.

Thanks.

 

[MouseEXP]

It hasn't been to crowded this summer.
Probably due to the Annual Passholders being blocked out and the raise in ticket prices overall.

 

[tarheelalum]

It hasn't been to crowded this summer.
Probably due to the Annual Passholders being blocked out and the raise in ticket prices overall.

I agree. Summer is now the slow season due to all of the Socal passes being blocked.

 

[HydroGuy]

But now that our summer trip to San Diego is upon us, feeling guilty about not going simply because of (assumed) crazy summer crowds (we've always gone Feb or Sept).

If we do have a last minute change of heart, thoughts on Mon/Tue (the 21/22) vs Tue/Wed (22/23). We'd probably stay on site.

Thanks.

If you make all the wrong strategic decisions then summer can be made worse. If you make a bunch of simple decisions it can be much better.

1. Get to the gates early

2. Focus on rides for the first couple hours each day

3. If possible stay near DLR so you can quickly get back to your hotel. So stating onsite like you are planning will work best.

4. Take afternoon breaks of 3-5 hours

See "Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

 

[PinkBudgie]

July is actually my favorite time of the year to go to DLR!

 

[DDhunter]

I went this Saturday and Sunday (as well as the 4th and 5th of July) and the crowds weren't bad at all, IMO. There wasn't a single ride that had a wait time over 60 minutes, Indy was around 40-45 minutes, space was 35, except right after coming back up after a breakdown and then it was only 55. There was no line to RSR FP either, we just walked straight in and got them (it was about 11 a.m. and they were for 3:45) and when we used them our wait was 5 minutes. Several rides were walk-on or 5-10 minute wait, i.e., Little Mermaid, California Screamin, Haunted Mansion, Luigi's. Soarin was posted as 35 but was more like 20. Even in the insane heat Sunday afternoon Splash was a 60 minute wait and I never saw BTMRR over 20 minutes.

The walkways are crowded but the ride lines were fine. The park was probably most crowded Sunday afternoon and even then it wasn't that bad.

I am beginning to think summer time is the best time to go. Characters are all over the place (they had rotating princesses out all day right after entrance into Disneyland). I just do not see the horrific crowds that I have been hearing about for the last couple of years. Last time I had gone before this past week was 2 years ago and wait times were double what I have seen this year. I think not allowing purchase of blackout day tickets has been a huge help in crowd levels, at least on weekends. I cannot speak as to how weekdays are crowd-wise.

 

[94bruin]

We are here now. It was more crowded in early April when we last came. Even our local friends who go once or twice a month stated that it's been less crowded this summer.

For once, there is actually open space when you walk by Astro Orbiters / Star Tours. It's been a while since I've seen that.

 

[chabelita545]

We've gone at almost every time of year. The least crowded it ever was for us was mid-week in early February. Summer has always seemed the most crowded - BUT also the most fun. I'm glad to hear crowds are lower than expected this year, as we are planning another DLR trip for next year... in the summer again.

 

[ktlm]

Based on this week, I would say try Monday and Tuesday. We just left. We were there from Saturday afternoon to an hour ago. We thought the crowds were very light until today. We have been the first week of June the last few years, and figured we were in for bigger crowds in July. We found it quite a bit less crowded than on our June trips. Today it was significantly more crowded than it has been all week.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

Thanks all.

 

[silence]

We were at the parks Sunday and Monday.

I have decided that all the internet boards have people staying away on certain days. SUNDAY was MUCH MUCH lighter than Monday. Yet Sunday is the day many people list as the busiest day due to pass block outs and such.

It was almost eerie how uncrowded it was Sunday. Every ride was manageable without FP except maybe Splash (FP return time 60 min out, standby line was 75 min at 2:00). We came back from a short break right after the evening parade. Star Tours was 15 min wait. Buzz was walk on. BTMRR was 10 min. We got in line for Alice and while the sign said 40 min it was 22 min wait.

We returned the same time Monday to find no FP left for Space. Star Tours was a 75 min wait. Buzz had the queue full. The lines were longer all day everywhere we went.

I think next trip I'm coming on the weekend!