Seems next week will be super crowded??

[kkmcan]

I was reading the march thread and there are soooo many people going the 16th- 20th! I knew it would be some what busy but I was hoping for not crazy busy. Now, I think I better really prepare myself for lots of crowds.

This is the first year my kids school district has had spring break not scheduled the week before Easter. I was so excited when I saw this years calendar because it's impossible to travel anywhere during spring break usually. Now with it being weeks from Easter I thought it would be so nice.

Ugh! I'm worried. This is out last trip with our Ap's. We are not renewing. We have loved all of our trips but dh is ready for some new experiences this year and next year. Maybe a couple of years from now we will get them again.

 

[prncssmel]

I think it's important to remember that these boards are not an accurate reflection of all the people going to Disney. It will be busy, but we have been at this time of year (DH's b-day) before - it was busy but not like summer.

 

[toni1227]

I sure wish I knew b/c I will be there too during that week. Thank goodness for this message board and all the tips I have learned to help us make the best use of our time. Darn! I hope it is not that crowded! The weather looks great though!

 

[toni1227]

I think it's important to remember that these boards are not an accurate reflection of all the people going to Disney. It will be busy, but we have been at this time of year (DH's b-day) before - it was busy but not like summer.

Thanks! This is good news. I was just thinking too that California is not on Spring Break at least right? Isn't that where the bulk of Disneyland guests come from?
Texas is (where I am at) well a lot of schools in Texas are on spring break but how many people are actually going to Disneyland from Texas? Probably not a lot.
I am just glad b/c we are going 3/16-3/19 and I did not see anything as far as conventions going on during those dates and the cheerleading thing starts on 3/20 so I am glad about that because we will be gone by then.

 

[LuvBaloo]

there's another thread about crowds Mar 16-17, and general opinion was that it would be busier than the earlier weeks, but during the week it wouldn't be as busy as it is on holiday weekends, and nowhere near the crowds of summer.

We're heading down there to from BC Canada

 

[julw]

Thanks! This is good news. I was just thinking too that California is not on Spring Break at least right? Isn't that where the bulk of Disneyland guests come from?
Texas is (where I am at) well a lot of schools in Texas are on spring break but how many people are actually going to Disneyland from Texas? Probably not a lot.
I am just glad b/c we are going 3/16-3/19 and I did not see anything as far as conventions going on during those dates and the cheerleading thing starts on 3/20 so I am glad about that because we will be gone by then.

We're in Northern CA and we are on Spring Break that week (I just noticed my ticker says we are leaving today, but really leaving on Fri when the kids get out of school). So, yes some of CA is on spring break. I think there will be a lot of surprised people of how busy it will be. I am talking to families in my area DAILY that are going next week. Add two more families today that I found out will be there when we will be there next week. We were there two weekends ago and I thought it was very busy, so I am preparing myself. It's not going to be July busy, but it will be the start of big spring break crowds. It will be tons of fun regardless!

 

[avalon451]

From the schedule, it looks like they are expecting fairly busy crowds, though not absolute peak. 8-11 Monday, 9-11 Tues-Thurs, 8-midnight Friday, and fireworks every night. That's a pretty good indicator that they expect to be busy. Absolute peak would be 8-midnight daily. That's what it was last year when we went the 24th-28th, which happened to be the week after Easter, as well. That was INSANE.

However, just remember your Hydroguy tips for doing DLR during high season, collect FPs and take a midday break. You'll be fine!

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[disney-inspired]

I think Disneyland expects a big crowd but due to the economy I think it won't be as crowded as it would have been the past years. I just suggest you utilize FP.

 

[fairycat]

But I want to go next week too!!!!! Everyone on Autopia and save me some room on HM and POTC

I hope with all the Dis people going everyone has their LGMH's so everyone can possibly say "Hi!!!!"

In the end a little planning and a calm head will get you through the crowds just fine!

 

[tripletlyblessed]

I guess we are lucky because we are more ambiance and character visitors. We'll gather our FPs and use them on the rides we want, but I don't think it'll be a huge problem for us or overall if you play it smart.

I'm hoping to spot some LGMHs too!

 

[firefly87]

I think Disneyland expects a big crowd but due to the economy I think it won't be as crowded as it would have been the past years. I just suggest you utilize FP.

My DH keeps saying he doesn't think DL will be busy due to the economy. He also thinks that the Disney hotels will have some killer deals to get people to come stay there. (when planning this trip, I didn't really see any unless you're an AP holder which we are not)

I think it will be busier than we normally see it (we normally go there in early March or Sept). It surprises me though that with an economy in the toilet that people are still planning trips down there. (not that I'm bashing that by any means.....DL is great and if a family can escape the economy woes, what better place to do it!!!) We are leaving in 8 days so we'll see when we get there!!

 

[kkmcan]

It's interesting with the economy because I've had so many people wonder how we still manage to travel (we were in Vegas last week ). We haven't been affected really. Dh's job is safe, we bought a house 3 years ago that we can afford even though we were qualified for much more. We have 8 months worth of salary in our emergency fund and we still contribute 10% of my dhs monthly salary to his retirement account and another 5% to our emergency savings account. We are doing fine. Our investments have done nothing but lost money for the most part but we are buying them cheap right now.

Now, we have some friends on the other hand- the dh lost his job in Dec. He recently found a short term construction job. The wife's parents have been paying their bills and mortgage to keep them going until he gets something more stable. The wife is returning to teaching next school year so she is taking classes for that right now. They have cut every single extra out of their budget- no cell phones, no cable, no internet, no eating out, no trips, no movies or entertainment that costs money. They are barely hanging on and it's very hard for them.

So there's complete opposite ends of the spectrum and everything in between. Many people can still afford to travel and live as they did before. That doesn't mean we aren't cutting back. We don't buy stuff just to be buying and we don't eat out more than twice a month. Travel has always been my priority so I will cut everything if I have to in order to still be able to vacation with my family.

 

[evandmp]

I'm glad so many people are spending money. I believe part of the reason our economy got so bad is because yahoo, msn, the new, the radio, ect. kept talking daily about the falling economy and scaring people into not spending money which aggravated things more. Theres a difference between informing people and bombarding them with fear.

 

[toni1227]

My DH keeps saying he doesn't think DL will be busy due to the economy. He also thinks that the Disney hotels will have some killer deals to get people to come stay there. (when planning this trip, I didn't really see any unless you're an AP holder which we are not)

I think it will be busier than we normally see it (we normally go there in early March or Sept). It surprises me though that with an economy in the toilet that people are still planning trips down there. (not that I'm bashing that by any means.....DL is great and if a family can escape the economy woes, what better place to do it!!!) We are leaving in 8 days so we'll see when we get there!!

I WISH the Disney hotels would drop their rates. I keep checking and the rates have not changed at all for 2 weeks. We are staying at GCH for $828 for 3 nights. Disney Hotel is only $606 for those same 3 nights and PP is $693for the 3 nights. 3/16-3/19

 

[LavenderPeach]

Also, regarding the economy and crowds. Don't forget that DLR has a lot of locals that go (including us!). So although there could be less people going on vacation due to the economy, there might be more locals deciding to spend a day or 2 (especially with the 2fer deal) at DLR instead of going on a vacation somewhere else since they can just make it a day trip and not a full vacation with hotel and everything. From what I've seen and heard about from others, it seems like DLR has been more crowded than expected, not less so I'm not sure a bad economy is keeping people away.

 

[Disney Dreams]

I was reading the march thread and there are soooo many people going the 16th- 20th!

...This is the first year my kids school district has had spring break not scheduled the week before Easter. I was so excited when I saw this years calendar because it's impossible to travel anywhere during spring break usually....

But if it is your kids' Spring Break... there are others on Spring Break too. (sorry to be the one to say it).

It will be busy. As stated above, probably not as busy as the week after, but I would expect crowds - then you will just take it in stride as opposed to being in shock.

Have a great trip!

 

[Krissy Marissy]

I think Disneyland expects a big crowd but due to the economy I think it won't be as crowded as it would have been the past years. I just suggest you utilize FP.

I think you just may be in for a surprise! They are reporting record breaking AP sales and also that they have had wayyyy more people register for their free birthday than originally expected. Also, economy down or not I know many families here that are going to disney this spring. And my famiy will make 6 trips in 14 months. I will be shocked if it isn't busy. Everyone said that christmas time wouldn't be busy but then they reported having to stop letting people in on I believe 2 days between christmas and new years. And that is a spendy time to go so please dont think the economy is having a super huge effect.

You will enjoy your trip but just remember those FP's and patience.

 

[IslanderWags]

I've been following this board for quite a while, but I just now decided to contribute....hopefully I won't put my foot in my mouth too soon

I think next week will be busier than normal but nothing to the extreme that there is so many people that you can't have a good time. I have been to DLR several times in past during this time while other major states/areas had Spring Break and it was never overwhelming. Sure the more E-ticket rides had 30-60 minute waits, but if you timed it right, you could sometimes 'walk' on to the rides.

Arizona's spring break is spread out over March, same for Canada. Many people from Texas also have said they are making the trek to California, but their spring break breaks are spread out over the month too. I work at a major University in the Lone Star State and we have already seen students come in this week taking a peek around. Besides, more people in these parts are interested in Disneyland's cousin on the east coast.

Luckily for people going to DL next week, Southern California schools don't get spring break until April (look at the operating hours then). You'll probably see in increase in crowds the next two weeks, and then a big jump going into April. Last year was very unique, many schools spring breaks were concentrated around one time because of the early Easter Holiday. Things are MUCH more spread out in 2009.

Sure there are probably more APs sold this year than last, but isn't that the point? To sell more than you did last year. As long as you attend the parks on the weekdays (for vacationers), things should be a-ok.

I think for those visiting next week (myself included), you have to remember it's called a vacation for a reason. Go and relax, and have as much as you can. If there are crowds, big deal. You'll still have a great time regardless. IT'S DISNEYLAND! Go get get a fast pass for space mountain, take a picture with mickey, grab a dole whip, catch the fireworks and have a great time!

-IslanderWags

 

[kkmcan]

I'm now ok with there being crowds. DH and I were talking about it this morning and we both realized that we don't need to ride all the rides just the ones we love- Space, Splash, Big Thunder, Indiana Jones, matterhorn, Toy Story Mania etc. I honestly don't care if we go into Fantasyland at all or if we do Nemo or not. We've done those so many times and they are *not* necessary to our having fun.

So we will relax, enjoy and focus on the favorites with the use of fast passes. Thanks for the reminder you guys that it still is vacation and I know that my friend probably really wishes she could go at all.

 

[Aprilisdisney]

I too figured it was going to be somewhat busy the time we're there, March 26-31st. DD & I are going thinking that it's going to be crowded, although not summer crowded, that way we won't be surprised.

We're hoping/planning on going on every ride and seeing the majority of the shows (maybe not Fantasmic) We are going to be there 5 full days, so I'm confident that we'll succeed. If not ~ we'll still have a great time trying

Hopefully we'll all be pleasantly surprised at the crowds!

April