Should I go Memorial Day weekend or the Thursday before?

[Bellesadventure]

I will be in Southern California the third week of May. We will be staying at a hotel near the San Diego convention center from May 19-24. We were planning on driving up to Anaheim on the 24th and doing disney Friday or Saturday, the 25th or 26th, when we could book a hotel near Disneyland the night before and after. We will only be doing one day at DL, as we already did a trip to Disney World in January. I've been looking at crowd calendars and am a little concerned that weekend will be packed. Different calendars are conflicting, some are saying it will be packed during the week and alright on the weekend. Other calendars say the opposite. The weekend is also peak ticket time, so more than $150 more total to go for the weekend. It is an AP blackout weekend.

Anyone feel like looking into your crystal ball and tell me if you would leave San Diego a day early to go on the 24th or keep the schedule and go the 25th or 26th?

 

[10SE]

I’d go on Saturday when the most APs are blocked. Also, that Thursday is the last day of the SoCal ticket promotion and it will probably be very crowded. I would avoid that day at all costs. I believe I read reports of gate closures on the final day of that promotion last year.

 

[Indiana Scott]

Given your choices, I would go the Thursday before. Crowds will be smaller.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

If you can avoid the actual last week of the SoCal ticket promotion, do so. Do not go the Thursday before Memorial Day Weekend. Last year that day (May 25th) was insane. DL actually had a capacity closure on a weekday because of people trying to use their promotional ticket before it expired. The weekend before was insane, too. I think there were capacity closures then, too. Memorial Day Weekend itself wasn't bad at all (with the exception of the Hollywoodland area of DCA because of the opening of GOTC). Check the AP blockout calendar (easily found on the DLR website). If the lower 3 passes are blocked on the Saturday of the holiday weekend, I'd go that day. Last year, the Saturday was a pretty good day (as long as you stayed away from GOTG!).
BTW, crowd calendars for DLR are notoriously inaccurate so don't depend on them too much!

 

[DnA2010]

If you can avoid the actual last week of the SoCal ticket promotion, do so. Do not go the Thursday before Memorial Day Weekend. Last year that day (May 25th) was insane. DL actually had a capacity closure on a weekday because of people trying to use their promotional ticket before it expired. The weekend before was insane, too. I think there were capacity closures then, too. Memorial Day Weekend itself wasn't bad at all (with the exception of the Hollywoodland area of DCA because of the opening of GOTC). Check the AP blockout calendar (easily found on the DLR website). If the lower 3 passes are blocked on the Saturday of the holiday weekend, I'd go that day. Last year, the Saturday was a pretty good day (as long as you stayed away from GOTG!).

We are at the parks May 20-24...it’s going to be crazy isn’t it? I though it would be slower as it was before a long weekend *sigh*

 

[theluckyrabbit]

We are at the parks May 20-24...it’s going to be crazy isn’t it? I though it would be slower as it was before a long weekend *sigh*

You've got the advantage of being prepared and of having more than one day to get things done! It was worst last year for the people who had absolutely no idea about what they were getting into. They made no plans, did zero research, and just showed up thinking the parks would be empty. It was a nightmare for them. Make your plans, make your reservations, get MP, have a positive attitude, and get ready to go with the flow, let the magic happen wherever and whenever it happens, and (most importantly) have fun!

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I would choose Saturday. And definitely skip the Thursday before.

 

[HydroGuy]

I’d go on Saturday when the most APs are blocked. Also, that Thursday is the last day of the SoCal ticket promotion and it will probably be very crowded. I would avoid that day at all costs. I believe I read reports of gate closures on the final day of that promotion last year.

This. I would at all costs avoid that Thursday.

 

[Disnsyncey]

I'm going Tuesday the 29th and Thursday the 31st.....I know there are no blackout days on those days, but I was assuming that it would be a LITTLE less busy than the weekend, but I guess DL is more locals than people on vacation....

 

[BrerMama]

We are at the parks May 20-24...it’s going to be crazy isn’t it? I though it would be slower as it was before a long weekend *sigh*

We're going the same days and it was literally the only time we could go due to my job. We have reservations for PTN lunch package that day and I just pretty much plan to spend the day enjoying things like characters and entertainment. The good thing is that parks open at 8 am that Thursday that's going to be so crowded, so we're using our Magic Morning at 7 am and knocking out DL before 11 am, then hopping over to CA for our lunch reservation and plan to spend the rest of the day in CA.

 

[Bellesadventure]

Wow! Thanks for all of the input. I'm really glad I posted. I will avoid Thursday the 24th at all costs. Hopefully with a good plan, Friday or Saturday won't be too crowded. It looks like Southern California Select Annual Passports are blocked out from Friday-Monday and Deluxe Annual Passports are blocked Saturday and Sunday. Do you think that will make much difference in crowds Friday vs. Saturday?

To those going May 20-24, Tuesday and Wednesday are grad nights and according to those on here, Thursday will also be insane. I unknowingly attended DL on a grad night a few years back. It was insane. I've never seen anything like it (I've never been at the holidays though, so take it with a grain of salt). I'm by no means a DL expert but I highly recommend that you get park hoppers if possible. BrerMama, it looks like you already plan on it. You can still have a great day if you are willing to hop back and forth to avoid the worst of the crowds.

 

[10SE]

Saturday will likely be better than Friday due to the Deluxe APs being blocked. I actually like to visit on holiday weekends because you typically get longer hours, more APs blocked and locals are busy doing something else. Add to that the common assumption that it must be crowded so people try to avoid what they assume to be a busy weekend and you frequently get a really pleasant time to visit.

 

[Bellesadventure]

Thanks 10SE! I'll adjust my plans accordingly. Even if it's busy, DD will probably be happy if she can ride the teacups a few times.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... I'll adjust my plans accordingly. Even if it's busy, DD will probably be happy if she can ride the teacups a few times.

Get to the parks as early as you can. Be there before opening if your schedule allows. That is a MM/EE in DL, but you can start in DCA and be on even footing with everyone else. If you'll only be doing DL, be organized about where you want to go and what rides are your priorities. The morning hours will still let you get a lot done in either park. Eating at off peak times will save you lots of time waiting in restaurant lines. And be flexible about parade and fireworks viewing -- if you don't have to be in the front row, you'll have time on your side. Stay relaxed, have a positive attitude, and have a great time!

 

[Bellesadventure]

Get to the parks as early as you can. Be there before opening if your schedule allows. That is a MM/EE in DL, but you can start in DCA and be on even footing with everyone else. If you'll only be doing DL, be organized about where you want to go and what rides are your priorities. The morning hours will still let you get a lot done in either park. Eating at off peak times will save you lots of time waiting in restaurant lines. And be flexible about parade and fireworks viewing -- if you don't have to be in the front row, you'll have time on your side. Stay relaxed, have a positive attitude, and have a great time!

Thank you so much for your advice and encouragement! Any day at Disney is better than a day at work! We usually stick to the kiddie rides, so I'm hoping to hit those early in the morning. Though we may maxpass BTMR later in the day, as DD is tall enough to ride it and enjoys rollercoasters. Thanks again!

 

[amyamya]

I went last year on the last day the socal ticket package was offered and it was INSANE. We are going this year on the 25th and 26th to avoid that crowd. There were also a high number of social club members in the park on those days last year.

 

[tarheelalum]

It will be very crowded.

 

[agamble]

Go Saturday. It will probably be less crowded. We went last year on the Sunday, also a blockout day, and it was the least busy day we've been all year. We just went on a Thursday in April and also weekdays in January and October and they were still fairly busy, especially at night. Nothing beats a blockout day! However, you will pay more to go. The single day tickets cost more on those days.