So nervous about crowds

[Vowelmommy]

We will be in DL June 27-29. I am getting really worried that it will be so crowded that we will not be able to enjoy our trip. I need touring plan suggestions, encouragement, tips, and reassurance.

 

[jennabennabofenna]

Even though those are weekdays, its going to be very busy. My suggestion is that you just prepare yourself for crazy crowds. & know that no matter what you can still have an awesome time!

If you are wanting to go to Cars Land, then do it first thing in the morning.

 

[lausea]

I am not expert, but we will be there on June 26 and 27. I am setting my expectations for it to be very crowded! Then, when it is really crowded, I won't be disappointed. I signed up with touring plans and for my days they have DL at 4.1/4.2 and DCA at 9.4/9.3. These are 1 to 10 levels with 10 being the most crowded. Luckily I want to spend the majority of time at DL, and there are only a few rides at DCA that are a must for us. So, I hope these forecasts are accurate.

We plan on using FP to maximize our time. Also, my boys are 10 and 13, so we can stay in the parks until closing. We aren't big parade or show goers either.

With Cars Land just opening, I am guessing no one really knows what to expect!

 

[Lissame]

A couple of years ago I had myself worked up into quite a frenzy reading these boards with the dire predictions of how busy it would be the last week of June. Granted, it wasn't the opening of Carsland/Remodeled DCA, but it was the summer of the Nighttastic promotion with the new dragon in Fantasmic, etc. And then again last summer with the Star Tours/Little Mermaid openings. But I was surprised over and over how much we got done first thing in the mornings, and how much a positive, relaxed attitude had to do with it.

Is it crowded in summer? Yes. But knowledge is power, and if you do wise touring (go early, go early, go early) you will be pleasantly surprised at how much fun you will have. The grand majority of people are not active on these boards, and SO many people sleep in on vacation, even to Disneyland. I have friends who go every summer and have never ever used their magic morning, always come to the parks around noon, rarely use fastpasses, etc. I think they are more of the typical park-goer than what you see on here.

As long as you don't set your expectations too high and enjoy being there with your family, you will have loads of fun and start planning a return trip soon after you leave (or even before you leave!)

 

[Babybears]

A couple of years ago I had myself worked up into quite a frenzy reading these boards with the dire predictions of how busy it would be the last week of June. Granted, it wasn't the opening of Carsland/Remodeled DCA, but it was the summer of the Nighttastic promotion with the new dragon in Fantasmic, etc. And then again last summer with the Star Tours/Little Mermaid openings. But I was surprised over and over how much we got done first thing in the mornings, and how much a positive, relaxed attitude had to do with it.

Is it crowded in summer? Yes. But knowledge is power, and if you do wise touring (go early, go early, go early) you will be pleasantly surprised at how much fun you will have. The grand majority of people are not active on these boards, and SO many people sleep in on vacation, even to Disneyland. I have friends who go every summer and have never ever used their magic morning, always come to the parks around noon, rarely use fastpasses, etc. I think they are more of the typical park-goer than what you see on here.

As long as you don't set your expectations too high and enjoy being there with your family, you will have loads of fun and start planning a return trip soon after you leave (or even before you leave!)

I completely agree with this entire post!!! We have also been at this time last year and had the same expectation of craziness and while it was very busy, it was certainly managable. I think the #1 thing is ARRIVE EARLY!!! You can get a jump on everything, have some fastpasses in your pocket for later and you always seem a slight step ahead of the crowds.

Another observation from going last year in late June, just after Little Mermaid and the new Star Tours opened was that those areas (especially Star Tours/tomorrowland in general) were mobbed, but the rest of the park seemed much more normal. I've said it before, when people are willing to line up for 2 or 3 hours for a ride, that is a heck of a lot of folks that are not clogging up the rest of the park, so yes it may be a zoo there, it may not be reflective of the park as a whole.

So, my advice, arrive early every day, take afternoon breaks as needed and you will have a blast!!

 

[cfrith5]

We are going in July and I have been having the same exact feelings. VERY nervous how crazy this summer the crowds will be. I don't want to feel depressed when we're packed in the park like a can of sardines.

 

[Astylla]

I've said it before and I'll say it again - Worrying over the crowds that may happen will only make you miserable. Yes it will be busy and no one can predict exactly how things will go but ultimately only you can control how you feel. As long as you go in with a positive attitude and enjoy yourself that's all that should matter. If you are one who is uncomfortable or prefers lighter crowds I would probably suggest a different time to visit ( if feasible) .

Even when the park is packed I have never been miserable at Disney..it's Disneyland after all.

 

[sheetz]

Getting there early is the single most important piece of advice. Remember, 90% of vacationers hate getting up early, and most daytripping locals will be stuck in traffic until 10am. If you need a plan you can subscribe to Ridemax for a customized itinerary.

 

[cfrith5]

I've said it before and I'll say it again - Worrying over the crowds that may happen will only make you miserable. Yes it will be busy and no one can predict exactly how things will go but ultimately only you can control how you feel. As long as you go in with a positive attitude and enjoy yourself that's all that should matter. If you are one who is uncomfortable or prefers lighter crowds I would probably suggest a different time to visit ( if feasible) .

Even when the park is packed I have never been miserable at Disney..it's Disneyland after all.

You are right, I need to try and be positive about it.

 

[jacobsmommy]

We are going to be there from June 19-22 and I'm worried about crowds too! We have the Carsland crowds plus three days of grad nights! We are determined to have fun though!!

 

[SarafinaPink]

If you plan your day right, you should be using your FPs from the morning or going on less popular attractions at midday and saving yourself some major headaches. Good activities for when it gets busy:

Disneyland:
Disneyland Railroad (always running and I've never had to wait more than two trains)
Mark Twain/SS Columbia
Main Street Cinema
Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln
Main Street Vehicles
Big Thunder Ranch/Jamboree
Captain EO
Tiki Room
Innoventions
Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
Sleeping Beauty Castle
Tarzan's Treehouse

DCA:
Animation Building
Bakery Tour
Boardwalk Games
It's Tough To Be A Bug
MuppetVision 3D
Redwood Creek
Blue Sky Cellar

By saving these attractions for the busiest part of the day and making sure you get FP in the morning, you can do a lot of things even on the busiest days. After the fireworks, the park empties out at night and you can go back and do any of the big attractions you missed in the morning.

 

[CheshireGato]

We are going the same time! (June 26-29) and am also worried. Hopefully the Cars frenzy will make DL manageable, so I am trying to look on the bright side of things . I have little interest in visiting Carsland while we are there.

 

[lk2500]

Lol, I'll be right there with ya too. Just relax and take in all the advice above. Both other times I went in 2008 and 2010 were at the end of June also, so very crowded. I never let it ruin our fun. Just get there early, plan the fast passes, etc.. (Was anybody else there in late June 2008 for the lovely heat wave ~ 90-95 I think? Fun....)

If it's too horrible I'm just going to pay an extra visit to SFMM or Knotts in the morning - afternoon, eat, rest, then just hit DLR until closing. My kids are older so would rather ride the big coasters anyway.

 

[PigletSeeker]

Like others said, go early. It will seem crazy in the line to get in first thing, but once you're in it's not bad and you'll be able to get to a few rides in a short amount of time. We've been on very busy days. The days we got there early, and got some rides under our belt before 9:00, were best. One day during Spring Break, we took our time and didn't get there until around 11...we were so overwhelmed by the crowds that we just kind of wandered around for an hour before we found our groove. Also, things calm down a lot in the evenings. Things like Pirates, Haunted Mansion, and Jungle Cruise are basically walk-on after the fireworks.

 

[fctiger]

I'll be there opening day, June 15-18th!

Am I 'worried' about crowds, nah, because A. I'm prepared for it and B. I have a plan of attack that will get let me do hopefully most of what I want if not all of it! And sure no one really knows whats going to happen, but like someone said, you shouldnt let it worry you either! Just go in with a positive attitude and be prepared to stand in a few lines and you will be fine and get through what you want!

The fact is it WILL be busy but as I keep saying, it doesnt mean it will be busy ALL day and it doesnt mean for every attraction will be swamped either! SarafinaPink just created a great list of less busy attractions to do in the day time, which I'm going to take with me lol. And one thing about those attractions, they are lighter things to do, but ALSO more relaxing (and some air conditioned) attractions as well! So those are all pluses!

Anyway, my advice which has been given already but go early, grab as many FP ASAP, make a plan of attack and just be PATIENT and you will have a great trip! The people who complain the most of having a bad time at these parks usually dont plan anything out, show up in the afternoon when the FPs are gone or late in the night and have a bad chip on their shoulders! The busier the park is, the bigger the chip gets usually!

But being on boards like this, people can be prepared and most of all be proactive so you will be ready for anything! If I make it out of DCA alive those few days, I will definitely be posting my thoughts on the crowds and ride patterns as I'm sure others will so you will have a few days to prepare and plan knowing what the first week was like! I'll be one of the guinea pigs lol!

 

[Argento]

I think the best advice is to expect the absolute worst (i.e. pandemonium) and do your best to have fun despite the worst.

After all, it's Disneyland and Disneyland is kind of like pizza. Even when it's bad, it's still pretty good.