So NOW DL has low crowds.....

[Evita_W]

we were chatting about it in wonkakid’s trip report:

1) school back in session (or starting shortly)
2) delta variant
3) AP announcement - financial incentive to hold off until after 8/25

if it weren’t for my unvaccinated kid, I would be there in a heartbeat. It’s like the old days of deserted September parks!

I think there is a 4th one, but it should be up at number 1: Requirement to wear masks indoors.

This really is affecting who is willing to go I think.

 

[Evita_W]

That seems to be the speculation. If it’s true, I hope Magic Key STILL doesn’t work so they’re forced to drop reservations.

It does seem like they really want that money that local AP holders supposedly don’t spend!

Even before COVID, the writing was on the wall as soon as they made the flex pass that reservations were the future of Disney parks.

So, no I don't see them eliminating reservations completely. The being said, when Disney World begins selling APs again, I strongly suspect they will unify under the Magic Key system and possibly add a higher tier that is valid on both coasts without reservations, but I would suspect they would limit it to something like only DVC and D23 Gold Members being able to purchase that tier.

 

[dina444444]

Even before COVID, the writing was on the wall as soon as they made the flex pass that reservations were the future of Disney parks.

So, no I don't see them eliminating reservations completely. The being said, when Disney World begins selling APs again, I strongly suspect they will unify under the Magic Key system and possibly add a higher tier that is valid on both coasts without reservations, but I would suspect they would limit it to something like only DVC and D23 Gold Members being able to purchase that tier.

As it was the premier pass wasn't that widely held. Club 33 members get it automatically as part of their membership. I only had it because monetarily it made sense, but you have to log a lot of days on both coasts for the cost to be worth it. It's also a pain to upgrade too (can only be purchased/upgraded to/renewed at a ticket window). I knew it wasn't common when I would interact with CMs for discounts and they would sometimes look at the pass funny, I once had a CM try to deny my discount in MK because they didn't know the pass existed since it was printed on different plastic stock from the regular cars.

 

[PirateBrigade]

Someone works in the medical field!

(or is insinuating everyone who goes to Disney is crazy)

blahhh, I do this all the time apparently.

I asked my daughter how her patients were at school. Ahem, classmates.

Then I asked if all my friend’s patients are doing well. KIDS, I mean kids.

I answer the phone with, “pharmacy, this is PirateBrigade.” My cell phone. At the grocery store. On a Sunday.

Oh I’m fun to be around, lol. And I think we’re all a little crazy about Disneyland

 

[lalasmama]

blahhh, I do this all the time apparently.

I asked my daughter how her patients were at school. Ahem, classmates.

Then I asked if all my friend’s patients are doing well. KIDS, I mean kids.

I answer the phone with, “pharmacy, this is PirateBrigade.” My cell phone. At the grocery store. On a Sunday.

Oh I’m fun to be around, lol. And I think we’re all a little crazy about Disneyland

I've lost count of the number of times I answer my phone with "Thanks for calling My Work Department, this is Mimi, how can I --- oooohhhh, opps, not at work. Hello?" ... And then the person on the other end of the phone just laughs with me. Or, most commonly, they tell me my car's extended warranty is about to expire.

 

[Wesley815]

Prior to monthly payment plans for AP's there always was a true 'off season', with nearly every attraction walk on or <10 minutes when schools would go back in session.

Once Disney really started pushing monthly payments and SoCal tickets most off season time went away (lower tier AP's filling in weekdays, and higher tiers on weekends/peak). In fact Saturdays use to be one of the best days to go since only highest tier AP and highest priced day tickets were open.

Of course pandemic changed things up but honestly this crowd pattern seems like how it used to be around 10+ years ago.

 

[Bigmace]

Just left the park and it was much busier today then the last few days. Still not crazy but wait times were about double what they were yesterday. Of course I would expect this with it being the weekend.

 

[DCLMP]

I'm watching a Kingdom Report YouTube video right now. They say the crowds are really low at DL this week due to so many kids returning to school. 15 minutes for Space Mountain, 5 minutes for Astro basters, etc... This is NOT right. I was just there last week and it was crowded enough. Anyway, a video like this doesn't help my post vacation blues, lol. I already feel sorry for myself enough that I'm not still there, then I see this video. Any Disers there now, or suffering from post vacation blues? Feel free to pout here.

We just returned. I can confirm it was an awesome trip. We were there Wednesday through Friday and never waited more than 30 minutes for a ride. Greatest trip ever we walked on a lot of rides. We went to WDW twice during the pandemic and had low crowds. This was our first trip to DL in 10 years. We really lucked out. I was not expecting this. I'm guessing it was the announcement of AP's returning and people holding out???

 

[CherylGonz]

We just returned. I can confirm it was an awesome trip. We were there Wednesday through Friday and never waited more than 30 minutes for a ride. Greatest trip ever we walked on a lot of rides. We went to WDW twice during the pandemic and had low crowds. This was our first trip to DL in 10 years. We really lucked out. I was not expecting this. I'm guessing it was the announcement of AP's returning and people holding out???

That and Californian schools are back in session. Hoping next week is the same when we arrive on Weds

 

[disneegrl4eva]

yep we are back in school...my daughter and my grandkids went yesterday and were there all day...they went on so many rides...even ones they didnt care about but they had ridden all the ones they wanted so they were just trying to get through till park closing lol...they had a great time...was hot for a couple hours they said but most of the day and evening was really nice.....

 

[DLRExpert]

holy heck is today a GREAT day to go to Disneyland.

 

[Wesley815]

holy heck is today a GREAT day to go to Disneyland.

Virtual Queue still open for Web, and almost everything is 5 to 20min avg. Amazing day for sure!!

Now we're starting to see the reason for Magic Key / AP's coming back.

 

[dina444444]

Virtual Queue still open for Web, and almost everything is 5 to 20min avg. Amazing day for sure!!

Now we're starting to see the reason for Magic Key / AP's coming back.

Also, the biggest school district in southern CA goes back tomorrow.

 

[DCLMP]

That and Californian schools are back in session. Hoping next week is the same when we arrive on Weds

I think it's a combination of a lot of things. No fast passes could be one of them. I'm a big fan of the shorter standby lines. It made WDW so much more enjoyable. I'm not as experienced with DL. I've never used their new fast pass system that you pay for, but I hate Fast pass + at WDW. I'm hoping it never comes back.

Have a great trip. I hope the low crowds remain.

 

[dina444444]

With 80 minutes to park close web slingers till has boarding groups available with an estimated return of 30 minutes. My guess is the only people still getting them are ones that got tied up with rotr being down on and off today.

 

[GoingSince1990]

Right now in DL it feels like an after- hours event. Peter Pan 5 minutes, MFSR a walk-on, Alice 15, Indiana 10, Matterhorn 5, Star Tours 5, Jungle Cruise 5, Space Mountain 10.

 

[jrsharp21]

Right now in DL it feels like an after- hours event. Peter Pan 5 minutes, MFSR a walk-on, Alice 15, Indiana 10, Matterhorn 5, Star Tours 5, Jungle Cruise 5, Space Mountain 10.

Tonight was great. Walk on anything for the most part. All day long crowds were light. We covered both parks and did all the major attractions. Some of them multiple times. Since we did so much, tomorrow is going to be a late start and just go with the flow day.

 

[BlancheNeige7]

We had our first day at DL (am) and DCA (pm) yesterday. We typically visit WDW and were absolutely amazed at the light crowds! A few things that stood out in that one day we...

• Walked on to most rides. Longest wait was SM with under 20 minutes at noon!
• 15 minute wait for Smugglers and given our own ship for 2!
• Had our own log on Splash at 10am
• Rode both Rise of the Resistance and Webslinger ❤
• Plenty of seating and no waits for QS during peak times

What a day! DL is absolutely amazing! Looking forward to see what the next three days will be like.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Well guys, the best way I can describe the lack of crowds is that we just waltzed into Starbucks on Main Street and waited behind one party to order. ️

 

[Punky'sMama]

So wishing I could change my 9/11-9/17 trip to come now!! I’m scared for what is going to happen when the new AP drops!