So What's The Final Word on GRAD NITES?

[Cal-Pie]

As grad nites are coming to a close, I'd love to hear your experiences if you were at the parks on any of the nights. I'm looking at planning a trip in late May next year, but I'm a little worried. I've seen a few opinions in other threads, but please share how it impacted your trip

 

[mommamonster]

I was in the parks for 3 grad nights - May 30th, 31st, and Jun 1st. May 30th was the least crowded day of our entire week, and we never encountered any issues with the grads in the parks. The queues were comparable to every other day of our trip, so for our experience grad nights are not even remotely a big deal and I wouldn't take it into consideration for future plans.

With that being said, I thought I read somewhere that they are not necessarily going to do grad nights the same way next year. Hopefully someone can cite a source. Either way, I hope others had a positive experience like my family did.

 

[coaches24]

I was in the parks for 3 grad nights - May 30th, 31st, and Jun 1st. May 30th was the least crowded day of our entire week, and we never encountered any issues with the grads in the parks. The queues were comparable to every other day of our trip, so for our experience grad nights are not even remotely a big deal and I wouldn't take it into consideration for future plans.

With that being said, I thought I read somewhere that they are not necessarily going to do grad nights the same way next year. Hopefully someone can cite a source. Either way, I hope others had a positive experience like my family did.

We were there the same days and had the same experience. Grad nights were a non issue for us. If I hadnt known before hand that it was a grad night I would have never known that it wasn't a regular day. Ironically I think the busiest day of our trip may have been tues the 29th and that wasn't a grad night.

 

[Cal-Pie]

Thanks mommamonster, that gives me some relief. I know the actual party is moving to CA next year, but I don't know if that would change the over all feel of the parks or change the crowds. But, it doesn't sound like crowds were an issue for you, so that's good news.

 

[Cal-Pie]

We were there the same days and had the same experience. Grad nights were a non issue for us. If I hadnt known before hand that it was a grad night I would have never known that it wasn't a regular day. Ironically I think the busiest day of our trip may have been tues the 29th and that wasn't a grad night.

Do you think the 29th was busy because it was the day after memorial day, or do you think there was another reason

 

[coaches24]

Do you think the 29th was busy because it was the day after memorial day, or do you think there was another reason

Not real sure why. I just know I was surprised at how crowded it was (esspecially DCA) that day.

It didn't feel crowded till about lunch time really but in the afternoon I felt like a sardine quite a few times.

 

[redbonec]

Our third and final day of our trip was June 6, a Wednesday grad night.

I'd day after 11:30 and beyond was our most crowded day (the other two being Sun., June 3 and Tues., June 5) probably.

That evening we watched a 9:00 Fantasmic and planned to stay until late.
But after that showing the grads were defnitely there. Very crowded, standing in lines for rides was a different experience than earlier--some loud and obnoxious groups. My two girls and I rode Jungle Cruise while my husband rode Indiana Jones. We both would rather have had a different group to ride with, kind of hard to emjoy the ride. But one on my ride was very kind.

WE did a couple more things after that, but we were ready to call it an evening, because the crowd feeling was just too different--loud and rowdy.
It worked out anyway because our girls were very tired.

INteresting to see how next year will be done.

 

[joelnkelly]

we had three grad nights on our trip last week, we avoided the parks during the days on Wed and Thursday. My wife and I went into the parks Thursday evening and it wasnt very noticable. Friday was a different beast all together as it was the opening of carsland so who knows how grad night effected that day.

 

[BeccaG]

I live nearby and so frequent Disneyland for 4-6 hour jaunts on a regular basis. I have been in the parks for at least 3 different grad "nights." As a general rule, the crowds seem a bit bigger and perhaps a bit rougher than for a mid week day. The crowds build as the day progresses, more so than a typical day. However, we found our kids favorite rides, ie Dumbo, still had relatively short lines like under 20 minutes, while California Screamin' one evening had a ride that was over an hour and a half!

 

[erocrobro]

We were there on the 6th, 7th, and 8th, which were all grad nights, I believe. I was really worried after some of the reports I had read on here, but in reality it was a non-issue for us. We went at opening and left shortly after fireworks those nights and had no problems at all.

 

[aymekae]

I was there on June 8th, and I was disappointed to come across not one but several groups of rude kids in the evening (after 8:30 PM). They made it very difficult to enjoy the fireworks. As we were walking out of Tomorrowland later, one kid leaped in front of us and almost knocked into a stroller just to get ahead of us on the path. Many shouldered and elbowed their way through the crowds without a single word. There were lots of young couples making out (not that I personally care, but in a family-friendly environment, something to keep in mind).

Gosh, that whole paragraph makes me sound so old. I'm just trying to give specific examples of where I saw issues. But to be fair, it didn't ruin our night at all, so it's not like I would swear of Grad Nites forever, but just plan accordingly.

 

[SomeDude78]

Been to DLR countless times during grad nights and never had an issue. If I were paying real close attention, I'm sure the crowd would almost certainly be more rowdy, but I never felt like it just jumped out at me or anything. To be perfectly honest, and at the risk of saying something non-PC, all of my personal encounters with rude visitors at DLR involved older folks who frankly couldn't mind their own business. I don't think that's a very good reason to form generalized opinions about older guests, though, the same way a couple bad apples on grad night shouldn't lead to generalizations about grad night attendees

 

[Cal-Pie]

Been to DLR countless times during grad nights and never had an issue. If I were paying real close attention, I'm sure the crowd would almost certainly be more rowdy, but I never felt like it just jumped out at me or anything. To be perfectly honest, and at the risk of saying something non-PC, all of my personal encounters with rude visitors at DLR involved older folks who frankly couldn't mind their own business. I don't think that's a very good reason to form generalized opinions about older guests, though, the same way a couple bad apples on grad night shouldn't lead to generalizations about grad night attendees

Sadly, rude visitors come in all ranges, can't let them ruin your trip though. Thanks to all who've share your experiences, you've made me think grad nites are totally doable!

 

[rtfelt]

I didn't come across any rowdy groups, but I thought it was more crowded than I would have expected during the week. In fact I was thinking most of the day, "This is so much more crowded than I thought it would be." only to find out later, it was a Grad night day.

 

[Goofy_Mom]

Our vacation was June 4-9 with grad nites on the 6th, 7th, and 8th. I thought the 4th and the 5th were much more crowded than the 6th and 7th. The 8th was about as crowded as the first two dates. I didn't come across anyone being outright rude. Yes, there were some obnoxious and loud teens, but nothing I wouldn't expect from excieted teenages.

We were getting in line for Pirates. I noticed a group of teens being loud and "teenager-ish" about two people ahead of us, when the line split into two, the teens went one way and I went the opposite. My DD says the other line was shorter, I tell her I'd rather not be on "that boat". The couple in front of us heard us and giggled.

The worst I heard was an f-bombed dropped really loud at the exit for BTMRR, a group of three teens were behind me in a circle deciding what to do next. I was waiting with my sleeping preschooler for my DD to get off. I turned my head in the direction of the bomb with my "mom" face. The girl imediatly appologized and chastized the bomber, telling him that language is unwarrented.

The lines were monsterous for Screamin' for all three grad nites. The lines snaked all the way back to the ice cream cone stand.

 

[cmwade77]

We ended up going on a few Gradnites. One thing that was an issue is that we like to park at the Toy Story lot and they decided to stop the buses at park closing on a couple of the days.

While it didn't impact us, as we were going for shows, lines for many attractions were a lot longer than normal and there were a lot of high schoolers with wheelchairs that appeared to not need them. Believe me, I am aware that some may have hidden disabilities, but many seemed to switch off with who was in the wheelchair and whoever wasn't in it was running around. I am not saying that all were being dishonest, but I suspect some were, but I don't know for sure, so I tend to give the benefit of the doubt, it's just what I saw. Another thing that I saw a lot of was "I don't want to go on that ride, but use my guest assistance pass". I still say ID should be required at every attraction to use a guest assistance pass (unless the CM knows the person already of course), sorry, but letting your friend use it is blatant abuse. I have no problems with assistance being given, believe me, I need it myself and I don't always look like I need it (there are times when I am really hurting that you can tell though), so I understand better than anyone the idea of hidden disabilities, it just seemed to high of a percentage for the age group to have hidden disabilities an this isn't counting the ones that were bragging about abusing the system.

Now as to the final word, the strong rumor is that next year is last for Gradnites on the west coast and that they will go back to after hours, but at DCA only for next year.

 

[Czardas]

Hi I just found this information On grad-nights.com

Since the 50th Grad Nite season was such an amazing success, it's time to now look forward to and 2013 and 2014 and the great new changes that will be coming to Grad Night Disneyland California for high school graduates.

In 2013, Grads coming to Grad Night will have more time and more flexibility and even more ROOM for their celebration a the Disneyland Resort because you'll have the opportunity to enter Disneyland theme park or Disney California Adventure park at ANY time during your GradNight visit.* You'll receive a park hopper ticket that will allow you access for the full day to BOTH parks!

Additionally, 2013 GradNite visitors will now receive a special FASTPASS option to use during their visit and a private showing of Disney's FANTASMIC! to kickoff the exclusive private party that really begins when the Disneyland park closes to the general public and remains open to Grad Night guests.

In 2013, the private party will move to Disney's California Adventure where you'll enjoy all the new offerings as well as an exclusive "World of Color" viewing just for you.

Admission to all Disneyland® Resort*Grad-Night events is limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. It's easy for senior class advisors to plan a trip. Proper attire is required, and groups must be accompanied by at least 1 chaperone.

 

[zavandor]

During my trip I had GN the 6th, 7th and 8th of July. Most of AP were blocked out during that days, so it helped with the lines.
In the mornings the queues were light and grew during the day. I've seen a queue for the ToT at 180 minutes one evening, with Fast Passes line up to 45 minutes!

However, using the good strategy (rope drop, park hop, single riders line) I rode every attraction and saw every show multiple time during my trip, never waiting more than 20 minutes. So I think that if you know what you are doing, GN are quite manageable.

 

[Dolby1000]

If/when we visit DL or DCA in the future we will be avoiding Grad Nights. Park fills up rapdily starting in the late PM and instead of emptying out after Fantasmic and Fireworks is even more full than mid-day.

Much, much to crowded during those last 3-4 hours, stand-by lines, instead of easing become longer on the popular attractions.

Late August or September for our next visit.

Didn't encounter any rudness, just large volumes.

Dolby1000

 

[Cal-Pie]

Hi I just found this information On grad-nights.com

Since the 50th Grad Nite season was such an amazing success, it's time to now look forward to and 2013 and 2014 and the great new changes that will be coming to Grad Night Disneyland California for high school graduates.

In 2013, Grads coming to Grad Night will have more time and more flexibility and even more ROOM for their celebration a the Disneyland Resort because you'll have the opportunity to enter Disneyland theme park or Disney California Adventure park at ANY time during your GradNight visit.* You'll receive a park hopper ticket that will allow you access for the full day to BOTH parks!

Additionally, 2013 GradNite visitors will now receive a special FASTPASS option to use during their visit and a private showing of Disney's FANTASMIC! to kickoff the exclusive private party that really begins when the Disneyland park closes to the general public and remains open to Grad Night guests.

In 2013, the private party will move to Disney's California Adventure where you'll enjoy all the new offerings as well as an exclusive "World of Color" viewing just for you.

Admission to all Disneyland® Resort*Grad-Night events is limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. It's easy for senior class advisors to plan a trip. Proper attire is required, and groups must be accompanied by at least 1 chaperone.

Was I wrong thinking they had access to both parks all day this year?