Some "bit of a plan" Advice Please

[DnA2010]

Our trip is coming up soon Our party consists of my family (DH,DD13, and DD20months) my sister's family (her, her DH, and their DS20months) and our mom.

We have 5 day hoppers, with an early entry day. We are staying across the street at Desert Inn and Suites. We will get Maxpass for at least 3 passes, and use rider swap.

Our park days are:

Sunday May 20th: DL- 8-12, CA- 8-10
Monday May 21th: DL-8-12, CA- 9-9
Tuesday May 22nd: DL- 9-12 (early entry 8-9), CA- 9-9 (Grad Night)
Wednesday May 23rd: DL- 9-12, CA- 9-9 (Grad Night)
Thursday May 24th: DL- 8-12 (early entry 7-8), CA- 8-10

I know we can't make super set plans, with the babies and all, but I know I am the one who is going to be the one to "suggest" where we should go, so I want to have a general idea- what would be your tentative "plan" ? Curious where you guys would start your days, when you would avoid, which early entry? We are considering splitting - half the party go to one early entry, the others come along later with the babies etc.

From what I've read, we can expect Thursday to be Very busy...

Thanks so much!

 

[figment_jii]

Personally, I think you're going to find larger crowds on Sunday than on Thursday. While the ticket deal does end on the 24th, your first Sunday is the last weekend day when the ticket deal is valid. Last year, they did tweet that "The Disneyland Resort is very busy today with many Guests enjoying the parks. Please plan for longer than normal wait times." on the last Sunday of the ticket deal. So while it's possible that Thursday will also be crowded, I would plan on a very crowded Sunday.

Depending on your little ones (I had one friend who's toddler son liked to rise with the sun and another who slept in, regardless of when they went to bed), I would considering having everyone go to the MM. You don't have to stay together; that might be a good time for the group with the little ones to do the Fantasyland attractions (Alice and Peter Pan tend to have long lines, but the others are often very short) while the others go do the thrill rides in Tomorrowland (if they like thrills). That's what my group did one time...made most everyone happy.

With the exception of Peter Pan and Alice, I don't actually think MM or EMH really have an effect on most of the attractions that little kids like to do (e.g., Fantasyland, a bug's land, etc.). MM/EMH tend to impact the parks initially in the morning the effects pretty quickly dissipate, so I would worry too much about avoiding the MM/EMH parks.

 

[DnA2010]

Personally, I think you're going to find larger crowds on Sunday than on Thursday. While the ticket deal does end on the 24th, your first Sunday is the last weekend day when the ticket deal is valid. Last year, they did tweet that "The Disneyland Resort is very busy today with many Guests enjoying the parks. Please plan for longer than normal wait times." on the last Sunday of the ticket deal. So while it's possible that Thursday will also be crowded, I would plan on a very crowded Sunday.

Depending on your little ones (I had one friend who's toddler son liked to rise with the sun and another who slept in, regardless of when they went to bed), I would considering having everyone go to the MM. You don't have to stay together; that might be a good time for the group with the little ones to do the Fantasyland attractions (Alice and Peter Pan tend to have long lines, but the others are often very short) while the others go do the thrill rides in Tomorrowland (if they like thrills). That's what my group did one time...made most everyone happy.

With the exception of Peter Pan and Alice, I don't actually think MM or EMH really have an effect on most of the attractions that little kids like to do (e.g., Fantasyland, a bug's land, etc.). MM/EMH tend to impact the parks initially in the morning the effects pretty quickly dissipate, so I would worry too much about avoiding the MM/EMH parks.

I was actually thinking of splitting the MM so the adults could each get to do a bunch of rides (mean parent alert) - maybe we will play it by ear- my toddler isn't an early riser at home, but we will see how the parks are/being away from home. I'm a bit sad to hear it is going to be so busy but such is..and i thought May would be quiet with spring break over :fail: I remember looking at the 2018 calendar of groups/events and it wasn't on and thought I was good. I must have missed about this ticket deal. What time would you get to security if the opening is 8am?

 

[figment_jii]

I hadn't really thought of including the end of the ticket deal in the event calendar, but I can add it.

I would probably aim for around 7:30 am if you wanted to be at the gate by 8:00 am.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I hadn't really thought of including the end of the ticket deal in the event calendar, but I can add it...

That might be a good idea. Last year, I read that there were capacity closures at DL on the last weekend of the promotion. And I know there was a gate closure for a short period on the last day of the promotion, Thursday, May 25th. If nothing like that happens this year, great! But at least people will be mentally prepared.

 

[DnA2010]

That might be a good idea. Last year, I read that there were capacity closures at DL on the last weekend of the promotion. And I know there was a gate closure for a short period on the last day of the promotion, Thursday, May 25th. If nothing like that happens this year, great! But at least people will be mentally prepared.

Omg it’s going to be busy enough for gate closures???

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Omg it’s going to be busy enough for gate closures???

Don't panic -- closures usually only last long enough for enough people to leave whichever park is involved so that more people can enter. Usually the closure seems to happen before a parade (or something similar that would clog up Main Street, for example) and then after the parade is over and many people exit the park, the gates reopen. And there are various levels of closure. Level one stops the sales of one day one park tickets (usually to DL, not DCA). So you may have experienced this already, but never even have noticed because you already had your ticket and were already inside one of the parks.
You've already commented in another thread that you wanted to focus on having a great time wth your little one -- crowds or not -- what's to stop that from happening? You'll have 5 whole days to enjoy the magic! Stay positive, stay calm, and have a great time at DLR with your family!

 

[DnA2010]

Don't panic -- closures usually only last long enough for enough people to leave whichever park is involved so that more people can enter. Usually the closure seems to happen before a parade (or something similar that would clog up Main Street, for example) and then after the parade is over and many people exit the park, the gates reopen. And there are various levels of closure. Level one stops the sales of one day one park tickets (usually to DL, not DCA). So you may have experienced this already, but never even have noticed because you already had your ticket and were already inside one of the parks.
You've already commented in another thread that you wanted to focus on having a great time wth your little one -- crowds or not -- what's to stop that from happening? You'll have 5 whole days to enjoy the magic! Stay positive, stay calm, and have a great time at DLR with your family!

It’s just scary- steering my DH and teen is one thing, but add in another family, toddlers..this was my idea, so i want to make it work.

Given the days above- where would you plan to start each day? Ie DL on grad night days, CA on non grad night days? Half an hour ahead of opening be at security?

 

[Gamora]

Touring Plans shows crowds on May 20-24th as 8/10, 8/10, 7/10, 6/10, 7/10. So it looks like Sunday and Monday will be the most crowded, with Wednesday being least crowded. Our experience has always been that on early morning entries with small children, Peter Pan is where most people run first. The rest of Fantasyland is MUCH less crowded for that first hour. Peter Pan stays the same most of the day. We either do Fantasyland or we go straight to Star Tours.

If you go to Star Tours immediately, the line is short. It increases throughout the day and evening. With those crowd levels, I would recommend either getting a Touring Plans subscription for yourself, and/or do MaxPass for all the days you are there, to save time so you don't have to run to the FP booths.

Also, we have stayed at Desert Inn and Suites several times, and we've always enjoyed it. Great location, enough room for large families to stretch out. Have fun!