SOOO packed this week!

[JerrodDragon89]

To each their Own but I rope dropped Saturday and Sunday

Saturday it was crowded but still got a lot down with rope drop. HMH was my longest wait at 10ish mins...maybe? But I rope dropped it and after I got off the ride it was at 65 mins.

Walked on Tia's ride and Pooh, Pirates was less then 10 mins, same with small world.

On Sunday it was even better, I walked on HM, Big Thunder, Mickeys Railroad, the Disneyland railroad and my longest line was 10 mins with Roger Rabbit

So if you can't go in the morning, then I'd wait until you can because the afternoon and nights are just a mess for parking and crowds. If your reading this you have been warned

But I had a great two days at the resort and saw a good amount of shows to

Saturday
The Dapper Dans and Deadpool
Sunday The Jazz Band, Five and Dime, The Disney Fantasy Parade, The Garden Bandstand music and Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party

 

[Wesley815]

*also remember everyone complaining about crowds also bought tickets and is asking the same question why it's packed

 

[VGCgroupie]

So maybe I am wrong but it seems weekdays are more packed the weekends recently? I went last weekend and yes it was busy but not any busier than any other trip I have ever taken, actually much less busy than when we went during a cheer comp weekend in Feb.

 

[JerrodDragon89]

So maybe I am wrong but it seems weekdays are more packed the weekends recently? I went last weekend and yes it was busy but not any busier than any other trip I have ever taken, actually much less busy than when we went during a cheer comp weekend in Feb.

Its the pricing and the fact that people now dont mind taking work off since Covid are big reasons why

But Saturday still had lots of people just wasn't sold out

 

[LAS2AMS]

But Saturday still had lots of people just wasn't sold out

Saturday did sell out. They had signs plastered all over that said no reservations available.

 

[ClaraOswald]

So maybe I am wrong but it seems weekdays are more packed the weekends recently? I went last weekend and yes it was busy but not any busier than any other trip I have ever taken, actually much less busy than when we went during a cheer comp weekend in Feb.

Yeah, I was getting that feeling on our June trip last year. For this trip, we decided to avoid the weekend because of the Candlelight processional though.

For next June, we will be in the parks Sunday - Thursday. I kind of wish we'd stuck with Tuesday - Saturday like last year because I think Friday/Saturday weren't terrible. But it's too late to switch it now. I'll be curious to see how it goes since we want to go back in June 2027 too.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Yeah, I was getting that feeling on our June trip last year. For this trip, we decided to avoid the weekend because of the Candlelight processional though.

For next June, we will be in the parks Sunday - Thursday. I kind of wish we'd stuck with Tuesday - Saturday like last year because I think Friday/Saturday weren't terrible. But it's too late to switch it now. I'll be curious to see how it goes since we want to go back in June 2027 too.

Candlelight didn’t impact our visit at all. It didn’t when we went about 8 years ago either.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Candlelight didn’t impact our visit at all. It didn’t when we went about 8 years ago either.

Good to know. I'll have to remember that the next time we travel this time of year. Though that will probably be many, many years from now.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I’ve been to the parks three times in the last three weeks.

11/30 (Sunday): Typical holiday busy but not terrible. We were able to ride everything we wanted to standby and single rider (Space, Big Thunder, Indy, Matterhorn, Incredicoaster) and got food fairly easily with mobile order.

12/8 (Sunday): Noticeably more crowded than the previous Sunday. Went on some rides in the morning (IASW, Storybookland Canal Boats) but my younger son is not big ride kid so that’s all we did. Went to Tom Sawyers island and the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. The biggest issue was food. It was very difficult to mobile order food (return times were hours out), the regular lines for food were huge and once we got food it was difficult to find a table to sit. The park experience was decidedly less enjoyable than the previous Sunday.

12/10 (Wednesday): I only went for a few hours (9:30am to 1:30pm) to meet a friend for atmosphere and lunch. We rode Big Thunder and Incredicoaster standby. Got treats (various gingerbread items at DL and festival food at DCA). Watched the Encanto show at DCA. It did not feel terribly crowded to me so I’m assuming the crowds must have really picked up in the later afternoon/evening after reading reports here that it was very crowded. For me, for those few hours, it was much more enjoyable than my Sunday visit three days prior.

I currently have reservations this Thursday 12/18 and planned to take both my boys after school for their last park day before they are blocked out for the holiday. It’s the last day Believe Keys can visit. When I booked it, I knew there would be big crowds but I figured we’d just enjoy food and the atmosphere, maybe catch A Christmas Fantasy parade and fireworks. But after reading all these reports I’m wondering if I should just cancel. I don’t want to be squished into wall-to-wall people and have a hard time getting food.

 

[LKing]

But after reading all these reports I’m wondering if I should just cancel. I don’t want to be squished into wall-to-wall people and have a hard time getting food.

I started bringing a sandwich from home.

 

[LAS2AMS]

We very infrequently purchase food in the parks. Especially lately, no tables are available as people loiter - often just to rest. We’re also older Millennials who came of age during the Great Recession. It’s tough for me to justify spending nearly $5 on three little mandarians when we can get a bag of 30 for less than that at the grocery store. Or $6 on a donut that was baked elsewhere and trucked in frozen, when there’s oodles of donut shops serving fresh donuts. Can’t beat an apple fritter from Winchel’s and it’s $2.

 

[LAS2AMS]

Gotta say, I’m shocked at how long the line at GCH is for the lobby bakery. Almost $15 for a cookie? I get that they’re suppose to be the only stuff baked in house (everything else is from third party vendors like PBC Creations, although decorated in house), but now.

Disney tried replicating it at the Contemporary Resort, but there was never a line. Granted I think the baked goods are from third party vendors, and not baked in house.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I’ve been to the parks three times in the last three weeks.

11/30 (Sunday): Typical holiday busy but not terrible. We were able to ride everything we wanted to standby and single rider (Space, Big Thunder, Indy, Matterhorn, Incredicoaster) and got food fairly easily with mobile order.

12/8 (Sunday): Noticeably more crowded than the previous Sunday. Went on some rides in the morning (IASW, Storybookland Canal Boats) but my younger son is not big ride kid so that’s all we did. Went to Tom Sawyers island and the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. The biggest issue was food. It was very difficult to mobile order food (return times were hours out), the regular lines for food were huge and once we got food it was difficult to find a table to sit. The park experience was decidedly less enjoyable than the previous Sunday.

12/10 (Wednesday): I only went for a few hours (9:30am to 1:30pm) to meet a friend for atmosphere and lunch. We rode Big Thunder and Incredicoaster standby. Got treats (various gingerbread items at DL and festival food at DCA). Watched the Encanto show at DCA. It did not feel terribly crowded to me so I’m assuming the crowds must have really picked up in the later afternoon/evening after reading reports here that it was very crowded. For me, for those few hours, it was much more enjoyable than my Sunday visit three days prior.

I currently have reservations this Thursday 12/18 and planned to take both my boys after school for their last park day before they are blocked out for the holiday. It’s the last day Believe Keys can visit. When I booked it, I knew there would be big crowds but I figured we’d just enjoy food and the atmosphere, maybe catch A Christmas Fantasy parade and fireworks. But after reading all these reports I’m wondering if I should just cancel. I don’t want to be squished into wall-to-wall people and have a hard time getting food.

One of the worst parts of our trip was probably trying to find tables at quick service places. It was super frustrating to see close to half the tables with people not eating. I assume some are waiting for their mobile orders, which is fine. But others were clearly done eating and just sitting there. So frustrating.

We had the same problem at WDW in January. I honestly think the mobile ordering is the issue.

 

[LAS2AMS]

One of the worst parts of our trip was probably trying to find tables at quick service places. It was super frustrating to see close to half the tables with people not eating. I assume some are waiting for their mobile orders, which is fine. But others were clearly done eating and just sitting there. So frustrating.

We had the same problem at WDW in January. I honestly think the mobile ordering is the issue.

It isn’t mobile ordering. Only a small % of people use mobile ordering status quo. Disney allows you to consume your own food and beverage at any seating area. And often, people just loiter around… many who never had food to begin with.

We usually eat at Craftsmill Grill… easy in, easy out and few people dining inside. As a bonus, nearby bathrooms are clean and usually vacant… since waiting to use the potty can be a thing, especially for women. We usually order a soda, and it’s the only non- full service restaurant on Disneyland property that allows free refills.

 

[LKing]

We usually eat at Craftsmill Grill… easy in, easy out and few people dining inside. As a bonus, nearby bathrooms are clean and usually vacant… since waiting to use the potty can be a thing, especially for women. We usually order a soda, and it’s the only non- full service restaurant on Disneyland property that allows free refills.

Don't Alien Pizza Planet and Pyms allow free refills? That's usually where I go to fill my water bottle. I also go to Boardwalk Pizza. Not sure if it is free refills there or not.

 

[Pluto468]

I’ve been to the parks three times in the last three weeks.

11/30 (Sunday): Typical holiday busy but not terrible. We were able to ride everything we wanted to standby and single rider (Space, Big Thunder, Indy, Matterhorn, Incredicoaster) and got food fairly easily with mobile order.

12/8 (Sunday): Noticeably more crowded than the previous Sunday. Went on some rides in the morning (IASW, Storybookland Canal Boats) but my younger son is not big ride kid so that’s all we did. Went to Tom Sawyers island and the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. The biggest issue was food. It was very difficult to mobile order food (return times were hours out), the regular lines for food were huge and once we got food it was difficult to find a table to sit. The park experience was decidedly less enjoyable than the previous Sunday.

12/10 (Wednesday): I only went for a few hours (9:30am to 1:30pm) to meet a friend for atmosphere and lunch. We rode Big Thunder and Incredicoaster standby. Got treats (various gingerbread items at DL and festival food at DCA). Watched the Encanto show at DCA. It did not feel terribly crowded to me so I’m assuming the crowds must have really picked up in the later afternoon/evening after reading reports here that it was very crowded. For me, for those few hours, it was much more enjoyable than my Sunday visit three days prior.

I currently have reservations this Thursday 12/18 and planned to take both my boys after school for their last park day before they are blocked out for the holiday. It’s the last day Believe Keys can visit. When I booked it, I knew there would be big crowds but I figured we’d just enjoy food and the atmosphere, maybe catch A Christmas Fantasy parade and fireworks. But after reading all these reports I’m wondering if I should just cancel. I don’t want to be squished into wall-to-wall people and have a hard time getting food.

Maybe you could get an ADR for Thursday? Then at least you wouldn't have to worry about that aspect of it.

 

[LKing]

I currently have reservations this Thursday 12/18 and planned to take both my boys after school for their last park day before they are blocked out for the holiday. It’s the last day Believe Keys can visit. When I booked it, I knew there would be big crowds but I figured we’d just enjoy food and the atmosphere, maybe catch A Christmas Fantasy parade and fireworks. But after reading all these reports I’m wondering if I should just cancel. I don’t want to be squished into wall-to-wall people and have a hard time getting food.

It may not be that bad. Tonight MK reservations opened for both parks on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

 

[LKing]

AAA begins Jan 1 and goes through May 21. Three days over that time period, not just within the 13 days of initial use. We purchased the deal on DL website, not the AAA ones (they weren't out. Now I am not sure how much I really want to go lol. We booked hotel for Jan 1-Jan 4 and Jan 2 is already blocked for park reservations. I don't know... it has been 5 years since we went to DL (we used to be AP holders prior to 2020 and our children live literally within a 10 minute drive). We went to DTD on 12/6 and it was madness... I agree w/you I too think people are spacing their visits out.

This is why I just fly to WDW now. lol

It looks like Jan 2 was a glitch. It is open now.

 

[cruisehopeful]

The crowds are a little subjective. After the second parade on Friday, I was walking away from the IASM area thinking about how nice it was to be able to walk and keep moving. I heard several people talking about how crowded it was and how they had never seen it like that before.

 

[LAS2AMS]

Don't Alien Pizza Planet and Pyms allow free refills? That's usually where I go to fill my water bottle. I also go to Boardwalk Pizza. Not sure if it is free refills there or not.

“Officially” there are no free refills in the park. Do I refill my beverage at the aforementioned locations? Of course - there’s no language or signage that indicates such, nor is DLR using a RFID chip like WDW. The likelihood of a CM saying anytime si slim - heck, I regularly see people fill their own bottles at Pym.