SOOO packed this week!

[DonnerB]

Maybe it's just a combo of aggressive local discounts and the last days for MK holders, but this time of year no longer feels like the magical sweet spot it has the reputation for being.

I feel like we discuss this ad nauseam, but as a local Magic Key holder, I don't think there are any sweet spots left with the possible exception of summer because of the lower tier Magic Key blockouts. In 2026 they've removed several Saturday blockouts for Believe Keys (if I'm comparing the calendars correctly). The upcoming SoCal discounts will make the first part of the year crowded. I'm certainly considering not renewing based on how the first chunk of the new year goes.

 

[Disney0010]

We used to be MK holders but moved about five hours away so we dropped the MK in April of this year. We’re now down to visiting DL once a year which is the holiday season but we’re spending upwards of over four-five grand for three nights and after this year we will rethink that. We have booked this week for the past five years and this year has been far worse for crowds than the previous years.

The CM’s have been outstanding. The CM’s here at the DL hotel have been great. So friendly and helpful. I wish I could say the same for fellow guests. Whatever happened to saying please and thank you? Also, why should I have to dodge those pushing strollers and driving EV’s in place of them watching where they’re going and showing some courtesy towards others?

I understand that Disney wants a certain amount of guests in the parks each day but I think this year they have bit off more than they could chew. I’m glad to be leaving tomorrow and I have never felt that way about a Disney trip before. Disney needs to look at promotions and MK dates around the holidays and make some adjustments. I will be filling out my survey and sending an email but I doubt that it will do any good.

We have a nice dinner planned tonight at CC and will enjoy it. It will be a nice way to finish off this trip. I’m sure after having some time away from DL that my feelings will change but right now this trip has not felt relaxing or magical.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I’m sure after having some time away from DL that my feelings will change but right now this trip has not felt relaxing or magical.

I would have to agree with this somewhat for my Thanksgiving trip this year. This year's visit compared to last year's, night and day. Last year I felt like we could roll with the crowds and use a little strategy to have the experience we wanted, and we had one of our nicest Thanksgiving weeks of all our years at the park. This year was just plain exhausting, and largely it was the people that made it so.

 

[JerrodDragon89]

I do want to point out the funny thing about people saying there are too many people....we aren't even filling up the park

Like they could fit in another 3-5 thousand guests into Disneyland still. Indy and Space used to get 3 hour waits

I will say what I've noticed recently is less CMs, not like a huge amount missing but less people doing the photo pass with characters and a few less for crowd control. Maybe I am imaging things but that feels like what I've noticed this holiday season


I will also say the best bet is to rope drop and hit rides until the crowds are too much and then go see shows as you get more LL ready to go. DCA has a lots of shows and many of which aren't filling up and this isn't due to lack of people in the parks but people just not going to watch the musical shows in Hollywoodland at nighttime, every time I've gone to those they have 1/5 the amount of people they could fill

So for many they just want rides and cool but your going to have a worst time trying to get on rides right now, if you want a full day I'd watch the Dapper Dans holiday show, Deadpool, The Encanto show/Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party and also mobile order food.

I've gone 3 all day trips this season and yes, rides wise its not the best (but I will say the rope drop hour and last hour are both still really good). Like I did an all day trip and did 39 Rides and shows.....on a weekday day

 

[LKing]

I will say what I've noticed recently is less CMs, not like a huge amount missing but less people doing the photo pass with characters and a few less for crowd control. Maybe I am imaging things but that feels like what I've noticed this holiday season

It is funny that you bring this up. You mentioned it in another thread and I was thinking that I noticed the same thing. Then, when I went earlier this week, I saw Photo Pass photographers everywhere! Almost every character interaction had them, especially the more popular characters. I take a lot of character pics so I know they weren't there before. Maybe they added more for the holidays.

 

[JerrodDragon89]

It is funny that you bring this up. You mentioned it in another thread and I was thinking that I noticed the same thing. Then, when I went earlier this week, I saw Photo Pass photographers everywhere! Almost every character interaction had them, especially the more popular characters. I take a lot of character pics so I know they weren't there before. Maybe they added more for the holidays.

Must have just been a bad weekend go to go that

My Wife and I were there and for 2 days in a row and just almost none. Heck the Tree and Mickey out front didn't get people until later as well, normally they used to be out near when they let people in but when we went it wasn't until after 8 AM they came to take pictures of people with the Tree/Mickey flowers

I do love Disney but will say this is also why its hard to talk about the parks, everyone has very different experiences and so what could be a good day for me might be hell for someone else if they miss a character coming out by a minute or get in line for a ride right as it gets popular leading it to double the length of time you need to wait

 

[LKing]

I just returned home from what I thought would be a crazy busy day. It is the last Friday for a couple of MK and MK reservations were full weeks ago. I was surprised that it wasn't nearly as busy as the past couple of weeks, and I didn't find people as agitated or irritable as they have been. Wait times for most attractions were less than 30 min. The E ticket attractions were less than an hour. My guess is that it will get busy tonight.

 

[LAS2AMS]

I just returned home on what I thought would be a crazy busy day. It is the last Friday for a couple of MK and MK reservations were full weeks ago. I was surprised that it wasn't nearly as busy as the past couple of weeks, and I didn't find people as agitated or irritable as they have been. Wait times for most attractions were less than 30 min. The E ticket attractions were less than an hour. My guess is that it will get busy tonight.

Good timing! TikTok is complaining about the massive lines to get into the park right now.

 

[LKing]

Good timing! TikTok is complaining about the massive lines to get into the park right now.

Yeah, I need to take the freeway so I don't tend to stay late on weekdays. The trams bringing people in were pretty full when I was leaving.

 

[LAS2AMS]

The parking structure is full and traffic is being routed to TS parking lot. Harbor is backed up because of the traffic volume headed to TS, and the lines for busses and security are huge.

Definitely wasn’t this busy in years past.

There’s several cops hanging out at the entrance to TS lot - one car and a couple motorcycles. People keep turning left into the lot even wjen the light is red, blocking traffic on Harbor. But the cops are too busy enjoying their donuts and talking to each other to do angering about it LOL…

 

[LKing]

Thanks for sharing that. We left around 6 pm and the trams bringing guests in were full. When we exited Pixar Pals, Magic Way was packed and we couldn't figure out why.

 

[LAS2AMS]

I’ve never seen them do this before: they’re also redirecting DTD traffic into TS. They reserved a section of the lot for people headed to DTD. Sounds as if they’re getting a break on parking. TS doesn’t have toll booths upon exit, so not sure what the arrangement is.

 

[LKing]

I’ve never seen them do this before: they’re also redirecting DTD traffic into TS. They reserved a section of the lot for people headed to DTD. Sounds as if they’re getting a break on parking. TS doesn’t have toll booths upon exit, so not sure what the arrangement is.

This is a Dance the Magic weekend. I wonder if tonight is their after hours party at DCA.

Busy day at the parks. It started with a CM Friends & Family 5K before the parks opened.

Edit to add: All MK except Inspire were blocked today. This is the last weekend for the Costco tickets.

 

[LAS2AMS]

Edit to add: All MK except Inspire were blocked today. This is the last weekend for the Costco tickets.

Signage indicated no reservations were available. Seems like that’s been happening a more more this year than last. And all in the past few months.

Some outlets like AAA were/ are selling the 3d CA ticket for $199 w/a $10 gift card. Me thinks it’s going to be busy for awhile…

 

[LKing]

Some outlets like AAA were/ are selling the 3d CA ticket for $199 w/a $10 gift card. Me thinks it’s going to be busy for awhile…

The AAA tickets don't start until after Jan 8, right? And I think those need to be used within 13 days of initial use. The expiring Costco tickets could be used on three days from May-December. I think many non-MK locals spaced out their trips and went once for the 70th, once for Halloween, and once for Holidays. It is the non-MK locals that really impact the parking.

 

[tigerlilly]

The AAA tickets don't start until after Jan 8, right? And I think those need to be used within 13 days of initial use. The expiring Costco tickets could be used on three days from May-December. I think many non-MK locals spaced out their trips and went once for the 70th, once for Halloween, and once for Holidays. It is the non-MK locals that really impact the parking.

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

 

[LKing]

Thanks for the clarification. The new Costco tickets are Jan 8 - June 12 and must be used within 13 days of initial reservation.

 

[LAS2AMS]

The AAA tickets don't start until after Jan 8, right? And I think those need to be used within 13 days of initial use. The expiring Costco tickets could be used on three days from May-December. I think many non-MK locals spaced out their trips and went once for the 70th, once for Halloween, and once for Holidays. It is the non-MK locals that really impact the parking.

I meant that the discounted tickets will ensure that the parks remain busy well into next year ! They’ve been consistently crazy busy during evenings and weekends since the Halloween season began. The exceptions have generally been when the algorithm failed — there were a few Saturdays were MK reservations were unavailable for two weeks or more, but the park was totally dead. Likely because the non-MK didn’t show up. And of course, the rain.

Seems like attendance has been picking up. Disney increased the park’s operating hours at both DLR and WDW on select days in both Nov and Dec. of closed from scheduled as park hours are shorter than years past.

 

[Tinkaboo]

Well, just came back to CCI from DL and it didnt seem bad at all..normal Christmas crowd. had my RDZ Fantasmic dinner, came home (well, its like my 2nd home), unpacked, stocked the fridge and watching end of Rams game. Back to park around 6.

 

[ClaraOswald]

We were in the parks Monday the 8th - Friday the 12th and felt it was very, very crowded. We haven't been to the parks in early December since 2018 so it was drastically different! We still had a good time, of course. But it was rough at times. If you want to get anywhere during the parade (which takes forever to do the full route)...it was horrible.