Speaking of Grad Nights...

[Skiton]

Do you think it has much of an effect if you don't plan to do the parks in the evening? We were there last year when a couple of GNs were scheduled and I really didn't notice much difference. We're a family who arrives 15 minutes before EMH, hits it hard until around three in the afternoon, and devotes the rest of the day to the pool, nice dinner and an early bedtime. Did we have an unusual experience last year? I'm sure that the Saturday GN will be a little nuts, but for the ones during the week, do the kids typically skip school to come during the day?

 

[figment_jii]

Grad Nite attendees come from all over, not just locally. So for many students, it's a big trip. I've found that they usually start arriving in the parks around mid-to-late morning, but there will be some groups that will arrive earlier in the morning. I don't think it's going to make a huge difference in terms of the crowds - the parks seem pretty crowded at all times these days - but I do think you'll see some school groups at or nearly at opening.

 

[Agent 86]

I hope it's okay to piggy-back on this thread.

During my upcoming trip in May 2016, there will be four Grad Nights. My vague understanding of Grad Nights is that they're some kind of organised tour for school kids to attend Disneyland and California Adventure during set times of the year. But, the key aspect is that on Grad Nights there is a special event held at California Adventure in the evening after the park closes to regular visitors.

The (adverse) effect for regular visitors is that California Adventure can get extremely crowded during the evening on Grad Nights as all of the school kids start arriving for their special event. So, if I understand it correctly, it is best to visit Disneyland on Grad Nights and to visit California Adventure on non-Grad Nights (noting that the school kids will still increase crowd levels across both parks as their tickets allow them to park hop).

Is that correct?

 

[gottalovepluto]

Do you think it has much of an effect if you don't plan to do the parks in the evening? We were there last year when a couple of GNs were scheduled and I really didn't notice much difference. We're a family who arrives 15 minutes before EMH, hits it hard until around three in the afternoon, and devotes the rest of the day to the pool, nice dinner and an early bedtime. Did we have an unusual experience last year? I'm sure that the Saturday GN will be a little nuts, but for the ones during the week, do the kids typically skip school to come during the day?

I think you experienced the norm. We've gone a few years during grad nites and they start showing up around lunch and are thick by dinner. Your plan sounds excellent! (I suspect many kids skip school [we did] but not necessarily all. Kids come from all over and can technically arrive as soon as the parks open- though I've never seen them THAT early!)

 

[sherilaine]

The (adverse) effect for regular visitors is that California Adventure can get extremely crowded during the evening on Grad Nights as all of the school kids start arriving for their special event. So, if I understand it correctly, it is best to visit Disneyland on Grad Nights and to visit California Adventure on non-Grad Nights (noting that the school kids will still increase crowd levels across both parks as their tickets allow them to park hop).

Is that correct?

They can visit both parks and since their private party is at DCA - we saw a LOT of them in DL in the two evenings we were there during grad nites - as they are getting their fill in of DL before heading over to DCA - so no, I don't think it's that simple.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I hope it's okay to piggy-back on this thread.

During my upcoming trip in May 2016, there will be four Grad Nights. My vague understanding of Grad Nights is that they're some kind of organised tour for school kids to attend Disneyland and California Adventure during set times of the year. But, the key aspect is that on Grad Nights there is a special event held at California Adventure in the evening after the park closes to regular visitors.

The (adverse) effect for regular visitors is that California Adventure can get extremely crowded during the evening on Grad Nights as all of the school kids start arriving for their special event. So, if I understand it correctly, it is best to visit Disneyland on Grad Nights and to visit California Adventure on non-Grad Nights (noting that the school kids will still increase crowd levels across both parks as their tickets allow them to park hop).

Is that correct?

Sorry no but you came to the right place! They aren't really organized tour groups. Basically schools sign up ahead of time and bring all of their graduating seniors who then all split off their own to do the parks during the day and they all get together for a private Seniors only party at night- the "Grad Nite". Grad Nite is held in DCA approx 11pm to 2am (3am? Not sure on the hours) and the park is closed to the general public. BUT grads are given park hopper tickets for the day and therein is your planning problem. Grads generally leave DCA alone because they can do it at night and instead hit DL during the day/evening. Mainly the crowds to watch out for are evening in DL after dinner. Especially on popular rides (Indy, Space). So do whatever you want during the day but hop over to DCA during evening on grad nites!

 

[Agent 86]

Thanks everyone.

Well, that's ... confusing. We don't have park hoppers, so now I'm not sure which park to go to on Grad Nights. I thought it would make sense to do Disneyland since the official "school" event is at California Adventure, but gottalovepluto makes a lot of sense saying that Disneyland would in fact be busier with all the school kids because they have the option of going to California Adventure late in the evening when regular visitors are no longer there.

Maybe we'll just try both options? So ... based on these Grad Nights in May 2016: 13, 14, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, and 31, maybe we'll try the following itinerary:

- Wednesday, 18 May (Grad Night) - California Adventure (especially as our flight won't arrive until mid morning so we won't be at the park until mid-afternoon)
- Thursday, 19 May - Disneyland
- Friday, 20 May (Grad Night) - Disneyland (due to Magic Morning early access)
- Saturday, 21 May (Grad Night) - California Adventure
- Sunday, 22 May - California Adventure
- Monday, 23 May (Grad Night) - Maybe Universal Studios on this day (followed by Downtown Disney)

It's all so confusing. And I really don't understand why the school kids should get the run of both parks AND their own exclusive event at California Adventure. It seems a bit unfair to regular visitors.

 

[sherilaine]

It's all so confusing. And I really don't understand why the school kids should get the run of both parks AND their own exclusive event at California Adventure. It seems a bit unfair to regular visitors.

I get frustration but don't take it out on the grads. This is a great event for them - and I'd of loved to have been able to do this as a senior in HS.

They pay for this - their grad nite ticket allows them full run of the parks like everyone else that day, and they can be there the next if the choose to buy another ticket, or the next. Their party does not start until DCA closes so that does not disturb regular visitors since regular visitors cannot be in DCA after it closes.

Anyone can buy a ticket to Disneyland - it's a popular place.

Edited to add that adding the park hopper option is there if that would make your trip much easier to plan, if you already have your tickets you can add on the hopper option at the park. I'd not go to DLR during grad nights without one to be honest.

 

[Bobsmom]

My understanding is what gottalovepluto said, that since they get to go to DCA at night they do DL in the day. There are grad nights scheduled when we are visiting and my plan is to do DCA for that reason. I think it also depends on what you're doing at DL, I don't think you'll have a lot of grads trying to ride dumbo or IASW vs BTMRR, Space Mtn, Star Tours, etc.

Teenagers are also more likely to sleep in, especially since they'll be up late, so if you're rope-droppers you might not be as affected.

 

[bcinohio]

We are taking out first trip the same time (May 18-21). We are getting hoppers. We are doing DCA on Wed afternoon after our flight arrives. We should get there about 2-3. Then do DLR all day on thurs and then start with DCA on Friday and finish our trip at DLR friday evening. There is a grad night Wed & Friday. Hope it works out ok.

 

[LizzyS]

I was thinking of going in May, but totally forgot about Grad Nights since we usually go in the "off season", lol. Not sure if I want to deal with this, so now I'm considering the first weekend in June. The park is seemingly always crowded during peak times of the day when we've went, so hey, what's the difference?

 

[sherilaine]

I was thinking of going in May, but totally forgot about Grad Nights since we usually go in the "off season", lol. Not sure if I want to deal with this, so now I'm considering the first weekend in June. The park is seemingly always crowded during peak times of the day when we've went, so hey, what's the difference?

Grad Nites run until June 17th - so the 1st weekend of June would still have them.

We went during 2 grad nights back in May once - one of them was really nothing to speak of - the second one though was very annoying. I don't blame the grads though - they are just doing what grads do. Many of them were well behaved but they are loud and having a great time.

 

[LizzyS]

Grad Nites run until June 17th - so the 1st weekend of June would still have them.

We went during 2 grad nights back in May once - one of them was really nothing to speak of - the second one though was very annoying. I don't blame the grads though - they are just doing what grads do. Many of them were well behaved but they are loud and having a great time.

Are they still adding them at this time?

I didn't see that weekend listed for them, but I did see someone post that they had added a couple more in early June (but not on the dates I was looking at) that weren't on the other lists I had seen.

 

[LizzyS]

Never mind, I see them now. The 4th of June would be affected if I went that first weekend, good to know.

 

[AZMermaid]

We are going to June 5-10 and will be there for 2 (oh man, now 3) Grad nights. I had a pretty good plan to work with Grad nights (one off day, one DCA day). I was planning my Paint the Night package for June 9 because I heard the grads are somewhat obnoxious to the diners at Blue Bayou. I was checking dates to make sure I had it right for my post and I see they just added 6/2 and 6/9. I am 95% sure 6/9 was not originally on there because we switched dates from June 4-9 to only have 2 grad nights vs 3. Ugh. That's annoying! I didn't realize they add to the schedule....

 

[Agent 86]

I get frustration but don't take it out on the grads. This is a great event for them - and I'd of loved to have been able to do this as a senior in HS.

I totally understand that it's great for the grads. IF I lived in America as a child, I'm sure I would have loved to do it as well.

It's just a little disappointing when an international trip which took years to plan is (potentially) adversely impacted by unexpected events. But, we survived three days at Tokyo Disneyland / DisneySea which were insanely crowded (so much so that on our third day we didn't go on a single ride all afternoon / evening because the Fast Passes were all taken and the stand-by lines were crazy long). And we still had fun, so no doubt it will be the same in May!

 

[sherilaine]

They are honestly not that bad, nothing like the horror you mention about Tokyo. Get there early, before rope drop and you'll have a blast!