Starting to regret this

[agamble]

As Mary Jo said ^

The parks are manageable about 90% of the year I think. Go first thing in the morning and hit as many rides as possible. Use FP for the big rides. Watch shows or ride less popular rides in the afternoon (Tikie Room and Lincoln are both great and air conditioned). Eat at less popular times. A lot of times the biggest issue is the crowded walk ways. Touring Plans scores the days only based on ride lengths, but many people complain about how busy the parks FEEL when there are wall to wall people in Tomorowland or Adventureland. With all these parades and night time shows, I'd expect a lot of people just sitting around waiting for shows. That's going to make it feel crowded too.

 

[GenGen22]

You just have to keep in your mind that Disney is magical & that's why your going. Keep a positive attitude & enjoy. Take your time & do what you want. Go early & if DL gets too packed head to DCA. Go early & maybe leave early to head back to the room & go for a swim.

 

[knitster]

We'll be there the exact same dates as you! I'm a little nervous about it as well, since we always go during super low crowd times, but I know it's going to be so much fun and, like a previous poster said, we'll be part of Disneyland history!

 

[Bubblegum1286]

Can't move our dates without a penalty on airlines. Plus it's the only time we can go this year . Saying it will be manageable makes me feel a little better, thanks.

What happens if we have dining reservations and they get so full they won't let us in? I think I'm most disappointed in the short hours the 2 days before. I figured Friday would be crowded but was hoping to be able to stay in parks later on those days.

Try not to worry about it. My husband and I had our honeymoon in WDW during Christmas (December 20-27, 2007). We were young and silly and didn't research peak crowd times or anything like that. We just knew we wanted to go to DW for our honeymoon, so we went to DW for our honeymoon. Was it crowded? Yeah. Was it a bad trip? Not even kind of. Did we easily get caught up in the 'OMG I'M IN A DISNEY PARK' fun delirium? YES! You will too.

You're going to have a great trip. We're planning a trip to Disneyland this summer (late June) during peak seasons. It's not ideal, but it's when we can go, and I'm SO excited to show my kids Disneyland. Just go in knowing it may be a bit crowded, make a short list of your must-do's, and enjoy yourself. Crowds or not, you're in DISNEYLAND!!! It's the happiest place on earth, and that can't be all bad, right?

 

[Keels]

OMG! So jealous. I would kill to be there for the 24-hour event!!!

 

[Bubblegum1286]

Oh! Another thing! We took our son to DL/CA in 2013. He was 4, and my husband (a high school band director) took his band kids to California. We did a HUGE tour of Hollywood, Beverly Hills, the LA Farmer's Market, Santa Monica.... Disneyland was just a tiny dot on our trip. ONE. DAY. One day for BOTH parks. I was SO sad. I wanted it to be much longer, as this was DS's first time at ANY Dis park. But, in that one day, we hit all the bests- Toy Story Mania, Peter Pan's Flight, IASW, Pirates, Dumbo, Cars.... We had a blast. He still talks about that trip two years later and asks regularly if we can go back. All of those precious memories packed into one special day that's blown up into something much much bigger in his mind. I can't wait to give him a much longer DL vaca this summer, but really, even though it was SO short, it was still a pretty perfect day. For him and me.

 

[wench]

Touring Plans does estimate that both DL & DCA will be a 10 out of 10 for crowds on the 22nd. But, the good news is that they estimate the 20th & 21st to be only a 4 for DL & 5 for DCA. So, even with shorter hours, you should be able to knock out a lot of things those first couple days.

 

[elmoandzoey]

I happen to be there 19th to 23rd (so yay, 3 days with low crowds , Tue is 6/6 according to Touring Plans which still is kinda low). 22nd I am not so worried about when it comes to rides since I probably will have done most if not all attractions. I also don't mind waiting in line - at least in a Disney line! There's usually so much to see and discover that to me it's part of the fun Sometimes when lines are short I let people pass just so I can enjoy the surroundings of the waiting area For me, waiting in line is just part of the experience and excitement going to Disney.

Anyways.

I have not been to DL or DCA when it was a predicted 10 crowd so I don't know what that is supposed to feel like (last time I went in 02 I had one day for both parks and it was so "crowded" that I got to ride every ride in both parks at least once and see the parades.... I think I had a level 1 or 2 day it was so empty). The parks are small compared to WDW though. I have been at Epcot, HS and MK on a level 10 day a few years back (not closed to capacity but a 10 crowd in those parks according to Touring Plans). While it was crowded I didn't feel it to be overcrowded - but the parks are larger. Can anyone compare a 10 crowd at WDW to a 10 crowd at DL? I don't do well in huge.... masses of people. Lines are fine because they are coordinated. Crowds - not so much. I had no problem whatsoever with the 10 crowds at WDW, especially during fireworks, parades and shows. So if anyone can compare, I'd be less stressed out about a 10 crowd at DL

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Like a PP noted, the walkways will be jammed with people who are there exclusively for the new nighttime events. I think CMs are going to have a tough time trying to keep pathways clear. You will have to decide to join the squatters (not meaning to offend, just lacking a better word) or are you going to concentrate on the attractions.

I would find a good spot early and snack and people watch in the evening. No one knows where the prime spots will be yet, so I would keep an eye out for passholder preview reviews.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I would not trust Touring Plans. They are notorious for bad DL advice. I would say most of your days will be tens. Crank that up to an 11 for the 24 hour event.

 

[Tinkerbell19672]

I would not trust Touring Plans. They are notorious for bad DL advice. I would say most of your days will be tens. Crank that up to an 11 for the 24 hour event.

Well that wouldn't be good

 

[thmcdonald1]

Well that wouldn't be good

I would not trust Touring Plans. They are notorious for bad DL advice. I would say most of your days will be tens. Crank that up to an 11 for the 24 hour event.

Is there a site that is reliable? IsItPacked.com also has M-T as "Hey it's alright," which would be a 4-6 on Touring Plans.

 

[agamble]

I think you can trust Touringplans.com to a point. Their wait time averages are pretty good. The problem is they do not consider things like congestion. Their scores are only based on wait times at the most popular attractions. I think the week leading up to the 24-hour party will likely be in the 5-6 range as they said and it will be alright. The 24-hour day is it's own beast.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Is there a site that is reliable? IsItPacked.com also has M-T as "Hey it's alright," which would be a 4-6 on Touring Plans.

M-Th is leading up to the celebration kick off on Fri. I don't know how that site determines but my thinking when I see it is two-fold: lower crowds because most schools are still in session during the week and won't start releasing until Memorial weekend & people waiting to go until everything new is open. You really shouldn't see crazy 10 levels those days. Pure guestimation (yep, that's totally a word )on my part says 6-7 with crowds increasing as you get closer to kick off Friday.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I also hate to be Debbie Downer, but friends who have APs are NOT going that weekend because of the crowds and that's saying something. These are the people that have been to every 24-hour event so there you go. Pack water, and eat in the off-hours. Fastpass to the best of your ability.

 

[sydangel68]

Reading this thread has totally freaked me out. We arrive from Australia on 22 May and heading straight to DLR for 4 days. The good news I think is that we are staying at the Grand Californian, so if it all gets too much we can head back to the hotel for a break, food and swim. We can't move our dates as we have 3 weeks locked in including DCL Alaskan cruise, so would be too much to move around. I didn't realise it was the 24hr event until recently. Can I get some thoughts on the following?

1. We won't be able to get to the parks till around 6pm on 22 May due to flight arrivals, hotel check-in and recovery from a 15 hour flight. If they are at capacity, will we still be able to get in being GCH guests or are we locked out?
2. I have a dining reservation at Blue Bayou at 845pm on 22 May - will they let us in for that if in lock out?
3. We've been to DLR and WDW many times, so not too fussed about doing anything other than Cars Land which will be new for my family (lucky me was there in October) so plan to spend lots of time chilling, doing whatever rides we can in the mornings before it gets too crazy. Does that sound doable?
4. DS turns 11 on Monday 25 May. We want to spend the day in the parks - can anyone suggest something special we can do?

Thanks in advance for you help.

Cheers

 

[gottalovepluto]

Reading this thread has totally freaked me out. We arrive from Australia on 22 May and heading straight to DLR for 4 days. The good news I think is that we are staying at the Grand Californian, so if it all gets too much we can head back to the hotel for a break, food and swim. We can't move our dates as we have 3 weeks locked in including DCL Alaskan cruise, so would be too much to move around. I didn't realise it was the 24hr event until recently. Can I get some thoughts on the following?

1. We won't be able to get to the parks till around 6pm on 22 May due to flight arrivals, hotel check-in and recovery from a 15 hour flight. If they are at capacity, will we still be able to get in being GCH guests or are we locked out?
2. I have a dining reservation at Blue Bayou at 845pm on 22 May - will they let us in for that if in lock out?
3. We've been to DLR and WDW many times, so not too fussed about doing anything other than Cars Land which will be new for my family (lucky me was there in October) so plan to spend lots of time chilling, doing whatever rides we can in the mornings before it gets too crazy. Does that sound doable?
4. DS turns 11 on Monday 25 May. We want to spend the day in the parks - can anyone suggest something special we can do?

Thanks in advance for you help.

Cheers

I sincerely recommend changing that BB ressie to a different day. I don't know for sure the answer on if they'd let you in or not, but they have a new system that might charge if you miss a reservation so might want to find out the Blue Bayou's missed reservations policy. Changing the day will allow you to turn tail and run back to the hotel if the crowds are overwhelming / park is at capacity & give you peace of mind in case of large delays getting to DL on arrival day. GCH is perfect for quickly leaving the park for breaks and easy returns. First thing in the morning is the best time to do stuff, use your extra magic hour that comes with staying onsite.

 

[mrsskehan2013]

On another theard another member talked with a cm about the reservation fee and if the park reaches capacity. If they shut down and you cannot enter you won't be charged according to the cm. This will be my first 24 hr event and I am excited. Nothing like being at the park for the kick off for the 60th. O have been during Christmas time and have an idea of what it will be like. For the few hrs it is predicted to be busy, we will be just crowd watching. Hitting all the rides in the morning and late at night.

 

[babyatlas]

agreed with all of the above. from what I understand it is almost always crowded now. the best strategy would be to get up early and get lots done in the morning or into the early afternoon. then take a break, maybe lunch around 1 or 2, and see a show or be content to wait in a longer line knowing that you accomplished many things in the morning.

what is the diamond castle? sorry, but today is my first day back on the board after a couple of years. I feel so out of the loop!

 

[2boysmom1998]

I'm sure it will be fine. Get there early and you can get a lot done in the mornings and make some plans of things to do when it does get a little busier. See Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, The Aladdin Show at DCA, spend some time on Tom Sawyer's Island. I was there the week Cars Land opened and it was a little crazy. My son was able to ride Radiator Springs Racers twice in the same day that week it opened. If that can be accomplished, anything is can be done and the crowds can be managed if you know how. Have fun and enjoy!