Sundays vs. weekdays -- any difference in summer?

[toodles2009]

We are planning a Disney trip next week and debating whether to go Sunday-Wednesday vs. Monday-Thursday, getting there midday the first day and leaving midday the last. We will be upgrading our passes to Deluxe and staying onsite. Typically my plan is to go during the week for lower crowds, but leaving Sunday would mean one less day off work. Just wondering if there is any noticeable difference in crowds at all between weekdays and weekends in summer. If there is a difference, we are fine going Monday, but thought I'd see what people's thoughts were. With many summer guests being from out of town I thought maybe Sunday might actually be better because it is a travel home day...

Also, we have the option of either EMH or APEE -- any tips on which ones to use and on which days? My plan was just use the EMH because no advanced signup, but we have a few days to try to sign up for APEE if it is better. We have a 1 year old and 3 year old if that makes a difference, and they take big naps midday. Most of our time will probably be in DL but we obviously will want to see CL too and DCA, but DL is actually more of a priority given our 3 year old's current interests. He is 40 inches now for the first time, so he can do the bigger rides if we use baby swap for the 1 year old.

Thanks so much, I love this board, everyone is so helpful.

 

[skiingfast]

Sundays are more crowded, it's because almost the same reason you are facing. Work take it off or not.


In your situation I wouldn't make a big deal out of a busier Sunday because you have 3 more days of lower crowds. Sunday does get a little less busy late at night because people head home for work.

Are you staying onsite? That would mean you get EMH, and it's everyday.

You probably have 1 Magic Morning. In this case I would start on Sunday to use it then upgrade to APs that day to start getting the discount and sign up for the EE which is for APHs. Use the EE on any other day but I suspect you will want to use it on Tuesday for DCA.

Also consider if it would work that one person gets a premium AP. Bigger discounts and parking included may make this worth it.

 

[brenda1966]

I would probably avoid taking the extra day from work and come on Sunday. I really wouldn't shy away from Sundays. For the past several years we've gone from Sat - tuesday and Sunday usually ends up being the best day for us. We use our early entry and I have not found the park to be any more crowded than the other days.

One year we had LA friends come met us on Monday and were telling them how great the previous day had been, how reasonable the lines were. Well, that Monday was so packed, long lines all day, just masses of people. I still have no idea why. Summer is just crowded, all summer long, every day. But still fun.

 

[toodles2009]

Thanks for the helpful comments. Looks like no clear answer but I am sure we will have fun either way. Hopefully the crowds continue to stay more over in CL and less in DL, as it seems like it has been the last few weeks.

To the first responder, yes we are staying onsite (at GCH). No magic morning, but we will have the hotel EMH each day as you mentioned. We already have SoCal AP's so we could sign up for the APEE now if that is a better option. Then we are upgrading to deluxe (actually probably just cancelling our current passes and getting new ones, since they expire in a couple months) when we get there since we're blocked out. But we won't be able to use the early hours on our first day there, we will be driving up midday. So we'll have either M/T/W or T/W/Th for the early hour. Any tips on whether we are better off sticking with the EMH or signing up for APEE?

 

[skiingfast]

Any tips on whether we are better off sticking with the EMH or signing up for APEE?

I'm glad I looked back.

I'd take advatage of getting in the park early every day since onsite. However at first the APEE was really busy in June, but sounds as if they are more mild now. This was probably due to SoCal APs becoming blocked and high interest to see CL ASAP by DAP and PAPs. Now it appears much better to do a APEE than EMH if you have that chance.

The problem I see is you have a SoCal AP and need a Delux AP or higher. Don't make the reservation on your current AP as you would need it to pick up your EE wriste bands. Just order new Delux or better APs without mentioning of your old SoCals. This way you aren't upgrading to something that expires in less than 12 months, unless you want to use the SoCal as a down payment. Just get new Delux APs without using the old information, new dl.com account, different credit card ect. If you do this at the parks just don't mention ever been an AP holder. It may be a tricky situation so try to make it painless.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I'm glad I looked back.

I'd take advatage of getting in the park early every day since onsite. However at first the APEE was really busy in June, but sounds as if they are more mild now. This was probably due to SoCal APs becoming blocked and high interest to see CL ASAP by DAP and PAPs. Now it appears much better to do a APEE than EMH if you have that chance.

The problem I see is you have a SoCal AP and need a Delux AP or higher. Don't make the reservation on your current AP as you would need it to pick up your EE wriste bands. Just order new Delux or better APs without mentioning of your old SoCals. This way you aren't upgrading to something that expires in less than 12 months, unless you want to use the SoCal as a down payment. Just get new Delux APs without using the old information, new dl.com account, different credit card ect. If you do this at the parks just don't mention ever been an AP holder. It may be a tricky situation so try to make it painless.

The APEE may not work out with a newly activated AP. I spoke to someone today who got an AP during a trip last month but could not reserve the APEE because registration closes 3 days prior to each date. If the OP activates on a Sunday, they might be able to use the APEE on Thursday, but only if their AP is immediately in the system, not 24 hours later as promised on the DL website. -- Suzanne

 

[MAH4546]

Depends when younare going. During summer, Sundays are more crowded than weekdays, but weekdays are more crowded than Saturdays. Typically, year-round, Friday nights and Sunday during the day are the two busiest times at Disneyland.

 

[toodles2009]

Thanks again, everyone. We've decided to go on Sunday since it is easier with work, and it looks like at least yesterday was pretty low crowds late in the day. We'll see if we can sign up for DCA APEE for Tuesday (we get in early Mon/Wed from the hotel). But it sounds like it may not work because of the pass situation. If not, I'm sure we will be fine with all the days we have.