Talk to me about Grad Nights

[8lovesmickey]

Hi Dis-ers --

We will be at DLR for a leisurely 4-day adventure in June. Three of the nights are Grad Nights and I'm looking for advice / strategies or maybe just a reality check -- anyone have some experience with this?
Will we feel a big difference in crowds? Or mostly at night?

I know the groups can park hop until their private event at DCA at 10. I also see that all the nights are "sold out" but I have no idea how many groups that means.

I realize that not everything is predictable, but are there some things we should avoid and/or be sure to hit on the one night that doesn't have Grad Night? We will also have park hoppers and will have 3.5 days and 4 nights in the parks.

I'm a planner (in case you couldn't tell!). We're also there the opening week of Guardians of the Galaxy's opening so I know there will be tons of people in that spot ... Just working on managing expectations . Thanks!

 

[gottalovepluto]

You won't notice too many at DCA, except at GRR in the afternoon. At DL they get noticeable around lunch and become crazy level by dinner. Don't try to do fireworks or night parade on grad night. The late PTN was fine for us on grad nite fwiw. We went to watch fireworks once and it was insanity, we hunkered down at a table at Plaza Inn through the first parade and fireworks and swore we would never go to DL again from 6-10pm on a grad nite. Do DCA and hop over to DL really late if you want to DL that night. Big rides will be full of grads until DL closes, so hit those in the morning. We did HM one grad nite and was awful. Kids were screaming as loud as they could, a blast for them, sucked for us. Also, be ready to hear all sorts of words shouted in the queues if language is a concern for you.

We've done many trips over grad nites. Our rules: park hoppers are a must, no DL 6pm-10pm. You can still have a great trip!

 

[agamble]

I would say DL in the mornings at rope drop, DCA in the afternoons, and DL again after DCA closes if you're up for late nights.
The crowds will get busier as the days go on. Also, there will be other school groups in the parks during the days.

 

[HydroGuy]

Might find something helpful here:

"The Scoop on Grad Nights at DLR in May and June" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2298400

 

[aussie shaz]

We felt that there were a lot more groups of kids. Some were very loud, yelling in lines and on rides. Yes, some bad language. One did something inappropriate on our Space Mountain ride, so we weren't able to get that photo.
We were there the last few days of May, first few days of June. There seemed to be lots of groups that were too young to be grads, so not sure if there were also end of year school groups of younger kids.
I wouldn't Not go to Disneyland because of grads, but would choose days that there weren't grad nights on if I had a choice.

 

[PrinceOfPeace]

Might find something helpful here:

"The Scoop on Grad Nights at DLR in May and June" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2298400

This is helpful thank you

 

[katejc]

People seem to get worked up over grad nights but we've been many times in June and not had any problems. Sometimes I've noticed it and sometimes not! Advice of others to use your magic mornings is always the best advice! We're going in early June again this year with 2 of 4 being grad nights. It doesn't stop me from taking a Disneyland trip, that's for sure!!