Tell me the truth...

[bibbidibobbidibecky]

We visit WDW usually first week of October and it can be busy, like 7 out of 10 days but it's very manageable. We have only waited for more than 30 minutes for a ride once and usually don't wait over 20 tops.

How crowded is DL going to be mid-July? Is it crazy? What can we really expect crowd-wise?

I just want to be mentally prepared

 

[T0rrent]

Well Cars Land is opening mid june, so i'm sure this summer will be busier then normal. The trip in June for Cars opening is going to be my first summer trip in many years (before the days of fast pass) and some of the rides could hit the 2-3 hr mark. Now with fast passes, I think the longest I've spent in line was about 90 minutes for Space Mountain, and that was on a high traffic day, about a week before christmas with school already out, so I'm guessing mid July would be about the same. Just remember fast pass end times are not enforced at DL unlike WDW which does, so abuse them.

 

[HydroGuy]

We visit WDW usually first week of October and it can be busy, like 7 out of 10 days but it's very manageable. We have only waited for more than 30 minutes for a ride once and usually don't wait over 20 tops.

How crowded is DL going to be mid-July? Is it crazy? What can we really expect crowd-wise?

I just want to be mentally prepared

The only time I have seen it "crazy" during summer months at DLR in recent years was in August 2005 during the 50th celebration. And even then we had tons of fun.

The last few years have not been crazy at all.

This summer will be crazy around Cars Land and Buena Vista Street at DCA. I suspect DL will be pretty normal. Compared to October, probably about the same as a weekend day in October.

 

[Huff]

I find crowds rather unpredictable for any given day. Summer days can be anywhere from a crowd level of 2-3 to 9-10. In 2009 and 2010 I went over July 4th weekend, said to be one of the busiest times. On July 4th we went to DCA which I'd rank at a 2 that day. Mostly 10 min waits with some walk on. CM's said DL was packed but we did not go. July 5th we went to DL which I'd rank at 7. Slow morning but very busy at night.

For a 4 or 5 day stay I'd expect 1 day light, 2 or 3 days moderate and 1 or 2 days crowded.

 

[carnival kid]

We have been in July 2008 and 2011. The crowds are ok.

The lines are long for the bigger most popular such as splash, star tours, BTMRR and Indy for example but they all have FP. Others vary depending on time of day. If the line for something is long we just keep walking and come back to it later.

We still got to ride everything we wanted and never waited in lin e more than 30 mins.

As others have said could be TOTALLY different this year with the cars area opening.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

i keep saying this over and over but I tend think people who know wdw and DL forget how small DL is in comparison to wdw...even when its crowded at wdw its really nothing imo like it can be at DL ...ive been in the lowest crowd times, middle of summer and right after christmas when they have given warnings of possible park closure due to overcrowding and just simply because of the small spaces you have especially on main st, adventureland and Fantasyland..those places on an average day can be so packed that you cant move and July is smack dab in the middle of summer when everybody is out and going so personally I think its going to be crowded especially since they are opening carsland this summer...just my opinion

 

[disneychrista]

Normal July Crazy. This July CRAZY! due to Carsland opening.

 

[sheetz]

The compactness may make it feel more crowded at DLR but the lines are generally shorter there because the parks have a greater concentration of attractions in them than the WDW parks have.

 

[bibbidibobbidibecky]

Sooooo I will prepare for craziness! Thanks, everyone

 

[SpaceMan5]

Can't wait to read the trip reports after CarsLand opens. Should be some interesting reading.

 

[dzny12]

mid week lines should be average for DLR weekends are packed packed 2-3 hr waits are norm at disneyland. hopefully the crowds will all be at CA. if you have never been to dlr be advised that it is a lot smaller in size than MK but with a larger concentration of rides. normal crowds at WDW feel like new years eve at DLR there just is not room for them to spread out.

And on a personal note: NO DLR DOES NOT ENFORCE FP TIMES. THIS HOWEVER DOESNT MEAN THAT IT IS ACCEPTABLE TO HOARDE FPS AND USE THEM WHENEVER YOU WANT. FP'S RUN OUT FAST AT DLR BECAUSE PEOPLE GET MULTIPLES TO USE AT A LATER TIME. I HAVE EVEN SEEN PEOPLE THROW THEM AWAY. WHAT THIS CAN MEAN (ESPECIALLY AT SPLASH MOUNTAIN)
IS THAT YOU WILL STAND AROUND AT NIGHT WATCHING ALOT OF FP'S GETTING THRU AHEAD OF YOU EVEN THOUGH YOU KNOW THEY WERE OUT BY NOON. JUST BECAUSE THEY DONT ENFORCE IT DOESNT MEAN ITS NOT AGINST THE RULES AND A REALLY CRAPPY WAY TO TOUR. OF COURSE THIS IS MHO.

 

[Huff]

i keep saying this over and over but I tend think people who know wdw and DL forget how small DL is in comparison to wdw

Are you referring to DL vs. MK? If so I agree, MK's walkways are much wider than DL's. So DL feels more congested on busy days. However, there are more rides and attractions at DL than MK so waits are often less at DL.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

Are you referring to DL vs. MK? If so I agree, MK's walkways are much wider than DL's. So DL feels more congested on busy days. However, there are more rides and attractions at DL than MK so waits are often less at DL.

actually Im talking about wdw as a whole..the only time I felt major crowds is on MVMCP night on Main St... then it felt like home ...and to me in general when a person asks about crowds Im not thinking they are only referring to wait times for rides...Im taking it ALL into consideration and the mere fact that its so congested at AL and MS, it can wear a person down ...waiting in line for a ride doesnt bother me as much as it being hot and dealing with wall to wall people just to walk down the st.

 

[fightinillini229]

And on a personal note: NO DLR DOES NOT ENFORCE FP TIMES. THIS HOWEVER DOESNT MEAN THAT IT IS ACCEPTABLE TO HOARDE FPS AND USE THEM WHENEVER YOU WANT. FP'S RUN OUT FAST AT DLR BECAUSE PEOPLE GET MULTIPLES TO USE AT A LATER TIME. I HAVE EVEN SEEN PEOPLE THROW THEM AWAY. WHAT THIS CAN MEAN (ESPECIALLY AT SPLASH MOUNTAIN)
IS THAT YOU WILL STAND AROUND AT NIGHT WATCHING ALOT OF FP'S GETTING THRU AHEAD OF YOU EVEN THOUGH YOU KNOW THEY WERE OUT BY NOON. JUST BECAUSE THEY DONT ENFORCE IT DOESNT MEAN ITS NOT AGINST THE RULES AND A REALLY CRAPPY WAY TO TOUR. OF COURSE THIS IS MHO.

This is the specific way we used to tour at WDW before FP enforcement came about...gather the FP in the morning, head back to the resort during the afternoon, and return in the evening when the heat had dissipated.

Before enforcement at WDW, there was nothing on the FP that said "You must return in this time window." IMHO, the gathering option is [was] available to everyone at the resort, and was in no way breaking the rules. Although it is frustrating that FP would run out for the E-tickets in the early afternoon, I have to believe that return time enforcement will not suddenly result in Splash and Space Mountain FPs being available all day long.

Just my two cents.

 

[sasywtch]

This year may be a little bad due to Carsland but I've found in the past few years that I liked going in July. S.CA passes are blocked out so it keeps the locals from going.

 

[bibbidibobbidibecky]

I'm hoping everyone will be in Carsland and the rest will be clear

 

[disneegrl4eva]

I'm hoping everyone will be in Carsland and the rest will be clear

right? lol....unfortunately that wont work for me...I will have my grandson with me who is 5 and loves CARS so im out of luck on that one

 

[bibbidibobbidibecky]

right? lol....unfortunately that wont work for me...I will have my grandson with me who is 5 and loves CARS so im out of luck on that one

Most little boys are, but my kids never got into them We will have to have a walk through Carsland and possibly a ride if we can get a FP but they would much rather spend time elsewhere. Which this summer, being a month after it opens, I'm not complaining. I doubt this will be our only trip to Disneyland, so we can check it out more thoroughly next time!

If one of them was a huge Cars fan, we would brave it though. Good luck

 

[ZanderMan]

I've been noticing a lot of people in the groups of friends I have are even going this year. Which isn't normal to me. So yes it seems everyone is going this summer.

 

[CourtFool]

Prepare for the worst. Revel in the best. The crowds will be what you make of them.

Sorry. I am feeling especially philosophical on this Friday.