Thats it...Im throwing in the towel when it comes to crowd predictions...

[disneegrl4eva]

just got back from 4 days at DL and I couldnt believe the crowds for this particular week....because I have been able to go as much as I do, Ive always had a good grasp on what crowds are going to be like from year to year...but this year its all gone haywire...Ive done week before thanksgiving, week after, and this past week as well as first week of Jan. many many times and ALWAYS the week after thanksgiving and 2nd week of Dec. has been good...this year however, no matter when I have gone its been unusual...either unusually crowded for a specific time of year or undercrowded (if anyone remembers a post I wrote at the end of June when I was shocked about the low summer crowds)...and it was really crowded this week...I didnt do alot of rides this time so I cant tell you how long the waits were for most rides but PP had consistently long waits every time we went by there...dumbo too but at least it went quick...but there were hordes of people everywhere...at times it was hard to move through them....I remember a post that Sherry E started about cms telling her there wasnt alot of PS's and alot of availability on property and she thought that might mean lack of crowds and I remember Callie (dangermouse) telling her not to be so sure...well Callie if you're reading this...you were spot on...I think that people were just not eating at the restaurants as much and they werent staying on property as much...because again so many people.....it didnt stop me from having fun but oh just let me give you an example...we had to set up camp for the lighting of the castle which started at 5:45 by about 3:45 because people were already marking their spots...the entire time through the end of the parade at 7ish...the line for the corn dog wagon winded down all the way to the bathrooms by Plaza Inn...which those of you who dont know where the bathrooms are there..they are directly across from the rockets in tomorrowland...and the lines for coke corner spilled out into the streets even that early...it was crazy...


did want to say I got to go through the castle walk thru and it was really nice...brought back alot of memories just being inside there...the window areas are still the same just more up to date and not barbie and ken dolls ...loved being able to get back on IASW and they have added some new decorations to the holiday one and some neat christmas smells like cinnamon and vanilla yum...consistently HUGE lines there as well... I LOVED the castle lighting and the newest additions to it...made me cry all in all no matter how many people come there I still love that place especially at christmas but I figure that if there are that many people there this week then next few weeks leading up to NY is going to be off the charts busy...so those of you going, take a deep breath, use the fastpass system and expect severe crowds but enjoy and take it all in as much as you can...

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

I agree! We were there the week after Thanksgiving and the crowds were low compared to weekends, there were still a lot of people. Especially at night.

It seems like there's no off season anymore.

 

[Sherry E]

just got back from 4 days at DL and I couldnt believe the crowds for this particular week....because I have been able to go as much as I do, Ive always had a good grasp on what crowds are going to be like from year to year...but this year its all gone haywire...Ive done week before thanksgiving, week after, and this past week as well as first week of Jan. many many times and ALWAYS the week after thanksgiving and 2nd week of Dec. has been good...this year however, no matter when I have gone its been unusual...either unusually crowded for a specific time of year or undercrowded (if anyone remembers a post I wrote at the end of June when I was shocked about the low summer crowds)...and it was really crowded this week...I didnt do alot of rides this time so I cant tell you how long the waits were for most rides but PP had consistently long waits every time we went by there...dumbo too but at least it went quick...but there were hordes of people everywhere...at times it was hard to move through them....I remember a post that Sherry E started about cms telling her there wasnt alot of PS's and alot of availability on property and she thought that might mean lack of crowds and I remember Callie (dangermouse) telling her not to be so sure...well Callie if you're reading this...you were spot on...I think that people were just not eating at the restaurants as much and they werent staying on property as much...because again so many people.....it didnt stop me from having fun but oh just let me give you an example...we had to set up camp for the lighting of the castle which started at 5:45 by about 3:45 because people were already marking their spots...the entire time through the end of the parade at 7ish...the line for the corn dog wagon winded down all the way to the bathrooms by Plaza Inn...which those of you who dont know where the bathrooms are there..they are directly across from the rockets in tomorrowland...and the lines for coke corner spilled out into the streets even that early...it was crazy...

I wondered/pondered at first if the plentiful availability at the hotels and the lack of dining PS's for character meals (I don't know about other meals) meant low crowds in the park, but then I later said I thought it meant that people were just staying offsite and either NOT eating those meals or just not making PS's for them if they are eating them! So we were on the same page!

But reports are still varied on crowds, though. There have been a few people who have returned from DLR and said the crowds were pretty light (for December) in just the last week or two. Others have said it was really busy on certain days, but not on others. There seems to be no rhyme nor reason to the crowds this year. As you said, they have been low when expected to be high and high when they were expected to be lower! I would still like to look at the overall attendance numbers for the season and compare to last year's numbers, because I have a hunch we would be surprised one way or the other! I kind of thought this holiday season would either be much more crowded than it normally is in December or much less crowded - both scenarios being economy-related. Based on the varying reports on what the crowds are like, I would like to know which it actually is!

Oh, and according to the CM I spoke to in Reservations just a few days ago, there is still lots of availability at all three hotels for this month, and she tried to claim that it is "usually like that in December," but then "in January" it gets crazy, but I think we all know differently. Those three hotels are always booked in December - especially if you call one or two weeks in advance and want a room for the following week! There is never availability unless people cancel. So I definitely think people are staying offsite to save $$$.

 

[DangerMouse]

Darn it, Lynne, I was hoping I wouldn't be right and that December overall would be slow. I know they had a couple slowish days last week (Tues & Wed), but to hear about the crowds you experienced actually makes me feel a bit better about having to cancel our trip next week.

When is your next trip planned for? Want me to make another crowd prediction??

 

[disneegrl4eva]

Darn it, Lynne, I was hoping I wouldn't be right and that December overall would be slow. I know they had a couple slowish days last week (Tues & Wed), but to hear about the crowds you experienced actually makes me feel a bit better about having to cancel our trip next week.

When is your next trip planned for? Want me to make another crowd prediction??

hahaha I know right???? Im sorry you had to cancel your trip but sheesh your not going to want to deal with those crowds girl....you know its funny you asked that because Im actually going back and forth as to whether I want to renew my pass right now....its up on the 5th of Jan... but you know the last 3 years I have gone sooooooooo many times that I think its time to take a break...I love DL to death but Im getting tired of the drive and its crazy how some of the CM's know me now and people actually stare at me like Im crazy when I tell them I go every 1 1/2 to 2 months all year round after asking me how many times Ive been to DL (oh man I cant even count anymore)...I just think its time for me to give myself and car a rest and let the craziness go on without me for a bit...I will definitely renew this next year but Im just taking a break...hahaha now the only thing is to see is if I can stick to it

 

[1 goofy family]

We're going next week and I was hoping it wouldn't be so crowded because of all the room availability. I'm bummed to hear this isn't the case. We go every year usually the second week of December, and each year we see the crowds get worse .

 

[disneegrl4eva]

We're going next week and I was hoping it wouldn't be so crowded because of all the room availability. I'm bummed to hear this isn't the case. We go every year usually the second week of December, and each year we see the crowds get worse .

aww im sorry...but hey at least you get to go right? you will still have loads of fun no matter what the crowds are

 

[Disney Anna]

I was there today, arrived at 9am. Crowds were minimal. I got on first tram from M&F parking lot. Quickly through turnstiles. Walked onto Buzz Lightyear, then 5 minute wait for Small World (awesome). I then did walk through of Sleeping Beauty - beautiful, upgrade is impressive, I loved it. There were people in there, but no line outside. I then walked over to Santa's Reindeer Roundup and checked out turkey and reindeer and took picture with Pluto (minimal line).

From there, I walked to Calif Adv. Took Dis Visa pics with Chip and Dale, rode Monsters, Inc. (10 min line) and did single rider line on Soarin' (walked on). There, I met up with my friend - who is a celebrity VIP. We hung out and watched HSM3 for a few minutes-large crowds and were guided by Cast Member to Disneyland.

As we walked btn parks, my friend commented on huge amounts of people. CM said they were people in line to buy tickets into parks. There were a few hundred folks. It was massive. CM said managment was stressing bc crowds were so big, but people were not spending much money. He said numbers are up bc the economy was so bad. He said that happens bc more people visit bc they are trying to forget their troubles.

We then entered DL (through the exit - thankyou) and walked down Main St. toward Plaza Inn. Massive crowds. I said good bye to friend and hung out a while longer. I was going to stay at least through Christmas parade, but couldn't stand it. It was just getting so crowded.

So I left. Good call as it was getting more windy by the moment. By the time I reached home (San Diego), it was raining hard.

So, yes, Virginia, Disney is very crowded right now.

 

[Leofoenget]

Just got back today (Sat) and I agree. We arrived on Wed evening, and hit the park about 5ish and went directly to Nemo. I planned on waiting in line for this ride but figured it was easier to "get it out of the way early" instead of doing the stupid "mad dash" in the morning. (nobody in this family dashes anywhere early morning) Wait was about 30 mins, not too bad. Hit the parade and Small World. DS10 had a BAD cough so we left early but thats ok. I was very VERY surprised by the crowds for a Wednesday.

Thursday we went EE and the crowds all day were pretty good. Half what they were the day before.

DCA Friday Crowds?? What Crowds?? Typical DCA (poor DCA)

DL Friday evening pretty heavy crowds but we took the train to NOS about 9pm. Camped out in Critter Country while half the planet was on Main Street and Rivers for Fireworks and Fantasmic. Splash and Pooh were walk ons and "hey ya want to go around again??" Once Fantasmic let out and the planet wondered off to HMH we grabbed our perfect spot up front for Fantasmic #2 and closed down the park with ease.

Saturday: We WALKED through from Harbor to DTD to Lego Store and were horrified by the crowds attempting to buy daily tickets to go in! You have GOT to be joking! Glad we left while my husband praised me for reading the boards and learning how to work the system!!

home from a wonderful trip.

 

[glendalais]

Attendance has just been weird this year.

Occupancy at the DLR Hotels (as well as the neighbouring hotels) is down dramtically. It's become so bad, that we now have CM discounts (which are only usually offered after they've gone through AP rates and every other marketing/special rate available) are currently available during Christmas week and right through the New Year.

On the other hand, the Parks are managing fair crowds.

I think a lot of it has to do with the facts that the DLR is much more reliant on local visitors than our counterparts at WDW. Many Southern Californians who would normally holiday in distant locales like Orlando are instead staying closer to home and coming to the DLR.

Also, like Disney Anna said, many people are coming to the DLR right now to escape from the troubles beyond the berm.

 

[Disney Dreams]

I always laugh a little when I read: "What will the crowds be like on ______?" "How crowded will it be on _____?" While it is true that there are patterns, no one has a crystal ball and with the economy as it is atm, crowds are anyone's guess! It's the holidays - it will be busy. How busy? No one knows.

...So I left. Good call as it was getting more windy by the moment. By the time I reached home (San Diego), it was raining hard.

Glad you made it home ok. Sounds like SD got a good pour. It did not rain in OC yesterday.

- Dreams

 

[Brady's Mom]

Crowded, crowded, crowded! Glad I know how to use Fastpass and how to get around. I was surprised by how crowded it really was. We did stay one more 1/2 day so we could see the Alladin show. That is a really great show. But, I couldn't believe how crowded CA was. It was really hard to get around on Fri. mid-day.

 

[jennifur25]

Thursday at Disneyland didn't seem too bad. We didn't have to wait more than 10 or 15 minutes for anything. Except the tram ride home. It was so bad they were telling people they were better off walking- which we ended up doing. Friday we went to California Adventures and didn't have to wait there. But Saturday at Disneyland was packed.

 

[Sherry E]

Attendance has just been weird this year.

Occupancy at the DLR Hotels (as well as the neighbouring hotels) is down dramtically. It's become so bad, that we now have CM discounts (which are only usually offered after they've gone through AP rates and every other marketing/special rate available) are currently available during Christmas week and right through the New Year.

On the other hand, the Parks are managing fair crowds.

I think a lot of it has to do with the facts that the DLR is much more reliant on local visitors than our counterparts at WDW. Many Southern Californians who would normally holiday in distant locales like Orlando are instead staying closer to home and coming to the DLR.

Also, like Disney Anna said, many people are coming to the DLR right now to escape from the troubles beyond the berm.

That is exactly what I am doing - escaping my troubles - in just five days! Gingerbread men with ears, here I come! I am staying onsite, and the DLR hotels definitely had a lot of vacancies (even at the great AP8 rates) according to the Reservations CM I spoke to, and what I saw on the website. That was so weird to see and hear because I know it is not normally like that in December, but it doesn't surprise me because so many people are losing jobs and the economy is just terrible.

I have this image of walking into the PPH lobby and seeing very few people there, then cutting across the street through the GCH lobby and seeing very few people there, eating at Goofy's Kitchen and seeing very few people milling about on the DLH property, and then walking onto DTD and into DL and being hit with a massive wall of people! It's going to br crazy but I will have a great time nonetheless and make the best of it! Hey, I look at it this way - a lot of people means a chance to meet and interact with people I may have never met otherwise while standing in lines and things, and that is a good thing!

 

[Tasscrapper]

I wonder also if the fact that gas prices have drasically fallen have a lot to do with more people going now instead of the summer and spring time.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

I wonder also if the fact that gas prices have drasically fallen have a lot to do with more people going now instead of the summer and spring time.

oh thats a given....but overall people just arent spending alot of money....glendalais you are right about the AP holders...DL has many many more locals coming to the park than wdw does....and I think its about right that people must be coming to escape reality for a bit.....but I wish they would escape it somewhere else

 

[Dizneydaz]

We went Friday night to see the parade, fireworks, snow, and as it turned out-Fantasmic (haven't seen it at DLR for maybe 7 years ).

Crowds were bad, especially in certain areas. We arrived just at 6:30 as parade started. We're able to grab a spot to watch and get my nephew's attention (he's in parade ). We immeadiatley left DL and headed for DCA. We used previously won Dream Fast Passes to ride ToT, otherwise it was about a 30 min. wait. (I only recently discoverred that you could use old Dream FP until the end of this year-hoping to go back on more time this week at night, to use the rest).

We then were going to ride Soarin' but the FP line was pretty long. We decided to skip it. Back over to DL to use FP for Buzz (45 min wait!-non FP) Then it was time to negiate our way over to River of Amer. to get a spot for FW and snow. Ended up with a great spot for Fantasmic as well. (Behind the light post, in the center, that raises.) After Fantasmic we had about 1 min. to wait for start of FW. Great view. Only ones we couldn't really see were the ones shot off from the castle. Soon as the FW ended, the snow started and we were only steps away from one of the snow poles (?) and managed to get covered in snow. Once the snow ended we stayed put for a few mintues as CMs tried to manuever the crowd-nearly impossible! We managed to squeeze our way over the the River Belle Terrace, grabbed an outdoor seat and I went in a got 2 hot teas and a dessert (Dream Cake-really good-had leftovers for breakfast yesterday). Once I got our teas and cake we decided it was too cold outside (must have been 58! ) and we headed inside. We got one of the last seats. By the time we were done with our snack there was a long line at the counter and people were waiting for seats. I let a family know we were leaving as soon as I got a refill on my hot water and they were welcome to our table. They were very appreciative.

By now we figured the crowds on Main St. would be gone and we headed out. MS was okay (except by tree) but the tram lines were HUGE! We went to the right (both sides were running ) but quickly realized that with 2 tram lines across from us, and our lines, it would take 6-7 more trams to come before we would board. We fought our way out of the line and walked back thru DTD and walked to our car. Luckily when we arrived about 6 p.m. and asked about parking in Chip 'n Dale or Pinocchio, the CMs at parking were alllowing it.

One of the reasons we went Friday night (and I suspect the reason it was so crowded) was that last Friday was the last Friday many AP could go. If you have one of the SoCal AP you're only able to go before xmas until Thurs, the 18th. We are blocked from 12-19 to 1-4 and the more exp. SoCal AP can go back on Sunday, 1/4. I thiink that's why it was so crowded-that's why we were there-just to see the FW one time, from in the park, with the music and snow (previously DD9 and I have watched from the parking structure).

Even though we only rode 2 rides, we had a wonderful time. We dressed warmly-hats, gloves, scarfs, thermals, no crocs and enjoyed the holiday magic. I'm planning on going again on Wed. or Thur. after DD gets out of school just so we can use up the rest of my Dream FP and see the parade once more. I'm still thinking about upgrading our passes to the next level ($40 each) just so we can go on Sunday, Jan. 4th. DD is off the whole month of Jan. but it would be our last chance to see Christmas at DLR. Plus I love going early in the a.m. on Sundays and leaving when it gets crowded.

Have a great trip Sherry!

I just thought of this justification to upgrade our passes. Now that gas has fallen so much it now costs me about $60 or so less to fill my tank. That'll almost pay for the $80 upgrade

 

[Disney Dreams]

I wonder also if the fact that gas prices have drasically fallen have a lot to do with more people going now instead of the summer and spring time.

Oh, I'm sure it has a LOT to do with it. PLUS, I think people are in a slightly different mid-set now that we are post-election.

I was at the park last night and talked with some people while waiting for Fantasmic! One family was from WA and said they drove down. Another was from AZ. Same story. They BOTH said that they really shouldn't have taken the trip, but wanted to come see the holidays, get one last trip before the Year of a Million Dreams ended (hopes for a stay in the suite???), and decided they would consider the cost to be just part of their family Christmas gifts.

I found it interesting that they both drove, not flew. Both were staying off-site. Both said they couldn't afford it - but found a way.

- Dreams

 

[Sherry E]

Have a great trip Sherry!

I just thought of this justification to upgrade our passes. Now that gas has fallen so much it now costs me about $60 or so less to fill my tank. That'll almost pay for the $80 upgrade

Thank you!

And you brought up another angle to the whole DLR crowds formula this year that I had forgotten - the AP holders who are blocked after the 18th. I wonder what next weekend will be like when I am there. I tend to think, the closer to Christmas, the crazier it gets. But if a lot of people are blocked out that weekend, maybe there won't be as many folks as I expect. Something to ponder. One of my friends who had a Deluxe AP just renewed her pass and upgraded to a Premium just so she could go to DLR on the weekend days around fun times like the Halloween and Christmas seasons, and all through the summer! What's funny about that is, when I saw her at DLR in October, she wasn't even sure if she would renew her Deluxe AP at all for 2009 (and it wasn't due to be renewed until January '09). She wasn't sure if it would be worth it, wasn't sure if her husband would be happy with her spending that chunk of money on renewing both of their AP's, etc. That was the last I heard, until she said she had not only renewed earlier than necessary but upgraded to AP! She got bitten by the DLR bug! She has the fever like we all do! She succumbed to the Disney Snowball Effect! One minute it's likely she won't get another AP at all. The next minute, she has the highest level of AP!

 

[lisah0711]

We just returned from a three day trip, too. We were able to do everything on everyone's list by getting there early and using our MM.

For example, Friday morning we were at DL at opening and walked on Pirates and Haunted Mansion and Jungle Cruise. We could have walked on Splash but it was too cold. Then we went through the Grand Californian gate at 9:30 a.m. and were about 10th in line for Toy Story. They walked us slowly up to the ride and finish by a few minutes after 10 a.m. Then we were able to get right back in line and finish by 10:30 a.m. DH is really good about being the fast pass runner so we had fast passes for TOT and Soarin' that we used after lunch. We finished our AP quest and were out of the park by 3:00 p.m. Had dinner at Napa Rose, did a little shopping at DTD (now that was crowded! ) and finished up with fireworks at the GC concierge lounge.

I agree that there were a lot of locals and APs in the park (we have APs too). I am not surprised to hear that spending is down. I know that ours was but we still had a great time!