To go or not to go?! July 17th

[calilou]

Debating whether or not to go on the 17th. We have premium passes so no tickets would need to be purchased. We'd stay at either DLH or PP so would have a place to go back to if the crowds get too overwhelming. I would bring my two Disney daughters who are 9 and 7.5. They're troopers but I don't know if they could handle waiting in a line for 6+ hours beginning at 2am to get in. Is the thinking this will be the case again? If we don't wait in the early line will we most likely be out of luck in getting in later because of capacity? I would be fine skipping the merchandise line - that's not what it's about for me. Would just love to be there that day! See the CMs and executives with those Mickey hands lining Main Street! See the show at the castle! We will be there other times to experience all of the other Diamond festivities. Perhaps in May and definitely in late September.

Talk me into it or talk me out if it! Too much for my girls? Or go for it?!

 

[SMD]

If you want to see the show at the castle and the CMs in the morning you will likely have to wait in line for hours. If you want to be there that day should be able to get in later, but those things will be over. For the DCA reopening there were a lot of kids waiting overnight. Many had blankets and were napping between the time that the line moved. Your kids might surprise you.

 

[StageTek]

We're going! What a great experience to be there that day. Not going to be a light, easy day, that's for sure. We won't get on every ride. Won't see everything. I say go for it!

 

[Fantaluminishes]

I was at Disneyland for the 40th and the 50th. Both were very crowded. The 50th was manageable after the event in front of the Castle. I got in line at around 6am, in front of the AMC theater. Made it into the park shortly after the gates opened. Main Street was jammed, and the only way to see the castle event was by watching on giant video screens. I was probably where the Starbucks is now, in a sea of guests with golden Mickey ears.

The anniversaries are fun. This year I'm celebrating Disneyland's 60th, by visiting all six U.S. Disney parks on July 17. Since I'll be at WDW in the morning, I'll miss the early festivities at DLR, but I'll be at the parks by around 9pm, so I'll get to visit both that evening to complete my day-long quest. The park never filled to capacity on the 40th or the 50th, and I don't expect it to happen this year either. All AP's below Premium are blocked. My guess is the super fans will be there in droves, but many of the tourists will take that day off. I'd expect Saturday and Sunday to be completely jammed, and Disneyland could reach capacity on one of those days.

 

[coaches24]

With the annual passes and if you live within easy driving distance than why not go? Sounds like you know what you would be getting into so if you have that inkling to go then go for it.

I myself would have to purchase tickets and drive 6 hours to get there and I have no desire at all to fight the crowds. But I might see it differently if I were in your shoes.

 

[calilou]

Thank your for the inspiration! Would love to hear from more who plan to go or have gone. Especially with kids?

 

[calilou]

I was at Disneyland for the 40th and the 50th. Both were very crowded. The 50th was manageable after the event in front of the Castle. I got in line at around 6am, in front of the AMC theater. Made it into the park shortly after the gates opened. Main Street was jammed, and the only way to see the castle event was by watching on giant video screens. I was probably where the Starbucks is now, in a sea of guests with golden Mickey ears.

The anniversaries are fun. This year I'm celebrating Disneyland's 60th, by visiting all six U.S. Disney parks on July 17. Since I'll be at WDW in the morning, I'll miss the early festivities at DLR, but I'll be at the parks by around 9pm, so I'll get to visit both that evening to complete my day-long quest. The park never filled to capacity on the 40th or the 50th, and I don't expect it to happen this year either. All AP's below Premium are blocked. My guess is the super fans will be there in droves, but many of the tourists will take that day off. I'd expect Saturday and Sunday to be completely jammed, and Disneyland could reach capacity on one of those days.

Six parks in one day?! IMPRESSIVE! Look forward to your story.

 

[elaine amj]

We'll be there for our first DLR trip July 16 - 21 (a break day on July 18 to recover from the 17th). Really hoping the crowds are not TOO intense. I don't expect to do much on July 17th - just enjoy the festivities really. Hoping my other 4 days in the parks will be enough for us to feel like we've seen/done what we want.

 

[kymickeyfan717]

I'll be there on July 17th as that is my bday too. Not planning on doing much that day just soaking up the atmosphere to help get over the fact that I'm a year older.