Trip planned Aug. 24-27. Very worried.

[5ne5chalmer5]

Originally thought Aug. 24-27 (Wed-Sat) would be a great time to visit due to touringplans.com Crowd Calendar. Also the fact that most schools would be back in session, and that I'm missing the major conventions/events. Now after much research, due to this being the AP holders first week back & 2 new rides open, I'm worried that this might be one of the busiest weeks of the whole year! Does anyone think otherwise? Thanks!

 

[mamaofthree]

I would guess it will still be quite busy. My sister lives in orange county, and they don't go back to school until after labor day. So all the unblocked ap'ers might be flooding in. We live in central ca and start aug 22nd, but that is considered quite early. I really don't think there's a slow time at dlr anymore.

 

[Tink-aholic]

Touring Plans rates it as relatively slow, and the crowds have been consistent for the last six years. Why do you think this year will be different?

 

[Mugglemama]

Touring Plans rates it as relatively slow, and the crowds have been consistent for the last six years. Why do you think this year will be different?

Actually, to read what DISers have been posting, I don't think crowds have been consistent for the past 6 years.

For example, after 2008 and 2009, people expected that first week after lifted AP blocks to be terrible last year, but it wasn't (a heat wave may have been responsible for that).

Additionally, 4 to 6 years ago, one could visit DLR in October and find relatively easy crowds to deal with...in the last few years, October has become crazy-crowded much of the time (so much so that some DISers have reported being literally "stuck" on a crowded Main Street, in a shop, unable to move anywhere, for up to an hour (I think this was after the parade or fireworks, but still - that's not how it was a few years before.)

To the OP...It's always kind of a crapshoot. If it were me, and I had ANY way of changing my dates, I'd personally consider going the following week, or the week before (we're headed in on Aug. 17th ourselves - but I seriously considered Aug. 31st instead).

OTOH, so many people are scared to death of those AP-crowds anymore that many, many of us stay away at that time....now that this is becoming the norm, it may actually impact crowds in a good way. Or, you could get lucky and another heat wave will hit, keeping crowds at bay altogether. Unfortunately, you just never know.

Heavy crowds can be uncomfortable at times, but if you plan it right, you can still manage just fine, without waiting in horribly long lines for rides. You just have to stick to a plan, which a lot of people hate doing when visiting theme parks, but if it means a more enjoyable time overall (and it will, if you're visiting in Summer), it pays off.

I know it's tough to move a date up, so if you can instead consider that following week, I have read just recently that the week leading up to Labor Day, as well as Labor Day weekend, has such easy crowds, that they've started holding the Disney run (can't remember it's proper name right now...1/2 marathon or something?) on Labor Day weekend now (it used to be held in October - which now, as we all know, produces heavy crowds).

Otherwise, stick with your dates, and plan accordingly.

 

[MyYearWithTheMouse]

Whomever told you that school would be in session was wrong. Most SoCal schools don't start until after Labor Day. I really think trying to predict crowds can be very hit and miss. It is the first week of SoCal APs and that will most likely make it more crowded than the week before, but I seriously doubt it will be the busiest week of the year. I really think you'll be fine, moderate but reasonable crowds. And I agree that crowd volume has been ANYTHING but stable over the last 6 years.

 

[JH87]

I remember last year, when APs were unblocked that first week. Everyone was saying how it was gonna be crazy and it wasn't. But, like others have said, DLR crowds have been unpredictable lately. It won't be New Years Eve busy or anything, but probably regular summer crowds. Lots of other schools will be back in session by then, so maybe that means less out of towners?

 

[Dink37]

I would say if your dates are set, don't worry about the crowds! Focus on having a great time and it won't matter what the crowds are like

 

[cyclenut]

I would say if your dates are set, don't worry about the crowds! Focus on having a great time and it won't matter what the crowds are like

This is excellent advice. Whatever the crowds are, is what they are. I know ... profound right.

Point is, you'll have a blast whenever you go because you'll be at DLR! Just relax and go with the flow. If you miss a few rides or have to move a little slower, no worries ... just enjoy whatever it is you are actually doing.

Remember too that Disney does a better job of staffing the parks when crowds are at their highest. Meaning longer lines can actually move quicker during busier days than shorter lines may move on days that are less crowded.

You will have a GREAT time no matter the circumstances!

 

[WonkaKid]

Touring Plans rates it as relatively slow, and the crowds have been consistent for the last six years. Why do you think this year will be different?

SO glad to hear that. We're going Aug. 21-23.

Rob

 

[HydroGuy]

FWIW, I would not trust TP's crowd calendars. They predicted many of the days in June to be light crowds that ended up being extremely heavy - something we could and did predict here based on SoCal AP patterns. I do not think they have their DLR crowd experience down very well yet.

The whole SoCal AP thing really is something that started about 3-4 years ago with the huge growth in AP holders. Every year since then it has been very noticeable in June and August - except for August 2010 when there was a heat wave - just the kind of thing that could keep people away who live nearby and can make last minute decisions.

Expect the week of August 22 to be very busy this year - unless there is another heat wave.

 

[nunzia]

FWIW, I would not trust TP's crowd calendars. They predicted many of the days in June to be light crowds that ended up being extremely heavy - something we could and did predict here based on SoCal AP patterns. I do not think they have their DLR crowd experience down very well yet.

The whole SoCal AP thing really is something that started about 3-4 years ago with the huge growth in AP holders. Every year since then it has been very noticeable in June and August - except for August 2010 when there was a heat wave - just the kind of thing that could keep people away who live nearby and can make last minute decisions.

Expect the week of August 22 to be very busy this year - unless there is another heat wave.

I agree...but..it would not make me change my dates, just be prepared. The week before will see the EXPO folks..depending on the schedule they may just stay away, or they may skip some stuff and do the parks. Last time they had movies nightly, but so far all I see listed is Lion King 3D so the parks may be heavier at night.

 

[scion5220]

I did the Disneyland Half Marathon the first year they held it in 2006 and it was in the middle of September (the race itself was on the 17th) and after that I thought they moved it to Labor Day. I don't think it has ever been in October.

Just FYI.

I am doing it again this year (and the Tinkerbell in January) so I hope the Labor Day crowds aren't too bad.

 

[DianaSparrow]

The good news is most rides will still be open - unlike what happens in September with POTC closed, etc. It probably will be crowded, but if you arrive at park openings, gather Fastpasses when available and also utilize Magic Mornings, make dining reservations, you should have a very pleasant and magical experience. Since we are only able to go when school is out - summer.. Christmas time, New Year's, I plan ahead and always have a fantasic time! I'm sure you will too! Also, I think Saturday will be the least crowded - since most AP's are blocked!

 

[5ne5chalmer5]

Thanks for the reply's everyone! Much appreciated. And thank you HydroGuy for all your tips online! They will especially help dealing with the large crowds. Touringplans.com definitely needs some work. They also misinformed me about the school calendar. Way off.