Veteran Day - Friday Nov 10 - to go or not to go

[Fishmango]

Hello,

I have a young family member visiting and debating go on Friday, Nov 10. However, this is the day Veteran's day is observed and schools are not in session.

How busy will Dyland be compared to christmas or a normal weekend on that Friday?

I could take off work and go Thursday nov 9, but don't want to take that Thursday off. However, I will do it, if crowds that day will be wild.

I appreciate any seasoned expert advice they can give.

Thank you!!!

 

[mom2rtk]

I'd take the day and go Thursday. There's also a marathon that weekend so expect crowds to build. Holiday season starts that weekend too.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Well... it won't be Christmas crowded. Those crowds only happen between Christmas & New Years & 24 hour parties. Nov 10 is the Xmas kickoff date so festivities will be in full swing locals will want to check everything out, but expect a lot of the decor to be up before that! Friday would also give you a chance to see Fantasmic and/or fireworks and longer hours. But then- race weekend. They're quite busy. Gosh- I really don't know what I'd pick... if I had to choose I'd do Thurs. Veterans + Race Weekend + Christmas kick-off sounds like it could be just too much.

 

[Geemo]

Hello,

I have a young family member visiting and debating go on Friday, Nov 10. However, this is the day Veteran's day is observed and schools are not in session.

How busy will Dyland be compared to christmas or a normal weekend on that Friday?

I could take off work and go Thursday nov 9, but don't want to take that Thursday off. However, I will do it, if crowds that day will be wild.

I appreciate any seasoned expert advice they can give.

Thank you!!!

Go on the 10th and hit it at RD and enjoy yourselves.

I wouldn't take the 9th off trying for a better crowd level. It's not really going to make that much difference.
Nov 10 is a National Holiday, with several people having the day off from work and school.
Plus this is what's going on at DLR...

 

[Fishmango]

Thanks for the input. Sounds like I have to go Thursday :/

 

[jolinda]

I was there last year when Veteran's day was on Friday, and Friday was MUCH busier then Thursday. Definitely go Thursday. That's a huge weekend: a holiday, a race, official start of the holiday season, and this year the start of a huge convention (American Heart Association) on top of everything else. Take Thursday off and spend Friday watching how long the waits are on the app and congratulating yourself for missing them. One more tip: last year the holiday festival food booths in DCA were open Thursday, even though they weren't officially supposed to open until Friday.

 

[smartlabelprint]

I'd go both days.

 

[rowan1813]

If you can, go on Thursday. I was there for Veteran's Day weekend last year (ran the Capt. Am. 5K) and there was a huge world of difference in crowds between Thursday and Friday. Thursday was normal/lite. Friday was ridiculous. So much so that lines to just get into both parks were starting to criss-cross/meld in the Esplanade. It is a holiday weekend as well as a race weekend (and quite possibly could be the last race weekend at DLR, based on what is happening right now), as well as the start of the Holiday season. You will have serious crowds on Friday. My advice - go Thursday if possible.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

If you can, go on Thursday. I was there for Veteran's Day weekend last year (ran the Capt. Am. 5K) and there was a huge world of difference in crowds between Thursday and Friday. Thursday was normal/lite. Friday was ridiculous. So much so that lines to just get into both parks were starting to criss-cross/meld in the Esplanade. It is a holiday weekend as well as a race weekend (and quite possibly could be the last race weekend at DLR, based on what is happening right now), as well as the start of the Holiday season. You will have serious crowds on Friday. My advice - go Thursday if possible.

Just curious about your comment about the last race weekend? I must have missed something...

 

[rowan1813]

Just curious about your comment about the last race weekend? I must have missed something...

The DL races for 2018 have been put on hold and no information has been given regarding them. It is starting to become time for people to start training for Light Side (in January) and rD still has not given any information nor has opened registration. There are many rumors flying from no races at all next year, to some races either being eliminated or moved, etc. Nobody really knows anything right now and since it is getting very close to the point of no return, some people might decide to do Super Heroes on Veteran's Weekend so they can at least have one more rD DL race. Who knows though? Super Heroes is one of the lowest attended rD DL races but if that is the last one, people might jump for it. I believe both the half and the challenge are still available.