Visitors to parks in May & June 2012: Be aware of additional Grad-Nites!

[skiingfast]

So, would it be better to change our dates to early July when SoCal is blocked and also there are no grad nights? We haven't booked anything yet, so we are still pretty flexible.

Maybe, but the problem is it gets very busy at the beginning of July. If you can go after the 8th, which is past the week of the fourth, Summer settles out. With everything running at a max everyday, missing weekends works well. Crowds are never slow all summer, but using early and late hours, and FP they can work out great. It's more simple to manage your trip when crowds are at a constant level, and the entertainment and parks hours are the same every day.

 

[Mugglemama]

We were planning on being at DL/DCA from June 19-22 but could change it to the following week (June 26-June 29). With grad nights happening, which would you choose?

For reference, SoCal AP's are allowed in the parks June 10, 11, 12...17, 18, 19...and the 24-28th (with the 24th-28th being their last days before being locked out until late August).

So, would it be better to change our dates to early July when SoCal is blocked and also there are no grad nights? We haven't booked anything yet, so we are still pretty flexible.

From what I've read recently, DLR is expecting exceptionally heavy crowds all Summer due to Carsland (which surprises nobody, I'm sure)...so I guess it just comes down to choosing *which* crowds you prefer to deal with?....people coming in for a new land, or the 14-18 year olds there for their Grad events. Grad events could theoretically be less crowded (my Grad nite was 20 years ago, but it was almost standing room only in the park - granted, this year, the daytime hours that the Grads will be participating in are spread out over 2 parks, so hopefully that will help?), but the people who make up those crowds might be a lot less pleasant to be in the parks with than say, the crowds you're going to run into in July. I just don't think there's a way to know for sure at this point. It's a guessing game, IMO.

We are scheduled to be in the parks on May 11th for sure, and probably May 10th, as well. I will try to post here on those days to share what I notice as far as crowds, and behavior (I have trouble posting to Dis from my laptop - I have to post from my desktop, so it all depends on whether or not I have trouble posting from a cell phone, but I will test that out in the next couple of days.)

Also, at SkiingFast - I never stated that the *parties* were all day long. I know they are held after park closing. That doesn't change the fact that the kids will still have access to the parks all day long, though, and that was the info I was trying to share with those who have trips planned at that time and weren't already aware of the new arrangement.

 

[HockeyMomNH]

Yep, we already booked airfare and HOJO entertainment rate for May 12-19th before they updated with new nights. Now we have three during our week. I am really hoping that the new format will work out well for the students and the rest of us.

Being on the East Coast, I don't expect we will be able to visit DL again in the near future.

 

[Davids-Coco]

We too are planning to be there surrounding Mother's Day. So it looks like our arrival day and first day and then day before we leave and last day will be grad nights. With two small ones, I don't expect we would be out past 8 or 9 anyway. Thankful it is only DL since we are at VGC.

Sounds like there may be some increase later in the days but don't the kids still have to go to school during those days? So a 3:00 or later increase? They are all weekdays.

 

[Mugglemama]

Sounds like there may be some increase later in the days but don't the kids still have to go to school during those days? So a 3:00 or later increase? They are all weekdays.

They are school days...whether that means that most of the kids with tickets will actually *attend* school on those days remains to be seen. I mean, just about any student can get out of school for a day....and Disneyland tickets would seem like a pretty strong motivating factor to skip...but maybe I'm wrong. I hope so!

 

[VallCopen]

So I have a few questions and was wondering if anyone knew the answers. I was under the impression (from previously searching for my daughters) that single tickets were not allowed to be purchased, only school groups could purchase tickets, and as far as 14-18 I thought that had more to do with the fact that some kids graduate at a younger age not that middle school graduates were invited? Does anyone have any knowledge of this?

I also read in the brochure that all dates are subject to cancellation and it would be determined on how many tickets were sold for particular days so some dates could be eliminated? Anyone know about this? Just wondering since we will be there over several of these dates...we will have fun either way but I was just curious.

 

[skiingfast]

So I have a few questions and was wondering if anyone knew the answers. I was under the impression (from previously searching for my daughters) that single tickets were not allowed to be purchased, only school groups could purchase tickets, and as far as 14-18 I thought that had more to do with the fact that some kids graduate at a younger age not that middle school graduates were invited? Does anyone have any knowledge of this?

I also read in the brochure that all dates are subject to cancellation and it would be determined on how many tickets were sold for particular days so some dates could be eliminated? Anyone know about this? Just wondering since we will be there over several of these dates...we will have fun either way but I was just curious.

Yes you need a group of at least 10 kids.

On the age I don't specifically, but do know you don't have to be a Senior.

On the dates, I've heard recently from a CM who implied that he knows, the dates are not final, and some not bookable until earlier dates fill up. Suggesting that if there is not enough interest in the early parties that later party dates may be removed.

 

[HydroGuy]

So I have a few questions and was wondering if anyone knew the answers. I was under the impression (from previously searching for my daughters) that single tickets were not allowed to be purchased, only school groups could purchase tickets, and as far as 14-18 I thought that had more to do with the fact that some kids graduate at a younger age not that middle school graduates were invited? Does anyone have any knowledge of this?

I also read in the brochure that all dates are subject to cancellation and it would be determined on how many tickets were sold for particular days so some dates could be eliminated? Anyone know about this? Just wondering since we will be there over several of these dates...we will have fun either way but I was just curious.

Yes you need a group of at least 10 kids.

On the age I don't specifically, but do know you don't have to be a Senior.

On the dates, I've heard recently from a CM who implied that he knows, the dates are not final, and some not bookable until earlier dates fill up. Suggesting that if there is not enough interest in the early parties that later party dates may be removed.

When I went in...ahem...1981 and since then it has been my understanding that you have to be:

A. A high school senior from a participating school

or

B. The date of a high school senior from a participating school

If they allowed folks as young as 14 I would have to assume they are there on a date with a senior.

 

[HydroGuy]

They are school days...whether that means that most of the kids with tickets will actually *attend* school on those days remains to be seen. I mean, just about any student can get out of school for a day....and Disneyland tickets would seem like a pretty strong motivating factor to skip...but maybe I'm wrong. I hope so!

Since the grad night attendees are there until 3AM I am doubtful you will get a very large attendance in the day. Maybe late afternoon or evening. Since this is the first time with this format no one really knows but if it was me going I would make all the mroe sure to get in a solid visit to the parks in the daytime hours. I would also plan night time entertainment the grad night days as much as possible in case attendance does swell at night. Such nights would be especially good for WOC because you have a reservation.

 

[Mugglemama]

Since the grad night attendees are there until 3AM I am doubtful you will get a very large attendance in the day. Maybe late afternoon or evening. Since this is the first time with this format no one really knows but if it was me going I would make all the mroe sure to get in a solid visit to the parks in the daytime hours. I would also plan night time entertainment the grad night days as much as possible in case attendance does swell at night. Such nights would be especially good for WOC because you have a reservation.

Thanks, HG...I hadn't considered that they may not show up very early due to the fact they realize they will be up until after 3am if they stay until the end of the party. I very much hope that is the case overall! (I also have to consider the fact that not everyone is a complete Disneyland junkie like everyone in my family, all of whom would never waste a day on something so trivial as *school* if we could be in the parks instead, lol.)

Either way, we will have fun, too....although I *am* moving my dates around just slightly to add more non-GN days before the GN's begin, and stay only until about 6pm on GN days, and entirely cut out the 4th GN that we were going to be there. As always, we will be in line at the security tables an hour before opening on each day of our visit.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I would like to add these grads are not all local. Many are traveling from a distance so that'll effect what time they can enter. Also the locals may have to arrive as a group. I mean the schools are responsible for these kids while they are there. They aren't just passing out tickets and saying show up when you want, leave when you want. I seriously doubt they are being dropped off and told "see ya at 3am". They will likely have a check in at 11:00 to make sure all grads are where they are supposed to be.

When I went in late 90s only seniors from our school were allowed. No dates.