What on earth is 'Dapper Day' and why will it be crowded??

[Katems]

I will be there three days, one of which is April 22nd...I have done a search but for the life of me I can't figure out what this day is or why the crowds will be high!! Apparently you dress up?? And that makes it crowded...why??

Will April 22nd be a nightmare?

 

[DizMe]

It's very popular. People dress in "Sunday Best," whatever that might mean to you. It was begun as a way to bring back a sense of how people used to dress up to go out, even to Disneyland. Many people enjoy going with vintage looks but it's not limited to that. There is a big expo at the DLH, there are activities and photo ops, and they offer 50% discounts on the Disney hotels so it's quite popular. I've gone to several and have enjoyed seeing people dressed up in their various outfits. There is more information about it here: http://dapperday.com/spring-2018-disneyland-ca

 

[chickapin parterre]

wiki has a good slice of info on Dapper Day.........unfortunately , if you three days are the 22, 21, 20 and 19th, it will be crowded

 

[figment_jii]

I went last year on Dapper Day and while crowded, it wasn't a "nightmare". There were a lot of guests that were dressed up in a variety of clothes, ranging from those that look like they stepped out of the 1950s to more modern takes on "dapper" attire. It was fun to see what everyone was wearing. I think it will be crowded on the weekend, but would be crowded regardless because DLR always seems crowded these days.

 

[Katems]

Wow. What an absolute disappointment this is. My days are Saturday through Monday and I'm at the Candy Cane Inn. Sounds like I could have booked a Disney hotel for the same price and still had to endure these crowds. I'm taking my niece for the first time and was hoping it would be normal attendance. :-(

 

[amyg1975]

Get MaxPass and it wont be that bad. I find it really cool to go during Dapper Days because it is fun to look at all the outfits.

 

[sherilaine]

The dapper day rates are great - but most people who book them are expected to participate at least somewhat although I don't think anyone checks. Disney is pretty much busy most of the time now anyway so at least you get to see people dressed up for a change!

 

[Katems]

So it's too late for me to get any of these Dapper rates, correct? Do ticket prices get discounted, too, or just Disney hotels?

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

So it's too late for me to get any of these Dapper rates, correct? Do ticket prices get discounted, too, or just Disney hotels?

I bet it’s not too late. You can get the hotel rates and discount tickets. They would like you to participate so if you do book under the rates please do dress up! We did it this past fall and stayed at the Disneyland Hotel and it was amazing! The guests all dressed up simply added to our enjoyment. Please don’t worry, you will have a great time!

Edited to add, looks like the GCH is all that’s left:

https://book.passkey.com/event/49156523/owner/29100/list/hotels

 

[Katems]

Thank you for the link. It says it's $432 per night...I thought they were supposed to be 50% off! $432 sounds like a regular rate for a standard room at GCH. Is it possible to keep my ressie at Candy Cane and get discounted tickets somehow?

 

[AnneK]

If you do book the discount rate for hotel or tickets, please do attempt to join in and dress up. That is what those rates are provided for. Also, the link for discounted Park Tickets is only given out to those who are in the email circle for the group.

Also, their website notes "Disney may contact guests who book discounted rooms that do not include one of the primary dates of our events, and may cancel those reservations."

 

[sherilaine]

Thank you for the link. It says it's $432 per night...I thought they were supposed to be 50% off! $432 sounds like a regular rate for a standard room at GCH. Is it possible to keep my ressie at Candy Cane and get discounted tickets somehow?

Unfortunately that is likely all that is left when you consider Dapper Days rates begin next week? I have looked into booking dapper days rates before and saw really great rates much further out though.

 

[Whistlebee]

Yes, you can still get discounted tickets. Just go to the dapper day website and sign up for their emails. They should send you a link.
If you don’t want to dress up just buy your tickets from Last Minute Travel Club online. They are similar in price.

 

[Whistlebee]

We will be there that weekend and I expect big crowds. It is fun to see everyone dressed up and I’m hoping with Coachella happening the same weekend it might help keep the crowds down just a little compared to other Dapper Days. We will see!

 

[bethwc101]

Thank you for the link. It says it's $432 per night...I thought they were supposed to be 50% off! $432 sounds like a regular rate for a standard room at GCH. Is it possible to keep my ressie at Candy Cane and get discounted tickets somehow?

Can be right. Depends on season. We are booked for Dapper Day for November already and rates vary from $290-$320 through the week, so not surprise two weeks before are booked. Regular rate room at GCH can be $$600+ depending on season.

 

[Malcon10t]

Thank you for the link. It says it's $432 per night...I thought they were supposed to be 50% off! $432 sounds like a regular rate for a standard room at GCH. Is it possible to keep my ressie at Candy Cane and get discounted tickets somehow?

Standard rates these days are about $650 at the GCH. Currently, they are sold out for your dates on the DL website, so can't compare. You can go to the Dapper Day website and see if they have tickets for their participants still available.

 

[DizMe]

We booked our room at DLH quite a while ago for this coming Dapper Day. As I recall, the rate was $250/night. Maybe $225. We've also stayed at GCH with good rates, so I think others are correct about the cost going up as you get closer to the date. It's a lot of fun and I think you'll have a great time! It really is great seeing so many people dressed up.

 

[Katems]

Thank you, everyone. I booked this trip months ago as it coincides with my daughter's college graduation out that area, but at the time I had never heard of Dapper Days until just now. I'm still disappointed it will bring in crowds, but I understand others enjoy it and don't get me wrong...I will much prefer seeing dressed up people vs. other attire I've seen there at times! I didn't realize the GCH went that high for standard rooms (650) so it looks like I'll be keeping my Candy Cane ressie!! If I buy last minute travel tickets are they digital or paper? It would be too risky to buy them if they have to mail them. I had planned to get them at the Candy Cane check in desk, actually... Is it that much of a discount for three day hoppers to bother with discounted tickets? I remember looking other times and it was like a $6 discount and it seemed easier to just buy full price at the desk for such a small difference.

What is Coachella? I'm sorry...I'm a WDW vet, although I HAVE been to Disneyland four times since 2012 and have been a DISboards member since about 2006 or so. Guess there's always more to learn!

 

[Whistlebee]

I booked my room at GCH months ago and I think the rate was $289 a night. Once they run out of their original block of rooms the rates go up. Coachella is a popular art and music festival in SoCal that draws huge crowds.

 

[Wahlee]

If I buy last minute travel tickets are they digital or paper? It would be too risky to buy them if they have to mail them. I had planned to get them at the Candy Cane check in desk, actually... Is it that much of a discount for three day hoppers to bother with discounted tickets? I remember looking other times and it was like a $6 discount and it seemed easier to just buy full price at the desk for such a small difference!

LMT tickets are e-tickets, so they will be emailed to you. You can either print them out or have them scanned from your phone. You take them straight to the turnstiles; no need to exchange vouchers at the ticket booth.

The current price on LMT for a 3-day adult park hopper is $301.40, a savings of about $29 off gate price.