What's going on today?

[mershell]

why is the park so crazy today? Is something going on I'm unaware of?

 

[tlovesdis]

Nope! It's the 60th and Halloweentime and the parks have been packed lately!

 

[Geemo]

It's the latest trend for Disneyland. Busy... Busy... Busy...
Regardless of time of year or day of the week. Busy... Busy... Busy...

Geemo

 

[figment_jii]

Not locally, but some schools are on their Fall Break this week, combined with the 60th Anniversary Celebration and HalloweenTime, have really increased crowds above what has normally been seen on a non-holiday Monday in October.

 

[JeriLee]

I was there today too and could not believe how long the lines were in the Quad at 10:00 a.m. - they stretched almost Park-to-Park! It was crazy! However, after entering the park, it really didn’t seem that crowded – TSMM was 20-30 minutes most of the day and in my experience that is usually a much longer wait. So I think the crowd in the morning was due to such a late start time, I think most people can make a 10:00 a.m. park opening. We really missed those 2 hours from 8:00 – 10:00!

 

[ZoZo]

Just back from a four-day trip. My experiences:

• Saturday was wall-to-wall people at both parks. The busiest day I've ever experienced at either DLR or WDW in 12+ trips! Luckily, we had started early (before rope drop). It got up to 95 degrees on Saturday, so we left the park for an afternoon break around noon, and went back around 5:00. Still huge crowds, but the weather had cooled off. Was glad we had a PS reservation @ Cafe Orleans - I'm sure the lines were long @ CS restaurants.
• Thursday was very busy at DL prior to the start of the party, then I'm sure everyone shifted over to DCA after the party started @ 6:00 (we stayed for the party). After the party started, rides were all walk-ons. For example, Indy had a 60 minute wait before the party started, and was a walk-on during the party.
• Friday at DCA wasn't super-busy; I thought the crowds were very manageable. The Halloween party started @ DL at 7:00, though, and most folks went to DCA. Got much busier after that. Downtown Disney was very crowded during the party hours.
• Rope-dropped Sunday morning @ DCA. Low crowds - did TSM twice with no wait and single-ridered Screaming, RSR, and Soarin more than once.

So I'm not sure if there's a specific reason why our Saturday at DL was so darn busy. The park was open from 8:00 to midnight, it was the weekend (way more locals in attendance - probably the main reason for the high crowds), and there was no party that night, so I think lots of people took that day to watch the parade and fireworks at DL since they wouldn't be able to on party nights without a ticket. Those reasons probably increased the crowds at DL.

 

[amyg1975]

We were there on Saturday as well, and you are right, ZoZo, it was the busiest we have seen it in many many years! 2 hour wait times? Crazy! my sister was there Friday, and they hit all the major rides before they were kicked out for MHP. Sunday was not too bad, much better (and cooler) than Saturday. We stopped in for an hour to DCA this morning before our flight, and it seemed like it was going to be super busy again today.

 

[mershell]

My friends were there today. They stayed at a hotel across the street from the park and they said it took them a full HOUR to drive to the parking structure, it was so backed up. 60th or not, that seems highly unusual for a Monday in October. She said they waited 30 minutes for a tram and that the park was so packed it felt like a Summer day. I'm going this weekend for the Halloween party and to celebrate my b-day all weekend through Nov 3. I usually go on my birthday (Nov 2) and it's always dead. Now I don't know what to expect. I expected it to be packed this weekend, since Halloween is on a Saturday, but I thought Monday and Tuesday would be quiet since Halloween will be over and school's in session. Now I'm not so sure. I guess, it is what it is. We'll hope for the best and just go with the flow.

 

[amyg1975]

The line to enter Disneyland this morning at 9:15 (10am opening) was all the way to the gates of DCA. No joke, one line was that long! I think the late opening time caused it to be extra busy, really fast. Most families in line said that they had time for breakfast, sleeping in, and then had nothing else to do, so got to the park early.

 

[mershell]

The line to enter Disneyland this morning at 9:15 (10am opening) was all the way to the gates of DCA. No joke, one line was that long! I think the late opening time caused it to be extra busy, really fast. Most families in line said that they had time for breakfast, sleeping in, and then had nothing else to do, so got to the park early.

That makes sense, cuz this time of year during the week would normally be a lower attendance day...so the question is...why did everyone decide to play hooky and go to DL? LOL Maybe they were afraid this weekend would be too crowded and they wanted to get one last look at the Halloween stuff? I bet Friday will be even more insane.

 

[ArchOwl]

Reports like these make me really believe that 10am openings are just not good times. Every time I have been to a 10am opening it was so busy! I don't believe Disney has fully grasped how busy they are. They just don't have low enough attendance to justify a 10am opening. Open those gates earlier, Disney!

 

[Diznygrl]

Disneyland is the only place I know that gets more and more crowded the higher they raise their prices. Clearly they've made some kind of deal with the devil.

 

[DisneyMom234]

Just back from a four-day trip. My experiences:

• Saturday was wall-to-wall people at both parks. The busiest day I've ever experienced at either DLR or WDW in 12+ trips! Luckily, we had started early (before rope drop). It got up to 95 degrees on Saturday, so we left the park for an afternoon break around noon, and went back around 5:00. Still huge crowds, but the weather had cooled off. Was glad we had a PS reservation @ Cafe Orleans - I'm sure the lines were long @ CS restaurants.
• Thursday was very busy at DL prior to the start of the party, then I'm sure everyone shifted over to DCA after the party started @ 6:00 (we stayed for the party). After the party started, rides were all walk-ons. For example, Indy had a 60 minute wait before the party started, and was a walk-on during the party.
• Friday at DCA wasn't super-busy; I thought the crowds were very manageable. The Halloween party started @ DL at 7:00, though, and most folks went to DCA. Got much busier after that. Downtown Disney was very crowded during the party hours.
• Rope-dropped Sunday morning @ DCA. Low crowds - did TSM twice with no wait and single-ridered Screaming, RSR, and Soarin more than once.

So I'm not sure if there's a specific reason why our Saturday at DL was so darn busy. The park was open from 8:00 to midnight, it was the weekend (way more locals in attendance - probably the main reason for the high crowds), and there was no party that night, so I think lots of people took that day to watch the parade and fireworks at DL since they wouldn't be able to on party nights without a ticket. Those reasons probably increased the crowds at DL.

Whwn during the party did you do rides? We waited 40 minutes or more for every ride we did that night was not impressed

 

[DnA2010]

Just back from a four-day trip. My experiences:

• Saturday was wall-to-wall people at both parks. The busiest day I've ever experienced at either DLR or WDW in 12+ trips! Luckily, we had started early (before rope drop). It got up to 95 degrees on Saturday, so we left the park for an afternoon break around noon, and went back around 5:00. Still huge crowds, but the weather had cooled off. Was glad we had a PS reservation @ Cafe Orleans - I'm sure the lines were long @ CS restaurants.
• Thursday was very busy at DL prior to the start of the party, then I'm sure everyone shifted over to DCA after the party started @ 6:00 (we stayed for the party). After the party started, rides were all walk-ons. For example, Indy had a 60 minute wait before the party started, and was a walk-on during the party.
• Friday at DCA wasn't super-busy; I thought the crowds were very manageable. The Halloween party started @ DL at 7:00, though, and most folks went to DCA. Got much busier after that. Downtown Disney was very crowded during the party hours.
• Rope-dropped Sunday morning @ DCA. Low crowds - did TSM twice with no wait and single-ridered Screaming, RSR, and Soarin more than once.

So I'm not sure if there's a specific reason why our Saturday at DL was so darn busy. The park was open from 8:00 to midnight, it was the weekend (way more locals in attendance - probably the main reason for the high crowds), and there was no party that night, so I think lots of people took that day to watch the parade and fireworks at DL since they wouldn't be able to on party nights without a ticket. Those reasons probably increased the crowds at DL.

We were there Saturday also and found it crazy too! The lines were huge! We used fastpass and did stuff like Tiki room, but still! Friday night at CA was crazy also, with the party and all.

 

[tlovesdis]

Disneyland is the only place I know that gets more and more crowded the higher they raise their prices. Clearly they've made some kind of deal with the devil.

BEST QUOTE EVER!!!! Sooooooooooooooo true!!

 

[Jeremy517]

My theory is that a lot of people who aren't planning on renewing their annual passes due to the new prices are trying to get in trips before their passes expire.

 

[ricardol]

Just back from a four-day trip. My experiences:

• Saturday was wall-to-wall people at both parks. The busiest day I've ever experienced at either DLR or WDW in 12+ trips! Luckily, we had started early (before rope drop). It got up to 95 degrees on Saturday, so we left the park for an afternoon break around noon, and went back around 5:00. Still huge crowds, but the weather had cooled off. Was glad we had a PS reservation @ Cafe Orleans - I'm sure the lines were long @ CS restaurants.
• Thursday was very busy at DL prior to the start of the party, then I'm sure everyone shifted over to DCA after the party started @ 6:00 (we stayed for the party). After the party started, rides were all walk-ons. For example, Indy had a 60 minute wait before the party started, and was a walk-on during the party.
• Friday at DCA wasn't super-busy; I thought the crowds were very manageable. The Halloween party started @ DL at 7:00, though, and most folks went to DCA. Got much busier after that. Downtown Disney was very crowded during the party hours.
• Rope-dropped Sunday morning @ DCA. Low crowds - did TSM twice with no wait and single-ridered Screaming, RSR, and Soarin more than once.

So I'm not sure if there's a specific reason why our Saturday at DL was so darn busy. The park was open from 8:00 to midnight, it was the weekend (way more locals in attendance - probably the main reason for the high crowds), and there was no party that night, so I think lots of people took that day to watch the parade and fireworks at DL since they wouldn't be able to on party nights without a ticket. Those reasons probably increased the crowds at DL.

We were also there on Saturday 10/17 and its the first time I wanted to get out of Disneyland due to the crowds. New Orleans square was crazy, just navigating to the HM fastpass area was super crazy!!! I had big issues ordering lunch, we ended up at the restaurant in Critter County and yes it was crowded it took me 15 minutes for them to take my order and pay. but then I don't know what happened it took more than 30 mins for my order to get delivered at the window, everybody was super mad and I had to use all my patience and strenght of mind to remain calmed, it was the first day of our 7 day trip!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

wow sounds crazy. glade my weekdays at 9 am openings. Also I just have to ask.
Why went staying right across the street would you drive your car there?

 

[mom2rtk]

We were there Monday morning. It was the one day we didn't do early entry, because we had been up late for the Halloween party the night before. After what we experienced entering at 10:15 we made sure to enter early every day the rest of our trip.

On the up side, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were lovely with low crowds and beautiful weather.