When the parks get full...

[Friendly Frog]

As someone who has only traveled to WDW and only during the slowest time of the year. I have no idea what I am getting myself into taking my first ever DL trip during Halloween.

How quickly do the parks fill up? I was thinking about going to the park early, then leaving for dinner and returning later that night.

Once you have your hand stamped are you guaranteed re-entry? If not, then I am thinking that I may need to re-think my plan.

I would guess with Halloween falling on a Saturday, the park will be packed until closing?

 

[DisneyMomma81]

How 'bout you don't leave for dinner maybe leave earlier in the day ~ lunch time, come back late afternoon or just don't leave at all, if you need a break have a nice meal in the park (Blue Bayou would be the nicest, quietest but I don't know that you'll be able to get a reservation this late ~ Plaza Inn would be nice as well and they don't take reservations at least I don't think they do for lunch/dinner). Keep in mind lots of locals have S. CA APs and are blocked on Saturdays (a lot of the time Sundays are more crowded). Start the day early, collect Fast Passes for the evening and have fun. I'm curious ~ I assume you're driving to Disneyland ~ seems a little late in the game to purchase air fare but maybe not??? Anybody who visits DLR with a plan (the Dis is great for this) is much better off then the average DLR visitor.

 

[Friendly Frog]

Thanks for the tip. From your advice I gather that a hand stamp does not guaranty re-entry.

We are flying and yes that last min flight was costly as heck. Thank goodness for a credit card that gives air miles. (Shame this trip wipes them all out.)

I am normally a real planner. I have flash cards for my WDW trips. But it is rare that DH can take a vacation. He just found out a couple of days ago about getting off work. I feel comfortable visiting WDW alone with since they have magical express, but I was intimidated to go do DL. Anyway, this trip is a super rush. I have dial up Internet right now, so it is hard to get much planning done with the slow speed. I don't even know what some of the rides are!

 

[bumbershoot]

Be sure to read this! Tips by hydroguy.

I just found out about a feature where you can get a printable version of a thread...find Thread Tools, use the drop down, and get "printable version". That way you can print it and read it on the plane if you run out of time.

You can read his other threads for tips, too.


There are stages of closing for capacity. The handstamp can get you in during the early stages of closing, but mainly it's to make sure people aren't sharing tickets. Once a certain number of people are in the park, the fire marshal codes just won't let more in... (of course if I were in the park and it was THAT crowded, we would happily leave and let a few others in, LOL) Handstamps won't get you in if it has reached that level of crowding.