Which is it...Avoid Weekends at DLR, or avoid EE???

[pinkprincess30]

I had our touring plan all figured out, including avoiding the EE days when we won't be using EE. But THEN I was reading HydroGuy's post for Newbies and he says in order to avoid crowds, do NOT go to DLR on weekend days. For this reason we planed to visit DCA instead of DLR on Friday (which I consider to be a weekend day), and visit DLR on Saturday because we have EE that day and we want to see the shows.

BUT then I was advised and have read on here many times NOT to go against the EE flow...meaning that if you do not have EE, don't go to the park that has EE that day. SOOOO, we changed our plan and decided to do DLR on Friday instead of DCA (we'll do DCA on Thursday instead).

So what is your advice? Stay the course and do DCA Thurs., DLR Fri., DLR Saturday (use EE), or switch it to avoid weekend crowds and instead do DLR Thursday, DCA Friday, DLR Saturday?
Saturday is non-negotiable, as my family is flying down just to attend with us on that day only.
We will be at the parks April 30-May 5th with a beach day on May 4th.

Boy.... that makes my head hurt to type it all out like this!

 

[keltiesmom]

If you are early risers and will make it to EE I would stick with your original plan. Disneyland is actually 1 point less than DCA acording to touring plans for the Thursday and Friday, and Saturday they are tracked as the same. The difference is probably negligible IMO. The night time shows are important to me as well and I would rather more crowds but seeing the shows than lower crowds. Will you have park hoppers? That way if you find it is unmanageable for you, you can hop to the next park and back if you need.

 

[pinkprincess30]

No Hoppers

 

[tarheelalum]

Go to the park that does not have Early Entry. The parks are always crowded so don't worry about that. Just be smart about it and go as early as possible and use your fast passes wisely.

 

[figment_jii]

Personally, I think it makes less of a difference for DL than it does for DCA. Over in DL, only FL and TL are open during MM/EMH. So everyone has equal access to the rest of the park, which includes a number of the popular rides (e.g., PotC, HM, Indy, BTMRR, etc.). In DCA, EMH has a bigger impact because things like Carsland (RSR), TSMM, and the Frozen M&G will already have long lines due guests having access to those attractions during EMH. In terms of crowds, Saturday and Sunday is going to be the busiest days. Friday will have some crowds, but those largely do not show up until mid-to-late afternoon. So the mornings are still fairly calm in the parks and you can get a fair amount done. I've found that Friday is kind of a half weekend-half weekday day in terms of crowd dynamics.

So, assuming you are using your MM on Saturday, I would stick to your original plan and go to DCA on Thursday (non-EMH day) and DL on Friday (non-MM/EMH day). I think it'll have a bigger impact on your DCA day (because then you stand a chance of riding TSMM, RSR, and/or meeting the Frozen characters with less of a line) than your DL day.

 

[pinkprincess30]

Great feedback! Thanks DISers!!