Why is DLR So Busy Mid-April?

[Kkb0517]

Touring Plans were way off for the week we were there for the weekdays at least.

Monday, Feb 29th they predicted a 2 and saw a 5
Tuesday, Mar 1st they predicted a 3 and saw a 6
Wednesday, Mar 2nd they predicted a 2 and saw a 5
Thursday, Mar 3rd they predicted a 2 and saw a 7

I did not expect the twos and threes as I had read all the comments about how they are not reliable in their predictions and that Disneyland is just busier now regardless of when you go. It's manageable but it is not what is used to be the same time years ago. I would not base any planning on Touring Plans as they have completely lost touch with the new reality of the parks and they were never that great to begin with!

How early do you think it makes sense to line up for EMH on weekdays like this?

 

[sherilaine]

How early do you think it makes sense to line up for EMH on weekdays like this?

For EMH to DCA I don't think you need to be there more than 15 minutes prior to EMH as that is limited to onsite guests.

For Tuesday/Thursday EMH to DL however, it's busy, or at least the lines were longer. I'd say showing up at least half an hour before the EMH - however, the security lines were much shorter on the DTD side than Harbor from what I saw, so again onsite guests should have a bit of an advantage there as well.

 

[kly]

We are going April 17-22 and it's not supposed to be too busy. According to the isitpacked and touringplans website. Hope it's fairly accurate

I'm going the same week, coming from MA.
I think it will be crowded given that Jungle Cruise, Autopia, Bobsleds, Monorial, Railroad, River Run are all closed during the same week.
I hope the weather is nice, because I see us at the GCH pool a lot.

 

[Kkb0517]

For EMH to DCA I don't think you need to be there more than 15 minutes prior to EMH as that is limited to onsite guests.

For Tuesday/Thursday EMH to DL however, it's busy, or at least the lines were longer. I'd say showing up at least half an hour before the EMH - however, the security lines were much shorter on the DTD side than Harbor from what I saw, so again onsite guests should have a bit of an advantage there as well.

Thanks! That's helpful to know.

 

[mich311e]

I'm in AZ, and while we have spring break the week before Easter, we also have a 4 day weekend in our district in April (22-25).

Us too! We are going the weekend of April 22nd and taking advantage of the long weekend. I don't know if this is a state-wide trend. I think this is the first time our district, Deer Valley, has had this long weekend at the end of April. Maybe they did last year, I can't recall.

 

[calilou]

I highly doubt that. OP said it was onsite hotels that were booked. Locals who are going with the deal are probably not going to pay to stay onsite, if they'd stay at all! I'm local, am fortunate enough to be able to afford AP's, but have never stayed onsite. If I could only afford to go with a deal, there's no way I could throw down the money to stay at one of their hotels!

Actually the Southern California region spans a very large distance so it isn't unreasonable to think that April may be extra busy, including the onsite hotels, because of the special ticket offer. We live 3.5-4 hours away and are considered So Cal residents. Of course when go to DL we stay in a hotel and most often a DLR hotel. We have APs, but I'm sure the special So Cal ticket offer has prompted many to plan trips.

I'll also add that it isn't uncommon for people living in So Cal even just 45-60 minutes away to stay onsite for Disneyland experiences. We've met many locals while at the resort hotels who do "staycations" yearly.

 

[cmph]

Us too! We are going the weekend of April 22nd and taking advantage of the long weekend. I don't know if this is a state-wide trend. I think this is the first time our district, Deer Valley, has had this long weekend at the end of April. Maybe they did last year, I can't recall.

Deer Valley too. OK, so maybe it's just us, LOL! We moved here from Maryland this past summer, so I have no idea what "normal" is for DVUSD or the southwest in general, yet!