Will September conventions mean bigger crowds in the park?

[NWPrincess]

Hi,

I'm tenatively planning on going to DLR in mid-September, but after looking at the convention schedule via the Unofficial Guide, I find out that there are two big conventions during that time (Applied Systems Convention Sept. 10-13 with 2,200 attendees and National Safety Council Sept. 17-28 with 20,000 attendees).

The two trip possibilities are:

September 9-11 or September 16-18. Originally I thought we'd go on the latter dates because it would be less crowded in the parks, then I looked at the number of convention attendees during that time! I went Sept. 9-12 in 2006 and the crowds were not bad at all--but I also noticed it is the first year that Anaheim is holding two conventions in September.

My question for everyone (long winded I know) is what are your experiences with crowd levels/conventions? I know most of the convention goers don't have time for the parks, but their spouses and kids do!

Second, from your experience, which set of dates do you think are best?

Thanks so much!

 

[DangerMouse]

I honestly don't think either convention will have a noticeable effect on park attendance. Sept. after Labor Day is notoriously a very slow time at DLR, and neither of those conventions seem geared toward families nor would have people pulling their kids out of school to come along with (especially since school just started). JMO.

 

[mystic_path]

Sometimes it really does effect the crowds and so just to brace yourself or to try and by pass it if at all possible I would go from 9-11 if you can

 

[DangerMouse]

Sometimes it really does effect the crowds and so just to brace yourself or to try and by pass it if at all possible I would go from 9-11 if you can

Both dates are a Tues, Wed and Thurs. My bet is these people will be AT the convention, and may possibly wander over to the parks in the evening.

 

[XTinabell]

I've gone during a very very large convention in November, it was an oil convention, and I barely noticed a larger crowd than normal for that time of year. It was slightly more busy (the lines weren't affected), but completely bareable especially compared to the following week which was the thanksgiving. So I don't think you have anything to worry about. But I am curious about this unofficial guide that you're talking about, where did you find about the conventions and how many people attend?

 

[NWPrincess]

I've gone during a very very large convention in November, it was an oil convention, and I barely noticed a larger crowd than normal for that time of year. It was slightly more busy (the lines weren't affected), but completely bareable especially compared to the following week which was the thanksgiving. So I don't think you have anything to worry about. But I am curious about this unofficial guide that you're talking about, where did you find about the conventions and how many people attend?

I found it in the 2008 Unofficial Guide to Disneyland. They added a new section (than past years' editions) talking about conventions and listing the schedule. I also used the Anaheim Convention Center website and confirmed it, but the Unofficial Guide has a chart listing the amount of attendees whereas the Anaheim site listed a bunch of conventions (more than in the book), but obviously did not indicate how big they would be.

Thanks for all the info everyone. I'm leaning towards 9-11, but would love more input.

 

[XTinabell]

I found it in the 2008 Unofficial Guide to Disneyland. They added a new section (than past years' editions) talking about conventions and listing the schedule. I also used the Anaheim Convention Center website and confirmed it, but the Unofficial Guide has a chart listing the amount of attendees whereas the Anaheim site listed a bunch of conventions (more than in the book), but obviously did not indicate how big they would be.

Thanks for all the info everyone. I'm leaning towards 9-11, but would love more input.

Oh cool, thanks. I honestly don't think you would need to change your dates unless you really want to. The conventions you mentioned are very small. The one I had was over 80,000 people and it barely made a dent in the crowd levels. Not to mention that parents usually don't take their kids out of school in September, so I don't think there will be the issue of families bringing their kids and spouses with them. Very unlikely.

 

[Brady's Mom]

Just watch out for the conventions in the spring. Parents don't seem to have as much of a problem taking their kids out of school in the spring. Maybe spring fever. We have been to DLR the week after Labor Day and loved the low crowd levels. I have no idea if there were conventions in town at that time. The weather is still very nice and the lines were very short.

However, when we were there two weeks ago the cheerleaders and their families really made an impact Thursday evening and Friday afternoon and evening. It was very crowded with long waits. Fast passes were what saved us.

 

[NWPrincess]

Just watch out for the conventions in the spring. Parents don't seem to have as much of a problem taking their kids out of school in the spring. Maybe spring fever. We have been to DLR the week after Labor Day and loved the low crowd levels. I have no idea if there were conventions in town at that time. The weather is still very nice and the lines were very short.

However, when we were there two weeks ago the cheerleaders and their families really made an impact Thursday evening and Friday afternoon and evening. It was very crowded with long waits. Fast passes were what saved us.

That's so strange that parents don't want to take their kids out of school in the Fall, yet they do in the Spring. I would think that taking your kids out of school in September is better than taking them out in April (I used to teach elementary school). Honestly, the first days (weeks) of school are usually spent laying down ground rules and reviewing material from last year to ensure that all the kids are on the same level. Whereas, in April they are deep in material that is quite a bit more advanced than what was taught in September. Go figure!

 

[kutchyone]

The Disney EarMarked convention is also this September on the 15th - 17th.

 

[DangerMouse]

The Disney EarMarked convention is also this September on the 15th - 17th.

Isn't that in WDW? Not DLR?

 

[kutchyone]

Nope, this year it is at DLR.

 

[DangerMouse]

Nope, this year it is at DLR.

Do you happen to have a weblink that would give information on it? Thanks!