Wow...why has it been so busy?!

[PrinceOfPeace]

Maybe I'm spoiled, because I'm used to rarely any lines with my experiences at DW, and also 2008 crowds. But man! It's been crazy packed! Are these normal levels or just isolated experiences. We just came home from a quick visit today. Boy was I in for a rude awakening.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

I was there Thursday and thought it was fairly busy but definitely not packed like the week before.

It seems to me that ride times have been bad because so much is closed - Pirates and Matterhorn in addition to all the ROA/RR is rough at DL, and DCA has no Grizzly, TOT, even the Fun Wheel is down... And a few things went down temporarily while we were there, too. There just isn't enough capacity, so the things that are open have longer waits than they should.

 

[twitch]

We were there Thursday as well. The weather has been pretty cold and wet this winter, and Thursday was the first really nice day in a while. Lines were long, although we did a couple of walk-ons by 7 (Haunted Mansion and Jungle Cruise).

We focused on Fantasyland, arrived at the DL Turnstile at 10:10a, and left at 9:15p. Despite the lines, we hit 18 attractions/events:

• Snow White (10 minute wait)
• Pinocchio (<10 minute wait)
• Casey (35 minute wait)
• Peter Pan (60 minute wait)
• Mr Toad (10 minute wait)
• Carrousel (15 minute wait)
• Mad Tea Party (10 minute wait)
• Canal Boats (25 minute wait)
• Lunch @ Cafe Orleans (2:00-3:00)
• Alice in Wonderland (15 minute wait)
• Small World (45 minute wait)
• Big Thunder (FP)
• Dumbo (30 minute wait)
• Castle walk through
• Royal Storytellers (6:15)
• Pooh (almost walk on)
• Haunted Mansion (almost walk on)
• Jungle Cruise (walk on)
• MSEP (Sat on the curb at 7:45 for 8:45 parade)

You can see from wait times that it was certainly busy... but we still managed to fit a lot into our day, with only one FP. Most of our previous trips were strategized to maximize FP, this time we decided to simply try to do as much of Fantasyland as possible.

 

[mom2rtk]

Rarely any lines at WDW? When is the last time you were there?

 

[marcyleecorgan]

Rarely any lines at WDW? When is the last time you were there?

the OP is talking about DisneyLAND....

Apparently there are significant differences between DL and WDW ... I don't really understand why but hey, Disney clearly does what works for them...

They don't have Dining Plan, they don't have the same FP+ system...

 

[mom2rtk]

the OP is talking about DisneyLAND....

Apparently there are significant differences between DL and WDW ... I don't really understand why but hey, Disney clearly does what works for them...

They don't have Dining Plan, they don't have the same FP+ system...

Did the OP not mention DW?

 

[DLgal]

I went yesterday as well and knew it was a big mistake the moment I pulled up to the parking structure and saw the sea of cars. It was insanely busy. I bailed out after 3 hours. I rode one ride and had lunch and that was it. Too crowded for me!

 

[Kender]

the OP is talking about DisneyLAND....

Apparently there are significant differences between DL and WDW ... I don't really understand why but hey, Disney clearly does what works for them...

They don't have Dining Plan, they don't have the same FP+ system...

The OP specifically mentioned "DW" (see quote below) and then commented about 2008 experiences that inferred they were DLR related.

Maybe I'm spoiled, because I'm used to rarely any lines with my experiences at DW, and also 2008 crowds.

 

[waltonmkb]

We were there the week before (Feb 22-26) and it was as busy as any day in the middle of summer. And it felt worse because of shorter hours and a lot of rides being closed for refurbishment.

 

[Albertan mom]

After what I thought was careful planning, we went Tuesday Feb 28 and Thur March 2. It was packed. It was ridiculous. I took a pic of the wait times on Thursday and they were:
Big Thunder 30
Buzz 25
Haunted 40
Space 90
Indiana Jones 55
Splash 70
Star Tours 50
Small World 20
Alice 30
Jungle 30
Peter Pan 50
This was at 3:45 in the afternoon!
The worst part was there was NO nighttime shows. And no, the Electrical Parade does not count. To have Fireworks, Fantasmic and World of Color all down at the same time is just awful. People save their whole lives to come to Disneyland, and to not have one night time show on, that is just cruel. Better timing needed to make sure that doesn't happen to people.

 

[tarheelalum]

Disneyland is packed the vast majority of the time now. It's been that way for a couple of years now. If it's not packed when you go then consider yourself lucky.

 

[rentayenta]

Disneyland is packed the vast majority of the time now. It's been that way for a couple of years now. If it's not packed when you go then consider yourself lucky.

MTE. The only time we find a reprieve is during the first and last few hours of the day.

 

[Tattylou]

After what I thought was careful planning, we went Tuesday Feb 28 and Thur March 2. It was packed. It was ridiculous. I took a pic of the wait times on Thursday and they were:
Big Thunder 30
Buzz 25
Haunted 40
Space 90
Indiana Jones 55
Splash 70
Star Tours 50
Small World 20
Alice 30
Jungle 30
Peter Pan 50
This was at 3:45 in the afternoon!
The worst part was there was NO nighttime shows. And no, the Electrical Parade does not count. To have Fireworks, Fantasmic and World of Color all down at the same time is just awful. People save their whole lives to come to Disneyland, and to not have one night time show on, that is just cruel. Better timing needed to make sure that doesn't happen to people.

Coming from the WDW perspective, those waits are pretty typical. That's why I love DL bc those are on a crowded day not every average day like WDW. Although that is a lot down at the same time!

@marcyleecorgan is right there are definite differences between a 10 crowd at DL AND a 10 crowd at WDW . Not sure why DL is more crowded now though, but can't wait to be there again eventually!

 

[minnieralyks]

After what I thought was careful planning, we went Tuesday Feb 28 and Thur March 2. It was packed. It was ridiculous. I took a pic of the wait times on Thursday and they were:
Big Thunder 30
Buzz 25
Haunted 40
Space 90
Indiana Jones 55
Splash 70
Star Tours 50
Small World 20
Alice 30
Jungle 30
Peter Pan 50
This was at 3:45 in the afternoon!
The worst part was there was NO nighttime shows. And no, the Electrical Parade does not count. To have Fireworks, Fantasmic and World of Color all down at the same time is just awful. People save their whole lives to come to Disneyland, and to not have one night time show on, that is just cruel. Better timing needed to make sure that doesn't happen to people.

Actually, I would have to say those are pretty average and decent wait times for the afternoon. If those are the wait times during our trip in a week, I would be pretty happy. Also, they normally don't have shows during the weekdays. Those have always been restricted to the weekends, besides last year (the diamond celebration).

Sorry that you didn't have such a good time Hopefully you'll be able to make it back when all the nighttime shows (Fantasmic) are opened, which I believe is happening later this year.

 

[SMD]

I went yesterday as well and knew it was a big mistake the moment I pulled up to the parking structure and saw the sea of cars. It was insanely busy. I bailed out after 3 hours. I rode one ride and had lunch and that was it. Too crowded for me!

I got a text as I was passing Buena Park that M&F was crazy and the security line was long. I went to TS, sailed through security and was waiting in TL for 20 minutes before we met up. So I managed to get off the freeway, parked and through security after they were already parked. I didn't think DL was too bad (one the insane line for Red Rose Tavern died down) but DCA was so much more crowded than I expected. There was a line for RSR FP at 11:15, I haven't seen that in awhile.

 

[tarheelalum]

I got a text as I was passing Buena Park that M&F was crazy and the security line was long. I went to TS, sailed through security and was waiting in TL for 20 minutes before we met up. So I managed to get off the freeway, parked and through security after they were already parked. I didn't think DL was too bad (one the insane line for Red Rose Tavern died down) but DCA was so much more crowded than I expected. There was a line for RSR FP at 11:15, I haven't seen that in awhile.

I use to love going to M&F but now that Disney makes you park so far away, I've started to go to Toy Story and it's so much easier. M&F is a nightmare in comparison.

 

[allsaintsatx]

After what I thought was careful planning, we went Tuesday Feb 28 and Thur March 2. It was packed. It was ridiculous. I took a pic of the wait times on Thursday and they were:
Big Thunder 30
Buzz 25
Haunted 40
Space 90
Indiana Jones 55
Splash 70
Star Tours 50
Small World 20
Alice 30
Jungle 30
Peter Pan 50

I think I pick the busiest times of the year to go to DLR, because those waits you saw are the same waits every time I go!!

 

[MacMama0930]

Actually, I would have to say those are pretty average and decent wait times for the afternoon. If those are the wait times during our trip in a week, I would be pretty happy. Also, they normally don't have shows during the weekdays. Those have always been restricted to the weekends, besides last year (the diamond celebration).

Sorry that you didn't have such a good time Hopefully you'll be able to make it back when all the nighttime shows (Fantasmic) are opened, which I believe is happening later this year.

While you're right about fireworks not being every night - WOC has been every night so I think it's fair to understand the disappointment that no fireworks, no fantasmic AND no WOC were available during the week.

 

[ashley0139]

I use to love going to M&F but now that Disney makes you park so far away, I've started to go to Toy Story and it's so much easier. M&F is a nightmare in comparison.

What do you mean by Disney makes you park so far away? It's a parking garage.

 

[DLgal]

What do you mean by Disney makes you park so far away? It's a parking garage.

I had the same question. Far away? From what?