Forget about the anniversary for a moment and consider these dismaying observations;
1. July is in the middle of the busy summer season. The parks typically have their highest crowd numbers during this month.
2. The re-opening of Space Mountain will be huge. Not to mention the fact that many people are going to want to see the Buzz Lightyear attraction. Having two new attractions in the park is a very big deal.
3. Since Space Mountain has been closed for so long, the anticipation from everyone, especially the southern California locals is going to be great.
Now to the anniversary.
For the 40th anniversary in 1995, the park promoted the actual event as an extended weekend celebration. Indiana Jones was the big new attraction back then, and the crowds were VERY big. On the 17th itself, I didn't find it too bad, except for the worst of the Diznoids who came out in droves to buy up all of the limited edition souvenirs and hog up all of the space for the anniversary ceremony in front of the castle. And then they rushed over to Frontierland to save spaces for Fantasmic! as much as 7 hours before the first show.
This year I am even more fearful of the "Diznoid Factor." We didn't have boards like this back then. I really believe the numbers of the obsessed fans has multiplied many times over, and their behavior is linked to a feeling of entitlement, ala Jim Hill. For many, these people could ruin the experience of "being there" on the 17th.
True, these people will all have park hoppers, so you won't be able to avoid them entirely, but consider yourself lucky that you won't be there on the 17th.
I will brave the crowds the same way I did ten years ago, but I will celebrate the anniversary in my own subtle way, absorbing the magic and hopefully avoiding the madness.
