Your best tips on how to do crowded DL/DCA?

[KalamityJane]

We've pretty much ALWAYS gone in the off season. We're planning on hitting up the parks in the first half of December and I'm frankly pretty nervous about navigating the parks and being efficient with rides/walking/shows, etc. given that between the 60th and other events, the weekends might get pretty hairy.

So far our tentative plans are to stay off site, go early in the morning and do as much as possible, especially rides like RSR/Space, then rest period plus pool? at the hotel for lunch and afternoon, back at night for more.

I need your help on what I should reserve, do/don't do. What has worked best for you and your family? I've already reserved RBT dinner package for Fantasmic

 

[Geemo]

Too much planning might back fire on you, due to unpredictable crowd levels.

The best thing you can do is to have an outline of attractions/show you want to see.

Then Go-With-The-Flow.....

Geemo

 

[KalamityJane]

Too much planning might back fire on you, due to unpredictable crowd levels.

The best thing you can do is to have an outline of attractions/show you want to see.

Then Go-With-The-Flow.....

Geemo

Good! That's generally how we do it anyway! We haven't seen Mickey and the Magical Map - I'm guessing that would be better as a weekday? Definitely want to see WoC, should I book that as a dining package?

 

[millie0312]

1st having RBT for F! Will be great!! We did a regular FP last year and it was a nightmare!! We also re doing RBT this year lol I would also recommend doing a touring plan- you don't have to follow it exactly but you can divide up your must do list of shows and rides amongst the days you are there and it will give you an idea of when is the best time line wise to do that ride. If you end up skipping a ride, doing it out of order, etc it's not a big deal but at least you have a base of wheeler to start and everyone in your group knows their favorites will be done. We are doing 5 park days so dividing up the must do stuff in the first 3 days as a plan then we are planning to just re-hit our favorites or ones we skipped/missed the last two days (which will be busier days).ninalso appreciated running my touring plan past he experts here so I could tweak any funky timing of my plan. As long as you know to lower your expectations it will help a lot- I'd rather assume the parks will go to capacity daily while I am there and be happily surprised when they don't then be upset if they do get to that level (sadly yes early/mid Dec this year could be that level with everything going). Doing a mid-day break seems to help as its SO busy then and it gives you a break to rest and get away from the frustration of crowds. Just make sure if the park could go to capacity that you are in DLR (usually CA doesn't hit capacity) if you need to be in there for a ressie or something. Even on busy days from rope drop and a couple hours in the crowds aren't too terrible. We lined up about 30 mins before the park opened and were able to be successful with our rope drop strategy (be it PP or whatever). Also if you know you want any sit down meal- reserve it. I have several ressies for the same place right now until I have cemented my plans (including weather concerns for my RBT ressie) then I will keep one and cancel the rest. I wouldn't count on being able to walk up to anywhere sit down without and adr if it's busy. I also recommend eating off hours a bit to keep the cs lines down. We are there dec 8-16 so if you need help I am happy to help with what I can- I was there last year at the same time. Hth!

 

[chickapin parterre]

wednesday mornings are the best uncrowded time in the park, be there at rope drop, be rested and feed and go and go and go till about noon where you will encounter the tide of folks

watch the wind, if you think it is windy at 2;00 then chances are cancellations, but don't ask, because no one will tell you anything, have to be your own judge.

wtih the wind problems, prioritize fireworks and WOC as soon as you can, of course a wet Columbia could also cancel Fantasmic

at dusk, flag lowering, main street hub is actually empty, so if you need parade seats, great place to find concrete.

bring rain gear thicker than ponchos. Watch the weather, have that extra suitcase packed with boots, hats, gloves and thick rain gear

 

[GatorChris]

Ugh, just someone talking about wind gives me nightmares. They cancelled the fireworks twice on my trip last November. With this El Nino stuff, they may cancel fireworks for the entire fall and winter season.

 

[Sherry E]

Fortunately, it now looks like the worst of El Nino is poised to clobber us in Jan-Feb-Mar. I think there could be a bit of rain starting in late November/early December, but maybe it will be dry for enough days that it won't interrupt too much of the holiday season. Hopefully.

 

[Canuck16]

We were just there in March during Spring Break and the crowds were heavy compared to when we normally like to go.

We did not book any packages for F! or WoC and we were able to see both shows without any problem. We had to make sure we showed up early for our FP times for the shows, which we did, and we got good viewing areas to both.

We hit RD everyday and got to ride and see everything we wanted to and this was with quite a few headliners down (Soarin', Splash and Matterhorn) so the lines to other attractions would get backed up but we managed.

We always made sure to hit RD as so much can be done during that early time in the parks.

I agree with the OP and go without planning too much and have fun!!