When Will it Be Busy at Disneyland - 2009 Edition

[Swellpixiegirl]

I had asked earlier (weeks ago) about crowds for August 21-24, and I was told to expect ugly-busy parks. APs are unblocked that week, and it is the last weekend for Summer Nightastic, so I'm sure the parks will be very busy. It sucks, but we didn't have any flexibility with our dates, and we have had this booked since January. Oh well...we still get to go to Disneyland!

[MickeyMousePal]

Originally Posted by Swellpixiegirl

I had asked earlier (weeks ago) about crowds for August 21-24, and I was told to expect ugly-busy parks. APs are unblocked that week, and it is the last weekend for Summer Nightastic, so I'm sure the parks will be very busy. It sucks, but we didn't have any flexibility with our dates, and we have had this booked since January. Oh well...we still get to go to Disneyland!

On busy days Fantasmic! is shown 3 times at 9, 10:30 and 11:30. If you stay on top of your fastpasses and get them every often you'll be fine. Also mornings (8 a.m.-11 a.m.) and 2 hours after closing is the best time to go on Fantasyland rides or any other ride. Also Saturday should be a less crowded day since Deluxe and both SoCal are blocked.

[Swellpixiegirl]

Originally Posted by MickeyMousePal

On busy days Fantasmic! is shown 3 times at 9, 10:30 and 11:30. If you stay on top of your fastpasses and get them every often you'll be fine. Also mornings (8 a.m.-11 a.m.) and 2 hours after closing is the best time to go on Fantasyland rides or any other ride. Also Saturday should be a less crowded day since Deluxe and both SoCal are blocked.

Thank you!! I was not aware of the blocked passes!! We do know how to (ab)use the FastPass system, and we usually knock off a lot of priority rides early in the day, and spend a couple of hours in our hotel pool in the middle of the day before going back for the evening. I'm hoping there will be a third showing of Fantasmic! on that Friday; we get into the park around 7pm, and it would be great to get that done on the first night

[MickeyMousePal]

Originally Posted by Swellpixiegirl

Thank you!! I was not aware of the blocked passes!! We do know how to (ab)use the FastPass system, and we usually knock off a lot of priority rides early in the day, and spend a couple of hours in our hotel pool in the middle of the day before going back for the evening. I'm hoping there will be a third showing of Fantasmic! on that Friday; we get into the park around 7pm, and it would be great to get that done on the first night

Correction Deluxe is not blocked out August 22.
SoCal AP are blocked out August 22.
SoCal Select are blocked out August 21-23.
Still August 22 won't be that bad...yes it will be crowded but not crazy crowded.

[whamo]

Disneyland, uncrowded, is not a thing of the past. This winter I hit it during a rainy day, and it was great. I went on POC twice in a row, without even getting out of the seat. I'm thinking Thursday will be a good day, as the weather will be cooler, and price for admission is up, and So Cal AP passes might be blocked out.

[cancolby]

Someone should post "When will it Not Be Busy at Disneyland - 2009 Edition".

[Rex Dopey24]

i just got home from the parks on my birthday and it was fun but it was very hot and very busy especially dca and disneyland .it got full at night around 6pm to beyond. heck lines were still long 9 pm like indy, space, and splash. i think things are starting to pick up now.

[ElectricBoots]

I've seen a lot of debate over August weekends vs weekdays... interesting stuff. Makes my workday go by quickly reading your posts!!

I am coming down in a week to see Depeche Mode at the Bowl on Monday, August 17th. I was thinking of doing Disneyland the Sunday before, which now seems like a bad idea. In years past, I would have NEVER even considered going to Disneyland on a Saturday, but here I am... contemplating. If Saturday has even the hint of possibility of being lighter in crowds, I'll do it.

I will have picked up my DAP at Costco the day I arrive, so I can redeem it any day, even a blocked out day. (Right?? Do I get a gold star in board reading!?)

Love this thread... the anticipation is killing me!

[sediment]

Originally Posted by ElectricBoots

I will have picked up my DAP at Costco the day I arrive, so I can redeem it any day, even a blocked out day. (Right?? Do I get a gold star in board reading!?)

Whoa there: aren't those DAPs from Costco for SoCal residents only? I'll check my local Costco (less than a mile away) and get back to you.

[ElectricBoots]

The "Discount Annual Pass Sold at Costco! " thread says there are no residency restrictions. I'm banking on that, so hopefully it is true!

[sediment]

Originally Posted by ElectricBoots

The "Discount Annual Pass Sold at Costco! " thread says there are no residency restrictions. I'm banking on that, so hopefully it is true!

OK.
I know they have other passes -- 4 for $120, one person-only entry -- that are SoCal-specific.
DarkBeer is the expert on this.

[Wavy Blue]

Okay, my turn!

October 12-17.

I know that mid-October should be fairly slow, but what do you guys think? Is there anything major going on this week that I should be aware of?

Muchas gracias.

[whamo]

Right before Halloween might be a good time, unless "Halloween time" is already in full-swing, which I suspect will be the case. Early fall is the best time of the year for Disneyland in my opinion. Unless, of course, it's raining, which is prime time.

[MarthaT]

Originally Posted by whamo

Right before Halloween might be a good time, unless "Halloween time" is already in full-swing, which I suspect will be the case. Early fall is the best time of the year for Disneyland in my opinion. Unless, of course, it's raining, which is prime time.

Early Fall has always been my favorite time to go

[kanga]

Originally Posted by MickeyMousePal

Yeah, Gay Days usually happens on the first weekend of October.

and most Utah schools will be out for the Utah Education Association (teacher's union) conference. This is prime time for Utah families to head to Disneyland. I almost want to go just to people watch those 2 demographics coming together.