How Disney handles very large crowds - Capacity issues - Good tips for the weekend!

[Darkbeer]

I have posted very similar info recently in a couple of threads, but it is time for the info to have its own thread. Note, it is written for someone who is not "in the know" about Disney Parks, but for a typical guest.

Let me explain how the system works.

Disney has a tiered system to deal with expected large crowds.

Disney uses past history and hotel/vacation bookings to come up with an expected amount of guests expected on any given day.

If that number is very high, then Disney prepares for the large crowds.

The first thing they do is increase staffing, and then places Electronic signs at the Parking Entrances (and the Lion King Tram area). It starts with the saying "Welcome to Disneyland". Also, they have access to the Anaheim Resort Electronic Signs on nearby streets, that are designed for Disneyland Resort/Convention Center traffic issues.

Then Disney watches the amount of tickets being sold at the Ticket Windows, and adds those numbers to the expected amount of pre-purchased tickets and Annual Passholders they expect that day.

Once they get to the magic figure (which changes depending on attractions that are closed and other types of construction that reduces the size of the park and capacity).

At this first level, Disney stops selling Single Day tickets (and Blockout Passes), but will still sell new Annual Passes and offers a special ticket (Hard Diversion). This ticket, which is the same price as the Single Day, Single Park ticket allows you into DCA immediately, but has a time printed on it, for example "Disneyland after 5 PM". So you spend the day at DCA, and anytime after 5 PM are allowed to enter Disneyland. They have different times (recently they used 5 PM, 7 PM and 8 PM as entry times), and issue a certain amount of tickets with each time frame, to not have a large group of guests showing up all at the same time. The reason Disney can do this, is the fact they know that a good percentage of Park Guests leaves after the First Parade of the Day is over, making room for others. The Electronic signs will be changed to "Disneyland is Very Busy", also Disney will hand out flyers to incoming cars at the Parking Toll Booths, warning of the conditions, and some hints to make the day a bit better (such as going to less popular attractions and shows or visiting DCA). They also have Annual Passholders get hand stamps, which on slower days are not required of AP holders (this speeds up the exit turnstiles).

Then if they reach the second level of ticket sells, they stop selling any type of Entrance Media (aka tickets/AP's). The Electronic Signs are changed to "Disneyland is Sold Out", and the Parking Lot CM's talk to each incoming car, letting them opt for a day at DCA, or just going home (and not paying for parking).

The third level has Disney not allow anyone who has not entered for the day yet (some minor exceptions, such as Club 33 members are exempt), this mainly effects Annual Passholders, who will be turned away. Disney will still allow folks who have been hand-stamped back in (But only for the park they were in earlier, so I strongly recommend you get a DISNEYLAND Hand Stamp, even if you spend some time at DCA).

Then when Disneyland gets to the official magic number, which is determined by the Anaheim Fire Marshall, or if a Fire Marshall feels the park is just too crowded, then they can order Disney to shut the turnstiles down. If it does get to this highest level, then no one is allowed to enter the park, until a certain amount of people have left the park. (And is the reason why they make you exit through the turnstiles, so they can count the amount of folks leaving). But after the official park closing hours, then they will open the flood gates and nobody has to use the turnstiles (as the count doesn't matter).

If they do reach this highest level, then the Cast Members will recommend you visit DCA, or allow folks to stand in line to re-enter.

Once enough folks have left the park, then they will allow some of the folks waiting for re-entry to come back in.

With the exception of New Years Eve and the Fourth of July, where the traffic patterns are different due to the special events that are held, the early afternoon is the most likely time that Disney would have to close down the turnstiles.

So what does this mean to you as a park guest? Well, take a break (maybe not on New Years Eve) and relax, go back to your hotel room, grab a bite to eat outside the park, etc. and when you come back, either they will let you back in, or you could spend a couple of hours at DCA and then try getting into Disneyland.

Yes, the parks will be busy, but they are still fun, just take some patience....

So let me give you the special problems with New Years Eve, most folks don't leave in the late afternoon, and plan to stay until midnight, which prevents other folks who won't enter if the park is close to capacity.

So the best thing to do is get there EARLY, plan to get a locker in the park EARLY (they go FAST on capacity days) and then spend the day. If you think about leaving, check with the CM at the exit turnstiles and ask if there will be any problem returning BEFORE exiting. And if you do plan to park-hop, get a DISNEYLAND hand-stamp as soon as you arrive, just to protect your options, even if you want to spend the first few hours at DCA.

Hope this helps, a little knowledge will help you prepare for large crowds and still have fun... (And don't forget to use Fastpass!)

[Horse-Maniac]

Thank you So much! Very helpful info

[Monorail Man]

I've made this thread a sticky, this is great information for people planning on going to the resort for the weekend and holiday.

[dland_lover]

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[Rex Dopey24]

oh what a nice space mountain picture. its quite lovely. lol.

[dland_lover]

I realized what I had posted actually did not apply. So, I deleted the comment. Whoops!

[techskip]

Wow... well done... I have only seen that highest level a few times, and I also remember the revisions that have been made to that "magic number", specifically the last few months of MSEP and the 1999-2000 New Year's Eve! Plan on things being busy, long lines etc. My recommendation is to stagger your eating habits, most people eat at the traditional 11-2 and 6-8 time frames... which slightly lessens the lines at attractions. So if you change your meal time you can get a somewhat shorter line and a less crowded dining facility. If there are shows or parades you want to see, same rule Darkbeer said, get there early.

[MasterGracey]

Fantastic information, Darkbeer. This thread should be around all the time - or at least during peak seasons (Easter Break, Summer, Memorial Day, and Winter/Christmas Holiday)

[The Disneylander]

Great info. Thanks! This will come in useful.

[doombuggy driver]

On the 25th, 26th and 27th of December all of the signs read-

"Disneyland Tickets Sold Out- DCA Tickets Available"

This sign was out at 11:30 a.m. so if you want to get into DL you should get there much earlier than that.

They were telling everyone to get a handstamp when we entered the park at 8 a.m. when the gates first opened.

[pattimelt]

1 small addition to DarkBeer's wonderful thread:

PLEASE, do not blame the CM's if you can't get into the park!!!!!!!!!

It is not MY fault if everyone and their brother all want to be at the park today, and therefore, you will either have to go to DCA or back home. I have NO control over who or how many get in the park, and I never will. If you'd like to complain, find someone that has a head piece and a radio, or who is wearing a tie. They get paid more to listen to you complain than I am, and even if they tell you THE EXACT SAME THING THAT I JUST TOLD YOU, you'll believe them because they are not in costume but regular clothes.

Believe me, if I could spread pixie dust over the park and magically make the park bigger just for this one day so that everyone that wanted to come to Disneyland for New Year's Eve could get in, I would. But I don't have access to the pixie dust storage unit.

[Darkbeer]

Originally Posted by pattimelt

One small addition to Darkbeer's wonderful thread:

PLEASE, do not blame the CM's if you can't get into the park!!!!!!!!!

I TOTALLY agree!!!! Rules are rules, and Disney takes these steps to try and prevent the fire marshall for saying "full". Of course, they want to get as many people as possible in the park without having to tell pre-purchase ParkHoppers and AP holders "sorry, you can't come in".

So PLEASE be nice to the Cast Members 24/7, they are only doing what they are told to do.

[Koutesu]

This is great info for someone who has never been to DL during a peak season. Being a summer warrior, you get used to it!

I love that we use the multiday tickets now. We used to do one at DL, one day at Knott's, etc. I love we don't have to cram in a day's worth of stuff. I think that's one thing that helps. If you don't get to see what you want the first day, day 2 makes up for it.

[jesjas03]

Thanks a lot, Great info!!!