Share your anecdotal experiences on the changes to crowd patterns.

J

JD2000

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I used crowd calendars in the past to only be disappointed. And keep reading comments such as "the best days are now when the most passholders are blacked out", "weekends are better than weekdays now", or "summer is the new off-season". But just how accurate is this in your own experiences? It is kind of hard to believe. Obviously this won't apply during the few months after Galaxy's Edge opens.
 
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baroquehoedown

baroquehoedown

Member
I've found the statements you've suggested to be accurate if slightly exaggerated . Summer is now my favorite time to go. It's not off season empty, but with all the attractions open and long hours, it's surprising how much you can get done. You go for the first 3-4 hours of the day, break from after lunch to about 5PM, then go back at night. If you can get around the crowds for any night entertainment, the rides have relatively short lines. I had an AP up until last year and Sundays when most of the passes were unblocked were always packed. Saturdays, which were blocked to the lower passes, were wonderful.

I think the exception is the true off season, like mid-week on a non-3-day-weekend in January, February, or late April/early May and very rainy days. But I was surprised to see that a light rain/mist doesn't stop visitors like it used to.
 
DLR>WDW

DLR>WDW

Well-Known Member
The SoCal Resident ticket deal, basically the entire first half of the year, creates unbearable crowd level on almost all days of the week.
 
D.Silentu

D.Silentu

Well-Known Member
My last visit was in December when I purchased a Park Hopper, sans Maxpass. This was the first trip that I felt to be truly crowded, as I was unable to ride everything I wanted. Namely, I did not get a chance to ride Space or Splash Mountain. I was able to see the Christmas parade and Fantasmic, so those did take a fair bit of time. However, it's the first trip I recall having to make compromises on what I was able to do.
 
phantazmick25

phantazmick25

Member
Lately, I'm noticing that even during the week, crowd levels are much higher than usual. I remember visiting on a Monday last month and seeing the Incredicoaster single rider line going all the way down to the Abominable Adorable Snow Man ice cream stand. I couldn't help but think to myself, "do these people not go to work/school?"

I do agree that summer seems to be the new off-season, especially when it's over 100 degrees outside. Then again, Star Wars Land will probably change all of that, at least for this year.
 
chadwpalm

chadwpalm

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
JD2000 said:
I used crowd calendars in the past to only be disappointed. And keep reading comments such as "the best days are now when the most passholders are blacked out", "weekends are better than weekdays now", or "summer is the new off-season". But just how accurate is this in your own experiences? It is kind of hard to believe. Obviously this won't apply during the few months after Galaxy's Edge opens.
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I find them all accurate. I've used TouringPlans for all my trips in the last 4 years and it's always been pretty spot on. I think the months of March-May, and Oct-Dec are much more busier than the summer.....especially the couple of weeks that bookend the blackout periods. While mornings are better during those times, all the APs tend to swarm in during the late afternoon after work and school. I prefer not to go from Jan-May because of refurbs, spring breakers, and grad nights.

I went for a one day trip to Disneyland park on Dec. 21st. TouringPlans said it wasn't going to be bad and all So. Cal and Deluxe passes were blocked. It was the only day in December those passes were blocked while simultaneously not being during the two weeks of Christmas/New Years when most schools are out. I made the right call as the park was a ghost town up until noon and the rest of the day never got above a 6 or 7 on the crowd index.

If I were to go this summer to see GE, I'd probably go in August during the last week of the AP blackouts. Hopefully, the vacationers will have died down a bit by then and have kids starting to go back to school. It will be hot, but I can deal with that.
 
R

rebelk73

Member
Saying Disneyland has low crowd days.....lol. It's crowded or VERY crowded. The worst is Halloween through New Years with jumps for Spring break, President's week (any time schools are out). Anyone who goes without MaxPass and some idea of what they want to do (you don't have to be crazy, but a reasonable bucket list with a loose sort of plan) will be disappointed . The only exception is severe rain. It is cold and wet with lots of ride closures so there's that. I went for 3.5 days on 7-9 days and it was great! We managed crowd expectations and did everything we wanted to. Don't go expecting to do both parks in 1 day and get a lot done. Don't expect low crowds.
 
SuddenStorm

SuddenStorm

Well-Known Member
phantazmick25 said:
Lately, I'm noticing that even during the week, crowd levels are much higher than usual. I remember visiting on a Monday last month and seeing the Incredicoaster single rider line going all the way down to the Abominable Adorable Snow Man ice cream stand. I couldn't help but think to myself, "do these people not go to work/school?"
Click to expand...

I mean, you were there too right? Do you not have work/school?
 

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