Originally Posted By TP2000 Just spoke with some friends who took a gaggle of 9 year old girls to Disneyland yesterday, and they said the place was a total zoo and CM's were telling them they stopped selling tickets in the afternoon. Then I just read this warning note on the front page of Miceage.com this afternoon... >>"Editor's Note 11/23: With clearing skies and most AP's unblocked through Wed, the crowds at Disneyland have swelled to gate-closing madness. Disneyland ran short of parking and had to stop some ticket sales while begging people to go over to DCA all afternoon on Mon, and that process will continue Tue and Wed with miserable gridlock inside Disneyland. AP blockouts mercifully kick in on Thanksgiving Day through Sat, and the attendance is projected to drop by almost half for the weekend. Out-of-towners should do anything they can to avoid the park until Thur through Sat this week. Of course these AP crowds add fuel to TDA's burning desire for extra-cost Christmas parties next year. - Al Lutz"<< So it seems that the locals, particularly the AP's, keep making the case for extra-cost Christmas parties next year that Al Lutz says are a strong rumor. In the not so distant past it used to be the weekend AFTER Thanksgiving that caused the huge crowds, but now with cheap annual passes and liberal school holidays it's the exact opposite. The days BEFORE Thanksgiving are madness, and the weekend after is relative calm. How insane is that?!? And what do we think they'll charge for these extra-cost parties next Christmas?
Originally Posted By DlandDug Hmm. I was in DCA briefly this morning and did note that there were awfully long lines at the entrance to Disneyland. The re-creation of DCA with its increased capacity can't happen too soon at this point!
Originally Posted By TP2000 I'm avoiding the place entirely this week DlandDug. It seems at Christmastime, the old ways return and everyone favors Disneyland far more over DCA. I wonder how crowded World of Color has been this week?
Originally Posted By DlandDug I am planning to see WoC tonight. I will let you know. It was pretty crowded, but not at all a "madhouse" on Saturday evening.
Originally Posted By TP2000 Sure, as Saturday had big AP blockouts. I think all AP's are unblocked this week through Wednesday. Let us know what your perception is of the crowds tonight!
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Of course these AP crowds add fuel to TDA's burning desire for extra-cost Christmas parties next year." How so? The mobs are coming now because the black out dates are about to begin. Unless the parties mean no more blackouts I'm confused at how he thinks the private parties will have an effect on the pre-Thanksgiving holiday rush.
Originally Posted By onlyme For the past several years, the park has always been capacity/near-capacity off and on during the Thanksgiving week. So, just a little dab of Al-inspired drama to kick off the holidays.
Originally Posted By CuriouserConstance "It seems at Christmastime, the old ways return and everyone favors Disneyland far more over DCA. I wonder how crowded World of Color has been this week? " DCA needs more Christmas festivities and ride makeovers for the holidays.
Originally Posted By DlandDug Just got back from the Resort. As we drove into the parking structure we were given the "crowded day" flyer. Inside, Disneyland was pretty crowded. There were a lot of people leaving as it was starting to rain. DCA was also pretty well crowded. Despite the rain, it looked like a full audience for World of Color.
Originally Posted By Bob Paris 1 "So it seems that the locals, particularly the AP's, keep making the case for extra-cost Christmas parties next year that Al Lutz says are a strong rumor." Bring 'em on!!! I am praying to God that by the time I am there in 2012 these parties will exit! I want a NICE, relaxed DL and not the indulged AP zoo that Al says is happening these days!!!
Originally Posted By DlandDug I am praying that whether these parties happen or not, people will stop making such hyperbolic statements about APs.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan But Doug, APs are EVIL, you see. That's why Disney wants to start cutting back the amount of APs they sell. Just like last year. And the year before. And the year before that. <--- Sarcast-O-Meter on overdrive.
Originally Posted By disneylandfan8 >>I am praying that whether these parties happen or not, people will stop making such hyperbolic statements about APs.<< AMEN!!! I'm still disgusted with the thought that to handle the crowd situation, Disney is choosing to charge an extra amount to get in and see holiday festivities that from day one were free. Walt has got to be rolling in his grave - Disneyland is for everyone, not just the ones who can afford to pay more. Crowds have always been a factor and problem but why make people pay more money?? That's just my opinion and I'm sure I'll get slammed for it. The whole Halloween party/fireworks situation still has me deeply upset and now hearing that they may do the same for the Christmas holiday festivities has me seriously rethinking my love for Disneyland.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I was talking to a mother with a small child (a 4-year old girl) who was a guest at our house the other day, and she mentioned that she had taken her daughter to Disneyland for Halloween. She would not stop talking about how "fantastic" and "wonderful" the parties were and how much she appreciated not having to have to deal with crowds.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan I think everyone has dreamed of having the park all to themselves for one day. Since that would be rather pricey, a good compromise would be having attendance limited for a few hours.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Back in the late 70s and early 80s my dad was affiliated with a company that "bought out" the park once a year for an employee perk. I assume that still goes on (I think we had admission from 8pm to 1 or 2 am). Those were some of my best memories of Disneyland feeling that we had the park to "ourselves".
Originally Posted By mstaft Seems the days of a quiter Disneyland are gone for good- maybe DCA as well come 2012.
