Originally Posted By iluvdisneyland About five minutes into my shift today I was told my several fellow Cast Members that not only did Disneyland Park hit capacity yesterday, but so did Disney's California Adventure! I was told Disneyland closed its gates at 2:00PM and DCA closed its gates at 5:00PM. I don't know what the capacity of DCA is, and I'm sure most of that was probably overflow from Disneyland itself, but this is a big thing if it's true. Just thought ya'all would like to know.
Originally Posted By belle42 Wow, I thought it felt full, especially during Block Party, but capacity? How did Disney handle those that couldn't get into either park?
Originally Posted By Darkbeer Interesting, Lisa and I went thru the turnstyles into DCA around 4:30 PM with no problem, they had about 4 gates open, and the lines were only about 4 person deep. We left around 7 PM, and they were allowing folks into DCA. We went to the Christmas tree lighting, and it wasn't that crowded, and then to the Cove Bar, which also wasn't that busy. Screamin' had about a 45 minute Stand By line, and the FP's were for 2 hours later. The Paradise Pier area wasn't that crowded either. We went to Flik's Fun Fair (mainly to take photos), and Hemilich's was a 15 minute wait, and we walked right on Flik's Fun Flyers. My guess, they got over 20,000, but I have seen busier days during some of the ABC Primetime events. Maybe they have a reduced capacity due to the construction in the backlot area.
Originally Posted By iluvdisneyland Well... now that's discrediting if I ever knew it. This came from DCA Cast Members. I'm only passing on what they've told me because I thought it would be of interest to you. I can't confirm it and I can't deny it.
Originally Posted By Nemo88 yea as if Darkbeer will ever swallow his pride and admit DCA was busy lol
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt "I was told Disneyland closed its gates at 2:00PM and DCA closed its gates at 5:00PM." "We left around 7 PM, and they were allowing folks into DCA." What exactly does "closed gates" mean? Does it mean that they are no longer selling tickets to the park or that everyone, including looking to purchase tickets and ticket holders (single day, parkhoppers, and AP's) is prohibited from entering?
Originally Posted By Nobody I was there yesterday. My observation was that it was more busy than usual, but not nearly as crowded (and uncomfortable) as the AP Preview days.
Originally Posted By John_CM And as far as I know it wasn't the first time DCA has hit capaciy, if it did.. There have been times, like one of the Primetime Weekends, where we were all told we had hit it. And the last days of the 2fer this year were brutal too.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer Nemo, I reported what I saw, I said it looked like they had over 20,000, which is busy... (And I also said I had seen it busier (ABC Primetime event)... Go check out my photos from yesterday, and show me the "packed" park, I never had to slow down when I walked from place to place (unlike Disneyland, where it was stop and go most of the day). It was busy, but both myself and my girlfriend saw no signs of DCA being at capacity... And it looks like other folks agree with me....
Originally Posted By iluvdisneyland As I said, I'm only passing on information told to me by DCA Cast Members because I thought it would be of interest to you all. I didn't expect an immediate discreditation. Imagine! Somehow being a Cast Member means we know LESS about our day-to-day operations than your average Annual Passholder. I've bitten my tongue on issues like this before, but I think this will be the last time I pass on information like this. If it's not appreciated, there is no point of me going out of my way to inform you.
Originally Posted By wendebird David, I for one do appreciate it & I thank you so much for telling us.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney iluv, I'm not sure where you got the impression that people here weren't appreciative . Besides, its a message board, we accept NOTHING as fact unless we can see it, feel it, taste it, hear it or smell it ourselves . It's nice to know that DCA can fill out the park every once in awhile, just hopefully none of the days *I'm* there .
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: Well, my sisters and I certainly hope this isn't the last time you pass on information that you've got, iluvdisneyland, duckling. Your information is, indeed, most appreciated back in Morva. ORWEN: And so is Darkbeer's--along with his many pictures! ORDDU: As has been pointed out many times before, these message boards don't always convey the true feelings behind one's post. Words in print can come across entirely different from how they were intended. So please don't let this little misunderstanding come between the two of you. Both of you ducklings have contributed much needed and much appreciated information and pictures for all. We sincerely hope you'll both continue. ORGOCH: That's r-i-g-h-t!!!
Originally Posted By Mr X Well, if Anaheim is anything like Florida and Tokyo (and I assume it is), there are several levels of closure. For example, in Tokyo they start by closing the ticket booths, and then only allowing in people with "dated" tickets (no general admission tickets allowed), and at some point they won't admit certain AP holders (strangly, a 2 park AP is considered "lesser", and those people will be turned away before "full" one park passholders)...etc. I know there are similar procedures in Florida, including I believe only allowing Disney hotel guests in but not day guests. So, it's certainly possible that Dave is right, but they were still allowing in AP holders (like DarkBeer). Seems weird how different TDL is though, because they normally sell out very quickly in the morning (I've heard of BOTH parks being closed off before noon, and TDL has been closed practically from when the gates open!), but then re-open later in the afternoon after some guests leave. I've never heard of closing off at 2pm or 5pm or whatever. I guess guests in Anaheim tend to stay all day or something. Dave, thanks for the interesting info.
Originally Posted By Blacksheep Uncle iluvdisneyland... I for one, put much more credence in what you report here than what some others offer as anecdotal information or things coming from unnamed sources... you seem to call things as you see them, and don't "color" your posts to fit your preconceived notions... so don't stop OK
Originally Posted By Nobody iluv, I have no reason to doubt that you accurately repeated what another CM told you. You and Darkbeer both made some good statements. You stated that you didn't know what "capacity" really was, and Darkbeer wondered it that magic number was lower due to the Hollywood Pictures Backlot construction. This might help explain my perception that it seemed less crowded than during AP preview days. Perhaps with all of the closed eateries, they "capacity" number becomes much lower. I don't know. It still seems weird walking past the winery and seeing the entire west side tasting area empty. I as a guest can only be at one place at a time. My observations therefor are admittedly not scientific. Perhaps the really really big crowds were always on the other side of the park.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt "If it's not appreciated, there is no point of me going out of my way to inform you." No, I appreciate it. On the other hand it's interesting to compare with other's first hand experiences.
Originally Posted By bean Well even if parks hit capacity they do allow people to enter thruout the day depending of how many people exit the gates. so if you saw people going in at 7pm it ould have been that between 5pm and 7pm people exited the park. At this time a certain amount of people would be allowed in. DCA could actually hit capacity and not feel overwelmed because of its large walkways and because some of its attractions could cycle people quite fast. Also remember that BPB runs right after 5pm so it could be possible that the park hit capacity at five and then some people left after the parade. It is not the first or second time DCA reached capacity since its opening. (i am not including preview days) It has actually reached capacity several times during the holiday seasons. I agree that a good amount of people were re-directed to DCA because Disneyland hit its capacity but the park is doing what it was intended to do and take in Disneyland's overflow and keep people in the resort spending money.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt Take a look at these photos from Friday: <a href="http://www.disneygeek.com/updates/disneyland_update.php?page_id=4&update_dir=2005_11_11" target="_blank">http://www.disneygeek.com/upda tes/disneyland_update.php?page_id=4&update_dir=2005_11_11</a> These images don't tell us if the park was sold out or not but it does look very busy.
