Originally Posted By Concierge I was told by a park employee that the maximum capacity for DL is 75k and then the fire marshal closes down the park. We were there both days and both days they closed the park by 10 am. It was ridiculous. There were so many people and the wait times for a ride like Dumbo was no less than 115 minutes. We gave up on NEMO, SMALL WORLD and SPACE MOUNTAIN. Even with RIDEMAX, we waited 75 minutes for SPLASH MOUNTAIN. Most FASTPASS reservations started at 8 pm. If you are planning a Christmas trip to Disneyland, be warned it is the busiest day of the year next to New Years. Despite all of that, we love DL no matter what. And with some shuffle savvy, you can have a great time. MY TIP: IF YOU CAN AFFORD AN ECV, RENT AN ECV.
Originally Posted By Kathi K How does that work if you have a Premium AP? It is supposed to be 365 days. Will they let you in?
Originally Posted By imadisneygal The max capacity in-Park is less than 75K. The overall attendance for the day is likely to be around 75K, but the in-Park would be less than that. The city fire marshall does not make the decision to close the gates. That's made by the Park management, which does include Security and Fire but not the city fire marshall. More often than not it's the Operations management who makes the call. Yes, it gets ridiculously busy around this time of year. 75 minutes for Splash Mountain isn't all that out of line with the crowds at this time. Even if the gates close in the morning they generally reopen in the late afternoons. The exception to this would be New Year's Eve because Guests tend to stay all day and into the evening. There are also different levels of gate closure including (and I know I'll miss a few because it's been years since I went through this process) stopping passport sales, stopping new entries, and stopping all new and re-entries. Even on New Year's Eve the re-entry gates tend to be open for most of the day. They can and do close on occasion during this busy time. Stopping all entries including re-entry is a last resort and generally lasts for a limited amount of time. If the gates are closed to new entry, then no you will not be allowed to enter with any type of passport regardless of the type, Premium or otherwise. Restricting AP entries is not the first step of gate closure but it does happen on rare occasion. Once the Park opens back up for entry then you can enter the Park. Your best bet during the busiest time of the year is to come early and stay if you want to be guaranteed a spot inside the Parks. My tip: If you don't need an ECV, don't rent an ECV. They will be rented out by early morning on busy days and they shouldn't be used as a way to avoid lines. JMHO.
Originally Posted By WendyT Wow-I was in the park both days and had no idea that they closed the gates. It didn't seem that busy to me. We didn't try Fantasyland or Nemo because we knew they would be too busy. We did get Space Mountain fast passes first thing on arrival (9AM on Christmas) and they were for 12:15pm. I still have them because we never found our way back there We even rode It's a Small World right before they closed for the fireworks that were cancelled and we waited about 30 minutes. The kids walked on Big Thunder at about 10:00pm on Christmas with a 10 minute wait. I guess we were very lucky!
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Apparently they also closed the gates on Friday. While it didn't seem too crowded (other than trying to get into the park from Toontown during the parade which was a nightmare), there were some absolutely rediculous lines. Indy was posted at 140 minutes, with the line taking up the majority of the second floor of the Jungle Cruise building, while the JC line was only downstairs, lasting about 10 minutes. Big Thunder was about 15 minutes, and those were really the only big rides that we even attempted to get on before heading over to the much less crowded DCA, where the lines for Screamin' and TOT were about 30 minutes.
Originally Posted By dsnykid Perhaps this person does not realize, this being their first post and all, that ECVs do NOTHING to get you ahead in the queus. Why is this, you may ask? Because of all the Lazy snot nosed brats(I'm talking about the younger people my own age Mid 20 - mid 30) who choose to rent them thinking this, leaving people who actually do need them struggling for ways around the park. Disney has caught onto this, for the most part, and is much more diligent as to who they let in through the handicap entrances. Sorry, but after going with my father who uses an ecv in the park instead of his wheelchair, people who abuse the use of them as a means of line jumping p@$$ me right off.
Originally Posted By imadisneygal Westsider, I agree. My post was revised several times before posting it. Having worked at the Park in both Guest Relations and Main Entrance I, like you, have seen the Park at its busiest. And I worked in City Hall when we went through the first round of inventing (and reinventing) the SAP (total nightmare!). I found it difficult to post something civil. My first winter at the Park I was answering the Guest info phones and Guests would call and ask about the crowds at this time of year. After being told that it's very, very busy every day they'd ask if there were any days that were less busy. Then I'd tell them again that every day is very, very busy and to expect capacity crowds. Then they'd ask again if there were any days that were less busy. It reminds me of the title of a new Eagles song..."Frail Grasp on the Big Picture."
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 Our DD and her in laws were at DLR Wed-Fri. They were told on TH that the gates were closed a couple of times and said that TH and Fri were crazy crowded with Wed seeming to be not too bad. DD knows all the "tricks" from going to Disneyland while growing up and then with us as an adult. Through experience and lots of suggestions ahead of time from goofy Disney mom and dad (many learned from our LP family) they were able to do each attraction multiple times, even giving fastpasses away DD was deemed Princess Disney and her inlaws were thrilled with her insights They chose to go at such a busy time for emotional reasons. I "fed" my DD lots of "reminders" hoping that it would help with the crowds. They had a blast and no regrets about the timing. I just posted this because I realize how much LPers have helped me the past few years and now helped our extended family too Concierge, I'm positive that if you ever choose to go to DLR during a crazy busy time again and you ask for or read all the tips from the seasoned LPers (some are CM's like Westsider or former CM's like imadiseygal ) you'll find ways around the crowds and lines and have a less frustrating time
Originally Posted By piratesNsharks I was there on Christmas Eve. I arrived maybe around 9ish and yes there were crowds but I never had to wait more than 20 minutes for a ride. It was just a choice "Ok this ride is busy I'll fast pass it and go on this other one." Simple. And as for that whole handicapped thing...grow a conscience man! Have you seen those handicapped lineups? It like a war broke out and a million fakers lost.
Originally Posted By ShivaThDestroyer >>I think I will change my name to Max Capacity. I like the sound of that.<< jonvn, it does have a certain ring to it and, as tall as you are, it's certainly appropriate : )
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Originally Posted By x Pirate_Princess x I have 2 kids 3 and 6, and they have no problems waiting in lines if I plan ahead and bring in activities for them. Coloring books, Leapsters, my iPod. I am also sane enough to not bring my kids to Disneyland the week before, during or after Christmas. We love going at Christmas time, but we enjoy the parks 2-3 weeks before Christmas, when crowds are lighter. I have never even imagined getting a wheelchair or ECV or even a GAC for my own personal gain. If I were going with someone like my dad, who is ambulatory but had a knee issue, then MAYBE I would consider it. I was there and a lady was walking with a cane, and got on Roger Rabbit before us. The CM said "You know, ma'am, you can get a wheelchair and a special pass that will allow you less wait in line" and she said "Yes, I know. They were all gone this morning." She didn't seem to be suffering, and she was walking well, even with the cane. On our last trip, friends of ours gave us their wheel chair when they left, and I let my 6 year old, who had been up since 5 that morning, roll in it while we were walking through the parks. I never used it to enter the handicapped entrances, and never took advantage of it (using it to plow down people). I never would have rented one on my own, either for her. We would have left. Seeing people who are perfectly capable of walking, and seeing groups using it as their own secret fastpass (and I know they use it this way, because there will be one person in it before the ride, and another in it after the ride) really upsets me. And nothing at Disney upsets me, except guest behavior.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Ooops, I missed this one inbetween. Concierge, please be aware that there have been a number of people over the years that have bragged about renting wheelchairs/ECVs without needing one. It has soured some people around here. If you are still reading, I do hope you reconsider on that basis. If you decide not to return here but still receive this, I hope you do enjoy your love of Disney and are able to return at a much less crowded time. I wish you all the very best in the New Year
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 Again, the whole planning issue. Our DD's group had 2 3 year olds a 7 year old and a 12 year old and all was good.
Originally Posted By dlkozy >>>"She didn't seem to be suffering....<<< and you would know that how? I don't know many people who use a cane because it matches the outfit that they are wearing. We have switched from renting a wheelchair/EVC at the resort to renting one off-site because there have been many times that the resort has run out of them. So, just a heads up-if someone leaves you a wheelchair it would be really nice to return it because someone in need might be waiting for one.
Originally Posted By x Pirate_Princess x We received the wheelchair late in the day. And she didn't seem to be suffering because she was having a grand old time. For all I know, she was doped up on pain meds.
