Originally Posted By Rachel2 Hi there! Have been to Disneyland a few times in the past and have had bad luck with crowds. Every time we seem to pick is busy and with smaller children this isn't much fun. Planning a trip for around April 23 for 10 days. Just wondering if anyone might know what we could expect for crowds! Thanks!!
Originally Posted By wendebird I use this website to see when the peak times are: <a href="http://www.scottware.com.au/theme/feature/crowds.htm" target="_blank">http://www.scottware.com.au/th eme/feature/crowds.htm</a> Another good way to see if it's going to be busy is to look at DL's web site. If the park is open 8 AM-12 AM, it's going to be busy. If the park isn't opening until 9 or 10 & closes at 9 or 10, they aren't expecting it to be busy. Now, having said that, this year, because it's the 50th, nothing has gone as previous years. We went mid-September & even during the weekdays it was busy. Not summer busy, but way busy for what we're used to. You're going after Spring Break & before Grad nights, which is good. I'm sure weekend will still be very busy though.
Originally Posted By forcemejure We're trying to decide between 4/11 - 4/15 or 4/18 - 4/22. Is there any way to find out what the spring break schedule is for the surrounding area? Our local (NorCal) community college is out the week of 4/10, but the CSU is out in March! We normally travel in mid-May when the crowds are lightest, but would really like to go in April if it won't be insane.
Originally Posted By wendebird I don't know the surrounding areas spring break, but there was a thread on LP about a month ago where everyone posted their dates. It's right here: <a href="http://mb.laughingplace.com/default.asp?WCI=MsgBoard&WCE=T-71651-P-1&Refresh=0225231027" target="_blank">http://mb.laughingplace.com/de fault.asp?WCI=MsgBoard&WCE=T-71651-P-1&Refresh=0225231027</a>
Originally Posted By forcemejure Thanks wendebird! I think I'm going to chicken out and reschedule our trip for May. My mother and grandmother will be going with us, and neither is in the best of health. Add my phobia to the mix (can't handle large crowds), and it sounds like a reciepe for disaster! (Yes, it really is a phobia, not just a preference. I left DL in a panic the one time I tried to go on a Saturday... didn't make it past Main Street!)
Originally Posted By dlkozy forcemejure, In May you start to have Jr Highs having their "Day at DL" and you will want to check and see what conventions will be going on too, if crowds are an issue. The nicer the weather starts to get, the bigger the crowds will be.
Originally Posted By DyGDisney Be sure to check the Anaheim Convention Center site to find out about large conventions, as that increases the size of crowds. Also, I agree that when Disneyland has shorter hours, they are expecting smaller crowds, so check their hours. The site wendebird posted neglected to even recognize the most crowded day I've ever experienced, Veteran's day, which this year they actually closed Disneyland entrance because it reached capacity.
Originally Posted By DyGDisney P.S., don't forget to utilize Fast Pass on the rides that have it if it's busy.
Originally Posted By forcemejure We love DL and go 2-3 times a year, but always during slow times. The first two weeks of December and the 2nd and 3rd weeks of May have always worked out best. We always travel mid-week, and head home on Saturday. The one Saturday we tried to visit, Main Street was worse than the park at closing time... it had so many people clogging the streets you couldn't walk! We're FP veterans, and always plan for 3-4 days in the park so we can meander around without rushing (unless we're trying to make it from the Light Parade back over for Fantasmic!. I can handle moderate crowds, its the "packed in like sardines" feeling that kills me.
