[zoey9797]

I am in a dilemma....we are planning to go to DL sometime this spring. We had thought about it prior to knowing about the celebration. We DISLIKE crowds and have no desire to go during the celebration..... over 20 minutes in line for any ride is TOO long for us :O)
What are everyone's thoughts on the crowds during this time? And If we go PRIOR to the anniversary, will everything be closed/ covered ect...
We have never been to DL only WDW. So I don't know what typical crowds are in the first place!
Any thoughts appreciated!
Thanks!
~Zoey

[disneylandrocks]

Well, My family goes to DL once every spring. So far what we have learned is, you want to plan ahead. We always accidentally plan our trip on So. Cal. Spring Break! And you can imagine the crouds... So make sure you don't plan it for that week. But years when we go, not the CA spring break, it's usually pretty un-crouded. But since it's the 50th i'm really not to sure. I guess I'll figure out this April.

[zoey9797]

Thanks for the bit of info... Where can you find out when the break is?
~Zoey

[disneylandrocks]

NP

hmm... I'm not sure where you could find it sorry. Maybe ask someone on the boards who lives in SO. Cal?

[7nqb00]

We will be there on July 17, my gut feeling is we will not be able to get on many (if any) rides. We just lookinf very much forward to being there on the day!

[anaheimboy]

Originally Posted by zoey9797

I am in a dilemma....we are planning to go to DL sometime this spring. We had thought about it prior to knowing about the celebration. We DISLIKE crowds and have no desire to go during the celebration..... over 20 minutes in line for any ride is TOO long for us :O)
What are everyone's thoughts on the crowds during this time? And If we go PRIOR to the anniversary, will everything be closed/ covered ect...
We have never been to DL only WDW. So I don't know what typical crowds are in the first place!
Any thoughts appreciated!
Thanks!
~Zoey

First off, The crowds will really start to kick off in early to mid April (spring break then the 50th begins) There will be crowds most likely through the whole 18 month celebration. Second, if you plan on going in March or April of 05 most things will be completly finished and uncovered. So if you want to go prior to the anniversary but be able to see the resort all ready to go I would strongly suggest going in late march to mid april. And even if there are crowds its still awsome and its worth the wait in line. And just to let you know even in the off season for DLR and WDW alot of rides waits are over 20 mins, theres no real escaping that. The only rides that are like ever below that are some of the fantasyland rides and a few other rides. But its still fun.

[zoey9797]

Thanks.. that is what I needed to know... Sure is nice to have a resident on these boards! LOL! We were planning early March so should be sorta in the clear... I just want to be able to enjoy the details :O)

~Zoey

[anaheimboy]

cool, I think a a trip in March to DLR is a good time. Everything will be coming together and finishing up for the preperations for the 50th and crowrds shouldnt be bad. Hope to hear how it goes. :-)

[CiliaWilia]

Early March is a great time!! Either way, I have been an AP'er for 2 years and I have always found that the wait for the rides are ALWAYS less than what is posted. (Exception: Splash Mountian)

The celebration will be crowded. I tried to reserve a room for May 5th (first day of celebration) and DL Hotel & PP Hotel were both booked.

[anaheimboy]

Originally Posted by CiliaWilia

Early March is a great time!! Either way, I have been an AP'er for 2 years and I have always found that the wait for the rides are ALWAYS less than what is posted. (Exception: Splash Mountian)

The celebration will be crowded. I tried to reserve a room for May 5th (first day of celebration) and DL Hotel & PP Hotel were both booked.

yea, the hotels are all like taken up for May 5th. But keep trying, people do tend to un-book their rooms because of a change of plans and that sort. I remember once when going to WDW we wanted to stay at the Grand Floridian and the room we wanted was booked, but then my mom called back to see if any rooms had opened like the one we wanted and one did, someone canceled their reservation. My mom booked the room and we were SO happy. So keep trying back to the hotels to see if anyone cancelled, because you never know what can happen ;-). And if not then you'll just have to stay off site.....and there are alot of really nice hotels off property. If you need any good reconmendations for good hotels off property just tell me and I'd be glad to give you some hotel names.

[craziebabie1]

Some of the California spring breaks are in late March. You may want to check with the park for actual attendance during that time. Or you can grab the Birnbaum's official Disneyland guide. It usually tells you when the crowds pick up.

[zoey9797]

Great idea! I think I will grab a Birnbaum's.... Offsite at Dl doesn't look that bad... How far is the ACTUAL walk from the entrance area hotels to the park? Looks really close on the map.... They say "within walking distance" but... that is a very vague statement ;o) Everything looks closer at DL....
~Zoey

[craziebabie1]

Most of them are right across the street, No walking time at all.

[Disneywife]

Originally Posted by zoey9797

Great idea! I think I will grab a Birnbaum's.... Offsite at Dl doesn't look that bad... How far is the ACTUAL walk from the entrance area hotels to the park? Looks really close on the map.... They say "within walking distance" but... that is a very vague statement ;o) Everything looks closer at DL....
~Zoey

It depends on the hotel. The Grand Californian is IN CA Adventure, so you basically just have to exit the lobby and you're in the park. Disneyland's gate is just across from CA Adventure's gate - 2-3 minutes walk max.

Disneyland Hotel and a bit further, Paradise Pier Hotel, you'd have to walk through Downtown Disney (15 minutes I'd guess if you didn't stop and look at anything) OR board the monorail and enter Disneyland that way. (5 minutes maybe to the monorail station) You could also walk across the street to the Grand Californian, enter the lobby, and exit at the other end into CA Adventure. I don't think that would save you much time though.

[anaheimboy]

Originally Posted by Disneywife

It depends on the hotel. The Grand Californian is IN CA Adventure, so you basically just have to exit the lobby and you're in the park. Disneyland's gate is just across from CA Adventure's gate - 2-3 minutes walk max.

Disneyland Hotel and a bit further, Paradise Pier Hotel, you'd have to walk through Downtown Disney (15 minutes I'd guess if you didn't stop and look at anything) OR board the monorail and enter Disneyland that way. (5 minutes maybe to the monorail station) You could also walk across the street to the Grand Californian, enter the lobby, and exit at the other end into CA Adventure. I don't think that would save you much time though.

Good description. And as for off-site hotels. Most of them "within walking distance" are literally across the street. So all depending what side of the resort you enter its about 15 mins to get to one of the resort entrances (thats usually at the max). And most hotels within the area offer a free shuttle to the main entry plaza drop off area. So its not a long journey to one of the entrances of the resort. :-)