When we had lunch at the CC in Feb. the waiter (who said he has worked for DL for 30 years) said in December it was crazy. He said they closed for capacity 16 days of for the month of December. I have no idea if that is true but that is what he told my family.................

Well I know within a few days of Christmas it gets crazy and pretty much stays that way through the first week of January, because most kids have that time off for winter break. Hopefully the first week or two will be quiet though, since the vast majority of kids are still in school then (yes, I have no qualms about taking my kids out of school to avoid massive crowds at Disneyland, lol! :p ).

Thanks! :D By the way, what hours does the park run during that time?

The great part about that time is the parade and fireworks run 7 days a week. During the weekend DL usually closes at 10 and during the week 8pm, I believe. Fireworks are at 7:45 during the week so the park closes right after the show. The parade is at 6:30 from what I can remember. Open times are probably 10am during the week and 9 on weekends.

Thanks. Those hours aren't bad. We were there in early February with pretty much the same hours (but most of the shows and parades were only on the weekends), and it was a good length of time. We were dog tired by the end of the day, so it was definitely plenty of time to do lots of stuff.

If we want to go while the Christmas decorations are up and the Haunted Mansion and IASW are "Christmasized", when is the best time to go and get the least amount of crowds?

I'd say anytime after Thanksgiving weekend until the week that kids get out for Christmas vacation. Like others, I won't get into the Candlelight Processional issue...that is another thread in itself. My experience is that if you'll be able to hit some weekdays any of those weeks will be great. What a fun time to be there...personally I think we'll hit the week after Thanksgiving this year which is just before our AP's expire.

Thanks! Now we just have to start saving. :eek:

We have APs ... we have spread the renewal dates over the year so that it isn't a hard hit when we renew them. !

This sounds like a great idea! Strange my disney crazed brain never thought of that! Thanks! :D

Thanks! Now we just have to start saving. :eek:

And planning, and dreaming...isn't that part of the fun! I hope you make it there. It is a wonderful time to go!

Are the parks usually crowded on Mother's Day? We're thinking about going next weekend and trying to decide between going on Mother's Day or waiting and going the day after...

From what other people have said, Mother's Day is always busy. For one, it's a weekend. For another, it's a holiday, and a lot of people take their mothers to Disneyland to celebrate. I don't know if it's Spring Break-type crowds or not, but it will be busy.

Thanks. Those hours aren't bad. We were there in early February with pretty much the same hours (but most of the shows and parades were only on the weekends), and it was a good length of time. We were dog tired by the end of the day, so it was definitely plenty of time to do lots of stuff.
Remember in your planning, usually the Monday and Tuesday following the CP is when the cast member Christmas parties are, and DL closes at 6pm.

Thanks for the tip! I would never have thought of that. When is the CP exactly?

Are the parks usually crowded on Mother's Day? We're thinking about going next weekend and trying to decide between going on Mother's Day or waiting and going the day after...Definitely go on the day after. On the Monday the park crowds should be very light. I'm going on Monday/Tuesday so maybe I'll see you there!

Thanks for the tip! I would never have thought of that. When is the CP exactly?

Isn't it the first weekend in December?

I don't know, I've never been during that time. Honestly, I'd never even heard of the Candlelight Processional until coming to these boards a few months ago!

How should the crowds be May 28th - June 2nd

How should the crowds be May 28th - June 2nd

memorial day weekend, very busy

Does anyone know of a site that keeps info/stats on attendance on a day to day basis? Not just the average trends like some have but something more reflective of what actual attendance has been in the last few years? I am sure it would be a lot of work to maintain but it would sure be great info to have! Perhaps it is something the Ridemax folks should think about - aren't they in the park taking stats on a regular basis?

Darkbeer, are you out there... or any other experts. I would appreciate some advice. I am planning a family reunion for next year. The dates we are able to go are the week after Easter (which is March 23) or the 2nd week in June. Which would be less crowded?

Thank you!

Darkbeer, are you out there... or any other experts. I would appreciate some advice. I am planning a family reunion for next year. The dates we are able to go are the week after Easter (which is March 23) or the 2nd week in June. Which would be less crowded?

Thank you!

The week after Easter can be very busy with spring break crowds. Easter is really early so spring break could be moved later (my school is trying this out). The second week of June could also bring lots of out of state people because summer break starts around that time as well. The parks may be closing earlier during June for grad night.

Thanks for the information bassett1976. It sounds like the crowds are about the same, depending on how schools handle Easter in March (our Spring Break is still around Easter). Do the parks have extended hours the weekdays after Easter?

By the way, you are an amazing photographer. I love your photos.

Thanks again for your help!

Anyone have guesses on the crowds for this sunday, being the day after the premiere and all?

Are the parks usually crowded on Mother's Day? We're thinking about going next weekend and trying to decide between going on Mother's Day or waiting and going the day after...

We went on the Monday after Mother's Day and the crowds were light. We had very little wait time for anything. By late morning we had 2 fastpasses each for Space Mountain and a set of BTMR. We kept them for much later in the day when the lines finally warranted using them. I'll definitely keep that week in mind for future years. Actually several CMS and a few guests commented on the crowds being light on Sunday also though I wasn't there to see it myself. I'm sure things picked up after we left on Wednesday with the Pirates coming to town!

I'm guessing today wouldn't be a good day to go to Disneyland, but what about DCA?

We went on the Monday after Mother's Day and the crowds were light. We had very little wait time for anything. By late morning we had 2 fastpasses each for Space Mountain and a set of BTMR. We kept them for much later in the day when the lines finally warranted using them. I'll definitely keep that week in mind for future years. Actually several CMS and a few guests commented on the crowds being light on Sunday also though I wasn't there to see it myself. I'm sure things picked up after we left on Wednesday with the Pirates coming to town!

I was there late sunday and monday. I thought it was a bit busy. Probably seemed more busy becasue half of the rivers of America were blocked off with the bleachers so it seemed more crowded. Sunday night it was totally dead after the parade. NO LINES