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View Full Version : DLR Crowd Estimates January - December - UPDATED AND STICKIED AUG 2012



NotaGeek
09-16-2007, 06:02 PM
Generally speaking Monday-Thursday is usually less crowded than the full weekend Friday-Sunday on any week throughout the year. There is NO way to predict crowds on any given day or weekend, so the following is a good guess-timation of crowds:

January-February

The beginning of the year starts with the massive removal of all the Holiday decorations adorning the DLR and odds are January will find Haunted Mansion and it's a small world closed for the removal of their Holiday overlays, probably beginning the second week of the month. Expect to find as many as six attractions undergoing refurbishment at any one time during January and February. Generally the first quarter of the year finds the parks remarkably less crowded than the rest of the year, and there is a strong chance of rain as Southern California moves into their wet season (known as winter everywhere else!). The one good thing about rain is that almost every ride in the Parks will have NO wait! Weekends still get crowded, but not near what you find during peak seasons, but if the weather is nice and sunny, Park Attendance will reflect the good fortune. While the first week of January may still maintain holiday hours, the next six weeks will find Disneyland opening from about 10am - 8pm M-Th, 9am - 10pm or 11pm F-Sun and DCA opening at 10am each morning while closing at 6pm M-Th and 8pm or 9pm F-Sun. The last two weeks of February usually have extended hours at both parks. Hours do vary, so be sure and check the INTERCOT Park Schedule or the Official Disneyland Resort Calendar for up to date hours.

March-May

One of the least predictable times of the year seems to be March, April and May. Spring Break crowds are hard to predict as so many schools schedule them at so many different times, some scheduling them around a semester calendar and others scheduling them around the floating Easter Sunday. With corporate America descending on southern California and the DLR for meetings, the parks tend to be busier during Thursday-Sunday but Monday-Wednesday can still the best friend to the dedicated Disney Lover. Easter Weekend and Mother's Day weekend are normally very busy. As an added incentive to visit the Resort, the Disney's California Food and Wine weekends run from April-May. Disney's Electrical Parade returns to DCA on the weekends during the Spring. Attraction closures remain high as the parks prepare for the approaching busier months. March & April will have hours running approximately 9am-9pm or 10pm on weekdays, 8am-11pm or 12am on weekends at Disneyland. DCA will normally open 1-2 hours later and close 2-3 hours earlier than Disneyland. The two weeks surrounding Easter generally are scheduled with weekend hours every day at both parks. May's Park Hours will be shorter, with Disneyland closing as early as 8pm during the week and weekends having the normal 11pm-Midnight closing time and DCA having the same later opening & earlier closing. Remember, there's a good chance that either park will close abnormally early due to corporate functions. Hours do vary, so be sure and check the INTERCOT Park Schedule or the Official Disneyland Resort Calendar for up to date hours.

June

With the end of Spring and beginning of the beautiful Summer that makes SoCal one of the top 5 destinations in North America, the Disneyland Resort really heats up, and the Park Hours open to accommodate the droves of guests that flock to find their Laughing Place. High season officially kicks off on Memorial Day weekend, and with groups of kids making their way to DLR for their end of the year Class Trips, Grad Nights, Conventions, etc the DLR will start to feel the summer crowds from early in the month. By the end of June the park will be super busy on weekends and even mid-weeks will start to feel more crowded, but as always Monday-Thursday should be less busy. Refurbishments may still be underway on quite a few attractions at the beginning of the month, but will probably dwindle down to one or two by mid June. The good news is Disneyland will close at 11pm or Midnight every day, except for Grad Nights, and Fireworks light up the sky every night. DCA will close anywhere from 7pm-9pm. Hours can still vary, so be sure and check the INTERCOT Park Schedule or the Official Disneyland Resort Calendar for up to date hours.

NotaGeek
09-16-2007, 06:04 PM
July-August

Here comes SUMMER! With the full on explosion of summer vacation, the kids are out of school and it's time to go to Disneyland! There will be crowds, there will be parades, fireworks, the full summer heat and LOTS of tourists from all over the world. Pack your patience and all your dreams because high season runs all the way through Labor Day weekend! There will probably be no refurbishments during these months unless there is a major attraction redevelopment underway. "Remember . . . Dreams Come True" Fireworks light up the sky every night at 9:25pm and DCA offers Disney's Electrical Parade nightly at 8:45pm as an option to the big crowds at Disneyland's fireworks. Remember that the parade starts late for a reason. There is hardly time to make it across the Esplanade and into Disneyland for the fireworks, so plan accordingly so you won't miss out and you won't hurt yourself or anyone else trying to run to the other Park. For 16 hours of non-stop fun, Disneyland maintains it's summer hours and closes at Midnight every day during the week. DCA will close at 9pm. Even though summer hours are pretty set in stone, they can still vary, so be sure and check the INTERCOT Park Schedule or the Official Disneyland Resort Calendar for up to date hours.

September

After Labor Day weekend, the Parks are better known as "Refurbland" so plan on lots of attractions being closed for their yearly face-lifts and in depth services after the long summer of ride after ride. Haunted Mansion closes early-mid September to begin the transformation to Haunted Mansion Holiday, and normally reopens around the last week of the month. Park hours are cut back as crowds slow down and the hard working Cast Members can finally take some vacation time and relax after a long summer of Dream Making. Entertainment and parades are at a minimum. The same rule of thumb Monday-Thursday are slower and weekends pick up considerable apply. Disneyland closes at 8pm Monday-Thursday and 11pm on Friday-Sunday and DCA will close at 6pm Monday-Thursday and 9pm on the weekends. Sundays can be a little different as both parks normally close 1 hour earlier than normal during the month of September. Check the INTERCOT Park Schedule or the Official Disneyland Resort Calendar for up to date hours.

October

Enjoy the season as DLR decorates the parks and characters in autumn and Halloween finery. Woody's Halloween Round-up and Golden Screams are just two of the seasonal attractions to enjoy. Thursdays and Fridays (with a few extra days right around the 31st) usually offer "Mickey's Halloween Treat" at DCA, a separate ticket nighttime event. The end of October finds it's a small world closing for its grand Holiday overlay. Typically, there's a good chance that one of the major rides will be undergoing or completing a refurb, but by the end of the month most all the rides will be up and running and it's full steam ahead for the beginning of the Holiday Season. There is one spefic weekend to keep in mind if you are visiting the DLR during October. Gay Days, which is one of the biggest NON-Disney endorsed weekends, falls on the first Friday-Sunday of the month, and the crowds will be out in force. There will also be an increase in attendance as Haunted Mansion Holiday revelers enjoy the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay. During October Disneyland will keep its shorter hours and Monday-Thursday stay a little slower while weekends pick up considerable. Disneyland closes at 8pm Monday-Thursday and 11pm on Friday-Sunday and DCA will close at 6pm weekdays and 9pm on the weekends. Remember, "Mickey's Halloween Treat" at DCA will be a private party with a separate ticket required for entry, and this means DCA may close early depending on the party night.

November

The Holiday Season officially kicks off (normally) the 2nd weekend in November with the taping of the Christmas Day Parade for NBC. The park will be packed with fans showing up to celebrate Christmas Day in November, and a chance to be seen on camera and to catch a peek at the celebrities during their cameos or performances in the Holiday Parade. For the best weekend in November, try the 1st weekend as the crowds are usually very low all week, but after that it's no-holds-barred celebrating. Thanksgiving weekend tends to be busy, and the Disneyland Hotel will host a Thanksgiving Feast in the Grand Ballroom as well as most of the fine dining locations offering up their normal grub and assorted Thanksgiving yummies. The beautiful Holiday version of it's a small world will open it's doors about 10 days in to the month and refurbishment of other attractions will probably be minimal. Park hours vary during the month depending on projected attendance and parties, but tend to remain close to the previous month's trends with Disneyland closing at 8pm Monday-Thursday and 11pm on Friday-Sunday and DCA closing at 6pm weekends and 9pm on the weekends. By the end of the month crowds will be heavier and therefore park hours should be longer, so be sure and check the INTERCOT Disneyland Hours or the Official Disneyland calendar for updated hours.

December

The beginning of December is one of the MOST magical times to visit the DLR. The crowds really cut back as school is still in session, there aren't a lot of vacations going on since Thanksgiving just ended and the park is in its full decorated glory. Historically the first weekend of December hosts the Candlelight Processional and park attendance will skyrocket for those few days. After the 2nd weekend in December the park hours open back up to accommodate the December busy season, the crowds pack their warmer clothes and hit DLR in force. The Holidays show DLR in one of its most magical times. Snow on Main Street, fireworks, "A Christmas Fantasy" Parade, hot chocolate and some beautiful decorations all in the style of their specific Lands (except for Tomorrowland, there is still no Holiday season in the Future!). Most, if not all attractions, should be up and running! Christmas Day will have a grand feast in the Disneyland Hotel Ballroom, and lots of amazing food in the sit-down restaurants at the Resort, and crowds from around the world will be heading to Disneyland to find some Holiday Cheer! December Park hours vary greatly with parks closing as early as 6pm or as late as midnight, so be sure and check the INTERCOT Disneyland Hours or the Official Disneyland calendar for updated hours. To end the year, on New Years Eve you can party at Disneyland until 2am or at DCA until 1am!!