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View Full Version : DLR Neophyte - Looking to collect all the info possible



k10
01-12-2015, 09:55 AM
Hi DLR Intercoters! I've never had the pleasure of reaching out to DLR experts. I'm usually just chatting about WDW and playing Hangman in the games section.

Me and a group of WDW fanatics are looking to take what is essentially all of our 1st trips to DL in Fall of 2015. We know where we'll stay and we know about the rides we'll like.

...But we're sort of unsure about the crowds vs time of year. We all seem to be getting somewhat different results.

Anyone have specific experience that they can share for lines/wait times/crowds for End of September through Early October? And specificlly weekday vs. weekend?

Thank you so much!!! :mickey::mickey::mickey:

(Also, huge fan of being told to "avoid this, steer clear of that" type of info, as well.)

NewDVCowner
01-12-2015, 12:07 PM
Because of annual passes for residents weekends are usually much busier than weekdays, in my experience at least. That time of year Haunted Mansion will have the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay and Space Mountain will have its Ghost Galaxy them going.

DO NOT purchase any sort of dining plan. It's not the same as WDW. Basically at Disneyland it's vouchers - for the same amount that you paid. If you don't use all the money on the voucher you don't get the difference back, and if your meal costs more then you'll need to pay the difference. The counter service restaurants at DL are better than at WDW and there are plenty of options. I find that the Chinese restaurant on the Pacific Wharf at DCA is not so great.

Have fun!

k10
01-12-2015, 03:19 PM
No dining plans - check!:thumbsup: Sounds terrible.

I wonder...if you (or anyone reading) have gone to DL on a weekend recently, what would you say would be the jump in wait times? Is it absurdly higher than weekdays or managable? If I got to either park at opening, or during any magic hours, would I fare better w/ wait times and crowds?

Thank you!!!

BrerGnat
01-13-2015, 08:36 AM
Crowds at DLR as a rule are pretty light M-Th in September after school has begun. However, this year will kick off the 60th Anniversary Celebration in May. You can expect a jump in crowds overall, all year long. That happened during the 50th.

Generally, extra magic hours are actually very crowded and I would avoid them. Get to the other park prior to opening and you will do well.

Park hop. Several times per day if necessary. It is so easy to cross over to the other park and you can concurrently hold FP in both parks, as the systems are not connected. So, make the most of your time by hopping around as crowds necessitate.

In September there will be some Halloween Party nights. DL will close at 7pm on those nights. Plan accordingly. Also, fireworks and fantasmic will only show Fri-Sun. No fireworks during the week per residential ordinances.

Weekends will be packed. Sunday mornings are generally the least crowded time on the weekend. Wait times can easily double or triple on weekends compared to weekdays.

The first weekend in October is Gay Days at Disneyland. Crowds will increase significantly for this unofficial gathering. I might recommend avoiding being there over that particular weekend if you are trying to avoid large crowds.

k10
01-13-2015, 01:30 PM
Thank you

NewDVCowner
01-13-2015, 02:06 PM
Oh, I just thought of another random DL thing. I'm not sure if this has changed or not, but it was an issue for us a few years ago.

Call you bank and let them know you're going to be there. For one reason or another every credit/debit card transaction comes through as 'Disneyland' (rather than the particular shop or restaurant) and some banks will freeze your card and put a fraud alert on it if three transactions come in from the same place on the same day. My sister had her card frozen one weekend we were down there because of that. Another option is to purchase a Disney gift card at the beginning and just use that - that's what she does now because she just doesn't want to worry about it.

k10
01-14-2015, 12:49 PM
Oh wow, thank you so much for the info on that. :thumbsup: