How Do You Survive Crowds at Disneyland

[hizgurl88]

Here is the link... http://www.ridemax.com/ I am suprised that someone went through all of this trouble of analyzing the wait times to come up with this program, its kinda scarry! Talk about hardcore!!

[sarahonpointe94]

I get fastpasses for all my fave rides and then do the other rides that have shorter lines. Or I dont go during the busy seasons. =D

[tomserwin]

You survive by being laid back and doing what makes you happy, not waht makes your adrenaline rush. Don't feel like you need to hit the big, more intense rides. Some of the most fun I ever had at Disneyland consisted of mostly Main Street, Fantasyland, The Sailing Ship Colombia, Dole Whips, Mint Julips, and taking pictures. Standing in line for Nemo for 75 minutes, TSM for 60 minutes, and Soarin' Over California for 50 minutes isn't the way to go. Don't be afraid to do everything that everyone else isn't doing. Oh, and Fastpass like craazy!

[lovesdisney]

Also, if you don't know -- the stores in Main Street are all interconnected. So when there's the HUGE rush of people leaving the park (i.e. after the fireworks), I usually cut through there. There are still people in there, obviously, and things you might run into if you're not paying attention right, but it's still better than trying to get through people outside.

Hmm. How else do I survive crowds? I go with good friends that can keep me entertained, no matter what. I try and be friendly to the people around me when I'm waiting for something... I also try to be patient. That's really the best thing to do, just because it makes it a little bit easier to deal.

[Disney Babe]

Stores in Adventureland are interconnected too, which helps after/before Fantasmic.

[Wisher]

Originally Posted by Disney Babe

RideMax is a computerized program that assists you in planning your day at DL.

I like your love train comment. It made me giggle. Do you sing the song too?

Oh, right-o.

Yes, I do indeed sing the song! It may seem weird to the folks around me, but I sing a lot at Disneyland.

[Ezra]

People tend to follow the crowd — don't. If you enter the park and it looks like most people are going to Tomorrowland (most likely for Space Mountain) go the other way and hit Adventureland, New Orleans Square and Frontierland. If most people are going toward Adventureland (most likely for Indiana Jones Adventure) then hit Tomorrowland or Fantasyland. If you're in a crowded walkway and everyone is moving in one direction — swim upstream! The attractions they just left won't have very long wait times.

Also, pay attention to the stand-by times on signs. On crowded days the number tends to be higher than the actual wait time. I've entered when signs said 20 or 25 or even 30 minutes and waited only 10 or 15 minutes. I think they try to post stand-by times long so that they can easily exceed guest expectations. If they cut it too close, they risk dissapointing the guests.

If you see a high stand-by time on a sign, shave 10 or 15 minutes off of it, and if it's still a high number do something else. Go away and come back later. Sometimes you can catch another attraction and then come right back and find a shorter wait time because the crowd moved on. If not, check again later.

Don't be anxious about "missing" an attraction. Even with a new, popular attraction, you can always catch it at the end of the night. As long as you're in the queue before closing time, you've made it. You might be exiting the attraction at 1am, but during the day you've seen so much more by doing something else instead of waiting in that line.

Be flexible.


Also, eat at odd times. If you're at the restaurant between breakfast and lunch (say, 10:30am), or between lunch and dinner (say, 2pm), you'll have speedy service and less waiting. This goes along with doing the opposite.

[Sunfire]

Yes! I agree with Ezra, when talking about new attractions. When I visited Disneyland, the whole time the Nemo Subs had a 60 minute wait or longer. I was sad that I couldn't go on it. However, at about 11:15 at night, I ventured into Tomorrowland to see if the line was short for Space Mountain (it wasn't: 45 minutes). So I was walking around, and noticed the Nemo line was much shorter: only about 30 minutes, which is a lot shorter than the uber long lines in the daytime. I was happy that I got to experience the attraction with a shorter wait.

My biggest tip is this: if you can, get there at opening. Almost all the rides will have very short wait times. I went at opening, and got on Space, BLAB, Star Tours, Matterhorn, and Splash Mountain, all with less than 15 minute waits. It was great!

[Ezra]

Originally Posted by #1DisneyFreak

.... spend time sitting and watching people, mocking their choice of footwear.

Aw! Don't make fun of my shoes. I don't wear them because of how they look, believe me! After over fourty years of stepping on my feet, they're starting to complain, a lot! I wear whatever shoes won't be hurting my poor tired dogs by the end of the day.

[Disneyland_Tink]

I think everyone has offered great suggestions and advice for this topic so far, so I guess I will just add my thoughts too. I think how you decide with dealing with crowds depends on a few factors. Particularly the factor of whether you are an annual passholder who visits frequently, an AP but you don't go often, or someone who lives in another state/country who gets to go once a year or even less. I fall into that last category as my mom and I usually travel to DL once a year around Christmas time. Yes, it is busy, but I guess you have to go when you can get time off.

Personally, we like to take our time at DL especially when it's busy so we usually get a 4 or 5 day park hopper and plan our vacation for about a week to 10 days. It makes it possible to see most everything that we both want to and allows for unplanned circumstances (like last year when both of us caught a bad cold and had to stay at the hotel for a day resting). I like to see and go on most everything at DL and DCA. Speaking of that, if you do like DCA, when it gets busy and congested at DL it is nice to go over there because it is less crowded. Although some people aren't big fans of it, I like it and the lines and crowds for things make it easy to enjoy. There are some rides and attractions that are very suited for crowded days and can hold a lot of people. I would definately recommend the 3D shows, which are Honey I shrunk the audience (DL), It's tough to be a bug (DCA), and MuppetVision 3D (DCA). I would also recommend the Aladdin stage show (when it's open since it will be closing for a bit). Shows in general are usually a good bet. If you want to go on popular attractions I would suggest going early in the day or later at night and of course utilizing FP when it's available. The Tiki Room, DLR, and the rides that last a long time/can handle a large amount of people like POTC are always a good bet.

I think the other thing is making sure you are aware of what the other people in your group want to do and minimizing conflict. DLR is not nearly as fun when you are fighting with someone and kind of defeats the whole purpose of going. Make a few things a top priority for your self to see on the day(s) you go and also make sure you know what things are most important for your group members. You may wind up having to wait in a long line or go on something that is too slow for your taste, but usually I find you will wind up enjoying it more than you thought and also that the person who chose it is a lot more understanding when you want to go wait in a long line for your favorite attraction. You could also go look at shops or just buy souveniers in the park stores or downtown disney. Honestly, I find the best and most well-rounded trips to DL are one's that include time spent anywhere in the DLR from listening to a band on mainstreet to the most popular E-ticket attraction. It's the variety that makes it fun. It's nice to be able to interact with other visitors, enjoy a nice meal, enjoy seeing the characters, watch a show, AND enjoy different types of rides rather than just trying to get on the most popular rides the whole time. Take a break when you need a break,eat when you need to eat...guaranteed it will make the time a lot more enjoyable! There are usually options for you to take a break and still see something (like watching a show while you have a snack or meal or taking the DL Railroad) or to get outside the DL park to one of the less crowded areas like Downtown Disney, the DLR hotels, and DCA. Also, wear very comfortable preferably athletic shoes since there is so much walking. Very important.

[elizabethsparrow]

Originally Posted by BCC

Independence Day 2008...OH MAN WAS IT CROWDED.

Tell me about it! I was afraid to even go on the rides because it was a nightmare.

[DCA Fan]

Let's see, my list:

1. Walk through the stores to go up Main Street
2. Get fastpasses early in the day, space out the rides
3. Ride less popular attractions
4. Ride popular rides during shows, parades
5. If all else fails, find food to snack on and enjoy the atmosphere

[JessicaMarie]

My sister and I always have a "plan" when leaving the park or getting thru the crowds. We seperate and pick a place to meet. It's much easier and quicker to get thru the crowd when you're on your own.
Since I've been there many times I know when the parades and shows start and know which rides to get on. Being a "veteran" helps.

[Ezra]

Also always be specific about where you're going next and treat every destination as a meet-up spot. Then if you get separated, you can just keep going and wait at the destination until everyone arrives. It's much less stress then trying to stay together in a thick crowd. It's expecially useful when there are parades, fireworks, or Fantasmic! involved.