DL: June 13-15

[JESSiCA =]]

I'm going to Disneyland & DCA (from June 13th to 15th) for my sweet 16 birthday & I'm super excited about it. But when I checked the calendar at the Disneyland website, it says that the park will close at 9:00pm on Wednesday, the 13th, & Thursday, the 14th. Does anyone know why it closes so early, especially during the summer?

We only have three days there, & most of my friends who are going with me haven't been there since they were in 3rd grade. So I'm trying to show them / squeeze in as many attractions, shows, etc. as possible, while still being able to have a nice birthday dinner at the Blue Bayou. Any helpful tips on what we definitely should not miss or anything we can pass? I know Fantasmic will be under construction until the 15th (which is our last night there), but I'm debating whether or not we should see it because it IS time-consuming, especially with the crowds & trying to reserve seats two hours beforehand for eight teenage girls.

[ah92us]

Since Disneyland closes at 9PM on 6/21, I'm assuming that they're trying something out, or there's a special event after the park closes to the public. Also, at our school, school doesn't end until 6/14.

Since you guys are TEENAGERS, based on age group reviews, I would suggest that you probably skip most of the Fantasyland rides, except for the big-name ones. Also, try to get onto different E-ticket rides everyday, for excitement and variety. You should also attend at least the "featured" shows/ parades at Disneyland, probably towards the weekdays and the 2nd/ last showing of the show/parade.

Fantasmic! is a must, but since 6/15 is the opening day for the summer season, you might want to hurry up on the other rides, too, and just relax on the last day, since it is open until midnight.


Have fun, and have a great 16th birthday!

[caggie428]

We have gone in Mid-June in the past, and they often have Grad-nite functions on Wed and Thurs some weeks. This would be a possibility when trying to find out why it closes early.

[ah92us]

It probably is Grad Nite, since it's so close to the end of school. =)

[JESSiCA =]]

Hmm, I thought Grad Nite was considered "a private event" where they close down DL early but extended the hours for DCA? Maybe not then. Anyways, thanks for the help!

[WrongWay]

The short answer is, the Wednesday and Thursday will be about half as crowded as the Monday and Tuesday when the park is open later.

Go here and read post #4.
June Crowds


Be VERY, VERY glad you're going Wed and Thur instead of Mon and Tue. Besides, if you leave at 9PM Wed, you can still get to bed early and be back to the park at 8AM* the next morning. Staying until 11 or midnight makes it so hard to get up, shower, eat, then be at the gates half hour before opening.

* Yes, the park opens at 9AM, not 8AM. However, anyday the park opens after 8AM, they actually open Main Street an hour before "opening". They throw a rope across the end fo Main Street to hold you there to shop and eat breakfast.

If the park opens at 8AM, you're held at the gate. This slows the rush to the first ride (better be Space Mt. to grab a FP, then ride).

The rush to the first ride is MUCH worse on rope drop days since you don't have the slowness of taking tickets to hold back the rush.




In short, you have the perfect dates for your trip. Lighter crowds, and shorter hours that allow you to take maximum advantage of all of them.
--------------------------------------Double post added here.
Wait, I forgot early entry days... I have AP, not hoppers, so dont' know how the early entry works... Anyone, anyone. Is Thursday an early entry day?