Trip Report Why so busy??

[passholder]

Ive been down around the Holidays going back to Christmas 2006, some before Christmas, some during and some after/New Years etc...but I cant remember it being this busy, ever. I mean there might be pockets of congestion here and there like you always see during non off-season, but it has been constant crazy crowded since we arrived on Saturday.

Im sure if Disney thought it was going to be this crazy, Deluxe tickets would of been blacked out, but that doesnt happen until the 24th through the 2nd which is a bit of a change from years past, so maybe that is it?

But it has been really busy:
On Sunday, by about 1:00-2:00 cant remember exactly, Space Mountain fast passes were done for the day. This morning, on Winnie the Pooh, which most times Ive ever come has been a walk right up to at least the grass area on the right at the longest, today actually had a section roped to do a maze type of line?

Pirates on Saturday the line wrapped and did a maze on the stairs outside of the Cafe Orleans right by the Disney Vacation Club stand. All of the biggies were consistently in the 50 minute to 75 minute wait times.

Any thoughts or theories on why its so busy now, this year, compared to recent years?

[cromag]

Re: Why so busy??

Remember how many annual passes are out there and the fact that you can still pay $40 to get in on a blackout day. Personally I'd rather have a root canal then visit the park when its that busy. AP's have ruined that park.

[passholder]

Re: Why so busy??

We are AP holders come down 3-5 times a year, but this is way busier than the last 3 holiday seasons.

By the way, when did they start doing Annual passes?

[salasavandy]

Re: Why so busy??

they payment plans has really reeled in a lot of people to take advantage which is why pretty much everyboy and they mama has a pass....literally

[DannyLand]

Re: Why so busy??

this years discounts were ap payment plans. and the b-day deal ($69 off your pass or $69 gift cards), $99 for 3days park hopper, and 2fter $69 2days.

[Mojave]

Re: Why so busy??

When in doubt, blame AP holders. When it rains...

[aashee]

Re: Why so busy??

Remember how many annual passes are out there and the fact that you can still pay $40 to get in on a blackout day. Personally I'd rather have a root canal then visit the park when its that busy. AP's have ruined that park.

I agree. Personally I'd rather you have a root canal.

[sediment]

Re: Why so busy??

Remember how many annual passes are out there and the fact that you can still pay $40 to get in on a blackout day. Personally I'd rather have a root canal then visit the park when its that busy. AP's have ruined that park.

When in doubt, blame AP holders. When it rains...

It is the Program, not the Holders.

I think a lot more Deluxe AP's were bought or upgraded to than posters here like to admit. But it's a natural thing to do when the SoCal blocked-out dates are lighter than the non-blocked out dates. Upgrade to less crowded days. Only a matter of time before lots of Deluxes get upgraded to Premiums.

[ChessurInWonderland]

Re: Why so busy??

Well, it's Christmas Break, and the Deluxes are also not blocked out until thursday, which seems a little odd, so lots of passholders and families on vacation are there.

[2ndStar2theRight]

Re: Why so busy??

Great... I guess I won't be making one last trip to DLR for Christmas. If the crowds are anything comparable or worse than Halloween time, then I'll be waiting until January for my next visit.

[aashee]

Re: Why so busy??

Great... I guess I won't be making one last trip to DLR for Christmas. If the crowds are anything comparable or worse than Halloween time, then I'll be waiting until January for my next visit.

I've been twice this holiday season and the day it was nice El nino was keeping the crowds away. It'll be busy for sure.

[AaronInCal]

Re: Why so busy??

It's just been crazy busy with so many APs. Even DCA hours were extended to 10pm this week, except Christmas Eve. Although the 6pm closing then may be extended. But hopefully that will be the one day they do not extend hours, no matter how busy it is.

[Disney Wrassler]

Re: Why so busy??

Probably cause a lot of people are now on vacation, visiting, etc.

[PerformerInWaiting]

Re: Why so busy??

It's Christmas vacation so alot of families will be going to celebrate!

[DLFreak71]

Re: Why so busy??

We are AP holders come down 3-5 times a year, but this is way busier than the last 3 holiday seasons.

By the way, when did they start doing Annual passes?

to answer your question
(according to good ol Wiki)

In 1982 Disney dropped the idea for individual ride tickets to a single admission price with unlimited access to all attractions, "except shooting galleries" .[27] While this idea was not original to Disney, its business advantages were obvious: in addition to guaranteeing that everyone paid a large sum even if they stayed for only a few hours and rode only a few rides, the park no longer had to print tickets or ticket books, staff ticket booths, or provide staff to collect tickets or monitor attractions for people sneaking on without tickets.
Later Disney introduced other entry options such as multi-day passes, Annual Passes which allow unlimited entry to the Park for an annual fee and Southern California residents' discounts.

Ticket price of Disneyland Park


One-Day, One-Park, Adult Admission Prices over time Year
1981* 1982 1984 1985 1986 1987 1990 1991 1993 1994 Jan 1999 Jan 2000 Price US$
$10.75 $12.00 $14.00 $17.95 $18.00 $21.50 $25.50 $27.50 $28.75 $31.00 $39.00 $41.00

Month & Year
Nov 2000 Mar 2002 Jan 2003 Mar 2004 Jan 2005 Jun 2005 Jan 2006 Sep 2006 Sep 2007 Aug 2008 Aug 2009 Jun 2010 Price US$
$43.00 $45.00 $47.00 $49.75 $53.00 $56.00 $59.00 $63.00 $66.00 $69.00 $72.00 $76.00
* previous to 1982 passport tickets were available to groups only.[28]




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disneyland_Park_%28Anaheim%29

[Mr. Potato Head]

Re: Why so busy??

It's just been crazy busy with so many APs. Even DCA hours were extended to 10pm this week, except Christmas Eve. Although the 6pm closing then may be extended. But hopefully that will be the one day they do not extend hours, no matter how busy it is.

I don't think they would. Doesn't Disneyland close at 8 that day? I wouldn't want any kids @ Disneyland past 8, the need to get home and let Santa deliver their presents!

[TheGlassSlipper]

Re: Why so busy??

Remember how many annual passes are out there and the fact that you can still pay $40 to get in on a blackout day. Personally I'd rather have a root canal then visit the park when its that busy. AP's have ruined that park.

Hey I'm an AP holder, I hope I havent ruined the park

[Mac Daddy]

Re: Why so busy??

My kids all have deluxe and we were going to go today with my sister and her family, but they balked at the $95 park hopper price. We then looked at Knotts online and got the Toys For Tots admission online for $15 each. HELLO!

But my kids and I willl be by tomorrow am to do some quick shopping. These are traditionally the two most crowded weeks of the year. Add whatever percentage of the 900,000 passholders that are deluxe or premium and you'll end up with some significant lines throughout the park. I keep wondering how many days out of these two weeks they'll hit capacity.

And is it just me, or is December 24th pretty late for a deluxe blockout date?

[CASurfer65]

Re: Why so busy??

Interesting. It used to be holders of the two cheapest Annual Passes that were picked on the most. It's now moved up to include chastising the Deluxe passholders too.

[Rex Dopey24]

Re: Why so busy??

economy is bad and people want to visit disneyland to escape reality and all the schools are out.