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Mom And Daughter Outside Grand Floridian; costume; pool
  • On Oct 13, 2015
    Trisha from WY Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    I'm a DVC member planning to stay at the Grand Californian for my 40th birthday next May. I just read about the Grad Nites event. I haven't been able to find dates for 2016. I want to be there for my actual bday (16th). Any advice to help avoid crowds?

    Hi Trisha!

    Welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! Spending your 40th birthday at the Disneyland Resort sounds like a perfect way to celebrate. I too will be marking “the eleventh anniversary of my 29th birthday” next year, and my trip to the Walt Disney World Resort is in full planning mode! What better way to embrace our youth than by screaming our way through Space Mountain, right?

    While things are always subject to change, it appears that currently Grad Nights at the Disneyland Resort for May 2016 are scheduled on May 13, 14, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25 and 31. The good news is that May 16 is not listed as one of the party nights! Since May 16, 2016 is also a Monday, this would hopefully mean overall lower crowds at the Disneyland Resort than you might find on a weekend.

    If you’d like to avoid larger crowds, I would try to plan my park touring for non-party days. If you must be in the theme parks on a party day, focus your touring on Disney’s California Adventure Park. This is because while Grads have access to both parks during normal operating hours, the party itself takes place in Disney’s California Adventure Park, therefore during the day more grads may tend to gravitate to the Disneyland Park.  Also, since party attendees will tend to increase as the day goes on, I recommend early morning park touring, especially for popular attractions. If you were wanting to enjoy the park in the evening, I would focus the evening’s activities on enjoying a lovely celebratory dinner and either World of Color or Fantasmic!

    I hope this information helps you with your planning, Trisha. Wishing you, and all our fellow Bicentennial Babies a Happy 40th Birthday in 2016!

    - Kate
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Meet the Panelist: Kate, Indiana

"Welcome Home!" I'm Kate, a mom and nurse from Indiana. A lifelong Disney fan, Disney Vacation Club opened a world of vacation possibilities for our family. I’ve traveled with young children and those young at heart, planned romantic trips for two and made FastPass+ reservations for an entire marching band! Whether dining with Mickey, surfing in Hawaii, or relaxing around the pool we make the most of our Disney Vacation Club Membership. For this nurse, every day is better with a little dose of Disney! Learn More About Kate

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