First, to Motorboat Cruiser, you might think about reserving a hotel room. There si usually no deposit needed at most Hotel Web Sites, if you book directly. If you don't need, or can't afford it, you can always cancel the reservation. Usually that is 2 days or so in advance....

That is what I did for my room, I am not sure how many nights I will need, and on which side of the 17th. So I booked a few days before and a few days after, and will adjust my reservation when I know more.

And to reply to iSm... How many more AP holders are there compared to 5 years ago?... They have really marketed the heck out of the AP program. The one thing I will point out, Disney is worried about the date, since they blocked out the 17th to Deluxe AP holders, a day normally available to those AP holders. (But still, just $30 lets those folks inside the door).

And how many times this last December did the park reach capacity, if I remember correctly, 3 times, and could have had been more except for bad weather. And all that was involved there was the fact that many folks had the day off of work/school, and they had a special parade and fireworks show that has been offered for 2 months. No special event, it wasn't New Years Eve, even though most expected it, due to the weather.

Want to join in on the Cove bar bet? :)

Y'know, I'm not sweating the whole crowd/closure thing too much. Events like this are so different than a "typical" day at the parks, that it just pays to go with the flow.

I remember when we spent Millennium New Year at EPCOT, the parks were closed to everyone but Resort guests by 8 a.m. We had to show both our tickets and room keys just to get on the monorail. Granted, by the afternoon, they were letting people into the parks as other folks left, but we stayed put anyway.

We made the best of it and had a blast. Here's a swanky glamour shot from the locker room:

Thanks for the tip, Darkbeer!

'Tis a rare person who can make a locker room look Swanky- kudos!:snap:

Yes, they marketed the hell out of the AP program, which means they were mostly targeting non *geeks*. Most *geeks* have APs. Non *geeks* are going to come to DL on 7/17 because they want to go to DL, not because it's DLs bday. And how many *non geeks* will find out it's DLs bday, have the discussion that it's going to be way to crowded to go to DL and stay away.

Curious to know if they lowered the capacity since so many rides/restaurants and shops have been closed.

I'm still not worried about it reaching capacity or closing.

MBC, if you get to the strucutre before opening (considering the meet will probably aim for a time before rope drop or right there about) you should have no problem parking. Remember, there is the M&F structure, Lion King, overflow in the convention center, Pinoccio and probably overflow in the Lilo (DTD overflow) lot.

What's the big deal about the 17th? Is it a special day somehow?

It's my friend Dawn's 32nd birthday.

Ah, thanks!

I was wondering what all the hubbub was about

You know, my mom almost named me Dawn. I often wonder what my life would have been like, had she done so.:rolleyes:

You would be doing a lot of dishes, WB.. :p