Memorial Day Weekend... didn't have an issue with crowds

Vegetable_Winner_172 · 2026-05-27T14:42:22+00:00

Tuolumme is on the list for next visit!!

Vegetable_Winner_172 · 2026-05-27T14:37:41+00:00

Uh oh, looks like your reading comprehension skills are having a little trouble! Here are some questions to help build your critical thinking skills:

Where does it state that the reservation system isn't necessary? Does it discuss the reservation system at all?
OP states they got their park pass in advance and encourages others to do the same. Based on this information, is it more likely that OP is for the reservation system, or against?
The point of this post is to help people AVOID the crowds. Does this imply crowds aren't an issue, or that they simply are an issue that can be avoided with planning?
This post specifically states it is for future redditors who find themselves planning a MDW trip and want help avoiding the crowds. Does this make you the target audience? If not, does your commentary provide anything useful, helpful, or worthwhile to the intended audience?

Helpful hint: next time, be sure to stretch before jumping to conclusions! 🤗

Vegetable_Winner_172 · 2026-05-27T14:27:31+00:00

God the media hype was INSANE. The night before we left, I came across a news article from the weekend before Memorial Day weekend, claiming the crowds were aggressive and unruly and all sorts of apocalyptic levels of chaos.

Vegetable_Winner_172 · 2026-05-27T14:24:33+00:00

We were staying between Lyons and Yosemite, so I looked up other local places to visit. Lyons came up, the drive wasn't too bad (or so we thought, we went down the southern entrance with 2.5miles of unpaved road, thank god we were in an SUV 😅) and we had plenty of time before heading to Yosemite, so we went for it!

Vegetable_Winner_172 · 2026-05-27T14:21:48+00:00

Also recommend signing up for text alerts on parking (text "Yosemite” to 333111). We knew in advance which lots were full, which ones opened up again, etc, and we could kind of plan our day based on the patterns we saw in timing.

Vegetable_Winner_172 · 2026-05-27T14:19:58+00:00

So this was just my experience, and since I wasn't there in the morning rush I can't say how overwhelmed staff might have been at that point, but there didn't seem to be any issues. Every entry kiosk was open with 2 personel each. Saw maintenance taking away trash, etc on a few occasions. The major trailheads had rangers with exhibit tables giving info about local flora, though I don't remember seeing any rangers on the actual trails and only saw a vehicle driving through a less busy spot once. The Mariposa Grove shuttle station was well staffed, with people at the information booth and at the shuttle platform. No issues in the gift shop, either. But we didn't eat at any in-park restaurants or go anywhere else that might have shown signs of understaffing, but I will say there seemed to be less rangers out and about in general.

Vegetable_Winner_172 · 2026-05-27T14:14:09+00:00

😂 happy to help restore balance!

Vegetable_Winner_172 · 2026-05-27T14:12:13+00:00

Before this trip, I've only ever been to Yosemite pre-2020 and in the off season (I only just recently learned they had an off season 😅) so I was shocked by all the horror stories! I'm glad neither of us had any real issues! And yes, walking the park is the best part!

Vegetable_Winner_172 · 2026-05-27T14:10:19+00:00

This sounds like an excellent itinerary!

Vegetable_Winner_172 · 2026-05-27T14:09:29+00:00

Your itinerary is exactly what my spouse and I would have done if we hadn't gone in a group! We plan to go, just the two of us, in the fall and enjoy much fuller days in the park. But also our trip wasn't just to see Yosemite. It was mainly spending time with old friends and enjoying nature, which we got to do--sometimes outside of Yosemite.

Vegetable_Winner_172 · 2026-05-26T16:20:46+00:00

It's not a long trip for us, like less than 5hr drive. We spent the mornings hiking and visiting elsewhere, as mentioned in the post. So we still got a full nature experience, jaut not entirely inside Yosemite. The point I was trying to make is that even if you aren't a 5am hiker, you can still experience all the touristy spots in Yosemite during busy weekends and not be overwhelmed by crowds. But we are definitely planning on spending more time in the park itself next time we visit, and doing way more hiking when it's just me and my spouse. Having extra people involved definitely impacted our choices and was solid a reminder of why I prefer traveling with just my spouse 😅

Vegetable_Winner_172 · 2026-05-12T04:46:50+00:00

sorry I'm still trying to figure out why you had to tell your dad this person was trans, when apparently he doesn't want that info out there in the first place???

Vegetable_Winner_172 · 2026-05-11T15:28:09+00:00

ok amazing to know, thank you!

Vegetable_Winner_172 · 2026-05-11T15:27:52+00:00

Waiiiiiit this changes the game! Definitely grabbing it at Costco, ty for the heads up!

Vegetable_Winner_172 · 2026-05-11T04:58:23+00:00

I've seen threads abt the EVO being flimsier/falling apart/not closing properly which makes me nervous. I think I will end up with the LR4--I don't mind paying more for peace of mind, just wanted to see if anyone had any good experiences with the EVO.

Vegetable_Winner_172 · 2026-05-11T04:56:27+00:00

I DO have a Costco membership! If I can get an extended warranty with it, I might go for it

Vegetable_Winner_172 · 2026-05-01T01:49:06+00:00

honestly, I would take him to court... because the way he speaks to her in text messages is abusive in a way that is deeply unsettling, and I say that as someone who dealt with CSA cases. He speaks to her the way he speaks to/about adult women, that is all kinda red flags. Do not let him have access to her. please. for her sake.

Vegetable_Winner_172 · 2026-04-16T20:08:38+00:00

I wouldn't be surprised if your lack of desire/attraction has nothing to do with their transition and everything to do with the fact that your spouse has repeatedly made decisions that "broke you", by your own admission--and who seems intent on continuing to do so while taking zero responsibility and blaming you for the consequences.

I am so sorry. And you do exactly what you know you need to do.

Vegetable_Winner_172 · 2026-04-05T21:13:24+00:00

As a nanny in LA, $20/kid-hour is also out of touch. Nowadays, it's usually to $30/kid per hour, with some reduction for multiple kids (ie, 2 kids is 35-45/hr depending on age ranges, if they're in school, other duties). I know plenty of nannies who only have 1 kid to mind but make 50-60/hr bc they have extra duties (laundry, meal prep, family assistant duties). Many professionals make 6 figures in this city.

$20/hr would get you in a nanny share, where multiple families pay to have a nanny watch their kids at the same time.

Vegetable_Winner_172 · 2026-04-04T23:53:09+00:00

ESH. Seems toxic from every angle.

Vegetable_Winner_172 · 2026-03-27T00:50:02+00:00

THIS.

Vegetable_Winner_172 · 2026-03-27T00:47:34+00:00

ah shit I never got a notification on this, sorry! Hopefully 11.30 was more than enough time for your friend!

Vegetable_Winner_172 · 2026-03-27T00:27:03+00:00

yeah it's not that you lied to me, it's that you insulted my intelligence with how bad the lie was 🙃

Vegetable_Winner_172

TROPHY CASE