Hey, I've never been there during Queen's Day. How was it this year? My wife was there about 8 years ago on May 1st. She had no idea what she missed the day before. She told me that there were so many trampled white plastic cups on the ground that it looked like snow! She also said that everyone was hung over and speaking quietly. I will be in town later this week, can I expect the RLD to still be busy, or does it taper off after Queen's Day? Thanks!

Pappa,
Queensday , not forgetting Queens Night (29th) was a very different but, equally enjoyable experience and my first time attending both events.
Queens Night was a great experience with the free concert outside the palace, Angela Angeloui (spelling is probably incorrect??) was performing, and even though classical music isn't my thing I certainly appreciated being there and being part of that experience. They closed off the traffic into the centre and I must say the authorities certainly know how to manage a crowd efficiently.
Queens Day, for me kind of resembled the Notting Hill Carnival in London. I made the slight error of not wearing anything with the colour of orange on the train arriving, and was light heartedly ribbed about it (was offered a silk orange scarf, from one of my friendly "tormentors" which I politly declined). But managed to get hold of a free orange coloured hat outside centraal station.
For the most part the crowds were friendly (only saw one fight) and the city looked like a giant boots sale, with people selling all kinds of "junk". Vondel Park in particular, more so than the Damrak, definantly was covered with little improvised stalls selling all kinds of bric-a-brac.
Museum plein was packed when I managed to find it (amazingly got lost leaving Vondel Park, ending up walking in the wrong direction) there a was barely standing room only, not to sure about the music being played, a bit cheesy. But was still fun after a few brews. The canals were covered with boats with tons of people just having a good time. It sounded like a battle of the sound systems with the boats, that were big enough to have speakers on board, trying to out do each other musically. Speaking of good times, there was a boat full of gorgeous women called "Ex Porn Star" I would have given virtually anything to be on board, partying with them!!
One thing I was glad of though, was getting out of Amsterdam for the 2 nights (Queens night 29th & Queensday 30th) the amount of people who flocked into the city was huge.
Would probably go again (with better planning next time).
oats