Holiday "construction" dates?

[Raenstoirm]

Traditionally when do they take rides out of service (HM specifically) in the fall to put up decorations/overlay? Someone on here said that the "holiday season" starts Sept 14, so I assume everything will be up and running for the first party, right?

Historically does anything go down for refurb in September/October?

If we come all the way from the east coast, we want all the non WDW stuff to be up and running!!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Traditionally when do they take rides out of service (HM specifically) in the fall to put up decorations/overlay? Someone on here said that the "holiday season" starts Sept 14, so I assume everything will be up and running for the first party, right?

Historically does anything go down for refurb in September/October?

If we come all the way from the east coast, we want all the non WDW stuff to be up and running!!

Last year HM went down before Labor Day weekend. If Halloween season starts Sept. 14, then HM would be and running in Nightmare Before Christmas mode. Seems like a likely date for Disney to start Halloween time, but I haven't looked anywhere to check if this is expectation or official yet.

As for rides being down, there is a likelihood that something will be down. No word yet on what that will be. Last fall it was Pirates. I think the year before that Toy Story might have been the big one. Disney has been cycling rides through refurb even during busy seasons lately. Matterhorn will be back up and running for summer season, but the work on it was so extensive that it was closed for many months including the peak spring break season. While it would be nice if nothing was in refurb when you go, I wouldn't expect it to be the case. Unfortunately Disney is not always real forthcoming about what's going to be next and when, so notice may not be as far in advance as a big planner would like. I have seen rumors that Alice in Wonderland might be the next ride to go down for an extended time, but these so far are rumors only.

 

[Raenstoirm]

As for rides being down, there is a likelihood that something will be down. No word yet on what that will be. Last fall it was Pirates. I think the year before that Toy Story might have been the big one.

See, Toy Story being down would be fine by me, since I have been on that 100 times at WDW (we are passholders). Pirates, I would be upset about since i have heard DL is far superior to WDW. Hey Disney! Refurb Small World this fall. Even if it is different, a person can only hear that song so many times in their life before they go crazy!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

See, Toy Story being down would be fine by me, since I have been on that 100 times at WDW (we are passholders). Pirates, I would be upset about since i have heard DL is far superior to WDW. Hey Disney! Refurb Small World this fall. Even if it is different, a person can only hear that song so many times in their life before they go crazy!

I was just giving those as examples of past rehabs. I wouldn't necessarily expect either of those to go down for an extended rehab again so soon. In fact, two of the rides I would expect to be up and running would be Pirates and Matterhorn since they just underwent long refurbs. I was just pointing out that something is likely to be down, and right now we don't know what that is. Also, of course, there are occasional short closures for various rides as part of their normal repair/maintenance cycle or even unexpected break-downs, and even a few days closure, planned or otherwise, could end up coinciding with your dates. Small World will close near the end of October for the winter holiday overlay.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

HM will likely be down around Labor Day weekend until Sept 14. September is a high refurb time....there is a rumor that Indy will be in refurb some time this fall. Nothing official or official dates yet.

 

[Raenstoirm]

HM will likely be down around Labor Day weekend until Sept 14. September is a high refurb time....there is a rumor that Indy will be in refurb some time this fall. Nothing official or official dates yet.

Oh that would be bad. That is one of the ones I really want to see!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Oh that would be bad. That is one of the ones I really want to see!

Unfortunately, Disneyland doesn't release refurb schedules all that far into the future. Mouse Planet's weekly update lists refurb lists and they are pretty accurate in getting some advanced notice. If Indy being down would be a deal breaker, I'd hold off booking anything non-refundable/changeable OR aim for a trip during the Christmas season.

 

[Jacie]

Indiana Jones and Thunder Mountain Railroad are tow family favorites... I really hope neither (Especially Indiana Jones!) are down for our trip... DL is now a plane ride instead of a drive, and WDW is closer... so DL isn't as common anymore!

We're going during DD's fall break, and already bought our plane tickets, too. No date flexibility here!

 

[squirrel]

Oh that would be bad. That is one of the ones I really want to see!

Me too! I've never been on Indy. I haven't even been on Dinosaur at WDW the past two years as my niece wouldn't try it.

 

[jjhyland]

So will Space Mountain be down then, too? We are booked for our first ever trip to Disneyland Sept 8th to the 12th and my kids will be so bummed if we miss Space Mountain. Even if it was just 1 day, that would make a difference.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

So will Space Mountain be down then, too? We are booked for our first ever trip to Disneyland Sept 8th to the 12th and my kids will be so bummed if we miss Space Mountain. Even if it was just 1 day, that would make a difference.

Honestly, you're going right at the start of refurbishment time. Another site listed Space Mountain as down Sept. 9-15 last year; can't remember if that matched exactly with what happened but it likely did. Your dates this year are the most likely time for Space Mountain to go down for the overlay if Halloween Time is going to start on Sept. 13.