05/05/05 at WDW ?....................

[LuvindisCruiser]

We are planning to go to WDW the first week of May, meaning we will be there for the big 50th celebration. I am now thinking this may a very busy time, what does everyone else think? If we change our plans and go the week before, would we be missing out on any rides that may be under refurbishment until May 5th ? I'm not too concerned about missing out on any celebration, I'd rather go when the crowds aren't too bad. I have already booked the Wonder for the 8th of May, but I can change it to the week before if I have to. Please help me decide...........

 

[umbluegray]

We, too, will be at WDW during that time.

You have a good point. I'm curious as well.

 

[Wishing on a star]

OMG!!! I can't believe this... You mean to tell me that I have just booked a trip for the first week of May... (was thinking of visiting MK on 05/04...) and this is supposed to be a big 50th celebration???

Where can I find out any info about this???

 

[GoofyforDisney3]

I know that the 50th celebration is supposed to include all of the parks, but is it really going to effect WDW all that much? We are also planning on going the first full week of May (as we have in the past) and hope that it doesn't change the crowds much also. I was even hoping that it would mean a discount code for the resorts since they should be pushing/promoting the celebration.

 

[LuvindisCruiser]

It seems like any of the Florida residents would be going that weekend to check out all the festivities, if I lived there I would. It may be worth it to just re-schedule for the week before.......

 

[Ilovestitch]

Isn't this when Soarin' is supposed to open? I think the 50th anniversary will be a big deal at WDW. I'm thinking about going to WDW for it just to see the special festivites, and to use my PAP once more. -Stephanie

 

[WDSearcher]

There will be a lot of press, a lot of special events, and bigger crowds than normal for that time of year. However, there will also be new stuff opening, special events to see, and the parks will be all decked out for the celebration.

 

[Terry S]

Why everytime I plan a trip do they schedule major stuff? I have had this trip planned forever. They did the same thing to me last October during the opening of Mission Space. The place was so busy with all the press there! They really should announce this stuff a bit sooner so that we can schedule around it!

 

[Nik's Mom]

I'm not changing my trip. I figure that it will probably be busier than normal, but still not as bad a July or Christmas. As long as we get to the parks early, it shouldn't be a problem. I just hope the park doesn't close for a day for press. We have Disneyland annual passes, and were sent a notice that Disneyland will be opened to the Press only on May 4th.

 

[Simba's Mom]

You mean, "park's Closed"? Where's my BB gun? I love that movie ("Vacation) and that's what I thought of when I read this.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Lol! I watch that movie anytime it's on t.v. It's no joke here though, they really are closing Disneyland for all but the press! We're still shocked! I don't care if it's extra busy, we'll still have a good time! I can hardly wait!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Details... I want details!!!

Now, we have planned on visiting MK on Wed. May 4th... (We had chosen this week because we HATE huge crowds!!!) My concern is this - If all the extra stuff does not truly officially open/begin until May 5th... then May 3rd or 4th will NOT be good days to visit the MK, as I am thinking half the stuff will be shut down.. the park will close really early... etc... Then, BANG!!! on May 5th... HUGE CROWDS, which would also make visiting the MK almost useless. Ugggghhhh!!!!

For example... Small World is undergoing a complete major renovation... planned to open 'Spring 05'.... Well, my guess is that Disney will hold off that opening until May 5th... and not ONE day sooner! Same with the new Cinderella Celebration Show... I'll bet Disney holds off on opening this new show until.... you guessed it... May 5th, and not a day sooner.

I am worried that any way you cut it.. That whole week will be a BAD week to go...

 

[dizagain]

WHAT??? You people are scaring me!!! I haven't booked, but out of the three weeks we are choosing from for our visit, one (late May) has been ruled out this week. Now I'm left with the last week of April or first week of May...was leaning towards first week of May! I had heard nothing of this until right now! I had been hoping for Soarin' to be open, but not counting on it...
So, I guess I'll stick with my plan and hope for the best - it could be cool, right? Any more info would be great!

 

[n2mm]

I booked my trip and already had trouble getting my room at the CM discount, but still got it. I read an employee news article recently outlining all of the events, but really don't remember much of it. Just remember the stunt show is to openning and soarin, something about new shows and parades. The crowd issue doesn't bother me because we'll be there and WANT to be there for the grand openning and kick off. The only thing I'll be watching is for the parks to close early because of press events. That will make it tough, but it is something that is done for big events. I'll be there April 30-May 15 and had a hard time getting a discounted ressie for the week of May 5. Will all of this affect whether discounts will be available for the first week of May?? I would have to say that is a real possibility, so if you make your ressie, try to prepare for the worse and hope for the best!

 

[Nik's Mom]

I'm disappointed that it seems like many are expecting crowds, but it won't change our plans. We'll still go no matter what. I agree that if you go the week before, things may be closed. So we'll stick with the first week in May. We'll just have to get up early to beat some of the rush. As for park hours, don't they always close early in early May?

I would love it if a CM could tell us what will be going on that week. Someone mentioned a memo. Can you give more details?

 

[LuvindisCruiser]

Yes, Please DETAILS !!!!
What do you think would be closed the week before the big celebration ?........................

 

[WDWguru]

I work for a newspaper and have been to several WDW press events. Don't worry - they WON'T close a park for a day! What typically happens is they have after-hours special events. That may mean that a park will close a little earlier than normal, but they tend to move things around so the events are at different parks on different days. They do their best to make sure it impacts the regular visitors as little as possible.

 

[GoofyforDisney3]

I am sure things will be a little different then the normal, but since it is the 50th anniversary of disneyLAND I don't think it will be that major when it comes to disneyWORLD. We were there in May of 2000 when the winners for the McDonalds Millenium celeratiion contest were and it wasn't that bad. I kind of figure it will be similar to that as far as crowds go. My plans are going to remain the same and I am not going to let myself get freaked out about it. If there are extra special things happening, I will be glad about it and consider myself fortunate that I am going to experience them first hand.

 

[n2mm]

The only thing I would watch for is the parks closing early for private functions. When MS officially openned EPCOT closed at 3:00 PM that day and when the 2000 millennium celebration had it's kick off EPCOT again closed early. Since there are activities at several parks, don't know how that will affect each. There's not much to tell because it's too early. All we can do is wait until "official" information from WDW is announced. I would think at the beginning of the year (JMHO). As for what we read as CM's, that information can't be released. The moderators of these boards do not like information that has not officially been released by WDW to the public being posted. I made my reservations 2 weeks ago for my May trip only because I know what I know.

BTW, this is a BIG event and WDW is gearing up for this MAJOR celebration.....along with each of the other theme parks. I can't wait!! I was borned the year DL openned, so we are celebrating our BIG one! It's going to be like a birthday celebration for me too!

As for some of the other posts....would I freak out? NO way, just be prepared for the added activities and larger than usual crowds. Make your reservations earlier than usual and keep tabs of when you can make your PS plans.

BTW: I was at the All Stars during the millennium celebration with all of the extras and it was never a problem.

 

[Terry S]

WDWguru.... Do you remember the numbers for the press event for MS. I think there were like 5,000 press there. It was a huge number and of course most of those people stuck around for a few days. I remember that MK closed early on one day and then Epcot FW closed early on the next day. I am not as concerned about the closing early since you can just schedule a different park on that day, what does bother me is the number of press this type of thing pulls in and of course they bring thier families and stay a few days.