Advice on dates for DLR please

[michellekcm]

We are looking at travelling to DLR in August / September 2013, after a Disney Cruise.

Having read all the threads about blackout dates, off-season refurbishments, etc. I'm now confused

Wondering if we would be better off going the last week of August, just before Labor Day, which looks like it would be one of the first weeks back after the blackout dates (judging by this year's calendar), but would still have all the parades, attractions, etc.

Or, would we be better off going the first week of September (Labor Day onwards) which would (I assume) be less crowded as school would be back in etc. Do they drop the parades, fireworks, extended hours etc. straight away for off-season?

There would be 3-4 adults and 1 4yo child , and we would be staying probably 5 days, or somewhere around that if that helps with advice.

Thanks in advance.

 

[HydroGuy]

If you go the week after Labor Day there will be really low crowds. That is why Disney chooses that time to do refurbs and to take HM and Space Mtn down to add holiday overlays. In addition, weekday entertainment is minimal. If you do not care about entertainment being low or having lots of rides closed, then that is your week. If you do care then go before Labor Day and learn some tips for dealing with crowds. Five days at DLR is a lot of time and you can more easier work around crowds.

I can tell you what has happened the last few years. Many folks around here chose lower crowds and more ride closures and planned a trip for after Labor Day or the week after that. Then when the actual schedule came out they came here to this forum to complain. They said they were aware of the ride closures, but just did not expect there to be so many ride closures. Kind of hard to know how to answer them.

Hope that helps.

 

[DLR29]

I personally would not sacrifice major rides (like Space and HM) and nighttime shows for lower crowds. My personal opinion is that if you are going for 5 days, and you plan it out well, you can have an awesome trip and see a lot even during a more crowded time.

I find that you can't control ride closures or short park hours during "off season", but you CAN control how you tour during more crowded times. And when I go to DLR I like to be in control.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I have to agree with everyone who has posted. We seem to go every August and if i remember about 3 years ago we did not have a smooth ride.
We went went the socal passes unblocked and it became a bit of a challenge but had a good time..won't do that again..but rides go down when the season ends and you miss a bunch of things after labor day.
Five days, you can take your time, take mid-day breaks and hit the parks after the locals tire of the heat.

Have great cruise and stay,

Jack

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

OP, have you already seen the changes in the DCL west coast cruises? It was just announced this week and besides repo cruises aren't sailing out of LA after this November.

 

[michellekcm]

Thanks everyone - looks like we'll do the week before Labor Day then.

OP, have you already seen the changes in the DCL west coast cruises? It was just announced this week and besides repo cruises aren't sailing out of LA after this November.

Yes, I saw the dates a few days ago. Since we're coming from Australia we will be having quite a long trip (not worth it to do otherwise), and we pretty much need to fly out of LA to get home. No other USA airport flies direct to Melbourne. So we'll fly into Vancouver, do the Alaska cruise, and then make our way down the coast to LA.

My mum is coming with us and she has always wanted to do Alaska, and since we did a Disney Cruise in the Caribbean last year, we've wanted to come back and do another one. Now, if they could just bring one of the ships out to Australia for 2014 or 2015, that would cut my costs down significantly, airfares are expensive!!!