Arrgh... help. Would you go next March or next September? (Warning: babies)

[Smokering]

So we've been planning a late March/early April trip, but now I'm wondering if we shouldn't go next September (or very late August) instead. It's all about babies, actually. Skip this if you don't enjoy hearing about other people's reproductive lives. We have a nearly 2.5-year-old DD, and were planning to start TTC right after our March/April trip (meaning the putative baby would be born when DD was 3 months shy of 4). But now I'm thinking maybe it'd be better to get pregnant now, have the baby next June or Julyish and go to Disneyland in September, when it was a few months old. Maybe. Possibly. (And yes, I realise conception isn't always as simple as that, but assuming things work...)

Here's my thinking.

Pros of going in March/April:

• Off-season, so few crowds
• Wicked is on
• I know my two sisters can come with us then
• Going without a baby would be less stressful and possibly more fun, plus a last hurrah before another pregnancy (which I hate: speak to me not of glowing)

Cons of going in March/April:

• A refurb-heavy time of year
• Not *super* California weather
• It could be a struggle to save up enough by then
• I'm worried DD would be "too old" by the age of nearly-4 for a younger sibling, whatever that means

Pros of going in late August/early September:
I don't know so much about this time of year, as I've been researching March! Still...

• The weather's good (yes? No?)
• Fewer refurbs (I think?)
• My sister from London would get to see the new baby
• More time to save money
• Good for crowds, if we went after school started
• It'd give me something to look forward to during pregnancy and birth (which, as I have mentioned, I do not like]
• DD would be 3.5, not just-turned-3, so she might be more likely to remember the trip (and it might take the edge off new-sibling blues, if she gets them). Would she be able to ride more rides? Can't predict height, I guess. She might be better able to go without a stroller, though.

Cons of going in late August/early September:

• Wicked won't be on
• I'd have a few-months-old baby, which would be a pain on the plane and rides and such (although less of a pain at that age than when it was 8 months or whatever, I guess)
• More time for terrorists to blow the place up before I get to see it
• I'm not 100% sure my sisters could come, at least one of them, although I have no particular reason to think they couldn't
• I'd have to get pregnant, like, now, which is a scary thought

So... what do you think? Does anyone know of any major refurbs scheduled for either of those times next year? DH suggested waiting until CarsLand opened, but I don't think I can wait that long. Would doing DL with a smallish baby ruin the trip of a lifetime (well, my lifetime to date, anyway)? Is September nicer than March at Disneyland? Would you rather have a sibling when you were nearly 4, or three and a few months?

 

[JH87]

lol i never heard of someone planning a trip to DL and getting pregnant to work out together, but i like how planned out and how much thought you have put into this!

As far as refurbs, I know late aug/early sept a lot of stuff is down to prep for halloween, typically its still slightly hot (with this year as an exception), and taking a baby that young might make the trip more difficult, you may be more focused on how comfortable the baby is, feeding, diapers, etc and you can't enjoy all the rides and attractions as easily with most of your focus being on your new little one.

However, many new things will be opening up late spring/early summer 2011, like the ariel ride, goofys fly school, and i think some others which have slipped my mind. so those are some things you may miss out on if you go in march/april.

I would go before having a baby. My main reason would be that you would have to focus so much energy on the tiny baby and less on the actual trip. & If you were to rush and try to conceive before the trip you'd kinda be putting yourself on a time constraint which could be added pressure to you and more stress. And as far as the age gap between your kids, I don't think 4 years is that large of a gap...its kinda perfect in my opinion . So i say go to DL, have fun, then have a baby

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

I agree with the previous poster! Better to go sooner and then focus on all things baby... then after you are pg you can plan baby's first trip when he/she is 1 or so (kinda a two-fer!)

 

[goldies 5]

Well I have had kids 1 year apart, 61/2 years apart, almost 2 years apart, and 41/2 years apart.
I have never had a problem at any of those ages. The pairs of siblings that are spaced closer together have more in common, but they all work well together for the most part.
I have enjoyed DL very pregnant, barely pregnant, with a brand new baby(many times) and in between.
I think the only time that was hard for me was the barely pregnant time.
My favorite time was when my last child was 51/2 months old. Babies are very easy and not as mobile as toddlers, at DL, so IMO easier.
Early March can be a good time to go to DL. But we have experienced rain then. If that doesn't bother you then no problem. I personally wouldn't go during a Spring or Easter break, due to crowds.
We thought September was very hot, when we were there and I don't like missing the HM.
Have you given thought to early to mid November? It is a nice month, very mild weather(usually) not many refurbs. due to the Holiday Season, which is a beautful time to go.
I say go with your heart on the pregnancy and the rest will fall into place.

 

[Smokering]

Have you given thought to early to mid November? It is a nice month, very mild weather(usually) not many refurbs. due to the Holiday Season, which is a beautful time to go.

Hmm. I dismissed November, but I can't remember why - I think I expected it to be too busy/expensive due to the holidays. (We're flying in from NZ.) I also thought the weather might be too wintry - interesting to hear it's nice!

 

[pinktink83]

I didnt read your pros and cons, but def go now, and then have baby. You may have trouble conceiving, or the baby could have medical problems. Plus, carting a newborn around DL doesn't sound fun!

 

[goldies 5]

Southern Ca weather is funny. We have been in December in rain and also in 90+ degrees.

 

[skiingfast]

I'd let you child get a little older. 5-7 is really prime to visit for a child, more brave, taller for fast rides, still sees all the magic DL has to offer.

Time of year is always a give and take. Aug/sept, mixed bag on crowds, could be aweful could be fine. After Labor Day the first Monday of September refurbs commence. In early November they break down Halloween and set up Christmas. March/April is spring break so could be either busy or a rehab time.

 

[Smokering]

I'd let you child get a little older. 5-7 is really prime to visit for a child, more brave, taller for fast rides, still sees all the magic DL has to offer.

Yes, but then I'd have to wait for yeeeeeeeeaaars! The trip isn't really for DD, it's for me - she's just tagging along.

In early November they break down Halloween and set up Christmas.

Can you tell me more about that? How long does it take? I'd LOVE to see Disneyland at Christmas, but does that mean a lot of rides are out of action being de-overlayed and re-overlayed for most of November? In terms of crowds, when would be the best time to go around then? Are airlines insanely busy/flights more expensive between Thanksgiving and Christmas?

 

[goldies 5]

The week before TG week is a great time to go. The week after TG week is a great time to go too. Small World Holiday and Hanted Mansion overlay are both up. The Christmas parade, Snow, Santa, Reindeer Roundup, and fireworks are running daily.
You can see that you will be given many different opinions on the baby thing. we all have different babies and different ways of doing things. Some people find it to be to much pressure, and some find taking baby to DL a blast.

 

[Smokering]

I know! The babies thing is complex, mostly because I overthink things and stress to the point of madness. *sigh* I know there's not one perfect answer in terms of spacing - I'm one of six kids, spaced in a dizzying variety of ways - but I still can't help analysing it to death.

Now I'm thinking that going next Christmas with a slightly older baby - four months, ish - would be kinda cool. Very late November/early December, after Thanksgiving. According to this it has super-low crowds, and I'd really love to see the Christmas pretties. But do airline prices skyrocket in late Nov/early Dec? (I guess even if they did we'd have more time to save...)

 

[goldies 5]

You might want to check out our Christmas thread. It will give you some insight on the Holiday Season at DL. I forgot to mention. You asked about crowds. Week before TG week, mild. Week after TG week is considered mild as well. Fridays and Saturdays in my experience are the worst during the Holiday Season. Sundays are better. Mon-Thurs. are the best with Wed. the very best for us. We usually go for a full week each year so we don't mind the busy weekends. Crowd wise I would avoid TG week, the weekend of the Candleight Processional (1st weekend in December) unless you might want to see it. And from the week before Christmas-New Years.

 

[skiingfast]

Yes, but then I'd have to wait for yeeeeeeeeaaars! The trip isn't really for DD, it's for me - she's just tagging along.


Can you tell me more about that? How long does it take? I'd LOVE to see Disneyland at Christmas, but does that mean a lot of rides are out of action being de-overlayed and re-overlayed for most of November? In terms of crowds, when would be the best time to go around then? Are airlines insanely busy/flights more expensive between Thanksgiving and Christmas?

Good for you planning a trip for you, and not for them. :

The thing with November as PP said that week before Thanks Giving is really prime for a visit. Low crowds and extra decorations. But before that they are taking out Halloween stuff for a week and then putting up TG stuff for a week. They might even fit a couple rehabs in too.

My one opinion about this is this. Since you may not go a lot, you may want to see the parks in a pure state and not in holiday decorations state. Just my thought and opinion.

 

[ChickenCarlos]

i dont think March/April has low crowds, that is usually spring break and this year we went for St. Patricks day March 17-21st and it was packed, i heard it only got worse as april arrived.

 

[goldies 5]

I wish I could help on the airlines but I live in Ca and just drive. The week you are speaking of would be great. If you happen to run into the CP weekend, don't let that scare you. It is very busy on Main Street, but the rest of the park is manageable. My favorite time to go in the park is after the CP is over at night, it is like a Ghost Town.
Being one of six, says a lot. you will definetely have no problem taking a baby. And you seem to be an optimist. If all turns out well that is a great age to take a little one. You will be surprised at how much they take in at this stage. It is really easy to have baby in a carrier and ride the rides too. I am excited for you. I hope you can do the Holiday Season.

 

[nunzia]

Yes, I think March/April would be horrid with crowds. Jan and Feb could be nice. We love going in January and so far have had great weather but you never know. February is good, but school holidays keep popping up all over the place (they sure seem to get alot more time off now then when I was a kid)

 

[BELLEDOZER]

We also like Feb crowds, and we like driving down the first week of Feb, as during the weekdays alot of the rides are a max of 5 mins or less. During the weekends it's alot busier, but am going again for a surprise family trip the first 2 weeks of Feb next year, and pulling the kids out of school (the last time we'll be able to do this as they are going to be in grades 1 and 2 and any older they would be missing too much while we are away). I would say since you are flying a great distance to get to the mouse that I would go when you have one child. If this is the only time you can afford to visit DL, then wait till you have your second child so that they won't miss out on the experience. Take tons of pics so that you can show her or him when they are old enough to understand DL.

 

[The Orchid]

Hmm. I dismissed November, but I can't remember why - I think I expected it to be too busy/expensive due to the holidays. (We're flying in from NZ.) I also thought the weather might be too wintry - interesting to hear it's nice!

I've been to Disneyland many times and at many time of the year and honestly, mid November is BY FAR my favorite time to go. The crowds are low, the Christmas decorations are up (which are amazing), and the weather isn't terribly hot (though it can be cool at night). I have also found that travel and hotel accommodations are very reasonable that time of year.

 

[The Orchid]

Yes, I think March/April would be horrid with crowds. Jan and Feb could be nice. We love going in January and so far have had great weather but you never know. February is good, but school holidays keep popping up all over the place (they sure seem to get alot more time off now then when I was a kid)

I've been there that time of year and yes, the crowds are terribly in my opinion. Many schools are on spring break and it is terribly busy. My daughter's band went during spring break last year and it was so freaking busy that we rode only two rides. I've never seen such long lines, even in the summer! Yeesh! I've never gone in January or February, but I bet it is nice. Only problem is more refurbishments. Still, for cooler weather and lower crowds, it may be worth it!

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Now I'm thinking that going next Christmas with a slightly older baby - four months, ish - would be kinda cool. Very late November/early December, after Thanksgiving. According to this it has super-low crowds, and I'd really love to see the Christmas pretties. But do airline prices skyrocket in late Nov/early Dec? (I guess even if they did we'd have more time to save...)

If you make sure you go a full week after Thanksgiving (like December 2nd/3rd) and return more than a week before Christmas (before the 17th) airfare should be okay... its really within a week on either side of the holiday that airfare is at its craziest! Plus during that time most schools are still in session, so crowds are lower. You may be stuck with entertainment only on weekends, and shorter hours during the week... but it should be a lovely time to go.