ARRGH! Need Help again Please!

[Minky]

I am planning our FIRST trip to Disneyland

I had it ALL FIGURED OUT and THEN I found out the Matterhorn will be closed for refurbishment during our travel dates. We WERE going to go at the end of Sept, but it is closing right after labor day. I really wanted to go there for the 50th celebration before its over to be part of it, and to see the fireworks show - they are changing it at the end of the celebration and I heard great things about it, but the matterhorn is one of the rides I really wanted to experience! So heres where I need help do I...

A. Stick with my original dates and just see the Matterhorn if and when we ever go back.

B. Go in August and deal with the crowds I was trying to avoid (by going in September) but get to ride the MH and do the 50th.

I would have compromised and gone to DL in December and do Xmas there, BUT we are going back to WDW in December so that wouldnt work.

What do you guys think?? Will it be too crazy if we go in August?

Thanks! Luv yas!!

 

[Judy from Boise]

if you go in August, you would also miss CA screaming being closed in Sept.

 

[iceskatejen]

If you go the last week of August, it's usually not too bad crowd-wise.

 

[twinmommyks]

Having just returned from DL two days ago, I would NOT miss the 50th celebration for the Matterhorn. You can always ride the ride on another trip in the future, but you will never get to experience the 50th celebration again.

The fireworks were awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The decorations were beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My children loved the challenge of riding on the "golden" rides (Dumbo, Carousel, Tea Cups).

If I had to chose between the Matterhorn and the 50th Celebration, I would definitely decide upon the 50th. Keep in mind this is my opinion and others might disagree, but the 50th celebration is truly something special.

Good luck on your decision.

 

[hlbtimes2]

Having just returned from DL two days ago, I would NOT miss the 50th celebration for the Matterhorn. You can always ride the ride on another trip in the future, but you will never get to experience the 50th celebration again.

The fireworks were awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The decorations were beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My children loved the challenge of riding on the "golden" rides (Dumbo, Carousel, Tea Cups).

If I had to chose between the Matterhorn and the 50th Celebration, I would definitely decide upon the 50th. Keep in mind this is my opinion and others might disagree, but the 50th celebration is truly something special.

Good luck on your decision.

Yep, what she said. Go for the 50th. The matterhorn isnt going anywhere any time soon. The 50th is almost over and shouldnt be missed!

 

[azgal81]

One of the times we went last year was the last week of august and it wasn't bad at all. The parks were open late for the summer hours there were crowds don't think it will be light by anymeans but it wasn't jam packed like it is in July and even through some of August.

I think the 50th is something to experience. Haunted Mansion also goes down shortly after labor day until the end of september to install the holiday. You might catch that open for a few days though if you go the last few days in september. And as someone else mentioned Screamin' will also be done if you wait until the end of september to go.

I think though that will the 50th ending August and September will be some of the busiest months, much busier then last year at that time. I think the last part of September will also be super busy isn't it ending October 1st?? There are going to be tons of people that go that last week to experience it one last time.

Personally I would move my trip up to the last week of August and go then but if you do go at the end of September and the rides you like are down that just means you have to plan another trip!

 

[CindyH]

So if you go the last week of August, a lot of kids should already be in school.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

We will be there the last week of September to catch the 50th celebration; however, I did read somewhere that the 50th parades and fireworks will still go through the end of the year, I think the only difference is that the 50th decorations and whatever else they have will be gone. Something to consider...

 

[Now Mom of 3]

Personally I would go in Aug. to catch the 50th and also get the Matterhorn. I would do anything to not miss the Matterhorn as it is one of my favorites. I really missed it on our Jan. trip to WDW.

 

[karylrocks]

As others have said, the last week of August is a good option. I would go during the week, after the last weekend of August and before Labor Day weekend. We were there during that week last year and it was managable, and some of the hotel rates go down after that last weekend in August.

 

[DizzylandDeb]

Now I'm worried, What date is the Matterhorn closing? I'll be there Sept 7th - 11th. I didn't want to miss it, but my dates are set!
I just gotta know! Thanks

 

[Amy&Dan]

Now I'm worried, What date is the Matterhorn closing? I'll be there Sept 7th - 11th. I didn't want to miss it, but my dates are set!
I just gotta know! Thanks

http://www.riderefurbs.com/

Click on that link. Its not showing the Matterhorn being down for your visit but I can tell you that in many years past the it has been down during your dates. And since the OP of this post has that information its likely to be true (sorry bout that). The good news is that you picked a super time to go as far as low crowds. We have been during that same week two years in a row and it was wonderful. Hardly any lines for anything. But they do typically have things down for refurb and don't show the fireworks and Fantasmic except on the weekends. Its a trade off but I think you'll have so much fun riding other things with no waits you'll end up being just fine!

 

[Judy from Boise]

Don't count on the "exact" fireworks for the 50th after 10/1

 

[stampinshauna]

I would definitely NOT plan a trip around a single ride refurbishment, go whenever is best for you. The reason is that rides can close at any time without notice. You may think that it will be open one day and you'll get there and find out that it isn't--which is cause for disappointment. Don't change your trip just for the Matterhorn. I'd say go in September, it isn't as crowded and isn't as hot. I plan my trips around my schedule and just enjoy all of the rides that are open. If you don't get to do the Matterhorn or California Screamin' this time, maybe you can hit it next time.

 

[DizzylandDeb]

Well, I for one will still enjoy my trip. I'm just a little bummed as I haven't been to DL or ridden the Matterhorn in nearly 30 years! Oh well, it's a ladys trip and we'll have a BLAST anyways! I was just happy that we wern't going to miss the HM!

 

[Firebri12]

Minky,

I would do August. If you miss the 50th, you will hate yourself. The fireworks are the best and 50 years of Disney (in Mr. Lincoln's Theater) will bring you to tears. We see the show at least 2 times a day when we are in the park and we all leave sobbing every time.

 

[Minky]

Thanks everybody!!

I think we decided to go ahead with the end of August, and during the week so we get to see all the 50th stuff, Im SO EXCITED!! Having never been there, its like getting to go to Disney again for the first time! WDW feels like home to me now.

I was hoping to stay at the Disneyland hotel, but as I understand it all Disney hotels in CA are non-smoking and DH smokes, so I cant do that to him

Im sure we will have fun no matter where we stay though!

I would LOVE to run into some DISers over in CA though that would be GREAT!

 

[Another^Dimension]

I suggest going in August.

Even with more people... the hours will be longer and the shows and parades will all be running multiple times... and don't miss the Matterhorn, California Screamin', or the remainder of the 50th stuff..
and don't miss Remember... Dreams Come True.