Changing dates because of refurbs?

[aprincessatlast]

Thinking of switching Feb/March to first week of January. Do a lot of people change dates with refurb announcements?

I went over the refurb list with my family today and the response was not great. I mentioned that is the breaks when traveling in Feb/March. Yet dh said he was unsure he wanted to go as the list was big and several things he missed on the list he missed last time and wanted to try this visit. We are traveling from the east coast so it is not super easy to get there.

If we changed the dates to right before the closures that first weekend and week of January would there be many closures? Also I am NOT interested in the holiday stuff so when would that be over? I am aware there would be some decor but want the regular parades/firworks/shows.

If we did change it means we would give up DLH and a more relaxed vacay vibe I was looking for. It would be off site but cost about the same or more with flights etc.

 

[Geemo]

Thinking of switching Feb/March to first week of January. Do a lot of people change dates with refurb announcements?

I went over the refurb list with my family today and the response was not great. I mentioned that is the breaks when traveling in Feb/March. Yet dh said he was unsure he wanted to go as the list was big and several things he missed on the list he missed last time and wanted to try this visit. We are traveling from the east coast so it is not super easy to get there.

If we changed the dates to right before the closures that first weekend and week of January would there be many closures? Also I am NOT interested in the holiday stuff so when would that be over? I am aware there would be some decor but want the regular parades/firworks/shows.

If we did change it means we would give up DLH and a more relaxed vacay vibe I was looking for. It would be off site but cost about the same or more with flights etc.

We've gone the first week of January a few times now and it was great. Crowds were very low.
We reviewed the refurb list for the dates we're there, so we know what and when things begin to shut down.
Everything has been open the last weekend of the Holiday Season. So it's nice to get those rides in if their closing. Beginning that first week attractions begin to go into refurb mode. They don't all go at once, it's usually staggered over a few weeks.

When we have gone on-site rooms are more on Holiday season nights. On Sunday or Monday after the holiday season, the nightly rate has dropped to a more reasonable cost. Check and see how the rates look for each night of your stay.

Geemo

 

[YukonMommy]

We were there Jan 3-15, 2014. If 2015 is anything like last year (and I am assuming it is) then you might be disappointed. The Holiday season is on until January 6th.
Which means Decorations will start coming down on the 7th (and they do not all come down overnight.)
Also we found when the Holiday parade was over there was not a new one to replace it right after. The Pixar parade in DCA stays the same though. We noticed the crowd levels started to go down by the 9th and really drop by around the 12th.

I am not sure about the fireworks or WOC as our goal was the Xmas parade and F! last time.

HM will go down on the 7th and stay down for at least a week. IASW usually does not go down until around mid jan.

Have a Magical Time

 

[GatorChris]

I've moved my trip before. Splash Mt is a big deal to me and the kids, and on a trip to WDW a few years back, the refurb list had it closed for Jan, but open in Feb. We moved our vacation a whole week from the last of Jan to the first of Feb, just so we could ride Splash Mt. Luckily, we had booked with SouthWest, so it cost us nothing to change flights. In fact, I think we saved a little money by moving dates.

Looking at the list, I wouldn't blame you at all if you moved the vacation. No Soarin', Splash Mt, or WOC? Those are some big ones to miss.

 

[zanzibar138]

I live in Australia, so once our flights are booked we're pretty much locked in.

I never go in relying on any specific attraction to be open anyway. I prefer the more flexible attitude of just enjoying whatever is available at the time. There is plenty to see and do at DLR, even with half a dozen closures (I speak from experience). No expectations = no disappointment

Each to their own though. Perhaps I would feel differently if it was easier for me to change my dates.

 

[204charity]

I live in Australia, so once our flights are booked we're pretty much locked in.

I never go in relying on any specific attraction to be open anyway. I prefer the more flexible attitude of just enjoying whatever is available at the time. There is plenty to see and do at DLR, even with half a dozen closures (I speak from experience). No expectations = no disappointment

Each to their own though. Perhaps I would feel differently if it was easier for me to change my dates.

I'm with you 100%! It is what it is. Plus, we are going to California to see so much more than just Disney. We are going to Universal, San Clemente Pier, Hollywood and staying with family too while there!!!

 

[NiceOneSimba]

I sort of see the refurb list as like the pirate code in the POTC movies: It's more of a guideline than an actual set list.

Last year, just about this time, people were FREAKING OUT about the refurb list, which was enormous and had many weeks with 8-10 attractions down. There was much talk of changing plans and much gnashing of teeth. And then, the list started to change, almost on a weekly basis. Things dropped off. Things got pushed back. Things were added. More things dropped off the list So. Many. Changes.

Granted, the extended BTMRR refurb really caused a bunch of havoc on the refurb schedule. But just know that the list is subject to change, and recent history is that the list has changed over time--and that one delayed refurb can cause a domino-chain reaction.

We absolutely miss rides that are down for refurb on our trips (BTMRR on THREE consecutive trips for me!), but there is more than enough to keep us busy.

Sure, there is momentary sadness at missing that ride, but the overall joy of the trip isn't diminished by missing one (or even 4 or 5) rides or attractions. Somehow, there's always more than enough magic to make up for it.

And, I'm going to run the Rebel Challenge--have you seen the refurb list for Jan. 16-20? I'm still going to find enough to keep me busy and enjoy my time there. Maybe I'll even make it to Innoventions and Mr. Lincoln this time!

 

[MadameRebecca]

I live in Australia, so once our flights are booked we're pretty much locked in. I never go in relying on any specific attraction to be open anyway. I prefer the more flexible attitude of just enjoying whatever is available at the time. There is plenty to see and do at DLR, even with half a dozen closures (I speak from experience). No expectations = no disappointment Each to their own though. Perhaps I would feel differently if it was easier for me to change my dates.

I agree with you totally. We're also coming from Australia and our flights are booked. We'll make the best of it and soak up the Disney atmosphere