Crowds 2/8-2/10

[mmps108]

The website says this is "super value" season and we're getting a great rate. I was just wondering if all you DL vets could tell me what to expect in the way of lines for these dates?
I already see that by going during this time we'll miss the Haunted Mansion, fireworks and the Electric Light parade but we're going before our nephew graduates in San Diego from Marine Corp boot camp so our dates aren't flexible.

Thanks for any info you can provide this WDW vet!

 

[Petticoat Pirate]

Hi, I'm new here, but I'll just jump right in...if that's o.k.? We've always gone at this time of year, and the crowds are minimal, although, having no basis for comparison...
I just know that most times, we just walk right on to rides. Our longest waits are on the weekend of our visit, but still in all, usually about 10 minutes, minus maybe Indie, Soarin', and a few others. Your avoiding the holiday right after that, and it is off season, so you should be good to go. If I'm wrong, well, we'll be standing in the lines right with you! Oh, and Pirates closes right after our visits, so at least we wont miss that one!! Hope this helps.

 

[mmps108]

Thanks!
We arrive Sunday and the Matterhorn shuts down Monday and I think Jungle Cruise shuts down Tuesday so we're going to have to squeeze in those early on! We'll miss the Haunted Mansion entirely, but I think you are right, I'm all about not waiting in lines!

Do you have dining suggestions for us? This is our first trip to DL and I'm feeling a bit out of my comfort zone!!

 

[Disney Dreams]

You are coming to DL during the off season, so crowds are relatively low. You will also be there just in time to see the newly re-opened, long awaited It's a Small World.

There are lots of great places to eat at DLR. Some of the best are just simple counter service foods (clam chowder in bread bowl - yum!, giant turkey leg - yum!), but my 2 favorite sit down restaurants are Rancho del Zocala and the Blue Bayou.

RdZ is really good mexican food. You can eat inside the restaurant or outside on the patio and watch Frontierland pass by you while enjoying your food.

BB is a nice restaurant that is located inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. You will want to call and make reservations (Priority Seating, as it's called at DL) as this is a tough one to get into. Very popular. You can get many opinions on whether the food is "worth it," but the atmosphere is without question very unique and fun if you like PotC.

Hope this helps some. Since you seem very familiar with WDW, I would suggest you read HydroGuy's (fellow DISer) Guide to DLR for WDW Vets. He helps you understand DLR in a WDW perspective.

Yay, you are going to Disneyland!

Oh, and Pirates closes right after our visits, so at least we wont miss that one!!

Pirates is not on the refurb. schedule at all.

- Dreams

 

[Petticoat Pirate]

On Mouseplanet they have an "unconfirmed" report of refurb for Pirates starting on the 15th. At one point, while planning, it was on the Disney site refurb list, but now it isn't...soooooo... I did hear about the short closure of Matterhorn but not about Jungle Cruise!!!! Anyone know if that's true? We missed that last year and Small World, which we are totally looking forward to (curious about the changes). Sad about the fireworks, Parade, and Haunted Mansion, but DD said that as long as Pirates is open, anything else can be closed. (I pretty much feel the same way-lol) Looking forward to Fantasmic, which we always miss, because we go in winter!! As far as eating, the suggestions here on the board have been so helpful! Loving the "Favorite Snack" thread. If you are a Pirates fan, (which we so obviously are ) , then Blue Bayou is the best. We love the food, but really could care less if they served PB&Js, we go in purely for atmosphere, and are willing to pay for it. In fact during our week there, we already have reservations for two nights. DD is older, so we'll skip Goofy's Kitchen this time and add on the additional Blue Bayou dinner.

 

[Lynzer Torte]

On Mouseplanet they have an "unconfirmed" report of refurb for Pirates starting on the 15th. At one point, while planning, it was on the Disney site refurb list, but now it isn't...soooooo... I did hear about the short closure of Matterhorn but not about Jungle Cruise!!!! Anyone know if that's true? We missed that last year and Small World, which we are totally looking forward to (curious about the changes). Sad about the fireworks, Parade, and Haunted Mansion, but DD said that as long as Pirates is open, anything else can be closed. (I pretty much feel the same way-lol) Looking forward to Fantasmic, which we always miss, because we go in winter!! As far as eating, the suggestions here on the board have been so helpful! Loving the "Favorite Snack" thread. If you are a Pirates fan, (which we so obviously are ) , then Blue Bayou is the best. We love the food, but really could care less if they served PB&Js, we go in purely for atmosphere, and are willing to pay for it. In fact during our week there, we already have reservations for two nights. DD is older, so we'll skip Goofy's Kitchen this time and add on the additional Blue Bayou dinner.

Jungle Cruise is coming up on the calendar as closed from Feb 10-12. Short closure!

 

[Disney Dreams]

On Mouseplanet they have an "unconfirmed" report of refurb for Pirates starting on the 15th. At one point, while planning, it was on the Disney site refurb list, but now it isn't...soooooo... I did hear about the short closure of Matterhorn but not about Jungle Cruise!!!! Anyone know if that's true? We missed that last year and Small World, which we are totally looking forward to (curious about the changes). Sad about the fireworks, Parade, and Haunted Mansion, but DD said that as long as Pirates is open, anything else can be closed. (I pretty much feel the same way-lol) Looking forward to Fantasmic, which we always miss, because we go in winter!! As far as eating, the suggestions here on the board have been so helpful! Loving the "Favorite Snack" thread. If you are a Pirates fan, (which we so obviously are ) , then Blue Bayou is the best. We love the food, but really could care less if they served PB&Js, we go in purely for atmosphere, and are willing to pay for it. In fact during our week there, we already have reservations for two nights. DD is older, so we'll skip Goofy's Kitchen this time and add on the additional Blue Bayou dinner.

Yes, PotC WAS on the Disneyland calender as being closed, but it is no longer on the schedule. Jungle Cruise appeared on the calendar just within the last few days. Many sites report many things. You can find the official Disneyland refurb schedule on Disneyland . com. Click the calender. Each day shows refurbishments planned for that day (if you didn't know where to find this).

HTH,
Dreams

 

[Petticoat Pirate]

Thanks Dreams. I do keep checking the schedule at the Disney site, but get worried when I see it mentioned elsewhere. I'm hoping it (Pirates) wont all the sudden appear on the refurb list right before we go. We'd be heartbroken. FIRST and LAST ride always!

Jungle Cruise is coming up on the calendar as closed from Feb 10-12. Short closure!

Thanks Lynzer. We'll be sure to ride that and Matterhorn before they shut down.

 

[pixiewings71]

We will be there too!! WooHoo! Watch for my LGMH!

 

[Petticoat Pirate]

Hey PixieWings... So cowinkydink! Neighbors and hitting DL at the same time! I'd watch for your "LGMH" if I knew what an "LGMH" was...

 

[pixiewings71]

LOL Lime Green Mickey Head. Go to Home Depot and go to the paint chip section, grab a few of the Mickey Head shaped paint chips that are titled "Alien Green" take them home and decorate them up some. I have my screenname on mine and I glues 2 back to back and then put them in a self laminating pouch, punched a hole it in and put a green ribbon on it. I then tie it to my mickey sling bag. I also have a little Mickey head keychain that is lime green, I wear that hanging off my lanyard. Lime Green is the official Disboard color, that's how we identify each other in the parks. I hope we can say HI!!!!! Especially since we are so close to each IRL! Let me know if you want to trade phone #'s so we can try to touch base while there.

 

[Petticoat Pirate]

OH! That's fun! I'll get over there and get some paint chips. Although I'm new, it will be fun to let others know that I'm part of Disboards. I'll just find a way to attach it to my lanyard or something...
P.S. let me think about the phone number thing, hubby will freak if i just give it out to "random folks" (even if he's reassured that "hey, these are DISNEY random folks, not the same thing!! lol

 

[pixiewings71]

LOL DBF used to freak too, but after our mini meet just a couple weeks ago he gets it now. Especially after I explained how one of the Disers DH threw his back and they got stuck in Anaheim for an extra week....they didn't know who to call for dr assistance or anything. One of the Disers we got to meet (YellowMickeyPonchos) is local and she felt so bad when she found out about that incident. She had a great point, it's nice to "know" someone when you go to DL, that way if something happened you'd know who to call. No worries tho, I'm not a stalker so whatever feels comfy to you. Maybe you will just my LGMH and we can say HI that way.