Disneyland trip Jan '13

[Tasia]

I am planning a trip for my family in January. If we go over the long weekend will we be less likely to have closure of rides?
We are staying for the first time at the DLH does anyone have any tips? My kids will be very young 1 and almost 3. We are going right in between their birthdays as a celebration for both of them, can we do still do the birthday things at the park, like at the plaza, or does it have to be the day of their actual birthday??
We are also going with my parents and it is their trip for the 40th anniversary. They are going late because they couldn't go during their actual anniversary. Is there anything nice or special we can do for them?? Recommendations??
Thanks!!

 

[Stitch35]

I am planning a trip for my family in January. If we go over the long weekend will we be less likely to have closure of rides?
We are staying for the first time at the DLH does anyone have any tips? My kids will be very young 1 and almost 3. We are going right in between their birthdays as a celebration for both of them, can we do still do the birthday things at the park, like at the plaza, or does it have to be the day of their actual birthday??
We are also going with my parents and it is their trip for the 40th anniversary. They are going late because they couldn't go during their actual anniversary. Is there anything nice or special we can do for them?? Recommendations??
Thanks!!

Long weekend or not, if they are refurbing in Jan it will probably still be closed. Expect at least one thing to be closed. Crowds are heavy on the long weekends. With kids so young, I would try any other time in Jan (besides the tinkerbell half) if you can. You can do all birthday celebrations, birthday buttons, etc during your trip. It doesn't have to be on the actual day

For your folks get them anniversary buttons. They are free at city hall. Also a nice dinner at BB, Napa Rose, etc. Believe it or not my folks get a big kick out of Minnie and friends! They love watching my boys interact with the characters. Maybe have them pilot the Mark Twain, ride in the Lillybell or take a tour.

 

[mouseymommy]

When we had lunch at Big Thunder Ranch they asked if anybody was celebrating their anniversary. They probably just sing a song for them, but that could be fun. They have good food too! We got the birthday ears and a button for our son, and he got so much attention. He loved it! Have fun, it sounds like you have a great trip planned.

 

[larina]

We're going the weekend before the holiday to avoid some of the crowds. It does mean some things will be down (I think IASW and HM will be down for their holiday undo) but I find there's always something down I wish I could go on.

 

[Tasia]

oh no! I Just looked and we are booked for the tinker bell marathon weekend. We will be there from the 17 - 25. What does this mean? I didn't even think to check before hand

 

[skiingfast]

oh no! I Just looked and we are booked for the tinker bell marathon weekend. We will be there from the 17 - 25. What does this mean? I didn't even think to check before hand

If you booked that is good. The runners book a lot of hotel rooms. Other than that you have little to worry about. On the Marathon morning you may hear some extra noise as they get up early and start the race. The parks may open kind of late, without Magic morning or Extra Magic Hours. In the past they ran through DL, DL opened while the runners later went through DCA. This could effect a new normal opening hour for DCA.

We're going the weekend before the holiday to avoid some of the crowds. It does mean some things will be down (I think IASW and HM will be down for their holiday undo) but I find there's always something down I wish I could go on.

If they do this again, HM closes right after the Holidays end. HM reopens after the removal of the overlay and then Small World closes for its turn.

 

[ValpoCory]

oh no! I Just looked and we are booked for the tinker bell marathon weekend. We will be there from the 17 - 25. What does this mean? I didn't even think to check before hand

If you booked that is good. The runners book a lot of hotel rooms. Other than that you have little to worry about. On the Marathon morning you may hear some extra noise as they get up early and start the race. The parks may open kind of late, without Magic morning or Extra Magic Hours. In the past they ran through DL, DL opened while the runners later went through DCA. This could effect a new normal opening hour for DCA.

More than the marathoners, the fact that Tasia is going right in the middle of a National Holiday weekend (MLK Day is 1/21/2013) is going to be the main reason the parks will be crowded.

We delayed our arrival until January 26th just to avoid this convergence of events on that weekend.

 

[skiingfast]

More than the marathoners, the fact that Tasia is going right in the middle of a National Holiday weekend (MLK Day is 1/21/2013) is going to be the main reason the parks will be crowded.

Hardly the main reason at all. A weekend is busy because it's a weekend most people kids and adults get the weekend off. MLK day is not a day many get off work or school.

I'll say it again, the main thing the Marathoners make busy is hotels. The Marathon can effect the park's openings, they do not make them overly busy.

 

[NiceOneSimba]

As for the Tinkerbell half affecting park opening times, they bumped up the start time of the race this year. The race will starts at 5 a.m. They way they route the race, I don't think it will affect park opening (the runners should be out of DL by 6:15, and should be out of DCA by 9). There may be fireworks at the start of the race, which is a bit crazy, but awesome at the same time.

I am expecting the parks to be perhaps busier than a normal weekend in January, but not crazy busy. The race registration didn't include a park ticket, and I know that a good percentage of the people coming won't be bringing their families with them.

I would expect the area surrounding DLR to be busier than normal, especially restaurants. But I'm not convinced that the parks themselves will be crazy busy.

 

[ValpoCory]

MLK day is not a day many get off ... school.

In Texas, MLK day is a school holiday. Not sure about California. Any 3 day school holiday weekend is going to be busy at Disney parks.

In order to ignore the impact of the marathon, let's look at WDW. For that, Touringplans.com lists Monday the 21st as a "7" day and Monday the 28th as a "4" day. MLK day is a huge boost to the crowds. The only other "7" or higher Monday between December and Spring Break is Presidents Day.

ETA:

HOLIDAYS REQUIRED BY THE CALIFORNIA EDUCATION CODE
These usually mean 3 day weekends for schools. Section 37220 requires schools to close on the following days:

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: A Monday or Friday in the week of Jan 15

 

[Tasia]

Thanks everyone! I think we are going to change our dates so it's not as busy for the little kids and my dad.
Thanks so much!!