Early May-good time to go to DL?

[Nermel9]

Hello everyone,

I'm getting married next May and was all set to go to Disney World for 5 days for my honeymoon...then for some reason, I started looking into Disneyland and am interested in going there instead! I've been to WDW 6 times and never to Disneyland so I'd love to see it finally!

However, i know nothing about planning a trip to DL. So I'm wondering, would May 6th-10th be a good time to go there? How are the crowds? And the weather? Like I said, I know nothing about DL really, and I've been to CA one time, but it was northern CA in June so I don't know how the weather compares to southern CA. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

 

[Peg In The Pound]

We were there two years ago the last week of April into May.
The crowds were minimal, the weather was perfect (shorts during the day and a fleece in the evening) and the refurbishments were minimal. We found it a fantastic time to visit.

 

[DLR29]

Crowds should be low because there aren't any school breaks around that time. Weather should be warm and nice.

The issues with that time is that not all of the entertainment will be running. Fantasmic and fireworks probably won't be shown during the week (Fantasmic actually will have been dormant from January-May because of refurbs). The Electric Parade isn't shown during that time either. Not sure about the new World of Color show at DCA. It will probably be shown nightly because of the expected huge crowds (just for that 1 show), but that hasn't been confirmed yet.

Also, park hours might be a little shorter. Last year, the park hours increased with each week. So the first week of May the hours were the shortest (DL: 10AM-8PM, DCA: 10-6) and each succeeding week, they added an extra hour to the operating hours (DL went from 10-8 to 9-8 to 9-9 to 9-10).

You might also run the risk that some rides might not be open because it's a slow time. That won't be known for a little while though.

Not trying to discourage you from going at that time, just warning you.

 

[HydroGuy]

As DLR29 said, Fantasmic will likely be down until later into May or possibly June. May weather is usually great - warm but not too hot. May is off-season at DLR.

Here are some links that might help:

"Detailed Weather History for DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158

"What You Should Know About Off-Season at DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18462889

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[Nermel9]

Thank you! I looked at the rides that were being refurbished in early May this year, the only thing that really concerned me was Peter Pan's flight. As long as none of the big rides are closed, especially the ones that aren't at WDW, I won't mind! I don't really care about Fantasmic, I saw it once at WDW and honestly, I don't really feel the need to see it again!

When do they normally announce the refurbishment schedule? This seems a lot different than WDW, they announce things months in advance!

 

[Nermel9]

Oh one more thing, any suggestions on where to stay? I was thinking of one of the good neighbor hotels, in the moderate category...

 

[DLR29]

Thank you! I looked at the rides that were being refurbished in early May this year, the only thing that really concerned me was Peter Pan's flight. As long as none of the big rides are closed, especially the ones that aren't at WDW, I won't mind! I don't really care about Fantasmic, I saw it once at WDW and honestly, I don't really feel the need to see it again!

When do they normally announce the refurbishment schedule? This seems a lot different than WDW, they announce things months in advance!

I wouldn't count out DLR's Fantasmic that quickly. I've seen both and can say without a shadow of a doubt that DLR's is MUCH better, especially with the new additions that they put in this past summer. It's like Space, Buzz, and Pirates....same name at both resorts, better experience at DLR!

Refurb schedules come out whenever. There's not really a set date. My guess is that by January/February the main refurbs should be out for May.

Oh one more thing, any suggestions on where to stay? I was thinking of one of the good neighbor hotels, in the moderate category...

HoJos is a DLR DIS favorite. Nice beds, 8 minute walk to the parks, awesome pool. If not that and you would prefer to stay closer, Best Western Park Place Inn and Tropicana Inn are both about a 5 min walk to the parks. Both have subpar breakfasts and the rooms are just average hotel rooms, but you can't beat the location. If you are ok with being a little farther away from the parks, a lot of people like the Candy Cane Inn, which has nice rooms and is maybe an 8-10 min walk, but they do provide a free shuttle too.

Just some options.