Go now or later?

[MusicalAstronaut]

I scrolled through a few pages but didn't see a thread about this (it's probably buried in a Star Wars thread). I'm a WDW AP holder (never been to DL) who lives in GA. My husband traveled to LA for work for like half a year before my stupid self realized if I just took a few days off I could stay in his hotel for free and do DisneyLand. By the time I had that thought, his project ended and he started going to Canada for work. However, they need him back in LA for a couple weeks now. I was thinking I could try to swing a weekend trip there May 3-5. Here are the things holding me back:

1. I'm going to Disney World May 9th just for the weekend (taking Friday off work) so that's a lot of flying/traveling over the course of a week & a half.
2. I'm taking 6 days off in July and 2 off in August, meaning my PTO is going to basically be gone. That's what it's for but that means I can at most take one day for flying to & from California
3. Everything I'm reading says that DL is going to be insanely busy once Star Wars opens (of course) but also that it's pretty dang busy on weekends too, which is the only time I could go. The promo ticket through undercover tourist doesn't have maxpass.

Folks that have gone on weekends in early May (or regulars who go frequently), is it going to be worth my time to go then for my very first trip, or should I wait until 2020+ when the SWL crowds die down? I'm tempted by the promo pricing (almost half the price of a 3 day hopper at DW) but afraid that by rushing into it I won't get to really appreciate DL. Thanks <<<333

 

[abnihon]

SWGE doesn’t open till May 31st

 

[MusicalAstronaut]

SWGE doesn’t open till May 31st

This is true. I'm trying to avoid the crowds/insanity.

 

[abnihon]

This is true. I'm trying to avoid the crowds/insanity.

Then I’d go now!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Do it! Please realize the Castle is under scrims though as it’s being refurbed if that is super important to you maybe don’t go.

Weekends while busy are not insane. Also, they have full park hours & entertainment schedules which to me make the parks so much better.

You can add MP to your ticket via the app after you enter the park each day. Highly recommend trying it on day 1 and then you can decide if you want it after that on a day by day basis. It’s addicting FYI

 

[avalon451]

I dunno, I'm always all for "go if you can" because you will have a great time regardless. A weekend will be okay if you're willing to get up early for opening and follow some touring strategy-- I recommend Skyegirl/ Disneyland Daily strategies and also reading through Hydroguy's tips threads in the stickies up top of this forum.

I would also be tempted by that promo pricing. Now would be your last chance to see the park before the great influx of change that is likely to come along with SW:GE. I'm looking forward to it myself; we're going in September... but I'm sure it's going to have some big repercussions in terms of crowds and strategies for awhile.

Where will your hotel be? I'd recommend ubering to the parks rather than trying to drive and park. (Hydroguy's tips: Hidden time loss when driving to the parks)

 

[loloandstitch]

I think you should go. I know it's not early May but we went this past weekend and it was really nice! Not sure how May the 4th or Cinco de Mayo will affect crowds this year, but we didn't have to fight crowds much this past weekend. You've also done a solo trip before so I'm sure you won't make yourself too crazy.

I feel you on calculating the limited PTO... one of the only things that always stands between me and fun

 

[sunshiinedaydream]

I think you should go. I know it's not early May but we went this past weekend and it was really nice! Not sure how May the 4th or Cinco de Mayo will affect crowds this year, but we didn't have to fight crowds much this past weekend. You've also done a solo trip before so I'm sure you won't make yourself too crazy.

I feel you on calculating the limited PTO... one of the only things that always stands between me and fun

This past weekend the promo tickets were invalid so I think that was part of the cause for low crowds. Interested to see how this week pans out crowd wise.

 

[loloandstitch]

This past weekend the promo tickets were invalid so I think that was part of the cause for low crowds. Interested to see how this week pans out crowd wise.

Oh I forgot about the resident tickets. Probably blocked out because of LAUSD spring break. Will keep an eye on the app for this coming weekend.

 

[MooseBucks]

I’d go! Only downside right now is the castle refurbishment BUT you can use your time wisely to enjoy other things!

 

[HydroGuy]

I think you will have a blast and, if it were me, I would totally do DLR. May is a great time of year in SoCal weather wise. Crowds are hard to predict because of the promo tix Disney sells. But if you are solo you will be much better able to navigate.

DLR has way more Single Rider lines than WDW - see https://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/#/single-rider-line

MaxPass may be worth it too - it is different from FP+ - see "Comparing DLR's MaxPass to WDW's FastPass+" - https://www.disboards.com/threads/comparing-dlrs-maxpass-to-wdws-fastpass.3726294/

Lots more tips you can gain but it sounds like great fun to me!

 

[MusicalAstronaut]

Do it! Please realize the Castle is under scrims though as it’s being refurbed if that is super important to you maybe don’t go.

Weekends while busy are not insane. Also, they have full park hours & entertainment schedules which to me make the parks so much better.

You can add MP to your ticket via the app after you enter the park each day. Highly recommend trying it on day 1 and then you can decide if you want it after that on a day by day basis. It’s addicting FYI

Thank you for all the good info! The castle is a bummer but not a deal breaker - I'd like to experience DL before they add SWGE (that's so crazy to me, like putting it in the magic kingdom). Thank goodness I can add MaxPass! I might just so I can try to do everything possible.

 

[MusicalAstronaut]

I dunno, I'm always all for "go if you can" because you will have a great time regardless. A weekend will be okay if you're willing to get up early for opening and follow some touring strategy-- I recommend Skyegirl/ Disneyland Daily strategies and also reading through Hydroguy's tips threads in the stickies up top of this forum.

I would also be tempted by that promo pricing. Now would be your last chance to see the park before the great influx of change that is likely to come along with SW:GE. I'm looking forward to it myself; we're going in September... but I'm sure it's going to have some big repercussions in terms of crowds and strategies for awhile.

Where will your hotel be? I'd recommend ubering to the parks rather than trying to drive and park. (Hydroguy's tips: Hidden time loss when driving to the parks)

DH has hotel points so I was going to look at the Good Neighbor hotels. I was reading through the stickie yesterday (not done yet, and thanks for the other touring resources!) and saw they have lots of very close good neighbors? So I was going to look at one of those using points. Do you have any that you'd suggest (Hilton/Marriott preferably)?

 

[MusicalAstronaut]

I think you will have a blast and, if it were me, I would totally do DLR. May is a great time of year in SoCal weather wise. Crowds are hard to predict because of the promo tix Disney sells. But if you are solo you will be much better able to navigate.

DLR has way more Single Rider lines than WDW - see https://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/#/single-rider-line

MaxPass may be worth it too - it is different from FP+ - see "Comparing DLR's MaxPass to WDW's FastPass+" - https://www.disboards.com/threads/comparing-dlrs-maxpass-to-wdws-fastpass.3726294/

Lots more tips you can gain but it sounds like great fun to me!

Thank you! I'll have DH with me but we're happy to split up for single rider lines. I'll check out both the links, thanks!

It sounds like I should go! I just booked my flight with points (*screaming*) and have 24 hours to cancel if I can't swing that day off or find someone to watch my dogs.

 

[Elsaspiritanimal]

DH has hotel points so I was going to look at the Good Neighbor hotels. I was reading through the stickie yesterday (not done yet, and thanks for the other touring resources!) and saw they have lots of very close good neighbors? So I was going to look at one of those using points. Do you have any that you'd suggest (Hilton/Marriott preferably)?

I like the Courtyard Theme park entrance or Fairfield Inn when I'm using Marriott points. They both are a close walk to the park, and you pass a panera/mcdonalds for a quick breakfast on your way in if needed.

 

[avalon451]

DH has hotel points so I was going to look at the Good Neighbor hotels. I was reading through the stickie yesterday (not done yet, and thanks for the other touring resources!) and saw they have lots of very close good neighbors? So I was going to look at one of those using points. Do you have any that you'd suggest (Hilton/Marriott preferably)?

So, the "Good Neighbor" designation doesn't mean much; just that they paid Disney for the designation. It's usually to get you to book a package through Disney, and that's not necessary at all at DLR. In fact, you can usually do quite a bit better by purchasing everything separate. For example, park tickets tend to get a good discount through one of the authorized resellers. Many people here purchase through GetAwayToday, Undercover Tourist, or LMT (LastMinuteTravel). Check all three to see who's got the best prices for your dates and number of days. It might be the same as Disney with the promo, but you still might get a break.

If you're looking for proximity, I agree with the previous poster that Fairfield Inn and Courtyard Theme Park entrance are your closest. Courtyard is quite new and nicer, and if you're staying with points, I think I'd do that. Fairfield is a tad closer, but older-- lots of people on these boards love FFI. They're both easily walkable in 5-8 minutes to the crosswalk. There are some nice Hilton properties in the other direction, but a bit farther walk, unless you walk to the Toy Story shuttle and go that way. Personally, I always prefer that walking distance thing-- so easy to take a break if you need it, walk back after a long day instead of waiting for a shuttle.

By the way, you DO know that asking a question like "Should I stay or should I go" on the DISboards... well, it's just asking for the fellow addicts to enable you! We're always going to say "Absolutely, GO!"

 

[HydroGuy]

Thank you! I'll have DH with me but we're happy to split up for single rider lines. I'll check out both the links, thanks!
It sounds like I should go! I just booked my flight with points (*screaming*) and have 24 hours to cancel if I can't swing that day off or find someone to watch my dogs.

Sorry - I thought you said he had business and you were tagging a long because of the available hotel room. So I thought you would go solo. Regardless, hope everything works out!

 

[MusicalAstronaut]

So, the "Good Neighbor" designation doesn't mean much; just that they paid Disney for the designation. It's usually to get you to book a package through Disney, and that's not necessary at all at DLR. In fact, you can usually do quite a bit better by purchasing everything separate. For example, park tickets tend to get a good discount through one of the authorized resellers. Many people here purchase through GetAwayToday, Undercover Tourist, or LMT (LastMinuteTravel). Check all three to see who's got the best prices for your dates and number of days. It might be the same as Disney with the promo, but you still might get a break.

If you're looking for proximity, I agree with the previous poster that Fairfield Inn and Courtyard Theme Park entrance are your closest. Courtyard is quite new and nicer, and if you're staying with points, I think I'd do that. Fairfield is a tad closer, but older-- lots of people on these boards love FFI. They're both easily walkable in 5-8 minutes to the crosswalk. There are some nice Hilton properties in the other direction, but a bit farther walk, unless you walk to the Toy Story shuttle and go that way. Personally, I always prefer that walking distance thing-- so easy to take a break if you need it, walk back after a long day instead of waiting for a shuttle.

By the way, you DO know that asking a question like "Should I stay or should I go" on the DISboards... well, it's just asking for the fellow addicts to enable you! We're always going to say "Absolutely, GO!"

I don't know, I feel like if I asked this about DW I'd get people saying "That's too last minute, too busy, you won't get to do anything", so I'm very encouraged by y'all! <3

Sorry - I thought you said he had business and you were tagging a long because of the available hotel room. So I thought you would go solo. Regardless, hope everything works out!

No worries, I could see how that'd be confusing. Basically we're piggybacking on work needing him out there, so he won't need to pay for a flight or rental car. I have enough CC points to cover my flight, and then he has hotel points so we can stay quite close, so we'd only need to pay for tickets & food.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

DH has hotel points so I was going to look at the Good Neighbor hotels. I was reading through the stickie yesterday (not done yet, and thanks for the other touring resources!) and saw they have lots of very close good neighbors? So I was going to look at one of those using points. Do you have any that you'd suggest (Hilton/Marriott preferably)?

Assuming that there are no mobility issues and that all other things are basically equal:
There are lots of choices between Hilton and Marriott in the close DLR area, especially since Marriott bought Starwood. For Hilton, you have the Hilton Anaheim (not super close, but not too far -- about a 15 minute walk at a comfortable pace or you could walk to the nearby Toy Story lot on Harbor and take the free shuttles to/from the parks, Starbucks in the lobby, good service, clean, etc.) and Homewood Suites (newer property, about a 12-15 minute walk straight up Harbor or you could take the TS shuttles). For Marriott: you already know about the Fairfield and the Courtyard Theme Park Entrance, also the Springhill Suites (corner of Katella and Harbor, right above a 24/7 CVS -- super convenient, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf downstairs on Katella, about 12 minutes walk to the parks), Residence Inn Convention Center (between the Springhill Suites and the Hilton), Marriott Convention Center (further south, maybe a 20 minute walk?, but close to the TS lot and the free shuttles), Springhill Suites on Ball Rd. (older, further away -- therefore less expensive and probably fewer points, but you could use Uber/Lyft to the DTD drop off -- about 5+ minutes away). Starwood: Sheraton Park (about 12-15 minutes walk up Harbor, one of our go-to hotels, good service, also close to the TS shuttles), Four Points (fewer points, near the freeway, but I've read decent reviews if you don't get a room next to the freeway, you can use Uber to the Harbor entrance or walk about 10 minutes).
If I had my choice:
Courtyard -- newest
FFI -- closest
Springhill -- suites and conveniently located (CVS, Starbucks, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, etc.)
Sheraton Park -- dependable, good service

 

[j9isawesome]

Go now! Who knows when SWL crowds will die down and stop ruining the parks. Most things that are under refurb right now are things like planters and curbs, it may not look great but you can still experience almost all of the Disneyland magic. Don’t forget to leave time to enjoy DCA as well. Crowds aren’t great on weekends but you can still have a great day if you plan well (either go early in the day, and or stay after fireworks til closing, get max pass & use it often, and be sure to take in unique things with no line like the entrance to mr Lincoln, the cinema showing Mickey shorts on main st, the funny princess story retellings at Princess Fantasy fair area theater, go into the Golden Horseshoe during show time, catch the Dapper Dans etc).