Go now or wait?

[mswalters]

We were planning our first and probably only trip to DL in Feb 2011, but are now thinking that perhaps we should postpone till some of the DCA construction is finished? What do those of you who are there often think? My dd is 6 and I don't won't her to miss out on things I know she would enjoy such as the parades and Mermaid ride. However, I don't have anything to compare to since I have never been.
Any thoughts?
I know it would be great either way, but we plan to stay on property, so if we are going to spend the money, I want to get the most out of it.
Thanks for your help!

 

[JH87]

Wait for sure. As of today the entire front entrance to DCA is totally under construction. Wait until the DCA update is complete. Especially if it will be your only trip to DLR. If possible (& if you can wait that long) i'd wait until Summer 2012 to visit. That's when the whole DCA project is supposed to be done.

 

[HydroGuy]

Firstly, there will always be construction. Yes DCA's current work will be done in 2012. However, there are credible rumors DL will start work on some major new rides.

On the other hand, it does appear that 2011 will see some really crazy construction at DCA. For example see the article in this thread:

New Al Lutz: Little Mermaid, DCA Construction, Esplanade Fountain?, AP Changes Coming

Since your DD is so young I would lean towards waiting until at least summer 2012 when the current DCA work is complete.

HTH

 

[Raindown]

I'd wait till perhaps the parade or Little Mermaid but, I wouldn't wait all the way till 2012. Even if you went in February you'd still have fun. I'd do what ever works out time wise for you.

 

[Disney Dreams]

I understand what you are concerned about with wanting not to miss anything, but here's the thing on that....

There will always be something "coming next," something not done, something to wait for. That's the beauty of Disney... it's always growing and changing. Walt Disney once said that Disneyland will never be complete as there is imagination left in the world. I think this is still true today.

If you wait to take her until nothing is being created, you will never go.

The entry to DCA is under construction right now (as are other parts of the park) because of the expansion that is in progress. If you want to wait until that is finished (and maybe the Little Mermaid attraction), I could understand that as all totaled it is quite a bit of new things to see, but if you are able to go now, I am not sure I am a proponent of the "wait" theory. Life is unpredictable. You never know what may pop up and then you might be left wishing you had taken the trip sooner.

Just my 2 cents,
Dreams

 

[Dizzy4DL]

I understand what you are concerned about with wanting not to miss anything, but here's the thing on that....

There will always be something "coming next," something not done, something to wait for. That's the beauty of Disney... it's always growing and changing. Walt Disney once said that Disneyland will never be complete as there is imagination left in the world. I think this is still true today.

If you wait to take her until nothing is being created, you will never go.

Life is unpredictable. You never know what may pop up and then you might be left wishing you had taken the trip sooner.

Oh my gosh, thank you for saying this.

Reading the other posts, I was starting to feel bad about my trip in three weeks.

I'm back on track now. Thanks

 

[funatdisney]

Not to put a damper on your trip in the next few weeks, Dizzy4DL and Disney Dreams has some very good points, I would have to side with waiting.

Although Disney will always have something going on that will require a guest to miss out on something, the construction at DCA is extensive, involving a large chunk of the park. One may feel that they are spending an awful lot of money of a fraction of one of the parks. Especially if this is their first and "probably" only visit to DLR (as the OP stated). I agree that there is still lots to see at DCA like the WoC, but for a one time visit, one may want to wait to experience a completed park for a full experience. Disneyland will be a great time in and of itself, but if the OP is traveling to DLR in what sounds like a once in a life time visit, I would wait. Of course, I am only offering my humble opinion for what it is worth.

 

[jitterbug]

We're going at the end of this month and were having similar thoughts because of all the construction. When we were originally planning we had no idea that this is would be the case but rather were happy to take advantage of the low airfare and (hopefully) low crowds. It'll be the first time for the kids and probably several years before going back, but I figure Disney magic with a side of construction is better than no Disney magic. Of course if we hadn't finalized everything and if it were our only DLR trip in the foreseeable future, I might've had to drive DH nuts by postponing.

 

[disneymama83]

This is a hard one. If this is probably going to be your only trip then I might say wait a little while, but then as Hydroguy pointed out DL will be doing some construction shortly after DCA. Personally it would make a huge difference to me if DL was going through a lot of construction during my visit since that is My FAVORITE between the two parks. So I would choose to go during the DCA construction.

Whatever you decide have fun and determine to make the best out of it!

 

[disneymama83]

Oh my gosh, thank you for saying this.

Reading the other posts, I was starting to feel bad about my trip in three weeks.

I'm back on track now. Thanks

Don't feel bad about your upcoming trip! I'm assuming that this is not going to be your first or last trip since you didn't mention that so go and have a blast.

 

[Albort]

I'd wait till perhaps the parade or Little Mermaid but, I wouldn't wait all the way till 2012. Even if you went in February you'd still have fun. I'd do what ever works out time wise for you.

parades not coming back till November... Might as well wait till 2012.

All the rides are still there... i mean, there will just be less room to walk around... there is still WoC!!!

 

[Albort]

oops, double post.

 

[{Kat}]

Firstly, there will always be construction. Yes DCA's current work will be done in 2012. However, there are credible rumors DL will start work on some major new rides.

On the other hand, it does appear that 2011 will see some really crazy construction at DCA. For example see the article in this thread:

New Al Lutz: Little Mermaid, DCA Construction, Esplanade Fountain?, AP Changes Coming

Since your DD is so young I would lean towards waiting until at least summer 2012 when the current DCA work is complete.

HTH

Is the construction going on until 2012? Thank you Hydroguy!

 

[HydroGuy]

Is the construction going on until 2012? Thank you Hydroguy!

I only know what I read, but here is what seems to be the case:

1. According to the Al Lutz article and previous news posts, the bulk of the DCA construction will finish in late 2011. This involves a complete reconstruction of the entrance.

2. CarsLand will finish in mid-2012. It is not very disruptive because it is a park expansion and hence does not affect the normal traffic patterns. The only realy disruption is of the view.

It is expected this phase will all be done by summer 2012.

 

[HydroGuy]

I understand what you are concerned about with wanting not to miss anything, but here's the thing on that....

There will always be something "coming next," something not done, something to wait for. That's the beauty of Disney... it's always growing and changing. Walt Disney once said that Disneyland will never be complete as there is imagination left in the world. I think this is still true today.

If you wait to take her until nothing is being created, you will never go.

The entry to DCA is under construction right now (as are other parts of the park) because of the expansion that is in progress. If you want to wait until that is finished (and maybe the Little Mermaid attraction), I could understand that as all totaled it is quite a bit of new things to see, but if you are able to go now, I am not sure I am a proponent of the "wait" theory. Life is unpredictable. You never know what may pop up and then you might be left wishing you had taken the trip sooner.

Just my 2 cents,
Dreams

Dreams, as I alluded in my earlier post I tend to agree with this sentiment - especially the part about not putting off living to the future. However, I think we all agree that what is happening at DCA is beyond normal. The question becomes is it so far beyond normal that it is worth delaying a trip for the OP who states it would be a once-in-a-lifetime trip. I truly do not know the answer either...

Here are some quotes from Al's latest article that one should weigh...

I've said it before and it bears repeating again: Never in the history of Disney theme parks has something like this been attempted; the complete rebuilding and big budget re-themeing of an operating park’s entry complex and opening area.

DCA’s main entrance area will be in a constant state of flux due to the ever-expanding scale of the overhaul throughout 2011. This winter and spring DCA visitors will need to run through a rat’s maze of walls to get into the park, and on busy days they will be setting up an elaborate queue of switchbacks in front of them to help pulse people into the temporary entry lanes. It promises to be ugly and confusing for most of this year, especially for the casual tourists. By next October the new turnstile complex will be complete, and a semblance of normality will return to the DCA entrance. But through the remainder of 2011 and in to 2012 arriving DCA visitors will enter under the Pan Pacific turnstile structures and then take a hard right turn and be shuffled down a corridor behind Soarin’ to be dumped into the park there.

 

[angryduck71]

I have another view... you're lucky enough to go in off-season (I know there's debate about which is better). Here's the deal -- if you go off-season you will probably see more of what is open and have less crowds. Off-season there's always something closed so who cares that there's something closed now. Later in life, with school and such, I doubt your daughter will ever get to go at such a non-crowded time. And, someone said your daughter is young. I was 4 when I first went to Disneyland. I'm about to turn 40 and I still remember it vividly as one of my favorite life memories. We went when it was not crowded and I spent 30 minutes with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs BY MYSELF (doubt that would happen now). My boy is 4 and he's already been to WDW, remembers it and loves it. We're going in February to Disneyland like I did when I was 4. He's SO excited. He doesn't know that he might be missing a parade or other rides that will be there later. He will love what is there now. And, quite frankly, if you watch for deals and try again, I bet you go again once you've gone once.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I feel no matter what you are always going to miss something. Off-season the risk of some of the rides being down for refurb or maintenance greatly increases. We always look at what is the most important to us and do it.
Jack

 

[GrandBob]

There will always be something "coming next," something not done, something to wait for. That's the beauty of Disney... it's always growing and changing. Walt Disney once said that Disneyland will never be complete as there is imagination left in the world. I think this is still true today.

If you wait to take her until nothing is being created, you will never go.

I completely agree with Dreams. And to amplify what AngryDuck71 says, I offer my experience with my DGD7 (going on 8).

Took her to WDW at age 5. It was magical! She met and got autographs from all the characters, especially the princesses. We dined with Cinderella in her castle. Magic!

Took her to DLR at age 6. Yet more magic! More princess meet&greets, lots of rides, including fairy-tale rides, etc.

Took her to DLR this year, age 7. While we had lots of fun on the rides, and there was still lots of magic, there was one problem. She had grown up. When we offered to take her to PFF, she said, "nah, they're just regular people in princess costumes." I was crestfallen. How quickly they grow up

We still had lots of fun. But the lesson is, grab the magic while you can!

-Bob

 

[angryduck71]

GrandBob articulated that much better than I did. Yes, go now while it's still so magical!

 

[Disney Dreams]

...there was one problem. She had grown up.

,
Dreams