Gonna cry from closures...

[MenchieMan87]

I am always bummed to see someone disappointed.

However, I never quite get it when people choose to not visit this forum before making decisions like trip dates and then after their decisions are made and they missed all of the good advice we could have given they come here to be sad.

I agree. There are too many depressing threads here with people who planned their vacations during the off season and then are super disappointed when they find out rides are going to be closed.

 

[cyclenut]

I am always bummed to see someone disappointed.

However, I never quite get it when people choose to not visit this forum before making decisions like trip dates and then after their decisions are made and they missed all of the good advice we could have given they come here to be sad.

I was thinking something similar but I also realized that even with the number of visits on this forum, we probably only see a small percentage of all DLR visitors. So many people find these fourms AFTER they've made plans.

I've lived in SoCal since HS. We went to DL a lot back then (well, it was probably less than once per month, but it was a lot to someone who didn't grow up in SoCal). As I got older and had other priorities, I didn't visit for many years. Even so, you could always read about Disney in the local paper and talk to real fans to learn about ride closures, traffic patterns, etc. I guess I've sort of taken that for granted.

More recently I've wondered at how out of town guests feel about things like ride closures, construction, etc. When you only go once in 4-5 years, it seems like that is a much bigger deal when your favorite ride is down. That said, does it really affect the overall experience that much? Yes, it is a bummer, but I've always felt like there is so much else to see and do, I can't imagine it really affecting the trip that much.

I'm asking only because I really don't understand (I don't mean this in a negative way at all) the perspective of someone from out of town and feeling like they are "missing out".

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I think it's a matter of no entertainment on the schedule yet. Hard to believe, but I know the AP calendar only goes to mid-August right now.

I am planning a surprise Labor Day weekend trip for my family right now. It makes me sick to think that HM will be closed. I'm going to be rattling that gate everytime we pass! We ride that ride a dozen times plus when we visit.

I was debating postponing until Thanksgiving time, but the crowds really concern me.

So far, HM is the only refurb on the list, so I need to suck it up and be thankful. It could be worse.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

I'm asking only because I really don't understand (I don't mean this in a negative way at all) the perspective of someone from out of town and feeling like they are "missing out".

We've only been able to go about every 4 years. It really does suck when your favorite ride is down. Cuz then you realize that IF you get to come back in 4 years, it will have been 8 years since you've ridden it LOL. Pirates (easily my favorite) was closed on my honeymoon. We missed it by one day. I knew this going into it. There was nothing I could do (well aside from replanning my whole wedding LOL) so we went into it knowing.

We frowned as we walked by..then we went on HM and got over it. That trip was gonna be special period. It was our honeymoon! I guess for me, it was upsetting to a small degree but we knew we'd come again some day and it was popular enough they PROBABLY won't be ripping it out LOL.

 

[ducky_love]

I feel your pain. We did all our research on dates but wanted to book our flights early to get the best price. Sure enough POTC is closed! This isn't the first time it has happened to us. It is the price you pay for booking DL in advance.

But this trip is all about HMH anyway!!

 

[snikelfrizt]

I was a little shocked to see that potc was closed over Halloween,,,, it just seems like such a Halloweenish ride?
I feel your pain of closures during a trip.... I always walk by the closed attractions and think "oh just maybe they will open for a trail run while I am here" lol
Go have fun, You will have a great time!!!

 

[Scaramedic]

Hey all,

I just went through the 'oh no Pirates is going to be closed' panic attack also. I planned a great trip around a special dinner at BB for our anniversary. I was really bummed out and a little hot about it being closed. Ironically it was my wife who brought me down to earth with a simple 'so what.' There is a lot of other stuff to do and we can just eat somewhere else. Did I mention my wife has NEVER been to Disneyland and has no clue what she is talking about?

But she is right. We will catch POC and BB some other time. There is still a whole ton of fun to be had. Also on a positive note the closures might keep people away from the park. That equates to less wait times and even more time to experience the whole park. Having been to Disneyland on insanely busy days and only getting in a few rides I am looking forward to a nice trip without line hassles.

Your children might miss POTC, HM, and Screamin but the positives include more time to experience the rest of the park. More time with characters, more Princess time, more photo ops, more trips on their favorite rides.

Also we just made reservations for WOC Dining Package on the 14th so WOC will be happening even if the schedule does not show it yet.

Now my panic attack revolves around the fact that we were going to visit my nephew but he has since been transferred and is no longer in SoCal. So now I have an open day which I have to fill with only 48 days to go.

For a compulsive planner like me this is crunch time.

 

[oumagic]

Hey all,
I planned a great trip around a special dinner at BB for our anniversary.

Off topic, but we had lunch at BB last year for our anniversary and dinner at Napa Rose and we were much happier with Napa Rose. Maybe the cloud has a silver lining?

Last year for our fall trip, our closures were Star Tours, Toy Story and Big Thunder and all 3 were on my son's most looked-forward to list when we booked and did not know they were closed. We had a WONDERFUL week anyway and he left with different favorites. Now he is really looking forward to POTC for this fall trip and it will be down but some we missed last year will be back up so it will all be fine. POTC is my favorite ride and I mentioned to my wife that maybe we should change and she said, "not a chance." We will be back and luckily live close. If I lived far away, I think I would probably plan high-season visits if at all possible, but then again, I love California in the fall.

 

[scion5220]

Where is the info for which rides are closed for refurbishment on certain dates?

 

[disneyfan67]

.

 

[michray]

Ok I'm just finding out about POTC closure and I'm so sad. Do they ever say they will be close but open earlier than expected?

 

[HydroGuy]

Yeah, but with two major, Disney classic rides down that aren't too far apart, to be down for a park the size of DL isn't too good. Plus no Fantasmic or fireworks??? No matter how you slice it, that's a huge bummer. Especially because Disneyland's version of POTC which is probably hands down one of the greatest theme park rides ever. I can see that one because of maintenance, but the HM closure is because of the Nightmare before Christmas Holiday overlay, correct? It seems like a waste of a good ride to do that considering how much down time is used in putting it up and taking that stuff down. Now all it takes is Indy to close down for issues while the OP is there and you're missing a major part of the DL experience.

I know things happen, but I feel for the OP because there's a lot on her list of great things she won't be able to see or experience.

HM goes down every year at this time. There is no surprise with this and one really can't base a case on that. POTC is the only real issue here. And it has to go down at some time. Again, the week after Labor Day is just about the worst week of the year to go to DLR if you want to avoid ride closures. The week after New Years Day is probably second.

 

[Disneyanajc]

1980 Disneyland trip...pre-internet
Back in the 1980's we could hardly wait for our summer Disneyland trip...our son would be old enough to really remember this trip...and all we talked about was the rides in Fantasyland...Oh this was going to be so much fun...Our trip date arrives and lo and behold...Fantasyland was closed...ALL of Fantasyland was closed! Fantasyland was closed for renovation...Did this spoil the trip...no way...we were in Disneyland and it was pure magic!


PS: I love the internet and HydroGuy...such good information

 

[Sherry E]

Even though the POTC closure is an extremely long one, it seems to me that Disney must have mapped it all out in advance and figured that this was going to be the best time to close it. They can't close it during the Summer, as the Summer is way too busy/popular. They can't close it during the peak of the Christmas holiday season (the peak would be that time frame between Thanksgiving and New Year's) because the holiday season is way too busy/popular. Even though Halloween Time as a season has gotten busier and more popular over the years, it is still less so than Summer and the Holidays. It's still technically considered off-peak season (though the crowds don't really seem off-peak to me!).

So if Disney wants to get POTC all shiny and new and refurbed by 2012 in preparation for the masses expected to descend upon the Resort for Cars Land, etc., there is only one time frame that makes sense, and that's post-Summer/pre-Holidays. A 2-1/2 month closure is never going to be convenient or welcome, and I'm sure DLR would rather not have POTC closed for Halloween season, but attendance level-wise, that's when it makes the most sense.

As for the Haunted Mansion closing for the NBC overlay, yes, it's an inconvenience for 2-1/2 weeks or whatever it is, but seeing that Haunted Mansion Holiday is THE longstanding signature attraction of the Halloween season (and has been for years) and draws big crowds cramming into huge lines, not to mention the fact that it stays up all the way until January, I think the time it takes to close it down for the installation of the overlay is worth it to Disney in the end because it attracts guests to the park.

 

[Hoku]

Much to my surprise, this is actually turning into an interesting thread - partly because of another thread that has been running concurrently.

Some people on this thread have expressed intolerance when people (like me) are saddened by closures, but I think we need to remember a balance...

Of course those of us that are sad and disappointed with closures need to reschedule our visit or, eventually, get over our disappointment. For the most part, I think we all know that. BUT, it is still natural and perfectly ok to feel sad when the news first strikes. And where better to find people that UNDERSTAND this sadness and disappointment than other Disney lovers? It helps me feel better, and keeps me off anti-depressants, to communicate my feelings and have them acknowledged and respected.

On the other hand - as has been witnessed RIGHT NOW from this other concurrent thread - there ARE people that don't understand how to get over their disappointment. Instead of a natural, healthy cry or vent in the forums to help them feel better, these people are just angry, rude and unable to get over it, bringing everyone down.

Some of you veterans on this thread have probably seen LOTS of these latter complainers. While it IS important for them to get over it, it's equally important that you not let those complainers make you bitter towards other posters that are just looking for some support.

Yes, we need to get over it. But, we also need to respect the range of emotions all of us inevitably go through when dealing with something that means so much to us all. You can be frustrated when we get unreasonable and rude, but try to keep perspective and have compassion for us otherwise.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I knew about HM before I booked. I do think it is closing earlier this year than in years past though.

 

[Sherry E]

I knew about HM before I booked. I do think it is closing earlier this year than in years past though.

It closed in late August, before Labor Day, last year. But last year was definitely an earlier closure for HM than the previous years! It kind of threw everyone for a loop because we thought HM would run through Labor Day and then close and instead it closed pre-Labor Day.

 

[TeddiBarra]

Yes, we need to get over it. But, we also need to respect the range of emotions all of us inevitably go through when dealing with something that means so much to us all. You can be frustrated when we get unreasonable and rude, but try to keep perspective and have compassion for us otherwise.

I've seen it expressed how people "can't" understand folks being so upset over closures.

How about, it's THEIR money and THEIR vacation, and so, as such, everyone gets to decide how they feel about- what's important- and whether to go, not go, or tough it out (with a cry).

 

[HydroGuy]

Much to my surprise, this is actually turning into an interesting thread - partly because of another thread that has been running concurrently.

Some people on this thread have expressed intolerance when people (like me) are saddened by closures, but I think we need to remember a balance...

Of course those of us that are sad and disappointed with closures need to reschedule our visit or, eventually, get over our disappointment. For the most part, I think we all know that. BUT, it is still natural and perfectly ok to feel sad when the news first strikes. And where better to find people that UNDERSTAND this sadness and disappointment than other Disney lovers? It helps me feel better, and keeps me off anti-depressants, to communicate my feelings and have them acknowledged and respected.

On the other hand - as has been witnessed RIGHT NOW from this other concurrent thread - there ARE people that don't understand how to get over their disappointment. Instead of a natural, healthy cry or vent in the forums to help them feel better, these people are just angry, rude and unable to get over it, bringing everyone down.

Some of you veterans on this thread have probably seen LOTS of these latter complainers. While it IS important for them to get over it, it's equally important that you not let those complainers make you bitter towards other posters that are just looking for some support.

Yes, we need to get over it. But, we also need to respect the range of emotions all of us inevitably go through when dealing with something that means so much to us all. You can be frustrated when we get unreasonable and rude, but try to keep perspective and have compassion for us otherwise.

Hoku, not sure which group I fit into and I appreciate the spirit of your response.

For me I have no problem with people saddened by closures. But you are right, there are many people who will not take the time to check out this forum before making big decisions but somehow do find the time to come here to lament (or, in some cases, complain bitterly) afterwards.

To me, this is what would come across much better - "I am so bummed about closure X and I really wish I had researched more before I made unchangeable plans. If I had then I probably could have avoided the disappointment I am feeling".

Another common thread here is that folks come in before their trip and ask "when is the time of lowest crowds?". We tell them and warn them about the downsides of lower crowds (i.e., offseason, more refurbs, reduced entertainment). They say "no problem, we want low crowds".

Then, 4+ months later when the real schedule comes out they start a thread that they had "no idea" about how many closure there would be or how much the entertainment would be reduced and that (for good measure) their trip is "ruined" and that they are "devastated".

For the folks who choose offseason with eyes wide open and take the good with the bad, hey that is all good. I am sure they will have a great trip. Same thing for those who choose high season and take the good with the bad.

I really hope your trip is as magical as it can be and that others can learn from this thread and the "other thread".

 

[twelvesixteen]

oh my gosh, me and my fam are going for our yearly trip late august (22-29)... when are these closures starting?! these are pretty much my favorite attractions... :'(