Help?? Go this May or in two years???

[coconutsunshine]

Help everyone,

We weren't really considering a trip to Disneyland for a few years so I haven't done my research yet. A good deal came up for our flight and we are considering going this May. With all the closures would you say we should wait to come and go in two years (going on a cruise spring 2017). We probably wouldn't be able to go back for at least 3-5 years if we go this year. The main reason we were waiting is that my youngest son is currently 38 inches (39 with shoes ) so not quite tall enough yet to ride the bigger rides. We really want to see Disneyland so we aren't sure if we want to wait! Thanks for any help. I think the sale ends tonight, eek!

 

[LizzyS]

That's a tough one. On one hand, I almost always will vote for sooner rather than later. On another, if you wait, all of your kids will be able to ride the rides and Star Wars Land (if that's important to you) will likely be open the next time you go.

 

[LizzyS]

To add to that, I don't know about you, but I like to do a fair bit of research before I take off and go somewhere, so that should probably factor into your decision a little bit, too.

 

[sherilaine]

There is a saying - there's the devil you know and the devil you don't know. Right now May 2016 is the devil you know or at least can get to know with a little research. There are closures, but it seems there are always closures to some extent at DLR, finding that perfect window can be tricky especially when travelling any significant distance. The dollar has at least recovered some, airfares are starting to show some serious discounts and they haven't elected Trump for President yet....

The devil you don't know is what will things be like in a "few" years - 2 years might still not have Star Wars land open, nothing has been formally announced, 3 years you'd think for sure it's open. But then how much will it cost, how busy will it be - what damage will the new President have done? All this no one can predict.

Also, keep in mind that reaching a height requirement does not make one want to go on a ride they find scary or too big or funny sounding, the reasons go on and on. We took our kids to DLR when they were 9 and 8 and it wasn't until we returned when they were 10 and 9 that they rode Space, Indy, Screamin' etc. My son did ride BTMRR when he was 8 and was so traumatized (as he was a bit of a baby to be perfectly honest) that even though we told him how awesome it was our last trip after being refurbished, there was no way to get him on the thing!

Whatever you decide - enjoy your cruise at the very least!!

 

[Angrose]

I also agree with @sherilaine that just because a child meets the height requirement does not necessarily mean they are ready for those rides. My son is 8 and there's NO WAY he will go on Space Mtn, BTMRR, Splash, Screamin', etc. Anything too high or too fast is a no go for him. I'm hoping we can sweet talk him into at least trying BTMRR on this next trip!

Regarding "all the closures", I think people make it sound much worse that it really is. The only things that will still be closed in May are the ROA attractions and the railroad. Now to some that may be a really big deal, but the coffer dams on the river make it still look completely full and the Mark Twain river boat is still on the water to explore. Jungle Cruise and Autopia should be back up and running in early May. Yes, the railroad being down is a bummer, we ride it a lot, but it's not stopping us from going! There are still TONS of attractions, shows, parades and the amazing fireworks to enjoy. I would TOTALLY go now if that's what you really want to do! There's no time like the present! Have fun!!

 

[agamble]

I think either way could be fine, but don't let your son's height deter you from going. As many have said some kids aren't ready for fast rides regardless of ages. My five year old has been riding the 40" rides since just before she turned 3, she's a daredevil. I have had several friends take 7 and 8 year old kids who have been afraid of the big rides. Now if your little one loves thrills and will be jealous that the others are on those rides, that may be something to consider. But if he is four or younger, you'll likely be able to distract with a different ride. Rider Swap is a great system that allows one parent to ride with bigger kids and the other can take the smaller one on something they love. This also allows for some one on one bonding with the kids. One of my favorite things about Disneyland is that unlike many other parks, the majority of rides have no minimum (OR maximum) height requirements so everyone can ride together.

 

[Niltiac]

I agree that the current closures really aren't that bad. A lot of people don't even realize that TSI and the canoes exist. I think the only reason to be concerned about the river and/or railroad closures is if one of them has sentimental value for you personally, or if they decide to do away with the coffer dams and drain the whole river (this would affect the atmosphere of a very large area). If you come back in a few years, who knows what will be closed. Maybe they'll discover they need to temporarily close other areas to finish SWL work. Or maybe they'll open SWL and decide that since we have a whole new land to keep us occupied, it's a good time to do major refurb on other popular rides. If you go now, at least you know what you're getting into.

 

[gottalovepluto]

"we really want to see Disneyland"

That's what stood out to me. If you can do it right now, I would go for it. If you love it you can return once Star Wars land is done in a few years!

There is a lot to see in the parks right now, even when you take out the big rides! DL is made for all ages. Characters, toon town, fantasyland, submarines, Pirates, jungle cruise (if it's open) just in DL. DCA has less but still some great stuff (TSMM, WOC). Yes, some things are closed off, but fwiw once Star Wars land does open I suspect it will be pure chaos in DL!

Good luck with your decision, it's a tough one indeed!

 

[gottalovepluto]

...But then how much will it cost, how busy will it be - what damage will the new President have done?

...

 

[ktlm]

You say you really want to see Disneyland and there is a good deal on a flight, so I would say go for it. Disneyland doesn't take nearly the research that WDW does. You should have plenty of time to get ready and I doubt you will have any trouble getting any dining reservations you want. The problem with putting things off is that you never know what might happen in the future- people get sick or hurt, jobs are lost, etc. Hopefully none of that will happen to you, but I say live your life in the present and go now and have the fun and make the memories!!! I also agree with the others that being 40 inches in no way guarantees that you can get them on the bigger rides. Some kids love them, some kids don't want anything to do with them.

 

[LizzyS]

...

I got a chuckle at that, too.

 

[Butterfly123]

I agree. Unless you think it would be a really big deal, and upsetting to your youngest to have to skip some rides, I would go now, and then you could go back in a few years when the new land is open. There are closures, but there is still so much to do and see. When we started going when my kids were young, my youngest did not always want to ride everything he was tall enough to ride. So one parent took the older two, and one parent did something the younger wanted to do. But most things worked for us to do all together. If you have a good deal, there is plenty of time to plan for May.

 

[coconutsunshine]

Thanks everyone for your advice. Unfortunately we didn't book tonight We just didn't have all our ducks in a row, if the sale extends or comes back though, I'm pretty sure we have decided to go for it!! We do have a vacation booked to WDW in September so this was a bonus ;p

 

[kathy884]

I'd be in the camp to go for it unless you think your little one would be really bummed not to do the big rides. A few closures for us are no big deal at all, and if you think it would be really fun for your family -- I'd go for it. You never know what the future holds.

 

[sherilaine]

Thanks everyone for your advice. Unfortunately we didn't book tonight We just didn't have all our ducks in a row, if the sale extends or comes back though, I'm pretty sure we have decided to go for it!! We do have a vacation booked to WDW in September so this was a bonus ;p

I am guessing this was the Westjet 3 day sale - they have been doing a lot of sales lately - there is a good chance you'll get another chance at a great rate!

 

[coconutsunshine]

I am guessing this was the Westjet 3 day sale - they have been doing a lot of sales lately - there is a good chance you'll get another chance at a great rate!

Actually we were using aeroplan points but there was a sale on the points reducing the amount we had to pay to almost nothing. Air Canada usually matches West Jet, so fingers crossed there will be another one soon

SOOO we decided to research and plan as if we are going in the hopes that another sale comes up. Our dates are super flexible, we can pretty much go any date from late April to early June. If a sale pops up we are going for it!!!!