HELP! Pro's and Con's DL in April OR May

[Liberator]

I plan to travel to Las Vegas in spring 2015 with a friend. We already picked hotels and some activities.

My friend suddenly was like "What about Disneyland?". She saw some advertising online while looking for LV-activities.

I checked the map and realized it is "only" about an 4 hour drive. I guess 4 hrs is considered as a short-drive in the US. You could drive through 1/2 of Germany in this time. With cheap prices for rental cars (EUR 120,00 for 3 days) and your cheap gas prices (this is like vacation from our gas prices) we think it is worth to get to Anaheim.

(one gallon is 3,78 liters. One liter gas here is about EUR 1,63 at the moment. That would be about 8,30 $ per gallon)


I saw that 2015 prices are not available at this time but I checked some rates and think with +/- 700 $ for one night at PPH and 2day-tickets without hopper option we are in! We will drive in the early morning and drive back in the evening of the next day.


I've been to Disneyland in Paris with this friend before (DLP is garabage - small, dirty, VERY expensive, worn) and to WDW three times, so I know about things like rope drop, taking breaks, fast passes, ADR's and so.

But what about crowds? I am not that familiar with national holidays in the US.

We plan to travel in April or May, depending on flight prices. What dates should we avoid? I know that you need to have a positive attitude when high crowds are existent and that you can still do a lot of rides with FP and rope drop, but it would be much nicer to travel during low crowd days.

What about hotel prices in April/May? Do you think my 700 $ are OK for 2 ticket-days and 1 night? I know about the onsite prices and we are willing to pay, but there are limits and I guess with the crowds the prices will go up. DLH is much nicer than PPH, but also even more expensive.

Are there any discounts during that period?

I feel a little unaware about Disneyland. Are there any important things I need to know? Any strategies? Can you recommend any restaurants for two young adults?

Thank you for your help


edit: We are in the ADAC (German automobile club) and can make use of AAA benefits. Is there any discount with AAA?

 

[HydroGuy]

Here are a wide array of tips to get you started...

1. Do not drive from Las Vegas to DLR on a Sunday - especially anytime after noon. The traffic can be extremely bad. The 4 hour trip can easily turn into an 8 hour trip.

2. Be aware that 2015 will be a special year at DL - see "What to expect for DL's 60th anniversary in 2015" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3280301

3. Holidays - see "List of American Holidays" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1937849

4. You may be able to use a AAA-type membership for hotel discounts. That will be about it.

5. Here are tips for choosing when to visit DLR - "Choosing When To Visit DLR: Summary of High and Low Season and When Each Happens" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=36509602

6. Here are some tips comparing DLR to WDW - "A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[figment_jii]

I've been to Disneyland in Paris with this friend before (DLP is garabage - small, dirty, VERY expensive, worn) and to WDW three times, so I know about things like rope drop, taking breaks, fast passes, ADR's and so.

I would highly recommend reading HydroGuy's thread about DLR for WDW Vets (he posted the link in his post). DLR is very different from WDW in some key aspects. Primarily, dining and fast passes are very different at this point. Dining is no where as difficult to get and ADRs only open 60-days in advance. DLR is still using the paper/legacy FP system (so no FP+).

In terms of times to avoid, I would avoid May 7-10 if possible. That is the weekend of the Tinkerbell Half Marathon, so large crowds are expected in the parks. I would also (probably) avoid the week before (and maybe) after Easter (April 5, 2015).

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

PPH is just fine, though your better bets are the inexpensive hotels along Harbor Blvd across the street from DL to the east.

In terms of getting there from LV, you may want to explore discount carrier flights between LV and LA, which are many.

 

[GrandBob]

You've gotten some very good advice. Here are a few more tips:

1. US schools have varying periods for spring break during this time, but most spring breaks are centered around Easter. The parks can get extremely busy during spring break season. In 2015, Easter falls on April 5. To be safe, I'd schedule your trip for at least a week or two later than that. Any time after April 19 or so should be safe.

2. The other US holiday to avoid is Memorial Day, which in 2015 is May 25. Memorial Day weekend is traditionally also very crowded, as it's the unofficial start to our summer season.

3. I like the suggestion to fly. I just looked at Southwest, one of our premier low-cost carriers, and other than some prime-time flights, you can get round trip from Las Vegas to Orange County airport (LAS to SNA) for about $150 per person, round trip. A very attractive alternative. SNA is very close to Disneyland, about a $40 taxi ride each way.

4. Since you'll likely be travelling in low season, be aware that the night-time shows are likely to show only on weekends, not during week days. See Hydroguy's excellent post on Low and High Seasons

Have a great trip!

Bob

 

[Liberator]

Thank you very much for all your helpful advice!

I will make sure to read the WDW-DLR thread clearly

 

[tarheelalum]

The end of the month in April is the best time to go during those two months from my experience. This year it was terribly hot at the end of April but that was unusual. Most years I go during the last week of April and have a great time and the crowds are usually not that bad.

 

[Liberator]

we now have dates for Vegas and Disney...Disney will be May 23 - 25.

I just visitted the Disney website for prices.

and...HOLY COW 344 $ excl. tax PER NIGHT for the PPH

uhm. Is there something special this weekend? The rate drops significant after this weekend. It is even higher than this year's Christmas rate

no way!


EDIT: AAAH it is memorial Day..HOORAY

 

[larina]

we now have dates for Vegas and Disney...Disney will be May 23 - 25.

I just visitted the Disney website for prices.

and...HOLY COW 344 $ excl. tax PER NIGHT for the PPH

uhm. Is there something special this weekend? The rate drops significant after this weekend. It is even higher than this year's Christmas rate

no way!


EDIT: AAAH it is memorial Day..HOORAY

As said, Memorial Day is one of the most crowded weekends at the park. I went that weekend, never again, and I go at Christmas. Only time I've seen the park close even to reentry (we were going to take a midday break but there was a guy flipping out about not be allowed to get back to his children in the park. We decided just to stay put.

 

[Liberator]

is it crowded just on specific dates or all the weekend?

our park days would be May 23 and May 24...Memorial Day is May 25. We just rolled the numbers. For 2 nights the price difference to the regular prices hurts, but when we move our dates prices at the MGM Grand and Venetian (our Hotels in Vegas) are exploding, too.

we are going to drive in the night so that we arrive at Disney early in the morning.

what would you do? This might be our only chance to visit Disneyland for the next decades. Skip it or do it with a positive attitude and a lot of planning and FP ?!

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

is it crowded just on specific dates or all the weekend?

our park days would be May 23 and May 24...Memorial Day is May 25. We just rolled the numbers. For 2 nights the price difference to the regular prices hurts, but when we move our dates prices at the MGM Grand and Venetian (our Hotels in Vegas) are exploding, too.

we are going to drive in the night so that we arrive at Disney early in the morning.

what would you do? This might be our only chance to visit Disneyland for the next decades. Skip it or do it with a positive attitude and a lot of planning and FP ?!

The whole weekend will be crowded. Memorial Day is a federal holiday, making a three-day weekend (though a lot of people will take the Friday off and make it an even longer weekend.) It's the traditional beginning of the summer season in America for purposes of outdoor activities, festivals, etc., and especially taking vacations (so basically it's a really big deal here.) I would expect the parks to be very crowded all weekend. For better hotel rates, look at the off-site Good Neighbor hotels within walking distance. They are always much cheaper than the on-site Disney hotels.

I would still go, but strategy will be key. Most of us here would suggest during peak periods like this to make sure you get to the parks for rope drop (when they open) to beat the crowds, and also to make wise use of Fastpass, which is still the old paper system at DLR.

 

[Liberator]

We booked yesterday with Small World Vacations. We discussed it, tried to move our vacation dates etc., but then we thought for 2 nights the price difference is not too much and we will go for "Krauts beating the crowds"

I will never tell anyone around me what a night costs - I think only Disney-fans can understand that.