In need of serious help

[mjmcca]

Here’s the situation. Hubby wants to pull up all the rugs and lay down wood floors. In order to save my sanity and our marriage I’m pretty sure he is going to do this over the Christmas break. ( he is a teacher and I’m a school nurse so no work for either of us). I’m thinking this would be the perfect time to visit DLR again. It’s been at least 30 years since I’ve been to California.

I go to WDW frequently, I fact I’m just back. I would be bringing the kids but they are older 19 & 17. I know nothing other than at that time of year the crowds will be insane.

 

[Indiana Scott]

I did this very thing late last year. Tore out every square foot of flooring everywhere and went with Cali Bamboo - it's gorgeous and nearly bullet proof.
I've done lots of this kind of stuff and it took me 3+ weeks to do 1400 sq/ft. But I am a perfectionist.
Hard to remember exactly how long it took because that project lead to all lnew doors and milwork...
I'd allow more time.

 

[Lumpy1106]

I did this in our house too. It's not that big of a deal. You just need to clear one room at a time. Be sure you have a chop saw as well as a good nailer and it will go surprisingly fast. Use this opportunity to re-paint the walls too since you are ripping out the carpet anyway and you won't need to protect the floors.

You know, if you and the kids help him it will go a lot faster, right?

 

[FCDub]

Uh.... what? Pretty sure OP’s not looking for home improvement advice, though it’s irrelevant as the reason she wants to visit DLR.

I think she’s asking for Christmas at Disneyland tips.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... I go to WDW frequently, I fact I’m just back. I would be bringing the kids but they are older 19 & 17. I know nothing other than at that time of year the crowds will be insane.

Threads with good information for you:
* DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here! -- from the sticky threads at the top of the first page -- TONS of great information here!
From that sticky:
HydroGuy Tips Compilation -- so many helpful threads here!
A DLR Guide for WDW Vets -- absolute must reading for you!
"HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862
"Choosing the Right DLR Area Hotel for You" www.disboards.com/threads/choosing-the-right-hotel-for-you.3656512/ -- very helpful info here -- ask any questions! At DLR, it's not about on site or off site -- it's all about location, location, location! What you invest in location/hotel, you will save in sanity, peace of mind, physical wear and tear, major convenience, commute/parking time and money, etc.
"Maxpass/Fastpass: an overview and some strategy" by @Skyegirl1999 - www.disboards.com/threads/maxpass-fastpass-an-overview-and-some-strategy.3726246/ -- most WDW vets love MP once they use it -- read up on it here and ask all your questions in this thread!
"Airport Proximity to DLR and Ground Transportation Information" by @3TinksAndAnEeyore www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2318297 -- very helpful info here -- closest airports to DLR are SNA (John Wayne) and LGB (Long Beach).
OFFICIAL 2018 Christmas & Holiday Time at DLR Superthread!! -- this was last year's Holiday Time Superthread -- read through to see what was offered, when/where, crowds, how to handle crowds, etc. With a good plan and MP, this time of year can be lots of fun and very doable! NB We don't do the holiday parties here -- the festivities come with your entry ticket!
New SWGE Superthread! Now Open to All! (6/24/2019) -- ask all your SWGE questions here!

Happy trip planning! And come on back with any questions!

 

[Sue M]

If you decide to go, get Max Pass, it’s worth it especially during Christmas break.
I’m not sure where you’re planing on staying but unlike WDW it’s easy staying off site. Quite a few hotels on Harbour within walking distance to main gate. Beware some say across the street from Disneyland but aren’t across the street from main gate. We stay in The Anaheim Hotel a block from the main gate. It’s a 3 star average hotel, clean, nice grounds and great pool. At the end of the night it feels like 10 blocks away!

 

[azdisneylover]

Here’s the situation. Hubby wants to pull up all the rugs and lay down wood floors. In order to save my sanity and our marriage I’m pretty sure he is going to do this over the Christmas break. ( he is a teacher and I’m a school nurse so no work for either of us). I’m thinking this would be the perfect time to visit DLR again. It’s been at least 30 years since I’ve been to California.

I go to WDW frequently, I fact I’m just back. I would be bringing the kids but they are older 19 & 17. I know nothing other than at that time of year the crowds will be insane.

How about do the flooring over Christmas break, and go to Disneyland during spring break! This way, you both feel you are compromising.

 

[coldbeaver]

I’m not sure why this is so “serious”

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I’m not sure why this is so “serious”

If it is serious to the OP, then it is serious. Just because it doesn't seem serious to you, doesn't mean that it is any less important or challenging for the OP. Everyone on this board is deserving of the same respectful and courteous help that you have received in answer to all of your questions here.

OP: If you're going to have a serious problem, this is one of the better ones to have, right? Better to be planning a trip to DLR than facing a natural disaster any day! Keep asking questions -- you'll get good help here!

 

[cruisehopeful]

What specifically do you need help with? Visiting Disneyland is actually very easy. You don't have to book a lot of stuff ahead of time, other than sit down meals, which you can book around 60 days in advance.

Super easy Fastpasses at DL. You can buy MaxPass on a daily basis, or you can use the old paper Fast Pass system.

Since you are visiting at the most crowded time, there will be gate closures. You won't be affected by that if you get inside the parks early every day. Just remember that you may not be able to easily park hop later if there is a gate closure. So, if you want to see a parade at Disneyland later in the day, you may want to spend the entire day there.

Parkhopping is super easy the rest of the time. It's a very short walk from one park to the other. I normally go back and forth throughout the day. I think the trip is going to be way easier than you image it to be when comparing to a WDW visit.

 

[mjmcca]

I did this in our house too. It's not that big of a deal. You just need to clear one room at a time. Be sure you have a chop saw as well as a good nailer and it will go surprisingly fast. Use this opportunity to re-paint the walls too since you are ripping out the carpet anyway and you won't need to protect the floors.

You know, if you and the kids help him it will go a lot faster, right?

He most definitely does not want our help. He will be paying some friends to help him do so he won’t be working alone. It would be a disaster in the making and heading towards divorce court if I tried to help.

 

[mjmcca]

What specifically do you need help with? Visiting Disneyland is actually very easy. You don't have to book a lot of stuff ahead of time, other than sit down meals, which you can book around 60 days in advance.

Super easy Fastpasses at DL. You can buy MaxPass on a daily basis, or you can use the old paper Fast Pass system.

Since you are visiting at the most crowded time, there will be gate closures. You won't be affected by that if you get inside the parks early every day. Just remember that you may not be able to easily park hop later if there is a gate closure. So, if you want to see a parade at Disneyland later in the day, you may want to spend the entire day there.

Parkhopping is super easy the rest of the time. It's a very short walk from one park to the other. I normally go back and forth throughout the day. I think the trip is going to be way easier than you image it to be when comparing to a WDW visit.

I guess most of it is the unknown. I love WDW and know what to expect. I just just not sure what to expect at DLR. Getting to the parks early is going to be a problem cause my son does not like waking up early. That’s just one example. If in WDW it’s not as much of an issue since we mostly stay on property and only went over Christmas once.

 

[Blue32]

I guess most of it is the unknown. I love WDW and know what to expect. I just just not sure what to expect at DLR. Getting to the parks early is going to be a problem cause my son does not like waking up early. That’s just one example. If in WDW it’s not as much of an issue since we mostly stay on property and only went over Christmas once.

I would make him get up early or leave him at the hotel.
Seriously though...the first two hours at DL are soooo much better than the first two hours at WDW. Find a way to get there early. Especially at such a busy time!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I guess most of it is the unknown. I love WDW and know what to expect. I just just not sure what to expect at DLR. Getting to the parks early is going to be a problem cause my son does not like waking up early...

Will any time change work in your favor? The pp is correct that the early hours at DLR are golden and can help you get so much done, especially when the parks are busy! As for what to expect at DLR, start going through the threads I linked for you above, then come back with questions, one by one. Those threads, especially the one for WDW vets and the Holiday Time Superthread, will really help you start to get an idea of what to expect.

 

[JohnR5101]

Getting to the parks early is going to be a problem cause my son does not like waking up early.

Yeah I went with a couple of 18-22 year olds a few years back. We went in early when we wanted and had the late sleepers text us just before they would enter the park. That way we could let them know which park to enter and where to meet.
I can sleep on the plane or when I get home. DL is like caffeine to me!

 

[cruisehopeful]

Getting to the parks early is going to be a problem cause my son does not like waking up early.

I have that issue when traveling with my adult children. I will go to the parks as soon as I want to and have my kids meet up with me later. When I've stayed at the Grand Californian, I usually do my early entrance rides and then go back to the room to retrieve a sleepy head.

There are lots of hotels close by (literally within one block of the parks) in addition to the Disney Hotels. Hopefully, the time change will work in your favor. I don't believe both parks have had a gate closure at the same time. So, if one is closed, you can visit the other. As people funnel out, the gates get opened again.

FWIW, the past few years many people have posted that the days leading up to Christmas have not been busy. The extreme busy time seems to be between Christmas and New Year's Day. There are some people on this forum who visit during that extremely busy time each year and they obviously enjoy it.

 

[Rich M]

Disneyland at Christmas is good but not great. I honestly don't feel that Disneyland does enough for Christmas time IMO. I love Disney World for Christmas and am going there this December. I only bring this up as you might be a little disappointed when you compare DL Christmas to DW. That being said holiday times at DL are crazy but with the low crowds right now its a total crap shoot. I will say that even the Flex Pass is totally blocked out over Christmas so it might not be too bad during the actual holidays. If i had a choice to go to DL or help do home improvement I would be out the door faster than a hammer can be in my hand. If you decide to go get Max Pass as suggested and you will be successful.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... I don't believe both parks have had a gate closure at the same time. So, if one is closed, you can visit the other. As people funnel out, the gates get opened again...

It is extremely rare, but it has happened when both parks have had gate closures at the same time. The one I'm thinking of (because we were there at the time) happened during one of the 24 hour parties. But, that was definitely unusual, and it didn't last forever. As you noted, when enough people leave (usually after a parade or fireworks), the Fire Marshall allows the gates to be opened again.

 

[Karin1984]

I am concerned that you say 'I am pretty sure' about what he wants to do. First talk to your husband and ask him what his plans are, is it indeed going to be over Christmas break, how long does he expect it to take, when does he wants to start? What if he says, 'we will start on the 23rd and work every day for 7 days', including Christmas day. Will you then continue to flee the house and not spend Christmas together? Does he know that you want to flee the house because of this?

In my honest opinion, I would never visit a new Disney park (which it basically is after 30 years) on the busiest time of the year, it would be a waste of money to me. Why not go to WDW and know what to expect, where there is less pressure to enjoy and see and do as much as you can as you have been there before.
Otherwise, during busy times, getting up early is the best way to get most done. If your son isn't able to get up early, because that's a common problem in teenagers, what about splitting up? Go to the park in the morning and meet up later.

 

[Chickinvic]

Here’s the situation. Hubby wants to pull up all the rugs and lay down wood floors. In order to save my sanity and our marriage I’m pretty sure he is going to do this over the Christmas break. ( he is a teacher and I’m a school nurse so no work for either of us). I’m thinking this would be the perfect time to visit DLR again. It’s been at least 30 years since I’ve been to California.

I go to WDW frequently, I fact I’m just back. I would be bringing the kids but they are older 19 & 17. I know nothing other than at that time of year the crowds will be insane.

Christmas school break is the last time I would want to visit DL. I love DL, but you could'nt pay me to be there for those Christmas crowds.