May 2011 Check In-And May Has Arrived!!!!

[Brewmeister]

The current plan has us there May 3rd through May 8th at the Hojo. This will be my first time to DL. Our DS will be 16 months at the time, and will be his first big trip ever.

 

[stacieberry]

I will be there from May 17-23. I will be staying at Fairfield Inn for part of the trip and Disneyland Hotel for the other part of the trip.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Me!!! I'm in a 2br Villa at the Grand Californian from May 27 - June 3!

 

[yupikgal]

stacieberry, we normally stay at the fairfield, last year we stayed there for 3 nights, and then moved to the paradise pier for the last 2. How's the DLH coming along as far as construction, and how do you get to the park from there? We want to do Goofy's Kitchen this time for breakfast! If they have a good enough discount (if I get a rate code or something) we may stay onsite at either the DL or GC for part of the time! Last year we stayed at the PPH concierge because it was only $30-40 more than staying regular at the GC. Have fun!!

 

[stacieberry]

stacieberry, we normally stay at the fairfield, last year we stayed there for 3 nights, and then moved to the paradise pier for the last 2. How's the DLH coming along as far as construction, and how do you get to the park from there? We want to do Goofy's Kitchen this time for breakfast! If they have a good enough discount (if I get a rate code or something) we may stay onsite at either the DL or GC for part of the time! Last year we stayed at the PPH concierge because it was only $30-40 more than staying regular at the GC. Have fun!!

It's nice to know that someone has already done a hotel switch (Fairfield Inn to an official Disney hotel) in the middle of a trip. Usually when I go to Disneyland I stay at one hotel for the entire trip, but I thought this time we would mix things up a bit. I've always wanted to stay at Fairfield Inn, and this trip will be my first time there. I've also never stayed at the Disneyland Hotel, but I did go to Goofy's Kitchen for dinner.

I honestly haven't been keeping track of the renovations at the Disneyland Hotel (but I really should), so I can't answer your question... sorry! I just figured that as long as my room is OK, I'll be OK. I would think that the Disneyland Hotel would have some type of sign on how to get to the park if the usual entrance/exit is under renovation... or I would just ask a hotel worker.

I hope you can get a great deal to stay onsite. I received a special discount through my email for "most of the days" in May. This is my first time to receive what is I think a pin number discount/coupon/promotion from Disney. I was also reading somewhere that Disney could do a summer promotion later on.

I hope you get to stay where you want to and have a great trip!

 

[twopeasonepod]

Me!!! I'm in a 2br Villa at the Grand Californian from May 27 - June 3!

We are on opposite sides of Memorial Day. I admire your bravery for dealing with the crowds! My kids are still in preschool so I don't care about pulling them out.

 

[davidsprincess]

We will be celebrating our anniversary this trip. So if you are in the parks on the 17th (our actual wedding date!!) then please leave all gifts for us at City Hall

It is also first time visit for brother-in-law and sister-in-law. Their kids have no idea about this trip!!! Can't wait to surprise them.

 

[CrazyDuck]

We are on opposite sides of Memorial Day. I admire your bravery for dealing with the crowds! My kids are still in preschool so I don't care about pulling them out.

What is the opposite side of Memorial Day? My ressie runs the Friday before til the Friday after Memorial Day. I got that bugger completely surrounded! I'm not too worried about crowds (except for the Ariel effect) because it's the start of the summer season and the park should be fully staffed, Hawaii's school year is shorter than most so many places are still in session, and Memorial Day is 3 straight days of blockouts for annual passes. Nothing affects crowds more than AP blockouts!

 

[PoohNFriends]

DBF and I will be there May 1-6 in a 1-BR Villa at Grand Californian.
This will be both of our 1st trips as DVC members and to Disneyland and DBF's 1st trip to anywhere in Cali.

 

[twopeasonepod]

What is the opposite side of Memorial Day? My ressie runs the Friday before til the Friday after Memorial Day. I got that bugger completely surrounded! I'm not too worried about crowds (except for the Ariel effect) because it's the start of the summer season and the park should be fully staffed, Hawaii's school year is shorter than most so many places are still in session, and Memorial Day is 3 straight days of blockouts for annual passes. Nothing affects crowds more than AP blockouts!

Haha I guess I meant that we are going before and you will be there during and afterward!

We are pulling the boys out of school even if it means losing tuition money. I want to have fun, and four-year-olds (well, they will be five by then) standing in long lines does not equal fun haha. And I guess we are also not going when you are going since we have APs and we would be the ones blocked out hahaha.

 

[CrazyDuck]

I want to have fun, and four-year-olds (well, they will be five by then) standing in long lines does not equal fun haha.

You are kidding yourself if you think that you are not going to be standing in long lines. There are 1 million AP holders and they are all going to want to go when you are there. 2 reasons... Star and Tours! It's going to reopen on the 10th. It should draw some decent crowds. Also little mermaid should be opening in May sometime too but that is still a crap shoot. Now, while you are there, it is still considered the off season, so while there may be fewer crowds, the lines will still be long, why? Because in the off season they don't staff the rides at full capacity. They may only open one side of the Matterhorn, they may only run one elevator in haunted mansion, one ramp of boats in small world, and maybe only 2 lanes of cars in autopia etc.. etc.. Not to mention refurbs happen in the off season so rides will be down, I think Splash will still be down when you are there. You should check out these to articles by Hydroguy to get a better understanding of what to expect:

What You Should Know About Off-Season at DLR
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18462889

Understanding AP Blockouts and Impact on Crowds
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2365983

We arrive the Friday before Memorial Day weekend, but since that's the beginning of the summer season everything should be running at full steam so it shouldn't be too bad. We expect crowds, but if it gets crazy well just head back to the hotel and hang out in the pool. Infact, I plan on reserving a cabanna for the weekend so I can watch the Indy 500 while the kiddos swim.

Have Fun!

 

[marcemc]

We'll be there 23rd to the 27th. Haven't chosen a hotel yet, we are waiting for a nice special

 

[davidsprincess]

Have to ask. Is anyone else nervous about the crowds that will possibly be in the parks on the 14? I was fine until I read this:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2644667

This is first visit for DSIS-In-Law and DBRO-in-Law. I just have this awful feeling that the excitement of being there is going to drop really, really fast. One of the reasons why they wanted to go in May was because they had heard from others about how "quiet and cheap" it was to go then.
Feeling very stressed about this trip.

 

[hjgaus]

DBF and I will be there May 1-6 in a 1-BR Villa at Grand Californian.
This will be both of our 1st trips as DVC members and to Disneyland and DBF's 1st trip to anywhere in Cali.

May 4th - 8th @ VGC in a 3BR GRAND Villa w/ a 10 member family, extra long weekend staycation! This will be our 2nd year in the big room & it's so awesome!! If you see lots of teens dressed up around downtown disney in May - Prom Nite! My son's is @ the house ofb bluesv on the 28th!!

 

[dalepool]

We are going May 5th- departing May 10.

My husband and myself

Daughter, son-in-law, Grandson (7)and Granddaughter (4).

Staying HOJO Disney View

2 rooms

Some one in group snores -- oh wait that is me LOL. As such I would get two rooms no matter.

This trip is over my birthday. May 8-- Mother's Day this year also the 8th. I refuse to pay $70 dollars plus for the Mothers Day Brunch. I would have to spend all day there to get my $'s worth. I just can not spend that much -- I would not enjoy the meal knowing it cost that much.

We are also celebrating the Grand Kids birthdays (They turn 7 and 4 in April).

Grand daughter is going to do the BBB / Grand son wants to do the boy one. Actually Lilly wants to do that one to -- might have to do both for her-- not sure if they would. Guess no hurt to ask.

Anyway that is it for now -- so looking forward to seeing grand kids at DL




Patty

 

[AudreyII]

We are going May 2nd through the 6th. We will be staying at the Quality Inn.

This will be my daughters 2nd time and she's only 1! What a lucky girl! However, this is our first time just us as a family! I'm so excited to be continuing my family's tradition of family vacations at Disneyland!

As for the crowds, we have been going mid to late September for many years now so it will be a surprise for us too. We changed it to May this year to celebrate my 29th birthday and prevent going while I'm pregnant since we will be trying for baby #2 this summer.

What a year! So excited!

-Rachel

 

[Krissy Marissy]

We are going May19th-22nd. Staying in a 2 bedroom villa at GCH. We are celebrating my daughters birthday We go a couple times a month but do not usually stay overnight for more than one night so the kids are really excited!

 

[KelliLee702]

We are going to tag-a-long with the Foothill High School Marching Band Trip!
They will be performing in the Parks Fri. & Sat.
Some details are sketchy at the moment.

We might stay at the Park Vue Inn.

I'll let you know where the 100+ band members will be staying as soon as I know . . . because you might not want to stay there .

 

[Mom2Joce]

You are kidding yourself if you think that you are not going to be standing in long lines. There are 1 million AP holders and they are all going to want to go when you are there. 2 reasons... Star and Tours! It's going to reopen on the 10th. It should draw some decent crowds. Also little mermaid should be opening in May sometime too but that is still a crap shoot. Now, while you are there, it is still considered the off season, so while there may be fewer crowds, the lines will still be long, why? Because in the off season they don't staff the rides at full capacity. They may only open one side of the Matterhorn, they may only run one elevator in haunted mansion, one ramp of boats in small world, and maybe only 2 lanes of cars in autopia etc.. etc.. Not to mention refurbs happen in the off season so rides will be down, I think Splash will still be down when you are there. You should check out these to articles by Hydroguy to get a better understanding of what to expect:

What You Should Know About Off-Season at DLR
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18462889

Understanding AP Blockouts and Impact on Crowds
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2365983

We arrive the Friday before Memorial Day weekend, but since that's the beginning of the summer season everything should be running at full steam so it shouldn't be too bad. We expect crowds, but if it gets crazy well just head back to the hotel and hang out in the pool. Infact, I plan on reserving a cabanna for the weekend so I can watch the Indy 500 while the kiddos swim.

Have Fun!

This is exactly why I love this forum! I love working around all that's going on. I check all Spring Breaks, check the Anaheim Convention Center, check for new opening rides and grab a few days in between!

We were at the parks just days before WOC opened last year and this year we will enjoy that and be there just before Little Mermaid and Star Tours!

I love finding that sweet spot!! And always know that I will return to enjoy the "new" when it's not "so" new

 

[AudreyII]

This is exactly why I love this forum! I love working around all that's going on. I check all Spring Breaks, check the Anaheim Convention Center, check for new opening rides and grab a few days in between!

We were at the parks just days before WOC opened last year and this year we will enjoy that and be there just before Little Mermaid and Star Tours!

I love finding that sweet spot!! And always know that I will return to enjoy the "new" when it's not "so" new

We did the same thing! We will be there the same week as you