MAY Countdown!! This is it, folks

[soaringirl]

it's confirmed by the DIS. I will update the information on Post 15

Newcomers, welcome!! I will add your dates shortly, I was like crazy trying to see if I dreamt that sad piece of news!

 

[sophies*mom]

Aw! Bummer after all.

 

[lozzypop]

There we go then - good to know about GSS. I don't see anything else that will really affect our plans and GSS wasn't important anyway.

The important thing is that Fantasmic is having it's "spring" refurb now and that means it should be showing in May. Yay!

 

[soaringirl]

The important thing is that Fantasmic is having it's "spring" refurb now and that means it should be showing in May. Yay!

hjgaus, JessicaKnits, coaches24 and Cameo818 I have added your dates since yesterday!

Cameo818, they don't shut down the park, only at night with special events. They might close some areas of the park while the walk is being done, but nothing else. You can check with Guest Services that day which areas will be closed at what time. Good luck!

 

[sophies*mom]

The important thing is that Fantasmic is having it's "spring" refurb now and that means it should be showing in May. Yay!

So would it still only show on weekends? We'll be in the parks on Tues/Wed and I have a feeling we're not going to get to see anything

 

[KittyKat1978]

I just got back from DL and I loved going solo.

Bought an Annual pass, so the May trip is on!!

 

[mommamonster]

Hi Everyone! My husband and I are taking our boys on their first trip to DL from May 29th-June 3rd and we're staying at the Anaheim Fairfield Inn by Marriott. I haven't been in over 20 years and my husband hasn't been in about 25 years so we are stoked! We remember the magic from our childhood and I can't wait to experience it again through my sons' eyes. Does anyone have any experience with Grad Nights and how much earlier the park tends to close? It probably won't matter because we have a 2 and a 6 year old and they don't stay up very late usually.

We're so excited, and I have been reading so many posts here to get tips and good info for us more-or-less first timers. I hope to make this an annual or bi-annual vacation from now on. Hooray!

 

[soaringirl]

So would it still only show on weekends? We'll be in the parks on Tues/Wed and I have a feeling we're not going to get to see anything

From everything I've been reading, yes. We will not know for sure until the hours are up, but expect Fantasmic! and the fireworks to show only in the weekend (except for Memorial Day, that will be an exception). Aladdin will also not show daily, I think Wed & Thu is off.
But you will be able to see WoC! And make sure to see Aladdin as well if it shows on Tuesday. Otherwise don't fret, on our first trip we went 3 days and didn't see any shows but for the fireworks (and in a poor location), and we had a blast! Now I'm surprised of all the things we missed, and didn't notice at the moment

 

[KittyKat1978]

Just booked my flight through Air Miles and West Jet (yeah no baggage fees!!)

Now I just hope work doesn't go on strike as I would probably have to cancel for financial reasons (strike pay is less than 40% of normal salary)

 

[Cameo818]

Cameo818, they don't shut down the park, only at night with special events. They might close some areas of the park while the walk is being done, but nothing else. You can check with Guest Services that day which areas will be closed at what time. Good luck!

Thank you so much! I'll keep my fingers crossed that Magic Morning will go on like normal. I'm sure we'll have fun no matter what's going on at the park that day!

 

[soaringirl]

I just got back from DL and I loved going solo.
Bought an Annual pass, so the May trip is on!!

Hey KittyKat! I put you on the list . Hope that everything goes ok!

Hi Everyone! My husband and I are taking our boys on their first trip to DL from May 29th-June 3rd and we're staying at the Anaheim Fairfield Inn by Marriott. I haven't been in over 20 years and my husband hasn't been in about 25 years so we are stoked! We remember the magic from our childhood and I can't wait to experience it again through my sons' eyes. Does anyone have any experience with Grad Nights and how much earlier the park tends to close? It probably won't matter because we have a 2 and a 6 year old and they don't stay up very late usually.

We're so excited, and I have been reading so many posts here to get tips and good info for us more-or-less first timers. I hope to make this an annual or bi-annual vacation from now on. Hooray!

Good for you!! Isn't that exciting! You and your family are going to love Disneyland!!
About Grad nites, I don't have experience, but here's the link:
disneyyouth.com/grad-nite-disneyland/catalog
From what I've read, they now have a parkhopper so they can be in the park all day, and their private event is something around 11pm-3am, but better go to the link for more accurate info.
But still, in May hours are usually shortened something like 10am till 8pm M-Thurs and 8am till 12pm Fri-Sun.
Please see Post#15 (you can access it from Post #1) for more information.

 

[estherhead]

I just read the WoC Superthread, the May 2012 info on here, and the grad nights stuff. We are going to be there the 28th-June 1st. So if I've got this right I have the following things to deal with:
M 28th: Memorial Day. There should be a Fantasmic on Memorial Day, right?
T 29th: I could use my MM and there will be a WoC
W 30th: There will be a WoC
Th 31st: I could use my MM and it's a grad night.
F 1st: There will be Fantasmic and WoC

And we should be able to hit Aladdin and the parades at some point with these 5 days. Right?

It's a bit confusing for me as it's right at the edge of slow and busy season, Memorial Day is in there, grad nights are in there, and Carsland will be about to open. I'm hoping that will work in my favor to keep people away. I'm also hoping that Matterhorn will open for a test run or two. We are WDW freaks and that one is a tiny bummer for the only time my kids will go to DL as kids.

 

[soaringirl]

I just read the WoC Superthread, the May 2012 info on here, and the grad nights stuff. We are going to be there the 28th-June 1st. So if I've got this right I have the following things to deal with:
M 28th: Memorial Day. There should be a Fantasmic on Memorial Day, right?
T 29th: I could use my MM and there will be a WoC
W 30th: There will be a WoC
Th 31st: I could use my MM and it's a grad night.
F 1st: There will be Fantasmic and WoC

And we should be able to hit Aladdin and the parades at some point with these 5 days. Right?

It's a bit confusing for me as it's right at the edge of slow and busy season, Memorial Day is in there, grad nights are in there, and Carsland will be about to open. I'm hoping that will work in my favor to keep people away. I'm also hoping that Matterhorn will open for a test run or two. We are WDW freaks and that one is a tiny bummer for the only time my kids will go to DL as kids.

Hi! Will you be staying at a DLR hotel? Otherwise you will only have 1 MM.
WoC should be running daily (maybe even twice for that weekend), but for that and your other show related questions, we do need to wait for the Park & Entertainment official hours. Aladdin should be up on Mon, Tue & Fri at the least, according to past park hours, but again, you'll have to wait.
Acording to another thread, Carsland will be open until the 15th, with soft-opennings for AP I think from the 10th or so, so you're good.
But I've always read that Memorial day is as crowded as a long weekend can be in any Disney park. So it will be kind of odd, with people waiting for Carsland and all, you'll have to tell us when you're back!
BTW, I'm a WDW fan as well, and it's sooo frustrating that DLR has its hours 4-6 weeks before!! But that goes according to DLR mood, so I've come to terms with it.

 

[mommamonster]

Thanks for the link, soaringirl! I will check it out. I actually like the earlier hours, I won't feel bad about leaving the park way before closing time when the kids get tired, and the 10 a.m. opening gives us lots of time to get a good breakfast in and still be there when the ropes drop

 

[izzystout]

Are dates are tentatively set for May 1-4. I am not sure were we are staying yet. DH and I are poor college students so his parents are springing for this trip.
My father in law is retired military so is able to get the $99 3 day park hopper. But we are still waiting to see what kind of deal he can get on hotel before we will know where we are staying.
I am a bit of a control freak, but I am trying hard to stay laid back about the planning. And just be grateful that we are going.
This will be my DS first trip to DL and I can't wait

 

[soaringirl]

Are dates are tentatively set for May 1-4. I am not sure were we are staying yet. DH and I are poor college students so his parents are springing for this trip.
My father in law is retired military so is able to get the $99 3 day park hopper. But we are still waiting to see what kind of deal he can get on hotel before we will know where we are staying.
I am a bit of a control freak, but I am trying hard to stay laid back about the planning. And just be grateful that we are going.
This will be my DS first trip to DL and I can't wait

Welcome!! so good about your rates, and yes, I've seen military discounts in several hotels, so good luck!

 

[Stargazer]

Hi Soaringirl ~ we've postponed our road trip to another year (since gas prices seem to be going up, up and away), so please remove our name from the list. I know we'll get there sometime ... hopefully sooner rather than later!

I hope everyone has a great time

 

[soaringirl]

Hi Soaringirl ~ we've postponed our road trip to another year (since gas prices seem to be going up, up and away), so please remove our name from the list. I know we'll get there sometime ... hopefully sooner rather than later!

I hope everyone has a great time

sorry to hear that!! gas prices are awful!!!
thanks for your good wishes, here's some pixie dust for you so your trip is sooner than you expect!

 

[PrincessBelle04]

we are planning on being there May 9-11th however...i jsut found out there are GradNite events on 2 of the 3 days we will be there...how will this affect out trip? hours cut shorter? crowds? It's my BF first trip ever!

 

[Colo Nana]

Ill be there april 30 thru may 5th with my fiance & my almost 2 yr old grandson who we believe is autistic I sure hope it turns out well. Hoping to meet up with cali residents to enter park with as family its getting us park passes but dont want to go. Id hate to be denied @ gate due to not being with someone from so cal