MLK Weekend at DL

[Princess Sleepy]

We are planning a trip for Martin Luther King weekend and are having second thoughts about tackling the parks on a (minor) holiday weekend. We actually have several concerns; maybe some of the DL experts can help me out. Let me say, that it has been 12 years since I have been to DL, although I was recently at WDW. I live in MN and want to bring my cousin (turning 30) for her first Disney experience. We only have a long weekend to do it, due to work restrictions. So, here are my issues:

• From what I've read, crowds are worse on the weekends anyway. Will a long weekend bring out so many people that it will be unpleasant?
• I am reading about rides shutting down this fall to put on the "holiday overlays". I am assuming that the reverse happens in January. Will there be a lot of rides shut down to de-decorate?
• Will we be able to see any of the nightime shows like Fantasmic and the Electric Lights Parade, or does everything shut down early?
• Will we be able to experience both parks in two and a half days, or will we just be rushing around the whole time?

Any insight you all can give me would be much appreciated.

 

[bumbershoot]

You will be rushing, but it can be fun and it can be done!

A quick google shows that the holiday is Jan 18th...yes, the rides with overlays might still be having them taken off. Just like WDW's site, the DLR site doesn't put their calendars up in what we feel is a timely fashion anymore, so just like I'm having to wait for October's hours to be posted...it'll be awhile before January's hours are posted...

I don't know about F, but the Electrical Parade, I've been told, is only put on during the summer and christmastime, so if that time has ended by mid-January, you'll be out of luck. Just like I will be in October. Sigh.



I decided to reply here after replying to your post on the WDW boards, and I'm sorry to maybe sound so "down", but I personally wouldn't go that weekend. I'm concerned about the weekend I am going, and that's just Columbus Day, which people don't really celebrate. If it weren't my b'day weekend I wouldn't be going! Not that into crowds.

That said, read HydroGuy's tips, all of them, especially the "DLR for WDW vets" one, keep reading reading and reading some more, and maybe you'll see that it can be done with FUN, with proper expectations!

 

[Princess Sleepy]

Thanks for the great link! I am leaning toward WDW. It is only $60 more expensive per person and I think we can get to 3 of the parks without too much rushing. Weekends at DL are scaring me. I'd like to do it when I can be more relaxed about it.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

They are draining River of America from January to May 2010, so no Fantasmic next spring.