Need advice, please!

[Canyon girl]

I am thinking about taking advantage of the 3/2 offer, but I have some doubts.
This would be (if it happens) me surprising my kids on the day we leave, and my husband staying home and working to pay for our trip. My concern is timing. #1 - When does the World of Color open? #2 - Does anyone have any crowd prediction for Apr. 19-23 or Apr. 26-30? #3 - Can anyone think of anything (other than WoC) that would make these dates more crowded or not a good time to go? Thank you so much!

 

[HydroGuy]

I am thinking about taking advantage of the 3/2 offer, but I have some doubts.
This would be (if it happens) me surprising my kids on the day we leave, and my husband staying home and working to pay for our trip. My concern is timing. #1 - When does the World of Color open? #2 - Does anyone have any crowd prediction for Apr. 19-23 or Apr. 26-30? #3 - Can anyone think of anything (other than WoC) that would make these dates more crowded or not a good time to go? Thank you so much!

WoC is rumored to open Apr 24. That will make the crowds Apr 26-30 massive - especially at DCA.

Other things to consider is the draining of the Rivers of America in January through May. That means no Fantasmic, Mark Twain, Columbia SS, PLATSI or DC Canoes.

In Feb Captain EO is returning and that will generate some interest at DL.

 

[Sherry E]

I am actually really, really interested to begin hearing reports about the crowd levels at both parks once Captain EO and WoC begin - actually for 2010 in general. I don't know why, but I was so surprised at the crowds at DLR last weekend (specifically, Saturday the 19th, because it had not been nearly as crowded on the same exact weekend in 2008 or 2007), and due to the enormous number of people with APs now (and still growing!), I can only imagine that crowds will get worse. Even the Tiana Showboat Jubilee thingy was causing major congestion in that area in front of POTC and along the Rivers of America, because people were not moving and were watching the show. The line for POTC was longer than I have seen it since the '80s/early '90s (although it moved very fast). The line for Haunted Mansion Holiday was 45 minutes long before 11:00 a.m. Thus far, DCA has been a nice 'escape' from the hustle and bustle of DL. I wonder if WoC will be the thing that catapults DCA into another level of 'crowded,' or if that badge of honor will come with the Little Mermaid ride in 2011.

 

[Canyon girl]

Thanks for the answers. It sounds like it might not be the best time to go. Maybe the week of the 19th but definitely not the next week. I was looking for a more relaxing time. I would expect the AP crowds on the weekend, but if WoC came out on the 24th, how many APers would conveniently be sick the next week. I will have to rethink it. I didn't want to come earlier because if spring break. I also need to get some more school work out of my kids before another trip. We came back from WDW with sinus infections that would not go away, and we ended up with a week of sick days. Well, back to school and scheming another DLR trip (hopefully) before our next WDW trip. BTW, Sherry, did you get another AP?

Naomi

 

[Sherry E]

I did not get another AP, sadly. And believe me, I felt the lack of a PAP 15% discount at Goofy's Kitchen when we ate there on the morning of the 19th and I shelled out $37.50 for breakfast! It's a good thing I love Goofy's! I would have renewed my AP - at least gotten a Deluxe, if not a PAP - if not for the fact that I had to take a shuttle one way (see my TR in case you are not up to speed on that tale!) and that ate up a bunch of money. Hopefully, I will get another chance to get an AP in 2010 sometime, after, of course, the rates go up again!! But I would think/assume that if the crowds at DLR just start to get too crazy over an extended period of time with the new events and rides, etc., eventually DLR might have to do something to make the APs a little less accessible and/or easy to get for everyone, so if I get another one, I want to do it before they raise the prices to stratospheric levels with no payment plan option!!

 

[Canyon girl]

I've been reading about the crowds, and it is really depressing! That's why I was asking about the dates and possible crowd attractors. It really is a shame! I understand that APs are good. I had one last year, but doesn't Disney know that too much of anything is not necessarily good? I totally understand your crowd concern, too. The last I read of your trip thread was the Oct. trip. After I get DD's new spelling program installed, I will be-bop over to your TR and continue reading!