Off-season is REALLY "off"

[DLR29]

????? Really????? Why?????

I've found getting to the parks for that morning hour is awesome because most people don't get up that early while on vacation.

I am with Lugnut here. Magic Mornings are the best times to go. You can get so much done in a short period of time. Our family gets up at 0500 or earlier every day vacation or not..

Jack

Jack, I think OP was talking about EMH, not MM. True, the crowds during EMH are low during that hour in the morning. HOWEVER, the crowd level for the rest of the day become higher because people have the mentality of "even though we woke up late, we should still go to AK because it had morning EMH this morning = the park we are supposed to go to". That's why some people, at WDW, avoid EMH days. That's not at all how it is at DLR. From my MM superthread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403

Is MM like EMH's at WDW? Should I avoid MM days at DL like I avoid EMH days at WDW?
MM is EXTREMELY different from EMH and one should not avoid MM days at DL to try and beat the crowds. At WDW it is a good idea to avoid the WDW parks with EMH's because they are often more crowded; however at DLR I would never recommend going to only one park, on one day like at WDW. It's so much easier to hop at DLR, so I would always start at DL for the morning (MM or not) and then hop over to DCA for the middle of the day. MM does not affect park attendance at DL like EMH's affect park attendance at the WDW parks. If you have MM privileges, definitely don't hesitate to use it. Also, there is no evening Extra Magic Hours at DLR.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Jack, I think OP was talking about EMH, not MM. True, the crowds during EMH are low during that hour in the morning. HOWEVER, the crowd level for the rest of the day become higher because people have the mentality of "even though we woke up late, we should still go to AK because it had morning EMH this morning = the park we are supposed to go to". That's why some people, at WDW, avoid EMH days. That's not at all how it is at DLR. From my MM superthread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403

You may be right, just did not get the connection to the later hours.

jack

 

[AustinTink]

I guess that's really the major difference between WDW and DLR. Saturday is the quiet day at WDW because it is the traveling day. Apparently Saturday is the busiest day at DLR?

I really wish we could extend our trip, or better yet split it between DLR and the San Diego area for the zoo & seaworld but this is what we've got to work with so I'll just have to make the best of it. At least I'm finding out in advance at all so I can prepare my 4 year old and talk up all the things we CAN do.

Take a day trip to Legoland in carlsbad. Your kids are the perfect age. Many (or most) of their rides are gear toward the under 6 crowd. The drive from Anaheim to Carlsbad is a breeze.

 

[kailuagirl]

I totally understand your concerns, but trust me you are still going to have a wonderful time. DD, DH and I went June '09, since it was summer we stayed in the park every night until midnight, DD was 2 at the time, it was easy as our time zone is 3 hours later, the next morning we were always so tired we never made it to the parks before 10 and boy did we blow it as on our last day we got there about 9 and it was so much emptier then what we had been experiencing. So bummed. We went again first week of December this year, hours were shorter 9-8. I was really bummed about the earlier closing time, but we totally totally loved it. It forced us to leave and get a good nights sleep and we made it before park openings every day of our 5 days. So don't be bummed about the shorter hours, since it will be less crowded, you will get so much more done. But make sure to take advantage of your early mornings since you are staying at DLH, it really helps. Like other's said, I'd plan a character breakfast before park opening, call and find out what is the earliest you can make it for and do that time. Maybe do it on a non MM day. Also, make sure you check out the DLH daily schedule. We stayed at the Grand and they had lots of different activities going on from early morning on that we could participate in. It was wonderful!! and in the lobby when we'd return about 8:30'ish there was also things for the kids. To be honest, we didn't see the parade once this last time and we were there 5 days, we were having too much fun doing other things and DD 3 didn't even miss it at all. She was having more fun riding rides and meeting characters.

Also, go and see WOC, it was wonderful!!! We all really enjoyed it alot. Don't forget since you are staying onsite you can enter DCA early before official opening and get your fastpasses, I'd plan it on a non MM day though so you don't miss out on your MM.

Don't worry, you are truly going to have a wonderful magical time with your family and your kids are going to have a fab time, I'm sure of it!!! I wish we could be going with you and we just got back, I'm still dreaming of the rides and the music

 

[gweeptrish]

Jack, I think OP was talking about EMH, not MM. True, the crowds during EMH are low during that hour in the morning. HOWEVER, the crowd level for the rest of the day become higher because people have the mentality of "even though we woke up late, we should still go to AK because it had morning EMH this morning = the park we are supposed to go to". That's why some people, at WDW, avoid EMH days. That's not at all how it is at DLR. From my MM superthread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403

Yes, sorry, I meant EMH and yes that's exactly why we avoid them. Also remember that park-hopping tickets at WDW cost a lot more than non-hopping tickets ($57.41 more at the moment), and that it's non-trivial to park-hop due to distance. So we don't park-hop when we're at WDW, therefore we choose our park for the day based on which is going to have the lowest crowd levels.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Yes, sorry, I meant EMH and yes that's exactly why we avoid them. Also remember that park-hopping tickets at WDW cost a lot more than non-hopping tickets ($57.41 more at the moment), and that it's non-trivial to park-hop due to distance. So we don't park-hop when we're at WDW, therefore we choose our park for the day based on which is going to have the lowest crowd levels.

Really nothing to be sorry about, my knowledge of WDW you can put on the head of a pin. Since I can not get anyone interested, I do not research. I have to depend on the experts to set me straight.

Jack

 

[gweeptrish]

Another thought for a morning (a non magic morning morning) is to visit a beach. There are several lovely beaches just 20 minutes away.

That's a lovely idea. Is there one you'd particularly recommend?