Overplanner Looking for Info about Mid-April

[Lillybelly]

After a semi-disappointing trip this past May. We are planning another trip to Disney in 2008. Overall our last trip was good but not enough Disney and I missed all of my favorites because I didn't plan well enough. Because of the great DIS helpers I'm hoping to have a better trip next time. I have a few questions

We are tentatively planning on 4/12-4/18 with most of the days spent at Disney. I have 4 young kids (6, 4, 2, 2) so having shorter hours won't matter. Easter is in March this year, as is the cheer convention (If I checked the anaheim convention calendar right). Is mid-April usually busy?

We will be traveling with our family of 6, SIL, MIL, & FIL. The 2 must rides are IASW and POTC. I know that IASW is scheduled for a big refurb and will be closed during that time but if both are down the whole group might revolt. Does anyone remember what was closed mid April this year so I might have an idea what will be closed next year?

Your responses will help stop me from driving my family crazy with all of my planning. Thanks

 

[tinkerbelt]

Splash Mtn. and Fantasmic were both closed in April.

 

[Lilypaige]

Mid April is still springbreak time. I live in WA state and a lot of schools are out that week you mention. We are headed to DL May 8-15 to avoid this.

 

[PrincessSitka]

I willl be there April 4 through 11 and also am interested in what might be closed

 

[noryglory]

Where is the website that posts old calendars, with operating hours, etc....I know that it could possibly be different from year to year but I am curious to know the hours and attractions for May 2007 just to get an idea for May 2008 and of course Disneyland won't have that calendar posted for several more months.

TIA!

PS Aren't we ALL overplanners on this website?!?

 

[disney-super-mom]

Where is the website that posts old calendars, with operating hours, etc....I know that it could possibly be different from year to year but I am curious to know the hours and attractions for May 2007 just to get an idea for May 2008 and of course Disneyland won't have that calendar posted for several more months.

Here ya go. Just click on the date you're interested in.

http://www.mouseplanet.com/search.php?type=c&cid=dl

Lillybelly -
I think those dates would NOT be a good idea, especially with small children. Mid-April is still spring break time and the parks will be CROWDED!

Waiting until late late April or early May would be better.

 

[Peg In The Pound]

We went the last week of April this year and it was wonderful! Minimal waits and perfect weather. The only thing I remember being closed was Splash Mountain. Tarzan's Treehouse was being created in the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse (RIP) and I'm pretty sure Tom Sawyer's Island and all related things were not available.

 

[JennHales]

Spring vacation here in Utah is the 3rd week of April.

Why didn't you like your May trip last year? A few years ago we went on May 3-6 and had a great trip and minimal lines. (it was the week that tower of terror opened) It was hot, 105 degrees and miserable.
Jen

 

[ter-moo]

My piece of advice is go out and buy "The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland" and then follow one of their touring plans in the back of the book. It works every time, you avoid lines and long discussions about what to do next and you can schedule in time for naps in the afternoons.

The biggest hurdle a lot of families have is getting everyone up and going in the morning, but in my experience, THAT is the most IMPORTANT part of having an easy time at the parks when it's crowded. Most people don't get up and out before opening. It's always fairly uncrowded for the first hour or so.

If you can stay at a hotel that has a free continental breakfast, it's that much easier to get to the parks early. Many of the walking distance hotels offer some form of continental breakfast.

Good luck planning!

 

[Lillybelly]

1st we had a few issues with the hotel. They left their cleaning gloves on my clothes on the bed (EEWWWW!) and my in-law's phone never worked. The tv didn't really work. Even though we complained it just makes it hard when your place to sleep is yucky.

2nd we just didn't plan enough time at Disneyland. We tried to do Disneyland in 3 days with 4 kids 5 & under and my MIL in an ECV. I was trying so hard to keep everyone happy that I missed all of my favorite rides. It's bad when the day you get home, you start planning your next trip.

3rd - All of us had the stomach flu at sometime during the trip. My 2 girls were sick in the car the whole 2 day drive to CA, and my son was sick the whole way home.

We are thinking about April because it is our Spring Break so I know that it will be more crowded. My sister in law can come if we go during spring break and she is so amazing and helpful with the kids. We are planning on staying much closer this time so we won't need to wait for ART and to do 6 days at disney with maybe a side trip to the beach but nothing else. So we'll have more time, and be able to take more breaks. Our other option for lower crowds would be the 1st week in June because school ends on 5/31. But my sister in law can't come that week and we would rather brave the crowds and have the extra help.

If I know it will be crowded then we can plan for it and be prepared. I was hoping that it would be less crowded in April than the weeks close to Easter, but that may be in vain. So how crowded is crowded? Wall to wall people 2 hour wait for everything or 45 min wait and use fast pass??