Please help a possible Disneyland first visit

[aes74]

Hi! We are from Florida and are Disney World vets, but I have never been to Disneyland in my life! I am out here for a few weeks with my six-year-old for pilot season (yes, me and everyone else lol!) and I thought about taking him to Disneyland! It seemed like a fantastic idea until I saw the long list of things closed for refurbishment. Bummer! Including the Matterhorn! So I am not so sure it would be the best use of money. It seems like half the park is closed! What would you suggest?

Thanks!!!

 

[Geemo]

So I am not so sure it would be the best use of money.

The refurbishment list is longer than anyone would like. But there is still plenty to fill your time in the parks.
It will be less expensive since you're already in the area.

I say go and see if it was the best use of money... I'm sure you'll have a fine time.

Geemo

 

[figment_jii]

As a WDW vet, I highly recommend that you take a look at HydroGuy's DLR Guide for WDW Vets.
http://www.disboards.com/threads/a-dlr-guide-for-wdw-vets.1162599/

Regarding the closures, yes, there are a number of headliners down for refurbishment, but it's not nearly "half the park." I took the list for Feb 23rd (as a guess of when you'd be going) and there are a number of big rides that are down, but the list looks worse than it is because it includes all of the shops, restaurants/counter service locations, and marginal stuff that normally aren't really even on people's radars of "must dos" (e.g., Blue Sky Cellar). As a WDW Vet, the biggest losses are probably Matterhorn, GRR (maybe, though you have Kali River Rapids, which is pretty close, just with a different theme), and World of Color. Soarin' is identical at Epcot, so you aren't missing out on that one (which a lot of people really like, but at least you aren't missing out on something unique to DLR).

Even with the closures, there are still a lot of fun things to do and (I think) plenty to make it worth a visit to DLR. At least you are aware of the closures, so you can decide whether you want to spend the money and visit the parks or wait and come back at some future date.

 

[nikkislaght]

I would say any day at Disneyland is better than no day at all... but then saying that. if you think this would be a trip that wont be repeated then I would wait .
Now saying that.. its still fun to be walking around Disneyland even with closures.. we were they couple of years ago when in the middle of our trip they closed 4 major rides on the one day.. this was due to an incident the year before and health and safety shut them down... they already had a couple of rides down for Refurb.. so it was a bit disappointing . but we just moved on and had a blast.. there is a lot to do at both parks.. we still havent done everything and this will be our 6th year in a row.. with 5 days each time.. lol crazy hey??

When ever you go.. I Hope you have a blast... it really is what you make it..

 

[SMD]

Where are you staying? Especially if you're in the valley I think that Universal's buy a day, get 2015 free is a better deal. Then you can go back for a few hours on other days when you have time.

 

[Canuck16]

If you are going to be in SoCal anyways I'd vote to go since you are there anyways and have paid for airfare and hotels anyways.

DW went for a business trip in 2012 and had to spend a day at DLR seeing that she was so close.

Hopefully you and 6 yr old will be able to go and have a blast as DLR/DCA have so much to offer even with the number of attractions under refurbishment.

 

[cherice95403]

I say go. There is still a lot to do.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

Depends on where you're staying while in the area, but in general, I'd say go. We just took a trip last weekend and even with the refurbs, there's still plenty to do. Disneyland/DCA is smaller in acreage than Disney World, but there are quite a few attractions packed in, so I think you'll be good to go.

 

[SplashMo]

Go for it. Worst ride closure is SOARIN and/or Splash. It will be well worth going....