Really considering cancelling/rescheduling trip...

[Ratherbeatdisneyland]

It seems like it just keeps getting worse and worse! I can't believe that people like me who are going during these months are paying full price essentially for tickets! Now the castle may not be done while we are there...my husband and I went during the end of March in 2011 and there was no where near this many rides down.
I know people will say, look on the positive, there is plenty to do etc...but I really have to feel they didn't think this through very well. As someone who hasn't been since 2011, and may not be going again after this for another 2+ years, it's a bitter pill to swallow throwing all this money at the trip to have it be so many things down, and really no break in costs then people who go during the anniversary... *SIGH* unsure of our next step.

 

[csgsu]

It seems like it just keeps getting worse and worse! I can't believe that people like me who are going during these months are paying full price essentially for tickets! Now the castle may not be done while we are there...my husband and I went during the end of March in 2011 and there was no where near this many rides down.
I know people will say, look on the positive, there is plenty to do etc...but I really have to feel they didn't think this through very well. As someone who hasn't been since 2011, and may not be going again after this for another 2+ years, it's a bitter pill to swallow throwing all this money at the trip to have it be so many things down, and really no break in costs then people who go during the anniversary... *SIGH* unsure of our next step.

Im totally with you if I hadnt already bought airfare I would prob cancel too....we are going to be there a week before they start the anniversary

 

[starjazz]

No, we who go in Jan/Feb don't get a break in costs. And we get shorter days, refurb, reduced attractions, less swimming if any, and cooler evenings.

Its a trade off. Gotta decide what's important.

For my family - lines is the single biggest deal. I hate, with a passion, standing in long lines. I won't do it. Not with little kids. Then add in the heat of the summer? Forget it.

The trade is so easy for us.

 

[Ratherbeatdisneyland]

I do agree with you there about standing in hot lines with kids. This is our first time having a kid with us, so I appreciate you saying that! I'm still just SO disappointed in this trip! I'm almost tempted to change our plans to 3 days in the park instead of 4 and go do something else that 4th day.

 

[Sherry E]

Here's the thing -- as annoying as it may be to hear, because I know people say it a lot -- all you can do is cancel, reschedule or go on with the trip. If you go on with your plans, then you can either be unhappy about what's happening, or have a positive attitude and make the best of the trip.

Those are the only choices.

March 2011 was not a month/year for a major event like a big anniversary. This year IS a big anniversary for Disneyland, and so a lot of things need to be fixed up for it.

Disneyland Resort rarely has an off-season anymore, but there are times of year when it slightly less busy than other times. The summer is peak season. The Holiday season is peak season. The best time to get major refurbs done is during the seasons that are not as crazy busy as other times, even though they are busy. And those times would be spring and early fall.

And that means that there are people whose trips will be affected. There is no way to pull off major refurbs and work without affecting people's trips.

Disney thought it through very well -- they have to get certain things fixed up and spruced up before the events of the 60th anniversary take place, and they couldn't start certain refurbishments during the super-busy holiday season. So now is the only time the work can happen.

 

[KalamityJane]

No, we who go in Jan/Feb don't get a break in costs. And we get shorter days, refurb, reduced attractions, less swimming if any, and cooler evenings.

Its a trade off. Gotta decide what's important.

For my family - lines is the single biggest deal. I hate, with a passion, standing in long lines. I won't do it. Not with little kids. Then add in the heat of the summer? Forget it.

The trade is so easy for us.

I'm totally with you on that. I'd rather stand in less lines for less rides.

 

[Nevada Jen]

I know how you feel. The castle thing is really bugging me. I know it is a small part but the family picture in front of the castle is super important to me. Not so much at the time of the trip but it is kind of how I remember the trip. Now we won't have that photo and to top it off all the shots with the castle in the background will be of a big grey blob. I am sucking it up and trying to let it go. But it really takes a lot of joy out of the imagining the trip.

 

[starjazz]

I'm totally with you on that. I'd rather stand in less lines for less rides.

You can also look at it in terms of what you can get done. Let's say you have 3 days in the busy summer months. And I have 3 days in the off-season. Given the time you'll spend in lines alone, I bet I can get more done - even with a handful of closures. While you're waiting in line for SM, I've ridden it and two other rides. Etc. Etc.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

I understand how you feel. The more I read the more excitement is sapped from me. I won't/can't cancel because we already have airfare and I don't want to go all the way out there and be so close to DL and skip it. My last visit there was almost 20 years ago and I don't know how long it'll be until the next.

It bugs me too to not get a picture in front of the castle as a previous poster mentioned. I know it's not the end of the world, but imagined that shot as the cover of our photobook.

We go to WDW alot - pretty much every year. Whenever there's alot of work going on I always say to DH I feel bad for those who are there for a once in a lifetime or once in a very long time trip having to see it like that. Now I guess that's us.

 

[TheLanes]

With the amount of ride closures and shorter hours, I don't think the lines are going to be any shorter, so in that sense, these people are getting screwed by paying the same price. If it's true there isn't an off-season, then the hours should reflect it.

 

[neonderlyn]

Im totally with you if I hadnt already bought airfare I would prob cancel too....we are going to be there a week before they start the anniversary

If you are going the week before the anniversary starts you should be fine and miss much at all. From the sounds of it the only things that wont be up then are the new firework show and then new world of color.

 

[csgsu]

If you are going the week before the anniversary starts you should be fine and miss much at all. From the sounds of it the only things that wont be up then are the new firework show and then new world of color.

What about the Castle? Will it be uncovered....this is my familys first visit and it would be heartbraking not to get a pic

 

[KalamityJane]

You can also look at it in terms of what you can get done. Let's say you have 3 days in the busy summer months. And I have 3 days in the off-season. Given the time you'll spend in lines alone, I bet I can get more done - even with a handful of closures. While you're waiting in line for SM, I've ridden it and two other rides. Etc. Etc.

Yeah, and my family tends to be really grumpy when they are hot or around a ton of other people, so off season works a bit better for us that way too (although it's supposed to in the low 80s when we get there, surprisingly! But yay, we get to swim!)

 

[Sherry E]

With the amount of ride closures and shorter hours, I don't think the lines are going to be any shorter, so in that sense, these people are getting screwed by paying the same price. If it's true there isn't an off-season, then the hours should reflect it.

To the average guest, there is not much of an off-peak season anymore. They're in the parks and they see crowds, and over the years the previously less-busy times have become more crowded. There are more bodies in the parks now than there used to be during the so-called "slow" times of year, so it doesn't seem like there is much of an off-season anymore -- at least, it's not as significant in terms of reliably low(er) crowds anymore.

However, by Disney's standards, figures and numbers, they still see lower attendance during certain times of year (spring and early fall -- basically, whenever it's not summer, a major holiday weekend, the holiday season or spring break), even if it seems crowded to the average guest, so to them it has to still be considered the off season, and usually the time in which these major refurbs have to be implemented and the hours shortened.

 

[Ratherbeatdisneyland]

I really have to agree with what Brian said too though. I doubt the lines will be any shorter, because people aren't spread out through as many lines. I bet the lines will be longer this off season then previous ones because of all the closures. Everyone is going to be flocking to the same areas of the park since so much is closed.
I doubt we will cancel just because we really need a vacation and neither of us wants to push it further out. But I am really thinking of doing 3 instead of 4 days. Wish Harry Potter world was open...we would just go do that!

 

[neonderlyn]

What about the Castle? Will it be uncovered....this is my familys first visit and it would be heartbraking not to get a pic

I forgot about the castle, and im not sure on the answer to that. Maybe someone else can answer that??

 

[KalamityJane]

I forgot about the castle, and im not sure on the answer to that. Maybe someone else can answer that??

When are you going? It's tarped right now and will be uncovered March 3, I believe.

 

[csgsu]

When are you going? It's tarped right now and will be uncovered March 3, I believe.

Going May 14th.....I ready that the walkthrough would be open March 3rd and tarp wouldnt come off until May 22nd so who knows

 

[ImDMous]

With the amount of ride closures and shorter hours, I don't think the lines are going to be any shorter, so in that sense, these people are getting screwed by paying the same price. If it's true there isn't an off-season, then the hours should reflect it.

We just went last week and we saw nice short low-season lines, just like a usual January mid-week day. HM, all of Critter Country, Soarin, Matterhorn, etc were down, but the rest of the lines were not longer. There are still many rides left to spread the people between. The longest we waited all day was 25m for TSMM which usually has a 45 minute line all year long. We got a ton done.

 

[Jennafoo]

I just don't agree with all those people saying "be positive" and "there's not an off-season" and "we go then for less lines" and blah-dee blah, like this is a completely normal occurrence. It discounts a real concern people have and isn't helpful to someone having a completely reasonable reaction.

Truth is, if you are planning a big trip around this time, there are a lot of things closed, the castle isn't available (and looks terrible) and it's a pain. There's no doubt about that, and people shouldn't belittle those who are upset about it or act like this is normal for the off-season, when we all know it's not.

But Sherry's right, if you're in that situation, your choices are basically to suck it up and make the best of it, or change your plans. You need to be realistic about whether you'd be able to have fun in the current situation, or spend your time looking at all the things you can't do but are still paying for and focusing on that. If that would be the case, and only YOU know what's right for YOU, you might want to reschedule.