Rehabs? I'm about to cry...

[NCardella]

Pleeeease tell me these rehabs will be completed before Easter break! I cannot find a schedule showing rehab ending dates, just attractions currently being rehabbed.

As a newbie to planning for DisneyLAND, I'm finding it much less user friendly than planning for DW. No park hours published past March 16th? No dining ressies more than 60 days out? The uber-planner in me is getting very uncomfortable.

 

[hollieplus2]

Right there with ya I wouldn't feel so cheated if I at least had a castle to look at even DH asked why we were paying full price for 2/3 of a park? I'm trying really hard not to let it bother me, I'm failing miserably but I'm trying.

 

[poppins2008]

Dates are listed toward the bottom of the link below. We will be there the week after Easter, and I believe the big things still closed will be the Matterhorn, Peter Pan and Soarin' Over California.

http://micechat.com/93538-disneyland-diamond-celebration/

 

[rosiep]

I can't believe I am going to say this, but I had a trip planned for next week that we cancelled due to the measle outbreak and I am actually not heartbroken. It seems the park is in upheaval and while it might not cause a local to think twice it's hard to spend thousands of dollars to visit the park in it's current state. (and yes, i understand that refurbs have to happen sometime but DL is too small (compared to WDW) to have so many going on at once.

 

[Gisele]

Did I hear some sniffling or crying in the background?
Don't cry bunkies! Be strong! Hold steadfast to your beliefs and convictions. And while you're at it, I bought a new box of Kleenex. Which I shall begin to pass around to whomever may need it. It's the nice soft moisturizing kind. So when you blow your nose, it will not end up feeling like it might fall off. Ick.... what an image!

 

[rosiep]

Did I hear some sniffling or crying in the background?
Don't cry bunkies! Be strong! Hold steadfast to your beliefs and convictions. And while you're at it, I bought a new box of Kleenex. Which I shall begin to pass around to whomever may need it. It's the nice soft moisturizing kind. So when you blow your nose, it will not end up feeling like it might fall off. Ick.... what an image!

I'll take one of those tissues.....allergies ya know....

 

[Gisele]

I'll take one of those tis.....allergies ya know....

Please feel free to take however many that you might need. I have quite a few boxes. And in different colors and sizes. Even have some Disney Princess Kleenex boxes.

 

[cmwade77]

Many of them may or may not be done before Easter break, it all depend son when your Easter break is.

As for Dining Reservations only 60 days out, it is a blessing, really we don't have the dining plan here and you don't need reservations for most restaurants if you are flexible with when you want to eat. The exceptions are Carthay Circle, Blue Bayou and dining packages, otherwise, book when it is convenient on the 60 day mark.

Park hours are never posted more than a few months in advance due to the fact that the majority of the people who come are locals. This means that crowds are less predictable further out than a couple of months, so the hours may vary based on local events.

As a general rule though, during the most common Spring Breaks, they will be on peak season hours, which will see Disneyland open 8 AM to Midnight with two shows of Fantasmic! per night and two Soundsational parades per day. DCA will be open 10 AM - 10 PM with one Pixar Play Parade per day and one World of Color show Monday-Thursday and two Friday-Sunday.

Rumor has it that by Mid March Freeze the night will end and will be replaced with the return Mad T (Diamond Edition), but to date there has been no official announcement made. We do know that most of the Frozen events are supposed to end Mid March.

But ultimately, Disneyland is getting ready for the 60th, so yes a lot is closed and will be closed between now and May 22nd. Keep in mind that every Fantasyland ride will be closed for about a month and a half between now and then to get what those of us that frequently go to Disneyland call "The Alice Treatment"

None of these are hard and fast rules, but really, the parks out here have policies that are designed to be more spontaneous due to the nature of who the parks cater to.

 

[clori]

Planning for Disneyland is just different than planning for Disneyworld. When we were planning for Disneyland I felt like I had to be missing something. I went the last week of July which ran into the beginning of August. Basically I found that once I booked hotel and airfare I didn't do tons of planning until close to the trip. We didn't have magic bands so I don't know about that part. I booked one meal less than 60 days out but the place was accepting walk ins. I did one character meal at the DLH upon arrival. We walked in without a reservation and they took us right away. We only stayed at DLH for the first night so I knew I was doing early entry to CA and using my early entry to DL with my 5 day park pass. The other days we just did regular entry when the par didn't have early entry. That was my basic planning beyond our 2 no park days. We did restaurants when we were hungry and never waited. It was so easy to park hop that we never planned it just did it when we wanted to. Mostly what did was know my options such as knowing about Studio 365 for my girls and where/when Disney Visa pictures were done so if we wanted to do something we could. I love WDW and DL but definitely found DL a more relaxing vacation in terms of planning. Also once I was there we found having 5 days we could repeat rides etc if desired and the girls loved using single rider lines etc. I didn't deal with rehabs but rides kept shutting down such as CARS (main reason we did one night onsite for early entry to CA and it was closed), Indiana Jones during our fastpass time, Peter Pan a few times etc. We just went with the flow and had a great time.

 

[figment_jii]

Rumor has it that by Mid March Freeze the night will end and will be replaced with the return Mad T (Diamond Edition), but to date there has been no official announcement made. We do know that most of the Frozen events are supposed to end Mid March.

One correction...so far, it's been announced that Olaf's Snow Fest will end on April 30th and Frozen Fun will end on May 15. So most of the Frozen Fun activities (e.g., Freeze the Night, Frozen Sing-A-Long, Olaf's Snow Fest, etc.) should still be running in March and April.

 

[wdwfan22]

Pleeeease tell me these rehabs will be completed before Easter break! I cannot find a schedule showing rehab ending dates, just attractions currently being rehabbed.

As a newbie to planning for DisneyLAND, I'm finding it much less user friendly than planning for DW. No park hours published past March 16th? No dining ressies more than 60 days out? The uber-planner in me is getting very uncomfortable.

I know it seems like a lot of rehabs. But there are sooo many attractions, that you will have more than enough to fill your days. I went for 10 days, and we still did not see or ride everything. Of course, we have favorites that we ride multiple times. And as a uber DW planner too, enjoy the not having to plan ADRs 6 months out, and FP+ 60 days out. It's very freeing.

Right there with ya I wouldn't feel so cheated if I at least had a castle to look at even DH asked why we were paying full price for 2/3 of a park? I'm trying really hard not to let it bother me, I'm failing miserably but I'm trying.

1/3 of the park will NOT be closed. Just look at some maps and count how many attractions there are compared to rehabs. Yes, the castle park sucks, I agree. But try to look on the bright side and know that the castle is not the only amazing thing in the parks. The magic is all around you.

I can't believe I am going to say this, but I had a trip planned for next week that we cancelled due to the measle outbreak and I am actually not heartbroken. It seems the park is in upheaval and while it might not cause a local to think twice it's hard to spend thousands of dollars to visit the park in it's current state. (and yes, i understand that refurbs have to happen sometime but DL is too small (compared to WDW) to have so many going on at once.

Um, the measle outbreak occurred in December. That is when people were infected. The park is not in an upheaval. And if you have never been to DL, it is NOT small compared to DW. Maybe in size, but not attractions. DL & CA have only a couple less attractions that all 4 parks in DW. I am a frequent visitor to both DLR and DW, and am always amazed how many attractions DL has managed to fit into such a small space. Without, I might add, getting ride of a ride to build a new one like DW does.

 

[Geemo]

Due to the closures of GRR and SM, I only plan to get wet if it rains. I've been many times when there have been LOTS of closures.
As long as BTMRR is open I really don't care about other rides. It's been closed for our past three trips and we're ready to ride.
I have found it's best to go with the flow. You never know how things will go once you're there.

Try to have fun on your visit.

Geemo

 

[gottalovepluto]

Don't cry!! There will still be magic, just different. What will be open? Honestly, does it matter at this point? You have already decided you are going, what is open will be open what is closed will be closed & there's nothing you can do right now. A more complete rehab schedule will show closer to your date. Now, about the planner in you... Well, I can't help there lol! To my mind DL is west coast, laid back, soak in the sun kinda planning. Basically we're more chill (well about DL anyway), no one else is reserving stuff 60 days out so you don't have to either! That probably won't help the planner in you but I gave it my best shot! hope you still have a magical trip!

 

[farmfresh]

Pleeeease tell me these rehabs will be completed before Easter break! I cannot find a schedule showing rehab ending dates, just attractions currently being rehabbed.

As a newbie to planning for DisneyLAND, I'm finding it much less user friendly than planning for DW. No park hours published past March 16th? No dining ressies more than 60 days out? The uber-planner in me is getting very uncomfortable.

Relax... you just don't need to plan so much..DL is a totally different experience from DW. Planning wise, all you really need to know are the Extra Magic hours if you are using them (see newbie stickies). Book Carthay or Blue Bayou if you like but there are plenty of places to eat that you can just walk in.

As for rehabs...no problem! We just got back from three days with plenty of refurbs, used our EMH every day and we still didn't get everything done! You'll have a great time regardless.

 

[NCardella]

Thank you! What great advice from all of you.
poppins2008, thanks for the link with rehab info; great site also.
cmwade77, good info on park hours/dining ressies; not sure what the Alice treatment is, though!
clori, good info on your experience there, thanks.
gotta lovepluto, you're right.
farmfresh, will def check out the newbie stickies.

I can deal wit the rehabs and go with the flow about everything else, but the castle? i'm not sure that's going to be as easy. it's breaking my heart.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Keep in mind that every Fantasyland ride will be closed for about a month and a half between now and then to get what those of us that frequently go to Disneyland call "The Alice Treatment"

Could you explain "The Alice Treatment"? I haven't heard that term before. I didn't realize every Fantasyland ride was going to have closures, eep!

 

[figment_jii]

I haven't heard the term the "Alice Treatment" either, but I suspect it has to do with the refurbishment/update that the Alice ride underwent in 2014. The ride closed for a fairly lengthy period to address some safety issues, but at the same time, they also upgraded some of the ride elements. They added digital projections, improved various effects, and changed other things to the ride. The rumor is that the other dark rides in FL will (at some point) get similar upgrades.

 

[NCardella]

We rescheduled our trip to June. I know it sounds trivial, but it eases our minds that everything will be open again and we can enjoy the 60th celebration in all its glory! You all gave such great advice, thank you so much! See you in June!

 

[KeKy4]

You can call Disneyland and they have a recording of the refurb dates (714) 781-7290.
Touring plans also has them listed. It looks like a good majority of the rides are scheduled to open end of March and by Easter. Those can change though of course. http://touringplans.com/disneyland-resort/closures?utm_expid=12488259-34.2-QCHKS_RhOH1-LBTUHOtw.0&utm_referrer=http://touringplans.com/disneyland-resort/crowd-calendar
To me I'd rather go when the weather is cool in April than burn up in June. We went end of May once and ended up spending the whole middle of the day in the hotel because the heat and humidity was too much.

 

[StellaD]

We were just there a week ago and honestly the refurbs were no big deal. There was still tons to do and a great time was had by all.