Stick around for Carsland or get outta dodge?

[Lavender Mom]

We're rethinking our dates.

Our original plan was to be in DLR June 12,13,14. Then we found out Carsland would be opening on the 15th and DCA would be closed on the 14th so we decided to stay for the 15th too. It seemed silly to miss Carsland by just one day.

Now, we're starting to worry about how crowded it's going to be and whether it's worth it to stick around for the opening of Carsland.

Our new thought is to spend June 11,12,13 & 14 at DLR. We haven't been since 2009, but it's unlikely we'll be back for at least another 2-3 years.

As cool as Carsland sounds, we're not sure it's worth battling those crowds. Our kids were a short 6 &4 before and not able to ride a ton of rides because of height. Now they can ride most of them, so there will be a lot more for them to see and do, even without the new land.

Should we stay for Carsland, or come a day early and leave before things get really crazy? I'd love your opinions.

 

[Feej]

I'd say, "go for it", especially if it might be a couple of years before you can get back. Expect the worst, get there early if possible and take everything the day throws at you, in you stride.

I wouldn't want to go home wondering....

 

[mouseymommy]

If you don't plan on coming back for a few more years, I would stay the extra day. What I would do is see and do everything else I wanted before the 15th. On the 15th, I would just concentrate on Carsland. I would just think of it as an extra day. We did something similar this spring. We decided to leave a day early. So the day we got there, we would have still been at home. It ended up being really busy in the park, but it didn't bother us because otherwise, we would have been home packing. Everything we did that day was a bonus, and the crowds ended up not bothering us! Have fun!

 

[skiingfast]

Don't stick around for Carsland on the 15th. Go for Carsland, on the 15th. See it while you can, make the best of it, ever if you don't do the rides.

The day I would not want to be there is the 14th. With DCA closed, those guest going to DL will be a problem.

 

[coaches24]

Since you do have a few days in the parks before the opening you can probably get most of the other stuff done before the 15th. Then as long as you go knowing it will be packed and are ready to wait in lines you could see Carsland your last day. And if Carsland is just too packed to enjoy you can probably go to some other areas of the parks and do other rides you like without it being too crazy.

 

[Lavender Mom]

Don't stick around for Carsland on the 15th. Go for Carsland, on the 15th. See it while you can, make the best of it, ever if you don't do the rides.

The day I would not want to be there is the 14th. With DCA closed, those guest going to DL will be a problem.

And that's what worries me- that not only will the 15th be crazy and crowded, but the 14th too, leaving only 2 days to see the parks at a more leisurely pace. Keep your opinions coming. DH is leaning towards staying that extra day for carsland. I'm still on the fence!

 

[JaxsonsMom]

Well here's a person running from the madness! We will be in the parks 6/10-6/13 and then going home - but I will be able to return later in the year so I don't feel the need to see it now.

 

[Eeee-va]

I think I'd go for Cars Land, myself. There's no guarantee the 11th will be really uncrowded anyway. Cars Land's opening day will probably be insane but if I were you, I'd be kicking myself if it turned out it wasn't completely unmanageable and I'd missed it.

In a perfect world, I'd do a part-day on the 11th as well (I love going on my arrival day and the cost of adding an extra day decreases, the more days you visit). But I don't know if that's possible for you.

 

[Cinderpamela]

Have you read the Al Lutz's article about how they are working the opening? If not, it might be helpful as far as hints on how its going to be for the 15th.

Here is the link in case you havent seen it.
http://miceage.micechat.com/allutz/al040312a.htm

Sounds like on the 15th it isn't opening till 9 am.... but after that, there will be early entrance options for onsite hotel guests and AP holders.

 

[skiingfast]

And that's what worries me- that not only will the 15th be crazy and crowded, but the 14th too, leaving only 2 days to see the parks at a more leisurely pace.

On the 15th either take the full brunt and go to Cars Land. If not stick to DL as more people are going to DCA that day than normal, a lot more. I doubt there will be anything chaotic in DL except at the reopening Matterhorn. I feel the DL crowds will increase as the day goes on since a lot of people will finish Cars Land and then head home, or over to DL and at night it will be very busy when the after 5 Friday crowd arrives.

 

[HydroGuy]

IMO this is a no-brainer....Stay for the 15th. Will it be crowded? Of course! But it will be historic too. Your kids may go back to DLR 30 years from now with their own kids and can tell them how they were at Cars Land on opening day. Treat it is as a fun, crazy party and forget trying to treat it like a normal day at DLR.

My two cents!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

What about pushing your trip back to anytime mid July through mid Aug?

 

[Butterfly123]

I also vote for staying around! Even if you choose not to wait in line for all the Carsland rides, you will still be able to experience it. And you'll see Buena Vista Street! I would hate to go home, and then see it on the commercials on TV and have the kids wish they would have seen it. You will always remember the day you were there for the Grand Opening. Go for it as a great experience, not so much as a "get a lot of rides done" day!

 

[Lavender Mom]

Well, with some creativity we were able to switch things around and add another day at the front of our trip with it only costing us an extra $40 total. That will give us 3 solid park days, another day where DCA is closed, and then one more day of complete craziness on the 15th.

Honestly, based on this thread,

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2905058

I don't think I'm going to want to be anywhere near that kind of insanity on the 15th, no matter how "once in a lifetime/monumental" it is, but now at least we'll have that option. Or if we decide it's too much, we'll be able to escape the madness without feeling like we "wasted" one of our Disney days. Thanks for all of your advice!!

 

[Butterfly123]

That's great you were able to add a day! I think you'll have a terrific time on the 15th...even if you only peek in at Buena Vista Street and Carsland. You'll have to post when you get back and let us know how it goes!

 

[Eeee-va]

An extra day for just $40? You rock. Have a great time!

If Cars Land is too scary-crowded, I'd just see Buena Vista Street, spend the morning in Disneyland, and relax the rest of the day.