Timing issues for early 2011 trip

[Smokering]

So I read HydroGuy's rule about the tradeoff between crowds and attractions. Fair enough. Here's the sitch:

• We live in New Zealand. DH has said we can plan a trip for next year, money permitting. (Yay!)
• DD turns 3 on March 17. Tickets are free until she's 3.
• I want to go no later than June, for reasons of having another baby in the fairly near future (while avoiding being pregnant at Disneyland and missing all the fun rides!).
• We can go midweek without any issues.
• I'd rather avoid huge crowds, but not f it means missing all the good rides. Someone told me the Matterhorn is closed from March 11-15.
• I'd love to coordinate the trip with a great show (musical theatre) being on in LA, because Broadway-style shows rarely make it to NZ and I'm a fan.

With all that in mind... suggestions? Spring break shifts around, right? I'd rather avoid that, obviously... What happens if I get four-day tickets and DD turns 3 on the third day? Would I have to get four-day tickets for us and two-day tickets for her? They wouldn't "forgive" her the last two days of being 3? Are there advantages to having a birthday in Disneyland? Would March 15-18 be a good time to go? Someone else suggested skipping March and April and aiming for May, but I thought that might be a little too on-seasony and crowded (and hot?).... thoughts?

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

I'd go before mid-March to avoid spring break, but my preference would be early May, and make sure you overlap a weekend--so you get F! and fireworks and stuff. May shouldn't be too hot--the earlier you go the better! And I would think most rides would be open... somewhere there is a post of previos year's refurbs.

Oh, and as far as theatre goes, you are so close to LA, I am sure there will be a show of your liking any time you go. Plus, by the time of your trip I think "Toy Story the Musical" should be showing at DCA!

Have fun planning!