Torn between mid Dec and end of Jan.

[KalamityJane]

tl;dr version -

Dec 9-16 off site at PVI or at the new Homewood Suites
Pros:
Flights are much cheaper
Hotel is cheaper
Longer hours
No refurbs
Christmas deco
Fantasmic still on

Cons: crowds.
Youngest is 38.75" today barefoot, he's 2.5, so he may not hit 40" by a Dec trip
Staying off site and missing EMH

OR

Jan 31-Feb 7 at DLH
Pros:
Lower crowds
Youngest will likely be 40" with shoes
On site!
EMH

Cons:
Refurbs
Probable rain (though hey, lower crowds)
DLH is a long walk
Flights/hotel more expensive (though I got a rockin' deal on DLH)


This is likely our last hurrah at DLR as our APs expire Feb 6 and we can't afford to reup for 5 people. Which would you choose?

 

[KalamityJane]

Also, I'm fairly sure he will be 40" in shoes at the very least by end of January, my 2 older kids have been 39.5" (and he is consistently on a lower height percentile than my youngest) and 41" on their 3rd birthday, youngest will turn 3 beginning of Feb.

 

[millie0312]

That's a tough one!! Honestly I'd probably pick the stay at the DLH because I can't imagine not staying on site now (love, love , love EE!!), but the shorter hours, rain and closures would give me some pause. We also now choose the busy (ok crazy busy this year) holiday season because we fell in love with the decor and feeling of it. Plus even with the crowds it's not as busy as other times like school holidays and such so while busy it's not (hopefully) at capacity. Geez- now that I think about it more it's even tougher lol we are going Dec 8-16 and that time is just so great! Maybe if the new hotel is actually open it would make it even better since it'll be BRAND new and special? F! Is so fun to watch too... Hmmm.... I say either is good but I am also torn- I probably would go during Dec and manipulate my way on site somehow haha which is what we did this year, but I think if it's cheaper flights and hotel and you could stay at a new hotel and you hit rp on the non EE park and it's season of the force/holiday/60th time with F! Running it may be the best bet- plus less likely the bad part of El Niño has hit still and the crowds shouldn't be at capacity just busy, which you can deal with with good planning... Lol so after it's said and done I vote Dec

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I'd pick December. Your youngest might grow a lot or not in the next two months, so I wouldn't count on that. Rain does seem more likely in Jan/Feb, but again, who knows. The kicker for me would be all the things closing after January 10. If I knew this was my last trip for quite a while, I would choose to go before they close the Rivers of America and all associated attractions, the railroad, the ranch area, and Aladdin. Disclaimer: Staying onsite isn't a big deal to us. Even though I really enjoyed it, we've only done it twice over the last 10 years.

 

[dtnrhi]

If it were me, I'd go in December in a heartbeat. And, with the money I've saved, I'd get a dining package for Fantasmic! to see it again before it closes for over a year. Holiday decor is a bonus!

Also, I think January is going to be busier than most people are expecting. People will go, planning on low crowds, and I think enough people will have that mindset that it will be busier than expected.

 

[ChloroformSdxn]

I've gone 2x around that time - end of Jan 2014, and early-ish Feb 2014. Both times Splash Mountain was closed, though given the 60th and the other closures, I'm guessing it won't be this year.

I do really like that time of year for the lack of crowds. It's really nice. We are going this year the second week of December, and I'm really hoping it's not too crowded. Especially with little kids, a quieter park is nice.

 

[KalamityJane]

We went Feb 2015 and in May as well pre-60th opening. I think we are going to try out December and hope that things are manageable. Good thing is that we haven't seen as many of the shows or parades, so we will definitely do more of those! I figured out pricewise, it's a difference of about $1200 for flights and hotel between the 2. This is partially because our Companion Pass on Southwest expires end of December, so we have to buy a 5th ticket plus ticket prices are $120 more roundtrip per person, and also because DLH is more expensive to stay at. Given those numbers, we have to go in December, know what I mean? $1200 buys a lot of churros and Dole Whips!

What extra stuff would you sign up for if you saved a lot of money going at a much busier time? We are definitely planning on F! dining package, probably a character breakfast at Minnie's for lunch, is the WoC dining package worth it?

 

[RemainSeatedPlease]

I think you made the right choice. Either trip would be fun, but since you said this will be your last one for a while, going before all the refurbs is a good idea.

I would suggest making a reservation for Big Thunder Ranch BBQ, since it will be closing down in January. You may also want to consider a tour, if you have any interest. I would schedule it for the afternoon when the crowds will be heavier. And I think that a F! dining package would be a great idea, especially if you are planning to eat at BB or RBT anyway. I have had great views with just a regular FP, but there are definitely crowds you have to wait in to get a good spot, and with small children I would really want to avoid that chaos. WOC dining packages are not as valuable, in my opinion. The crowds/lines are more organized there, and like with F!, if you get in line fairly early you should get an okay spot. I have found that the dining package there really does not guarantee a good view - last time I was there some people with dining packages showed up about 15 minutes before the show and were very upset that their children couldn't see because they were behind so many others. With F! dining packages, at least you are all seated so you are much more likely to have a great view.

 

[Girimama33]

I would pick December.

 

[tlovesdis]

I would choose January. December is just going to be crazy crowded this year. But for me the train, the Mark Twain and the F! don't mean much. I'm looking forward to my January short visit, hoping it won't be crazy crowded like it has been!

 

[figment_jii]

I would have normally said to brave the crowds and go in December to because of the holiday decor and offerings and the chance to do a lot of things that may be closing for a year or more (plus the things that aren't coming back). DLR during the holiday season is wonderful. All that being said, I just went on a trip with a little one who had just reached 40"...and it was amazing how much fun he had going on so many new attractions. Being 40", meant he could go on things like Big Thunder, Space Mtn, Star Tours, Splash Mtn (although this might not be so great now or in Jan/Feb), Soarin', and RSR. He had such a great time and it was a chance for the family/group to do more things together (previously, they would have to split up when the older one wanted to do the "thrill" that he could not do).

So, as long as you aren't going to be super disappointed in missing out on the Rivers of America (Tom Sawyers Island, Mark Twain/Columbia, and Canoes) and the Train, I would wait until January/February.

 

[KalamityJane]

I'm going to keep the reservations for Jan just in case we need a weekend do over my almost 40" kid is only 2.5, 3 in Feb, so he's a little bit easier to reroute or ride other rides with than an older kid thankfully.

 

[purple figment]

What extra stuff would you sign up for if you saved a lot of money going at a much busier time? We are definitely planning on F! dining package, probably a character breakfast at Minnie's for lunch, is the WoC dining package worth it?

Check the schedule for the hand made candy canes at the Candy Palace (DL) and Trolley Treats (DHS). Line up for a wrist band early in the morning to purchase one later in the day and you can watch them being made in the show window at the candy shop. This is from last year, but it gives you an idea of what it's all about:
http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2014/11/13/2014-disneyland-candy-cane-dates-announced/

Ralph Brennan's in DTD has a gingerbread house workshop on Dec 12 that is a lot of fun.
http://www.rbjazzkitchen.com/menus_display.php?id=352

The holiday superthread has everything you will want to know about the holidays in DLR. The posts on the first page will be updated as more info is released:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/di...-superthread-5-holidays-begin-friday.3358217/

 

[DLfan4]

jan 31 - feb 7