Trying to decide when to go, NEED HELP!

Snow Brite

<font color=green>Star bright, Snow Brite...no wai
Joined
Oct 22, 2001
Messages
884
I took my dd to DLR as a surprise on her 7th birthday (first trip ever). I promised the other three that I would take them each individually as well (its nice in a larger family to get some one on one time as the main attraction). I figured I would take them each on their 7th birthday.

In the meantime I took the two oldest to WDW this past May for a GREAT trip (their first, my second but the first was in 1982). My ds LOVED Buzz and Space Mountain the most.

Well he turns 7 on November 11 and I am supposed to take him to DLR, not that he remembers it is supposed to be this year). I am worried and need help deciding what to do. Space Mountain will most likely be closed, Fantasmic will not be on and there will likely be fireworks only once during that time on Saturday night. If anything else was closed I would feel seriously bummed. I was really hoping some of the Disneyland exclusive things would make up for these losses, like the Columbia, Matterhorn, and Indiana.

Both of the previous trips have been truly magical and I will be so sad if this one is not. Seven seems to really be the breaking point with little boys/big boys when things like trips to Disneyland alone with your mom seem to drop quickly on the "coolness" meter, so I want to really have a great time with him.

Sooooooo, should we:

#1) Stick to the original plan, preserve tradition, go when it is slower so less lines and cheaper with no Space Mountain or

#2) Try to go in the summer when more things are gonna be open, its more expensive, Space Mountain and Fantasmic will be up and I have less time to save up? Oh and the HEAT! We are soooo not used to the summer temps there!

I want to go for 7-10 days, spend 5 in/around DLR, 3 in SD and 1 at the beach. I am hoping to go to Knotts, Universal Hollywood and Legoland as well.
 
I would take him in November for his Birthday. When Space Mountain closes in Sept it won't reopen until August/September the year following, so going in Summer, unless it is late Summer then it will still be closed (or are you talking about coming early, this summer). And maybe keeping my fingers crossed, they won't close Fantastmic after Labor Day. Again with any luck they will run it on weekends and holiday periods.
 
I am have a really hard time deciding about this. I am Asking the Audience...

Thanks!
 
I vote for summer, since you have a long trip planned. :)

YES, the crowds will definitely be worse but the park hours are longer and if you use FASTPASS judiciously you can still ride a lot. Plus in summer you will be able to spend some time at your hotel POOL; in November it could be quite chilly. It really does not get unbearably hot in Anaheim until MAYBE August or September, and even then it's not that bad. June and July are usually very nice. Evenings still get cool, year-round.

Good luck deciding! :)
 

I am just starting to plan our first trip to DL for February 04. When is Space going to be closed? I would hate to miss Space.

Renee
 
Are they doing a rehad? Why and when will Fantasmic be closed?

Renee
 
Well right now they are going refurb on the river and town sawyers island. No river/island no Fantasmic! However, it appears that they are making Fantasmic a seasonal (read only in the summer) show. It is expected to return the first weekend in June and run until at least Labor Day.

I for one hope that they will keep Fantasmic for the weekends and holiday periods in the coming year.
 
The DL site only has the refurb schedule available for about 6 months out. Is there a better source out there?

Does anyone know why the Space Mountain refurb will take so long?
 
Heat is not too bad most of the time here--ususually only a few days each summer that it gets unbearable but we do not have the humidity of florida (maybe once in a blue moon) and I have lived here my whole life so I think I am Kinda an "expert" I hate heat and it has never been enough to ever make me move or not go to the happiest place on earth!

Here is a list I got off of MousePlanet.com



Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes – through March 27
Rivers of America – through March 27
Mark Twain Riverboat – through March 27
Sailing Ship Columbia – through March 27
Splash Mountain – February 24 - March 13
Critter Country – February 24 - March 13
Sleeping Beauty Castle walkthrough – indefinite

Disney’s California Adventure

Superstar Limo – indefinite

Future Attraction Closures:

Mad Tea Party – April 28 - May 15
Pirates of the Caribbean – April 28 - May 30
Blue Bayou Restaurant – April 28 - May 30
Indiana Jones Adventure – September 2 - October 24
Space Mountain – September 2003 - August 2004

Note: Refurbishment schedules are estimates only. All information is subject to change without notice. To get the most recent updates,
call Disneyland at (714) 781-7290.
 
I just took dd in january and we spent plenty of time in the pool. In fact one day it was in the 90's! We only had to use fast passes 3 x, 2x for soarin and once for splash mountain. True the hours were shorter, but Friday night we were there until 10 or 11, same with Saturday.

Space Mountain is getting a new track, that's why it's going to be closed so long. A CM told me in January it might take up to a year and a half, but the new track is allegedly supposed to have an inversion.

We saw fireworks Fri and Sat, and the electrical parade ran both those days too. (We left sun morning so can't vouch for that) We had a fabulous time, much better IMO than during the summer when it's more crowded.
 


Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE









DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top Bottom