Trying to stay positive

[Geemo]

We've been in the old off season (Jan/Feb) many times when the refurbish list is long. We try to go once a year.

The longest refurbish list we have ever experienced was in Jan/Feb 2013. Every time I looked at the list another attraction was on the it.

For me, I glance at the list, but it doesn't stop me from going.

I sure hope the Critter Country closure fixes the problems with Splash Mountain. It's been pretty sad the last few visits.

Geemo

 

[penguinande]

I don't like to make things difficult but this is our first visit with our dd being over 40" and we don't just have money to throw around. I never, never complain about anything, but they have recently released lower 2-day ticket prices and I feel like we deserve to take advantage of them since we are visiting during the window in which they are offered (and in which there will be a ton of closures). I have already emailed disney once regarding my concerns about the closures, but have received no response. Do we deserve a discount if we have already paid? I kinda feel like we do (but maybe I'm wrong - I hate to be a complainer).

 

[thatgrljme]

IASW is due to go down on January 26th.

Does it say for how long?

This is the ride that was down when I took my son last year and this is the one that will disappoint me! Lol

 

[TheDoleWhipper]

Heading to the parks in February. Its the only time we could make work with school and work. We knew there would be some closures but gosh, there are SO many with the 60th anniversary coming up!! We've been managing our expectations and trying to just be happy with what we WILL be able to do, but the list just keeps growing and growing.

The kicker though...I called tonight to book the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour. I figured with all the closures, this would be a good time to take advantage of the tour and my 11 year old daughter has been soooo excited to see Walt's apartment. Wouldn't you know it......THAT is closed too! So we don't even get to see it on the tour

Trying to stay positive. We still get to go to Disneyland, but man, this refurbishment schedule is crazy all at once:

Disneyland

Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough Closed for Refurbishment
Disneyland Railroad - Mickey's Toontown Closed for Refurbishment
Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes Closed for Refurbishment
Peter Pan's Flight Closed for Refurbishment
Splash Mountain Closed for Refurbishment
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh Closed for Refurbishment
Disneyland Railroad - Main Street, U.S.A. Closed for Refurbishment
Disneyland Railroad - New Orleans Square Closed for Refurbishment
Matterhorn Bobsleds Closed for Refurbishment
Disneyland Railroad - Tomorrowland Closed for Refurbishment
The Briar Patch Closed for Refurbishment
Professor Barnaby Owl's Photographic Art Studio Closed for Refurbishment
Enchanted Chamber Closed for Refurbishment
Le Bat en Rouge Closed for Refurbishment
Pooh Corner Closed for Refurbishment
Hungry Bear Restaurant Closed for Refurbishment

Disney California Adventure Park
Walt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar Closed for Refurbishment
Soarin' Over California Closed for Refurbishment
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail Closed for Refurbishment
World of Color Closed for Refurbishment
Grizzly River Run Closed for Refurbishment
Boardwalk Bazaar Closed for Refurbishment
Sideshow Shirts Closed for Refurbishment
Point Magu Tattoo Closed for Refurbishment
Fly 'n' Buy Closed for Refurbishment
Taste Pilots' Grill Closed for Refurbishment
Ariel's Grotto Closed for Refurbishment

It IS alot of closures, this year, and I can imagine how disappointing it would be for visitors on their first and only trip.

Think about it, you can either go to disneyland when its crowded, but with less refurbs, or virtually empty, with more refurbs. Which season is better depends on the person. January and February are very slow times, the temperatures aren't unbearably hot, and the kids are for the most part, in school. Very pleasant, and sometimes, you can just walk up to space mountain with a 15 minute wait anytime of the day. That is unheard of in high-season.

Disney does have to do refurbs to keep the park in tip-top shape, and for obvious reasons, they do them in low-season, when there will be less people in the parks, and thus they need less places to put them. Its just the nature of the beast. So instead of focusing on the things that will be closed, focus on all those lines that will be nonexistant during your visit. No jostling crowds, no getting up super early, no hour long waits. What's not to love?

 

[ClaraOswald]

Does it say for how long?

This is the ride that was down when I took my son last year and this is the one that will disappoint me! Lol

It is set to reopen on February 6th, I believe.

It IS alot of closures, this year, and I can imagine how disappointing it would be for visitors on their first and only trip.

Think about it, you can either go to disneyland when its crowded, but with less refurbs, or virtually empty, with more refurbs. Which season is better depends on the person. January and February are very slow times, the temperatures aren't unbearably hot, and the kids are for the most part, in school. Very pleasant, and sometimes, you can just walk up to space mountain with a 15 minute wait anytime of the day. That is unheard of in high-season.

Disney does have to do refurbs to keep the park in tip-top shape, and for obvious reasons, they do them in low-season, when there will be less people in the parks, and thus they need less places to put them. Its just the nature of the beast. So instead of focusing on the things that will be closed, focus on all those lines that will be nonexistant during your visit. No jostling crowds, no getting up super early, no hour long waits. What's not to love?

Just an FYI for people going during the slower seasons - do NOT expect "virtually empty" because you may be very disappointed. From what I've been hearing, it's never empty like it was in past years. Yes, crowds on a non-holiday in January/February will be more empty than peak season in the Summer. But don't expect no people.

 

[thatgrljme]

It is set to reopen on February 6th, I believe.

Whew! Thank you! We won't be there until the end of February so good news.

 

[KalamityJane]

Oh good! My kids love IASW and we actually arrive on the 6th, so I'm glad we will be able to see it.

 

[disneychrista]

Whew! Thank you! We won't be there until the end of February so good news.

Small World is always down for about 2 weeks the mid to end of January to remove the Holiday overlay.

 

[thatgrljme]

Small World is always down for about 2 weeks the mid to end of January to remove the Holiday overlay.

That's what I figured it was. I just wasn't positive and because it was down the last time we went I really wanted my son to experience it this time.

 

[Juju81]

Just returned from 3 days at Dland. Happy to report closures are not as bad as they sound. Of course, if your favorite ride is closed it is a downer, but there is so much to do it doesn't really affect your visit once you get past "Oh no, Pooh is closed (or Splash Mtn, or HM etc)."

We did a lot more shows and they were all great! Took things a bit slower and enjoyed each experience more. My DGD who is 6 loved Olaf's Snow Fun at CA. Took advantage of EMH and walked into all CA Frozen experiences. I really liked the sing along. Really cute and I enjoyed the technology of the show. Also very exciting when it snows in the theater.

I was really disappointed about the castle closure, but Disney is handling that really well. No huge tarps, at least while we were there. Just a low barrier for the walk thru--couldn't really see it until you were right up to it. You could still walk up the steps and do the Sleeping Beauty story. They are draining the moat and that isn't lovely, but you don't really notice unless you are in a really long line to meet a princess at the fairy tale meet and greet.

So, just manage your expectations, focus on the good things, and stay positive. There is still tons to do and a wonderful time. There is still magic even amidst so many closures. Plus as I told my DGD, that leaves us something to do next time we go--even if that is two years from now. Each visit is a different experience and IMHO that is part of the fun of going to Disneyland.

 

[GatorChris]

I don't like to make things difficult but this is our first visit with our dd being over 40" and we don't just have money to throw around. I never, never complain about anything, but they have recently released lower 2-day ticket prices and I feel like we deserve to take advantage of them since we are visiting during the window in which they are offered (and in which there will be a ton of closures). I have already emailed disney once regarding my concerns about the closures, but have received no response. Do we deserve a discount if we have already paid? I kinda feel like we do (but maybe I'm wrong - I hate to be a complainer).

I've emailed them three times about my upcoming trip. They've offered nothing for our troubles. Shoot, I would've been content had they said "we're real sorry and here's 1 FP for each person in your party." You know, something that actually shows they really do mean they're sorry. But for now, all they're doing is what my kids do when I tell them to say sorry. They don't really mean it. It's all perfunctory and empty.

And it's OK to complain on these boards. This is exactly where people should understand your feelings, and I certainly do. It's bad enough to have 3 of our top 5 attractions down (Splash, Soarin', WOC), but to have the Castle tarped off too? I'm in the party that thinks they owe me one. Or three.

 

[penguinande]

I've emailed them three times about my upcoming trip. They've offered nothing for our troubles. Shoot, I would've been content had they said "we're real sorry and here's 1 FP for each person in your party." You know, something that actually shows they really do mean they're sorry. But for now, all they're doing is what my kids do when I tell them to say sorry. They don't really mean it. It's all perfunctory and empty.

Exactly!

 

[MommyJKM]

I've emailed them three times about my upcoming trip. They've offered nothing for our troubles. /QUOTE]

Try callling Guest Communications not Guest Relations

(714) 781-4101

 

[ClaraOswald]

Just returned from 3 days at Dland. Happy to report closures are not as bad as they sound. Of course, if your favorite ride is closed it is a downer, but there is so much to do it doesn't really affect your visit once you get past "Oh no, Pooh is closed (or Splash Mtn, or HM etc)."

We did a lot more shows and they were all great! Took things a bit slower and enjoyed each experience more. My DGD who is 6 loved Olaf's Snow Fun at CA. Took advantage of EMH and walked into all CA Frozen experiences. I really liked the sing along. Really cute and I enjoyed the technology of the show. Also very exciting when it snows in the theater.

I was really disappointed about the castle closure, but Disney is handling that really well. No huge tarps, at least while we were there. Just a low barrier for the walk thru--couldn't really see it until you were right up to it. You could still walk up the steps and do the Sleeping Beauty story. They are draining the moat and that isn't lovely, but you don't really notice unless you are in a really long line to meet a princess at the fairy tale meet and greet.

So, just manage your expectations, focus on the good things, and stay positive. There is still tons to do and a wonderful time. There is still magic even amidst so many closures. Plus as I told my DGD, that leaves us something to do next time we go--even if that is two years from now. Each visit is a different experience and IMHO that is part of the fun of going to Disneyland.

The tarp will probably be up soon, I'm guessing.

The tarp on It's a Small World has been switched from plain while to one with the facade printed on the outside. Looks better than white. But I think it works since Small World's facade is on the flatter side anyway. I'll be curious to see how it looks on the castle. I've seen it on WDW's and it looks pretty cheesy. But it would be an improvement over the ugly blue thing from 2005.

 

[Gisele]

The moat is being drained! Oh how ugly that sounds to be.

 

[Gisele]

I've emailed them three times about my upcoming trip. They've offered nothing for our troubles. Shoot, I would've been content had they said "we're real sorry and here's 1 FP for each person in your party." You know, something that actually shows they really do mean they're sorry. But for now, all they're doing is what my kids do when I tell them to say sorry. They don't really mean it. It's all perfunctory and empty.

And it's OK to complain on these boards. This is exactly where people should understand your feelings, and I certainly do. It's bad enough to have 3 of our top 5 attractions down (Splash, Soarin', WOC), but to have the Castle tarped off too? I'm in the party that thinks they owe me one. Or three.

Don't forget, the moat is being drained too!

 

[dreamerliz]

I talked to someone there yesterday to say I would have liked more notice that so much would be down. She told me it was posted 40 days in advance. I did say I do plan most of my holidays a little further in advance then that! She really did seem to not care that we are putting out a lot of money for this trip.

I felt unsatisfied .

 

[disneychrista]

I've emailed them three times about my upcoming trip. They've offered nothing for our troubles. .

And why should they? You know what is going to be closed, you are choosing to still go.

 

[LuSoph]

I just received a call that our Minnie Breakfast on Friday Feb 6th has been moved to 9 AM since they have had to change the park hours. I am assuming this is due to droves of people cancelling their trips due to the ride closures and now the measles debacle. This is the straw that broke the camel's back for me: I have tried to go with the flow with so many ride closures/castle covering, and no I didn't know about them when I booked my trip. Now they are punishing those of us that are still coming with even less time in the park! I paid full price for my tickets and I am getting nowhere near the usual value. For the PP who commented that we shouldn't expect anything because we are still choosing to go: I can't cancel my trip or change the dates. We are stuck with them. I will make the best of a less than stellar situation, but I don't think its fair to imply that we have no right to complain. I am definitely dissapointed that DIsney has decided to shorten park hours!!

 

[jamarmiller]

yeah I am in the same boat. I plan my trips out almost 10 months in advance and so was shocked to see all the closures.

Sort of feel like the tickets should cost less if the hours are cut and so many things are closed.

we are going in two weeks and will be there for about 5 days. Its our first time to go to the California resort and probably the only time we will ever go since we usually go to the Japan resort and the Florida resort ( the two places we reside ).

Sort of sucks as it will be a once in a lifetime trip but hoping it wont feel as bad.

But I am sure Disney could give a crap about 1 family like ours LOL