Trying to stay positive

[ImarriedGrumpy]

We took our son for his first DL trip when he was 15 months old, and our breakfast at the Plaza Inn was the high point of the trip. We still joke about him trying so hard to share his waffle with Rafiki.

My son's first trip to DL was when he was 14 months old, and breakfast at the Plaza Inn was so much fun! He just adored Eeyore, and snuggled up to him, and Eeyore was great with him. We have the best photos and video of DS leaning on Eeyore and petting him with one hand while he stuffed scrambled eggs into his mouth with his other hand!

It was a great year for character visits. DS wasn't afraid of any of them, and was just curious about everything. The character meals were a riot!
http://www.disboards.com//www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/

 

[starjazz]

I'll take off season ride closures over big crowds and lines, any day!

This!!

If you're one of those who don't think there's a slow season, go in February one year, and then later in the year go in June. Then come back and explain to me how there's no slow season.

If during February you wait 10-15 minutes, that's easily 30 minutes or more in June. If I ride just 10 rides in a day, I can save myself hours...HOURS...of line time. I'd pay gobs more money to have those hours, even if there are 9 rides closed. Especially since I'm not spending those hours in 100 degree sun, either. But to each their own. Just my take.

 

[ClaraOswald]

This!!

If you're one of those who don't think there's a slow season, go in February one year, and then later in the year go in June. Then come back and explain to me how there's no slow season.

If during February you wait 10-15 minutes, that's easily 30 minutes or more in June. If I ride just 10 rides in a day, I can save myself hours...HOURS...of line time. I'd pay gobs more money to have those hours, even if there are 9 rides closed. Especially since I'm not spending those hours in 100 degree sun, either. But to each their own. Just my take.

There's still a slow time in comparison to the peak times, of course. But I think some of us are referring to years in the past when the park seemed basically empty. I don't think those types of "slow" times exist much anymore. February is still good crowd-wise (save for President's week) compared to most of the year though.

 

[starjazz]

There's still a slow time in comparison to the peak times, of course. But I think some of us are referring to years in the past when the park seemed basically empty. I don't think those types of "slow" times exist much anymore. February is still good crowd-wise (save for President's week) compared to most of the year though.

Oh sure, good point. Disney has gotten smart and done things to fill those gaps - special events, discounts on hotels/dining, etc. So yeah, its not just dead nearly as often as it once was. But Mid-Jan to early-March is a great time for many because we like to go somewhere warm during the cold months, and we HATE lines.

 

[Lauren in NC]

This!!

If you're one of those who don't think there's a slow season, go in February one year, and then later in the year go in June. Then come back and explain to me how there's no slow season.

If during February you wait 10-15 minutes, that's easily 30 minutes or more in June. If I ride just 10 rides in a day, I can save myself hours...HOURS...of line time. I'd pay gobs more money to have those hours, even if there are 9 rides closed. Especially since I'm not spending those hours in 100 degree sun, either. But to each their own. Just my take.

You know, I do agree, to a point. We went in May last year (after having gone in November), and it felt much busier than we expected. DCA was mostly fine, but the wait times for rides in DL were much worse, probably because a number of the high volume rides were closed and everybody was just trying to ride something. It also seemed like there were a lot more annoyed people wandering around trying to find something to do. While waiting in line at baggage check, every morning we'd over hear at least 2 or 3 families getting upset when they saw the board with the list of closed rides. If that had been our first trip to Disneyland, we probably wouldn't have gone back!

 

[minneylovesmicky]

While it's understandable to be disappointed it's also important to look at the overall picture and options. While it's reasonable to suggest moving or cancelling dates this may be difficult to swallow but if there are things you consider must do : I would hold off even if that means another year. If the trip is paid for already without ways to cancel the make the best of it.

I see these posts every year around this time yet if people took time to do research they would have known last year that a hefty refrub schedule was going to happen in preparation for the anniversary adding to the normal slower season seasonally.

Consider also walking around the Disneyland Hotel and GCH for new adventures as even if not staying on site you are welcome to enjoy the sights and enjoyment. It's possible to find new favorites and you could try to catch the shows even if it's not your normal routine you might be surprised!

Just because it's Disney doesn't mean you are entitled to anything being perfect. You have a choice to go or not. Everything is a choice and if it's not worth it to you right now consider your options.

We booked our trip way back in May last yr, the refurb list was not out then, it only came out in the past few months. Even then, they are adding to it every day. I am just waiting for the morning I wake up and hear - "DisneyLand has decided to close for the month of February, due to refurbishments and 60th yr preparations" that would really top it off...lol

I didn't even know this forum existed then, never thought Disneyland had a low season, thought it was busy all yr round. Then add to that, I didn't even know it was Disneylands 60th yr...I know, naughty of me. SO NONE of that information would have helped us, back in MAY 2014.

We can not change our booking, it will cost us a fortune to change our dates.

Not everyone has a choice to cancel, not everyone can "just go back another time" and yes I did expect it to be perfect. I am coming from Australia, I am spending a fortune and I wanted perfect, amazing and wonderful.

We leave in 16 days, although disappointed - especially with the Castle and WOC, I am hoping the wonderful and magic will still be there, I am hoping the whole "holidaying overseas for the first time" magic overrides the closures.

People are allowed to be upset and disappointed. We just have to make the most of it, doesn't mean it doesn't still get us upset and cranky.

 

[T0rrent]

You do not know my personality at all. We actually find humor in the refurbishment walls and have taken goofy pictures in front of them on past trips. It's sort of our "thing" since we travel in the 'slow' season.

Not sure where I said my trip was "ruined." Obviously if I felt it was ruined, I wouldn't be going at all.

I think some of you assume everything must be black or white. You must LOVE everything or HATE everything. But sorry, that isn't reality. At least not for someone with at least half of a brain. I can be annoyed with the closures and still have a lovely vacation.

I feel bad for people that have to live their lives in such black or white, love or hate terms.

As you can see from my signature, I've been to Disneyland far more times than most. I certainly haven't loved every second I've spent in the park...because that's just not real life. But obviously I have a good time or I wouldn't have gone over 200 times in the last decade.

Your post that I quoted really did come off as being really upset and bitter about it, hence my reply. I don't think anyone here is being black and white love/hate but more of taking the good with the bad and looking at the big picture. Instead of looking at well rides A B & C are down, they look at is as well now more time to do rides X Y Z that we normally skip due to going on rides A B C.

 

[ClosetDisneyJunkie]

I was blessed in that i never experienced the "true" off-seasons of times past when the park was basically empty. I say blessed because I'm glad I don't have anything to compare the present to

It's often busy, even during the "quieter" times, but it's all relative. I've been there when you basically can't move, and I've been there when you're walking right on to HM, POTC and even Splash if it's a little chilly. Both in the last three years.

I'm lucky in that I get down that way pretty often nowadays, so we'll plan a trip during the "busier" time, understanding that it's going to be crowded, but nearly everything will be open. Then plan a trip during the "quieter" time, understanding that it will be a bit more relaxed, with less need to plan, but that there's some stuff that will be closed. There's something liberating about that too. I enjoy both types of trips, for different reasons. It's really just a need to understand, up front, what you are in for so that you are not disappointed.

Of course, the above only really works for me because I can get down there more than once a year (or once every ten years). And i don't have a giant family to pay for. I do feel for those people who really can't go more than once and are disappointed.

Either way, though, I think it's best to have fair expectations. With very few exceptions: if everything is open, it's going to be crowded. If it's not crowded, you have shorter hours and more refurbishments. It just is what it is. And if you're prepared for that, you can still have an amazing time (and millions every year do).

 

[cinderkelly]

When we went in 2013 splash mountain, big thunder mountain railroad, tea cups and grizzly river run were all closed, as was the main street train station. It was a bummer since BTMRR and splash are my 2 favourite rides but it was still an amazing trip. We are going back the last week in sept. I am hoping the bulk of the refurbs will be done and we won't have many major refurbs.

We must have been there the exact same time as you! We were there Early Feb. 2013. I was initially bummed so much was closed since it was our first trip to DLR but it turned out to be a fantastic trip! There is so much to do there in the end we didn't really miss these attractions at all. It happened to be both Chinese New Year and Mardi Gras were being celebrated that weekend so there was tons going on. This year we go in April and although I'm kinda sad Soarin' and some others will be down for refurb I'm ok with it.

I completely understand how those are upset over the massive refurb list, especially those coming from long distances, I wanted my first Disney trip to be perfect too, and it ended up being wonderful even though we "missed" a few headliners.

 

[minneylovesmicky]

I completely understand how those are upset over the massive refurb list, especially those coming from long distances, I wanted my first Disney trip to be perfect too, and it ended up being wonderful even though we "missed" a few headliners.

The closure of WOC and then the Castle, was what really got me upset, that Castle IS Disneyland, It is so iconic to it and we will not see her in all her glory.

Add to that, I hate flying, I have to fly not once but TWICE in a big tin can over a massive deep ocean!!!...I deserve all the magic just for THAT!!...lol So does my poor daughter, who has to put up with me for 15 hours each way, on that tin can...lol

 

[zanzibar138]

People have already pointed out that many of those 'attractions' that will be closed for maintenance are shops and restaurants.

The list looked somewhat like that for our first visit to DLR, just before the newly re-imagined DCA opened with Carsland etc. There were whole lands closed at that time too and, although WOC had newly opened, there were no parades.

We had a 6 day pass (before they were made unavailable), and had an absolute blast for the whole time! Even with the extensive refurb list, we still didn't do everything in either park, and had no trouble at all filling in time. Because it was a quiet time of year, the closure of whole lands didn't seem to have a huge effect on crowds.

As someone else has already pointed out, the WIWF Tour is visiting the Dream Suite while Walt's Apartment is closed. We did it in September and it is ABSOLUTELY worth doing! The Dream Suite is amazing

 

[sophies*mom]

According to cast members, the castle will be finished March 2nd and unveiled the 3rd.

This makes me incredibly happy!
We will be there after that and I expected the castle to still be tarped up.

So...since all of Critter Country will be closed, does this mean there is no F! dessert party during this time?
http://www.disboards.com//www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/

 

[minneylovesmicky]

So...since all of Critter Country will be closed, does this mean there is no F! dessert party during this time?
http://www.disboards.com//www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/

Yep no F! Dessert package, we tried to book that one and couldn't, as the restaurant that offers it, is closed

 

[ClaraOswald]

Your post that I quoted really did come off as being really upset and bitter about it, hence my reply. I don't think anyone here is being black and white love/hate but more of taking the good with the bad and looking at the big picture. Instead of looking at well rides A B & C are down, they look at is as well now more time to do rides X Y Z that we normally skip due to going on rides A B C.

See, that is kind of obnoxious to me. It implies that everyone goes often. Not everyone does. Some people have mentioned it's their once in a lifetime trip. So there's not a list of "normally" skipped rides for those people. And for me, while I've been a lot, I've never been with a child before. So this is a big trip for us. Plus, we don't go very often anymore so it's a fairly big deal when we finally make it back.

We will still have a blast, I'm sure. I've never had a 100% bad trip to Disneyland. I've had some bad moments for sure, but that's pretty normal for any vacation. At least for us. I don't live in a fantasy world where everything is rainbows and sunshine.

We booked our trip way back in May last yr, the refurb list was not out then, it only came out in the past few months. Even then, they are adding to it every day. I am just waiting for the morning I wake up and hear - "DisneyLand has decided to close for the month of February, due to refurbishments and 60th yr preparations" that would really top it off...lol

I didn't even know this forum existed then, never thought Disneyland had a low season, thought it was busy all yr round. Then add to that, I didn't even know it was Disneylands 60th yr...I know, naughty of me. SO NONE of that information would have helped us, back in MAY 2014.

We can not change our booking, it will cost us a fortune to change our dates.

Not everyone has a choice to cancel, not everyone can "just go back another time" and yes I did expect it to be perfect. I am coming from Australia, I am spending a fortune and I wanted perfect, amazing and wonderful.

We leave in 16 days, although disappointed - especially with the Castle and WOC, I am hoping the wonderful and magic will still be there, I am hoping the whole "holidaying overseas for the first time" magic overrides the closures.

People are allowed to be upset and disappointed. We just have to make the most of it, doesn't mean it doesn't still get us upset and cranky.

I think you'll still have fun. Like I said above, even trips that had crappy bits, were good overall. We just make a joke of the bad stuff. (Last time we went to WDW....some low-lights were = getting pooped on by a bird, the zipper on my shorts breaking, rain, my husband getting sick. But...it was still a good trip, overall. We just had to laugh about all the crap.

Just prepare yourself for a lot of refurbishment walls. Because I think that can be a bit shocking to see if you aren't expecting it. If you scroll down here, it will give you an idea of some walls as well as the water being drained at WOC (it's pretty hideous.) http://micechat.com/91731-frozen-fun-takes-over-disneyland/ (Of course, don't look at that if you'd rather not see a detailed thing about the parks current state and whatnot.)

 

[minneylovesmicky]

I think you'll still have fun. Like I said above, even trips that had crappy bits, were good overall. We just make a joke of the bad stuff. (Last time we went to WDW....some low-lights were = getting pooped on by a bird, the zipper on my shorts breaking, rain, my husband getting sick. But...it was still a good trip, overall. We just had to laugh about all the crap.

Just prepare yourself for a lot of refurbishment walls. Because I think that can be a bit shocking to see if you aren't expecting it. If you scroll down here, it will give you an idea of some walls as well as the water being drained at WOC (it's pretty hideous.) http://micechat.com/91731-frozen-fun-takes-over-disneyland/ (Of course, don't look at that if you'd rather not see a detailed thing about the parks current state and whatnot.)

I am sure we will be right, once we get there I am sure we will be excited, It is just that feeling that I couldn't have picked a worse time to go.

Had a look through that link - oh well what can you do

Oohh am liking that merchandise, might need another suitcase to bring it all home

 

[sophies*mom]

Yep no F! Dessert package, we tried to book that one and couldn't, as the restaurant that offers it, is closed

I had a feeling, even though that's pretty lame considering it's a brand new option and now people have to wait a few months. I would've booked it during our time in the parks

 

[minneylovesmicky]

I had a feeling, even though that's pretty lame considering it's a brand new option and now people have to wait a few months. I would've booked it during our time in the parks

Yes very disappointing, it is in Critter Country and Critter Country is closed for February and into March by the look of it

 

[MadameRebecca]

People are allowed to be upset and disappointed. We just have to make the most of it, doesn't mean it doesn't still get us upset and cranky.

Yes! I agree! .... (For the millionth time lol)

 

[DreamIsaWish]

The Carthay Circle restaurant tour is free. Show up near the front doors of the restaurant a few minutes before it starts (10:30 AM last I checked). The tour is brief, maybe 15-20 minutes, and is led by a Carthay Circle CM. It's a nice way to see the inside of the restaurant and hear a bit of the Disney lore/history without actually eating at the restaurant.

Thank you so much for the follow up! I think I'll have to aim for that one day this summer. Last time (two years ago) we went on the Lily Belle, but I don't think that's offered any longer so this might fill my need for "adult" Disney.

 

[cinderkelly]

The closure of WOC and then the Castle, was what really got me upset, that Castle IS Disneyland, It is so iconic to it and we will not see her in all her glory. Add to that, I hate flying, I have to fly not once but TWICE in a big tin can over a massive deep ocean!!!...I deserve all the magic just for THAT!!...lol So does my poor daughter, who has to put up with me for 15 hours each way, on that tin can...lol

I am so with you on that!! I am not a huge fan of flying either and I only have a 2 hour flight to deal with. When we went two years ago the Main Street train station was all covered up and I was sad about that, but it doesn't compare to the castle being covered I hope that your trip is still magical and filled with pixie dust for you and your daughter!