Visit in early May this year a good idea?

[ZoZo]

I was considering a trip in early May this year (the first weekend), but then found out about the Anniversary celebration starting on May 22nd.

I'm reading about closures of a bunch of attractions leading up to the the kick-off date - would it be a good idea to postpone the trip to a later date so that we don't miss out on a lot of stuff because of closures? I don't go to DL often (usually go to WDW instead), so there are lots of things I haven't seen yet like World of Colors, Cars Land, etc.

Thanks in advance for the advice!

 

[figment_jii]

It all depends on how much you want to see the 60th anniversary events versus low(ish) crowds.

May 2/3: Soarin', Peter Pan, and Matterhorn are likely to still be closed for refurbishment. Olaf's Snow Fest is slated to end on April 30, so that may also have already closed. The park will still be in low(ish) season schedule, which probably means shorter hours and reduced entertainment (fireworks and F! only on weekends). The crowds should also still be fairly manageable. WoC is slated to re-open in mid-March and I haven't seen much about Carsland undergoing any planned closures anymore (Luigi's Flying Tires were slated to close, but it's since dropped off the refurbishment lists). So I think you'll be fine in early-May for WoC and Carsland.

After May 22: Once the 60th anniversary events start, I expect crowds to ramp up. May 22nd is the start of the summer season, though most schools are still in session and the AP blockouts do not start that early. Very few planned refurbishments will be happening, although last minute/unscheduled maintenance may still be needed. The summer season means long operating hours and full entertainment (nightly fireworks, F!, parade, and WoC). I don't know if you are interested in Frozen Fun (in DCA), but it is slated to end on May 15. Also, depending on when you go, there may be grad nights to deal with in late May and early June.

Personally, the new things for the 60th sound pretty impressive, so I would wait until after they debuted to go...especially if you aren't planning on getting back to DLR in the near future.

 

[ZoZo]

It all depends on how much you want to see the 60th anniversary events versus low(ish) crowds.

May 2/3: Soarin', Peter Pan, and Matterhorn are likely to still be closed for refurbishment. Olaf's Snow Fest is slated to end on April 30, so that may also have already closed. The park will still be in low(ish) season schedule, which probably means shorter hours and reduced entertainment (fireworks and F! only on weekends). The crowds should also still be fairly manageable. WoC is slated to re-open in mid-March and I haven't seen much about Carsland undergoing any planned closures anymore (Luigi's Flying Tires were slated to close, but it's since dropped off the refurbishment lists). So I think you'll be fine in early-May for WoC and Carsland.

After May 22: Once the 60th anniversary events start, I expect crowds to ramp up. May 22nd is the start of the summer season, though most schools are still in session and the AP blockouts do not start that early. Very few planned refurbishments will be happening, although last minute/unscheduled maintenance may still be needed. The summer season means long operating hours and full entertainment (nightly fireworks, F!, parade, and WoC). I don't know if you are interested in Frozen Fun (in DCA), but it is slated to end on May 15. Also, depending on when you go, there may be grad nights to deal with in late May and early June.

Personally, the new things for the 60th sound pretty impressive, so I would wait until after they debuted to go...especially if you aren't planning on getting back to DLR in the near future.

That's great advice! I'll have to think about it. It would be a shame to miss out on some new, cool things, but the appeal of lower crowds is nice for early May. I'd be bummed to miss Soarin', though!

 

[gottalovepluto]

I'd be bummed to miss Soarin', though!

To me DCA just isn't the same without it. Also, the entire Soarin' area is being redone into Grizzly Airfield as they carry over the GRR national park feeling into the Soarin' area. The rumor mill says the video itself isn't changing much, but the entire ride is getting a major HD upgrade (the screens were in sad shape when I last saw them and that was a couple years ago now). Here is a link to major 60th stuff (besides rides) that will be offered straight from the Mouse's mouth. If concerned about grad nites they start May 13 fyi. Good luck with the decision, I don't know which one I'd pick! Lower crowds or new shows & park bedazzlement? What a fun quandary!