What was I thinking?

[Floydian]

Here I am, planning a 10 day visit to Southern California in early June, with about 5-6 of those days dedicated to enjoying the Disneyland Resort at a leisurely pace, and I didn't even bother to check what will be there!

Closed: direct from the DL website as of 10 minutes ago
Splash Mountain
it's a small world
King Arthur Carrousel
Sleeping Beauty Castle
Gadget's Go Coaster
Superstar Limo

Plus, there's no Fantasmic show listed anytime during our entire stay, though it's not officially being "refurbished, and thus is not listed in any way, shape, or form. And, isn't Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin still closed indefinitely?

So I need to break this down.

My favorite attractions:
Indy, PotC, Splash Mtn, Alice in Wonderland, Space Mtn, Roger Rabbit, Fantasmic

My wife's favorite attractions:
Indy, PotC, Splash Mtn, Haunted Mansion, Roger Rabbit, Fantasmic.....plus more, but I don't know everything

DD#1 (13 yo) favorite attractions:
Space Mtn, BTMRR, Matterhorn, Roger Rabbit, Fantasmic.....again, plus more, but.....

DD#2 (6 yo) favorite attractions:
Gadget's Go Coaster (the only coaster we've gotten her on more than once), King Arthur's Carousel, Small World

So 2 of my favorites, 2 of my wife's favorites, 1 of DD#1's favorites, and everything that DD#2 has ever been willing to do more than once in 4 visits to DL will ALL be closed during the entire 10 days we'll be visiting?

What was I thinking?

I guess it's a good thing those AP rates were so good for the hotel, thus encouraging us to buy AP's for the family, thus making it possible for us to visit again once or twice in the next year in the hopes of actually seeing a full DL Resort (though not all at once of course, that would be too much to ask).

So much for the summer months being the times when everything is supposed to be open for the massive numbers of visitors. Sometimes I really have to stop and think why it is that we bother devoting so much of our family's entertainment and vacation budgets to Disney, when they seem to show less and less concern for customers, and for "devotees" like us in particular.

PAUL PRESSLER SHOULD BE FLOGGED! and Michael Eisner REALLY needs to retire or something, because he's obviously lacking in motivation and ideas anymore.

Oh yea, did I mention PAUL PRESSLER SHOULD BE FLOGGED!

edited for accuracy...thanks Michelle

 

[Floydian]

I just did some figuring here...

Splash Mountain, the Canoes, Country Bear Jamboree all closed. So I guess that there will be nothing past the Haunted Mansion area for a while then?

Gadget's Go Coaster, Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin, It's a Small World all closed. Once again, other than character meetings, I guess there's not much to pull folks past the Matterhorn area for a while either, eh?

So the same numbers of people with fewer areas to visit means more crowds and longer lines. Hmmm...

I guess that's one way to convince more people to visit DCA, huh?

 

[Michelle]

Roger Rabbit has been open again for quite a while. The other refurbishment schedules are always subject to change...and they do change OFTEN.

But enjoy DCA anyway.

 

[Floydian]

Why doesn't somebody tell me these things! That ruins half of my whining!

Still, it's disappointing to see that so much of what we look forward to when visiting DL will not be available to us.

And we plan on enjoying DCA, and DL, and Sea World, and the San Diego Zoo, and the beach, and some shopping, and maybe even that huge Family Fun Center off of the 91 out near the 55 I think.

 

[tiggeroo42]

Oh no! I'm so bummed about Splash Mountain. It was scheduled to open May 25 last time I checked!

It's disappointing to learn that one of your favorite attractions is closed, but once you get there, I bet you'll have a lot of fun anyway. Matterhorn was closed when we went last year, but I still had a really good time. I guess we'll survive without Splash Mountain this year.

I read on another site that the unofficial opening for Fantasmic will be June 14th. Will you be gone by then?

 

[Floydian]

Our trip is from June 6th to June 15th, but I never saw anything mentioning Fantasmic being shown all the way out until past July 4th. I'll keep checking and hope that a few things change over the next several weeks.

I guess it was just a shock to see that, not only will Small World and Splash Mtn. be closed, but both of our youngest daughters favorite rides as well.

So does anyone know the place I'm talking about? Something like Camelot maybe? Lots of Miniature Golf, Batting Cages, Go Carts, and a Maze thing that the kids (and the wife....and myself) really enjoy. It's a fun diversion from the parks and shows and rides and crowds.

 

[hydster]

is it this place?
ANAHEIM FAMILY FUN CENTER, 1041 N. Shepard St., Anaheim, CA 92806, (714) 630-7212. Attractions: Go-cart tracks, bumper boats, a roller-skating rink, a human maze, carnival rides, 16 batting cages, a video arcade and party facilities. Hours: Open daily. Hours change every season. Fees: Tickets range from $4 for skating to $6 for individual attractions. Go-cart rides are $5

It isnt too far from Disneyland...only about 7 miles or so but you take Ball Road and then merge onto the 57 N. towards Riverside and then merge onto Ca-91E??? Seems like this is the place you are talking about! We went there on 9-11 when Disneyland was closed and had a blast!!! The human maze was cool!

Heidi

 

[goofyfordisney]

I'm not sure if this is going to happen or not but...
Disney's website listed Splash Mountain opening up again on June 14th--I'm sure this is certainly subject to change

Our trip starts on June 15th--I'm just hoping that Fantasmic will also return that weekend like it is rumored to.

Keeping our fingers crossed!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>Also, I think that the canoes are open... but the other stuff in Critter Country is closed. We'll keep an eye out on Splash. It sure would be nice to have a soft opening a lot sooner than what they've been publishing.

I've heard auditions are going on for Fantasmic, too, and that they've changed the show just a bit. I can hardly wait to see it, and hope hope hope that it will open mid June.

 

[Floydian]

That's the place Heidi!

I hope they fixed some of the stuff in that maze, but even with a few boards broken, i's fun and exhausting.

 

[hydster]

but then I was chasing my 2 year old as fast as I could go so who knows!

We are going to Six Flags Magic Mountain the first weekend in May so we may end up back there afterwards since it closes somewhat early until Memorial Day weekend!!!

Heidi

 

[raidermatt]

It is frustrating when you schedule a trip and find out things are closed, especially when you're going in the summer months.

But there are reasons beyond normal rehab why some of these attractions are closed.

Splash Mountain - It was closed for a normal rehab, and to install some airgates. Apparently, while it was closed, Disney lawyers made the decision that SM needed enhanced restraints. (partially due to large settlement over Roger Rabbit accident, and WDW Splash accident, where a rider got out of the boat and was struck by another boat.) One rumor says they want over the shoulder restraints, which would tremendously slow the loading time, and diminish the experience for riders. So the Imagineers and Operations are trying to figure out what to do, and how to make it work. Its not clear at all what the outcome of this will be, or when Splash will reopen. The date has slipped several times.

No, Disney has not confirmed any of this, however no one really expects them to at this point. And there is no other information even floating around about any other possible reason for the delay. Rest assured, however, that Disney did not want to keep Splash closed through Spring Break and into the Summer. (www.mouseplanet.com has some articles on this by Al Lutz)

Country Bear Jamboree - This was closed to make way for the Winnie the Pooh dark ride, and construction is underway. Apparently, Disney is taking advantage of the Splash downtime to work on Pooh exteriors and surrounding walkways earlier than planned.

Carousel - Closed for rehab, however, the structure was far worse off than anticipated. Lots of wood rot, including the roof. So this is also taking much longer than originally planned.

Superstar Limo - Just a rehab with some minor changes, from what I've read. Even if its still closed when you go, you're not missing much. (Unless they improve it dramatically. Or if you are a Joan Rivers fan.)

Small World - Not sure what the story is on this. It does seem strange that it would be closed in June, especially when its closed at other times for Holiday decorating and "un-decorating".

Fantasmic - Originally, I don't think they wanted to bring this back for quite some time. The cynics have said it was a ploy to get people to go to DCA at night. Who knows, but it is supposed to be returning in June or July I believe. I agree with you, Floydian, this is a great show.

Go Coaster - No info.

 

[TheLionKing]

Superstar Limo has been closed for several months. I guess that would classify it as a major rehab. or is it a redo?

 

[Molokai Gram]

We are going to be in Anaheim from 6/7-13. No choice on dates, we had to fly back on 6/13 at the latest and we couldn't take the kids out of school any earlier than the 6th. We are taking our three grandchildren and one daughter in law (she has never been out of state) and so we were hoping that this first time ever summer trip would have less things down than our usual off season trips. Turns out more things are down than we have ever experienced before. But I am hopeful. On 4/2 when I last printed up the hours and show schedules they had no parade for DL. Now today there is one. So maybe the closer we get to the dates more things will be available. But then, on 4/2 Splash Mountain was not listed as being down and now it is.

I know we will have a great time, we always do. We don't get to visit too often, so each time we go there is always new things to see. This time we are doing it all, 3 days Disney, Universal Studios, Knotts Berry, and Sea World. (Kids free with paying adult, so we are taking full advantage )

We hope to get to see Mary Jo again and anyone else that will be there at the same time. Just let me know. I would like to meet Floydian and personally say mahalo, he is the one who suggested Bengal Barbecue before my last visit and that was a very good experience for us.

I am still trying to decide which park on what day. All suggestions are welcome.

Aloha,
Donna

 

[year2late]

I had understood that Superstar Limo was a celestial refurbishment. Is it actually going to be resurected?

 

[Floydian]

So you liked Bengal BBQ?! YAY! Most people don't really pay attention to it, since it's more of a snack stand (or looks that way). But our family cannot visit DL without stopping there at least once (or twice, or every single day ).

Raidermatt, thanks for all of that info. As for Critter Country, with no Splash Mtn, and no Jamboree anymore or replacement Pooh ride yet, is there any reason to go all the way down that hill now? If the canoes are open, which I doubt we'd do, then you only have those, an ok restaurant, and some shops down there. I honestly can't see any reason to even walk beyond the exit from the Haunted Mansion (for our family), and very little reason for anyone else.

As for Toontown, again, there's really no reason to go past the Fantasyland/Matterhorn area now (for us). The wife and I love Roger Rabbit, but our 6 yo will probably still not go on it, so that leaves very few special things to do there (for us). Especially when you consider how far it is from everything else just to do 1 ride and some character meets that we've done a few times. Add in the fact that Toontown seems to be the hottest place in the entire park, and that eliminates 2 "lands" from our visit, due to rehab and such.

I'm not trying to put down DL any more than it deserves to be , but for US, the park just got a lot smaller (which can be a good thing I guess too, right?)

 

[Floydian]

If you're doing Sea World and Universal Studios, check their websites about the Southern California Value Pass. It might be the perfect thing for you, giving you unlimited admission to both parks for 14 days, at less than the cost of buying single day tickets at each park.

 

[raidermatt]

I understand your points, and don't exactly disagree. While some things they have little control over, such as the legal environment regarding Splash, there are some things they do. Such as the Carousel. Sure, they have to deal with all of the wood-rot, but clearly they waited too long to do the rehab.

My son likes all of the little stuff in Toontown, like the buildings, the jail, the trolley, etc. but he's only 3 1/2.

As for Critter Country, its pretty much a skip right now. I'm not even sure you CAN get back there even if you wanted to.

From what I've read, getting people to go back there for anything other than Splash has been an issue for years. Apparently, that's why Pooh (which I believe includes a character meet and greet area) is going in Critter Country and not in Fantasyland, where it would "fit" better.

Superstar Limo (DCA)- An old rumor has resurfaced over the last few days that this ride might be getting more changes than thought. There was a rumor from awhile back that the ride would be re-themed using Disney characters and be called Goofy's Superstar Limo. But that rumor died, and supposedly the changes would be minor. But I guess it was recently announced that the ride was not going to open until September, which is fueling speculation that it IS undergoing major changes. Hopefully, this is the case.

 

[raidermatt]

Oh, and I agree, Bengal BBQ is great!

 

[raidermatt]

Now, the scoop on Superstar Limo is that it too has a restraint issue, and that is the real reason for the prolonged closure. Doesn't look like the theme is being changed, but who knows at this point? (This info came from a poster over on the Rumors board, and also from www.mouseplanet.com .