When do you throw in the towel?

[OldBelle]

Long-time lurker with a trip booked for me, hubby and 2 kids (6 & 7) arriving 2/26 and departing 3/1. For the first time EVER, I'm wondering if I should just cancel my trip.

I took my hubby and kids for their first time (maybe 6th time for me?) in October 2012 and it was magical. Took them again in 2014 and it was like all hell had broken loose--crowds like I'd never seen before in my whole life, and this was mid-week at a "low" time according to touring plans and isitpacked.

From everything I've read, attendance is way up even from 2014, and frankly I'm wondering if it's still enjoyable to visit DL anymore--even for someone (like me) who is weirdly mesmerized by the park.

Anyway, the trip will be about 5k and I'm struggling to decide if it's worth it due to unprecedented crowd levels and (feels like) half the dang park being closed (no fantasmic, potc, Matterhorn, all the Star Wars land construction.) Also I got a letter from the hotel saying no pools are open and there is construction all over the hotel. It's almost as though they don't want people to visit??? Money isn't my main consideration, but $400 a night ($600 if club level, still deciding) for a hotel under construction is kind of...ugh.

So...opinions please
Do I keep the reservation, knowing a whole lot is closed and crowds will be awful?

Do I call Disney and ask to move my reservation to Disney World instead and expand the dates, in hopes that more stuff is open?

Do I scrap the whole thing and maybe do a Disney cruise? (I don't know if I'd even like a cruise tbh, but I just like Disney attention to detail.)

Do I just save up and go somewhere really awesome like (I'm assuming) DisneySea?

Arggghh...I know I'm overthinking this but it is SO HARD to convince my hubby to go on vacation (he is very averse to inconvenience) and if this trip is miserable it will be pulling teeth to ever get him to go again. HELP!

 

[lalasmama]

Yes, crowds are worsening. My first trip (that I remember clearly) was Feb 2012. Crowds weren't half bad. 2/29/12 was crowded, but that was expected. Since then, the increase in attendance has been noticeable. But, like so much, with a little preparation, there's no need to cancel because it's predicted to be busy. Get there early, make good use of fast passes, do "quiet" things in the afternoons when it's busiest.

I'd still go

 

[Tattylou]

My experience has been WDW crowds are always worse than DL in terms of line wait times so I wouldn't switch it to WDW. That is so much more planning with fp+, 180 day advanced dining reservations, park hopping is more difficult, etc. I'd still go to DL, but maybe switch your hotel to a good neighbor hotel with a functioning pool that will cost half as much and still be walking distance to the park.

 

[nikkislaght]

I feel that I can be miserable in a bubble bath while eating chocolate and having a young Harrison Ford dry me off.. or I can be happy in a flee bitten motel with a dodgy stomach that wants to host Alien..

if you feel that you wont have fun. be happy. then you most likely wont . we usually go in April and have had tons of crowds and crazy people stepping on me and rides down but still its a great time..

yes its crowded more often than not these days, and your plans include ride closures , but I would still rather be there , than not . I understand and feel for you. and of course don't know you to really get why this is so upsetting for you, as everyone has a different thresh hold . but you know just how all these things that you have against going will effect you and your family.. so my opinion really means nothing ..

either way , when you get there I hope you have a great time .

 

[OldBelle]

That's interesting about WDW lines--I've been there twice, but not since 1999 so I had no idea it stayed busy year-Round these days.

At DL, I've typically relied on the pool for the mid-day break, but that's not an option. Kids won't exactly be down for a spa service. I tried the HoJo in 2014 and husband loathed it (I thought it was cute, but missed having that early entry option.) He liked Grand California better. Is there a good neighbor hotel you really like, with good amenities and within easy walking distance?

 

[OldBelle]

Nikkislaght, I'm cracking up about eating chocolate with a young Harrison Ford. This def needs to be a part of the Indiana Jones ride.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

If it were me, I'd switch to the Disneyland Hotel instead. It has the better pool anyway. The construction is pretty well hidden in Star Wars Land, so other than losing the ability to watch F!, go to TSI or on a river boat ride, it shouldn't impact you too much. You can still go aboard the Mark Twain (bring a snack on board and listen to some live music for a small break activity). It's a bummer that both Matterhorn and POTC will be down, but at least you know in advance and weren't taken by surprise two days before your trip. And there's so much to see and do! It's really easy to get ride-focused when we hear what's going to be "down," but there are still tons of rides AND so many other options. Go to see Mickey and the Magical Map and Frozen. Draw some characters in the Animation Academy (you will treasure the drawings your kids will produce!). Have long leisurely afternoons by the Monorail pool and make sure to order some of the "effect-producing" drinks from Trader Sam's. Use some of the money you save switching from the GCH to DLH to do the WOC Dessert Package. Get a Hidden Mickey book and see who can find the most. Look for the Little Man of Disneyland, Harold the Yeti's footprint, and listen to the sounds from the dental office on Main Street. Ride all the vehicles on Main Street and let your kids ring the bell. Ask to ride in the front of the Monorail. Ask your Jungle Cruise skipper for a map.

As Nikkislaght wrote, your trip will be what you want to make of it. Disneyland is full of magic. You just need to keep your eyes open for all the opportunities. I hope you'll go as planned and have a magical time with your family.

 

[Nevada Jen]

I to would switch to the dlh. Club level. Bunk bed room with your lord of you can get it. You will be so much happier there with kids the age of yours. Use the extra money to buy your way out of the crowd. Dinner packages for parades. WOC dessert party. Character meals so you don't have to wait in line to meet characters. One meal a day in the park at a **** down restraunt. The extra magic hour will also make a huge difference in how you hit the crowds. DCA will be empty during it. You can knock out fantasy land in a morning. Grab a fast pass for Indy at regular park opening that day and go straight to btmrr. Knock out tomorrow land another morning. Even when the crowds are bad the lines for rides aren't bad at Disneyland. Really. You will have a great time. But switch hotels.

 

[OldBelle]

Ha--I will have to investigate Harold the Yeti. Husband hated our WOC package last time, so that's prob a non-starter, but maybe I can talk him into DLH for the pool. (In reading thru this thread, it sounds like hubby is rotten, which is not at all the case; he was disabled in Iraq and is in near constant pain and hates things like WOC or parades where there isn't a comfortable view.) Is the walk from DLH reasonable for a kindergartner?

 

[gottalovepluto]

For 5K I'd cancel and go to Disney World or something else, especially because this sounds like the sort of trip you do once every few years. Wait until Star Wars is open, or at least until the train and river and GCH are back up and running! Everything except Star Wars should be running/refurbished by next year. I love DLR but in your shoes I'd go to WDW or take a cruise! As to the crowds- they're here to stay. BUT having the train back open & the river back open & the back trail between FL & Big Thunder open will ease the congestion. Only heaven knows what Star Wars will do to the crowds but we're a ways away from knowing that at this point. (As for WDW please know I've only ever been once & it was for 2 days so I know zilch about crowds, except that it felt a lot less crowded because there was a lot more space for the crowd in the parks. Also early entry felt pointless because there were so many people- unlike at DLR where I love it.)

And out from lurker status!!!

 

[coaches24]

Imo it's more about the mindset than the crowds. Plan accordingly and go knowing it's going to be crowded and you can still have a great time. I've been on very busy days and I've been when crowds weren't bad at all but truthfully the only difference in what kind of time I had was in m own mindset. I have been able to have GREAT times on very busy days (like today as we just started our days in the park for this trip today) because I planned on it being very busy and I wasn't going to let that bother me. We got a lot done, had a great time today and are planning another great day tomorrow!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Ha--I will have to investigate Harold the Yeti. Husband hated our WOC package last time, so that's prob a non-starter, but maybe I can talk him into DLH for the pool. (In reading thru this thread, it sounds like hubby is rotten, which is not at all the case; he was disabled in Iraq and is in near constant pain and hates things like WOC or parades where there isn't a comfortable view.) Is the walk from DLH reasonable for a kindergartner?

If you do DLR I hope you can convince him to splurge for the WOC dessert package. I have a family member in a similar position & the only way WOC is comfortable is thru the dessert option where seating and being removed from the crowd is guaranteed.

 

[SMD]

I'd reduce hotel and flight costs if possible and put the savings towards the future cruise or WDW trip. Or add another part of CA to the trip or a non-Disney mini trip. The crowds are what they are these days and it's better to prepare for a less than ideal scenario than play the guessing game of avoiding them. But I know I would be less happy with the less than ideal scenario if I put all the vacation eggs in one basket.

 

[OldBelle]

I'd reduce hotel and flight costs if possible and put the savings towards the future cruise or WDW trip. Or add another part of CA to the trip or a non-Disney mini trip. The crowds are what they are these days and it's better to prepare for a less than ideal scenario than play the guessing game of avoiding them. But I know I would be less happy with the less than ideal scenario if I put all the vacation eggs in one basket.

Hmm. The thought that "the crowds are what they are...and not to play a guessing game" is a good one. Those conditions wouldn't bother me; my husband and kids will go insane. So I think maybe the answer is for me to go on a solo trip (I know, I'm weird, don't judge) to DL and then plan some other trip for the family. I'm in Utah, so travel cost to CA for one person is negligible--then if I pull kids out of school it might be for something they'll enjoy more.

 

[gottalovepluto]

...So I think maybe the answer is for me to go on a solo trip (I know, I'm weird, don't judge...

Hahaha! You're not alone around here if you're thinking about a solo trip Lots of good advise from other DL DISers is available here if you decide to go that route.

 

[CAmommy]

They changed the matterhorn for the worse since 2012. You're not missing much. Does that help?

 

[cruisehopeful]

I think you'll still have a great trip. I would move to the Disneyland Hotel if you plan to use the pools. Disneyland does get crowded with ride closures and stuff, but it is so easy to park hop across to DCA if the crowds do become unbearable. I don't think it will be any less crowded in WDW. Honestly, you don't need to stress out about it.

 

[Laz]

I second the DLH Club Level. With proper planning and the use of FPs, you can have a great time. By staying at the DLH, you can get into the parks early every day, then take a break in the busy afternoons. We will then pick and choose what we want to do in the evening with no rush, or plan to get a good spot for Fantasmic, the night parade, or WOC. I don't think I have ever been to WDW or DLR and not seen at least one attraction closed. Remember, you could go on a cruise and the ship could be forced to skip a port.

 

[hsmamato2]

Why not choose a different hotel? There is no way I would pay that money for a hotel with closed pools,etc.ANd DL has SO many choices right nearby- And if you aren't feeling great about the whole thing, why not WDW? Now that I've experienced both,I feel like if the money output is equal, WDW provides more 'room' to enjoy a vacation,even in a crowded season. DL is lovely, but more limited in size and when crowds swell it's tougher to handle IMHO.

 

[VandVsmama]

Since your DH is a vet and in a lot of physical pain a fair amount of the time, save your money and stay at Best Western Park Place Inn instead of DLH or GCH. Here's why I'm suggesting that:

• it's much less expensive.
• late Feb/early March is really too cold to swim in Anaheim. EVEN WITH heated pools. It's not like Florida, where it's balmy almost all year round. So you could switch to the DLH and the DLH is an awesome hotel, but if you're switching just for the pool, you might find yourself disappointed because you might find it too cold to swim and have a nice time at the pool.
• Avg Anaheim temps in Feb-March are a high of 71-73 and low of 48-51. So if you're fine with swimming when it's in the upper 60's, then go for it!
• BWPPI is far closer to the park entrance than the DLH. If your DH gets super tired and wiped out and needs a break, it'll take far less time to get to your hotel than it would to the DLH. The shorter walk will also help your 5 yr old's tired feet!
• The $$ you save you can put toward something like the WOC dessert package, which is how I would recommend your DH see WOC.

How to keep a cranky spouse happy at DL & How to avoid big crowds at DL:
I, too, have a husband who doesn't especially like to go on vacation. He'd much rather just stay at home playing video games for several days than to go anywhere. So when we go to DL, in order for me to convince him to go and have a good time, I plan it out....A LOT! We've gone to DL as a family 3 times now and these are the tips that I learned about here on DIS Boards which have helped to keep my DH's happy pants on (and to keep the cranky pants at bay):

1. Stay within walking distance.
2. Get to the park every day at rope drop. This really means to get to the park entrance 20-30 min before park opening. Or before start of EMH if you can use Extra Magic Hour.
3. Go on rides/attractions all morning. Always start in Fantasyland since FL has a fair amount of "slow loaders," so you want to go on them first thing in the a.m. in order to minimize wait times. Our common "first hour in the parks" itinerary involves: Dumbo, Alice in Wonderland, Snow White, Pinocchio, King Arthur's Carousel, Mad Tea Party. Then we grab FP's for Star Tours or Space Mountain AND FP for Buzz Lightyear (since Buzz FP are 'disconnected' from the rest of the FP system).
4. Subscribe to RideMax and use it. Follow the RideMax plan. I've done this every single time we've gone and we've hardly ever waited more than 20 min to get on a ride.
5. If your 5 yr old wants to see Toon Town and meet Mickey Mouse without a wait, be at the gates to Toon Town 1 hour after official park opening because that's when Toon Town opens. Some of the characters (often Goofy at least) will come to the gate to open Toon Town. Walk straight toward Mickey's house and walk right in with zero wait and meet Mickey and take pictures.
6. During our last visit, we stayed at a Best Western and filled up on the free breakfast at the hotel. I took with us some bananas for a snack for the kids to eat while waiting in line. And then on 1 of the days, we did a late character breakfast at the Plaza Inn...like at 10am. So by this point, we were all tired and needed a break. And it was wonderful because instead of standing in 7 different lines to see 7 characters, we got to sit down and eat bacon and Mickey waffles and the characters came to us!
7. We usually stay in the parks until lunch time, eat lunch in the parks, go on a couple more rides, then take an afternoon break at the hotel. This is why #1 is important. We do this because DH & the kids after a few hours get "theme park fatigue" and the cranky pants start to make an appearance. So we leave when stuff gets crowded.
8. Then we go back to the parks late afternoon. Usually about 4pm. Go on some more rides. Have dinner. More rides. If we haven't seen a parade yet, then we'd watch the Soundsational parade or if Paint The Night is on the schedule at DL, then we'd make plans to see PTN later in the evening. Use RideMax to minimize your ride wait times.

Other random thoughts:

• Going to WDW requires WAY more planning than going to DL. Mostly because of the FP+ reservations, and dining reservations 6 months ahead of time. I find it overwhelming, which is why we go to DL instead of WDW...plus DL is much closer for us, so our travel $$ go farther.
• If you do switch your reservation to the DLH, then you can still take advantage of the childcare service at the GCH...meaning that you could do an adults-only dinner at Napa Rose 1 evening while your 5 yr old has fun at Pinocchio's at the GCH. Save your $$ and don't bother with concierge/club level for a room because in my opinion that extra $$ per night you could use towards other stuff like a meal at the Blue Bayou, buying a special souvenir at the Disneyana shop (i.e., $$$$ artwork to hang on your wall at home to commemorate your trip), or other stuff like that.
• You might also find that by staying at the BWPPI or Tropicana that with the $$ saved, you can now afford an additional day at the parks. And for a DH who doesn't like to vacation plus gets theme park fatigue, an extra day at the parks (even though it seems counterintuitive) means that you don't have to rush quite as much. You can slow down a bit and smell the roses some more. For example, if your DH is wiped out and needs a break, you can park your crew at the French Market outdoor eating area, get some Mickey beignets at the Mint Julep Bar, and take your 5 yr old to the New Orleans Square train station to check out the train and talk to the train engineers while DH sits down and gets some "down time." And on top of that, you could walk next door to the Haunted Mansion and get FP for it (if they have FP for it at that time when you go) and eat Mickey beignets while you wait for your FP window to open up.
• Since your DH is a vet, don't miss the flag retreat ceremony in Town Square at DL during your trip. I've heard it's very moving and should not be missed. For some reason, we are always on the other side of the DL universe whenever that ceremony starts.
• At DCA, get FP for Radiator Springs Racers, then go on Luigi's and Mater's and then walk to Paradise Pier to go on Toy Story. A "decent" wait time at Toy Story is 30 min and the queue builds up rather fast (~ an hour after the park opens). Something to keep in mind if your DH is in pain waiting on his feet.
• Take advantage of shows for times when you know that your 5 yr old or DH will be worn out. So at DL, this means Mickey & The Magical Map in FL. Or at DCA, the new Frozen musical. You'll probably need to get FP for the Frozen musical. There are threads here that talk about it. It's gotten a lot of good reviews.
• Other good time fillers at DCA which are also relaxing and involve sitting: Turtle Talk with Crush and Animation Academy. You can do Animation Academy as often as you like and they do different characters throughout the day. Plus, it's free souvenir to take home with you. I have my drawing of Minnie Mouse up in my cubicle at work. Animation Academy is 1 of our family's favorites. The Animation building is also where the Anna & Elsa meet & greet is. And they have big couches to sit on. It's a wonderful space. I love it in there.
• Download the Disneyland app on your smart phone before you go. Play with it ahead of time. It has ride wait times. It shows FP return times for the rides that have FP. For characters, it will show everywhere in the parks you can find characters and what times of day they will be in those locations. It shows bathroom locations, where the shops and restaurants are. You can buy tickets or a parking pass through the app. It's pretty cool. I use it for the ride wait times and I've found it to be more accurate than MouseWait.