When Would You Go?

[RemainSeatedPlease]

I purchased the 3-day discount Disneyland tickets for myself and my husband a couple of months ago, and was planning to use them in either late February or late April, taking several days off work and going on weekdays, as I like to avoid crowds as much as possible. We don't have kids, so it's just the two of us.

However, I've just accepted a new job (yay!) that starts on February 1st, and I won't be able to take any vacation time for 6 months. So now I'm debating what to do with these tickets. They will expire at the end of May, before I can take vacation time. I feel like I have two options here:

1) Try to use them on a three day weekend. We live about a 7 hour drive from Disneyland. So, if my husband were to pick me up after work on a Friday, we could drive straight there and get there around midnight. Later than I would like, because we like to be there at park open the next morning. We could spend Saturday, Sunday, and half of Monday in the parks, then drive home Monday evening. So, I'd basically be forfeiting half a day in the parks.
Pros: We get to go sooner, before Star Wars land opens, and save money by using the discounted tickets.
Cons: Lose half a day in the parks, bigger crowds, less leisurely getting there/back.

2) Don't use them before they expire. I believe this means (correct me if I'm wrong) that when I use them in the future I will be expected to pay the difference between what I purchased the tickets for, and the current (at the time) price of the equivalent ticket.
Pros: Less crowds (because we would choose weekdays), more leisurely getting there/back.
Cons: Increased cost, potentially not less crowded because of Star Wars land, may not even be possible.


What would you do in this situation? I used to do crazy fast Disney trips for the weekend in my early 20s, back when I could live on less sleep, but I'm not sure if I want to do that now. If I do go on a three day weekend, my only options are President's Day (Feb 16-18), or Cesar Chavez Day (Mar 30-Apr 1). Which do you think would be less crowded?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

 

[sherilaine]

I think honestly if you are going a long weekend it will still be busy but likely not as busy as it may be after Star Wars opens - once that happens, which will happen in the next 6 months by all predictions - it will be even busier. So your plan should be about what works best for you.

Also, there is no guarantee you will be able to upgrade your unused tickets once they expire. I know that it can be done and it has been done but they do not guarantee it and you won't know if this can be done by reports from others until after May 23rd.

Another thought is mid week - the times you are anticipating going would have shorter park hours - yes weekends are busy but I'd go the long weekend - I'd take the money I'm saving on my promotional tickets and buy MP and I'd just get there early - crowds can be managed and honestly mid week off season is something we've not seen our last couple of trips as we've gone end of Feb/early March.

Edited to add that end of March/early April is also March Break time. I know Presidents Day is a busy time as well as some schools have the following week off, and we'll actually be there ourselves that weekend.

 

[chickapin parterre]

where do you live 7 hours out?

three day weekend, a cold February or warm May?

7 hour drive can be split with drivers. as for me, I fly in around 10:00 p.m. at, shuttle to Disneyland, walk off the air flight, midnight by time laying my head down, 6:00 in the morning, on Disney adrenaline has never been a problem, just go back around 2 for rest and nap and then then the rest of the trip is a Disney breeze.

Memorial Day weekend is going to be a bummer for traffic both ways, whereas February weather hinders folks from making 7 hour trips on I-5 or I-15

maxpass is your salvation....why you could forfeit three half days with that new system.

Disneyland adrenaline is truly amazing!!!!

 

[RemainSeatedPlease]

where do you live 7 hours out?

three day weekend, a cold February or warm May?

7 hour drive can be split with drivers. as for me, I fly in around 10:00 p.m. at, shuttle to Disneyland, walk off the air flight, midnight by time laying my head down, 6:00 in the morning, on Disney adrenaline has never been a problem, just go back around 2 for rest and nap and then then the rest of the trip is a Disney breeze.

Memorial Day weekend is going to be a bummer for traffic both ways, whereas February weather hinders folks from making 7 hour trips on I-5 or I-15

maxpass is your salvation....why you could forfeit three half days with that new system.

Disneyland adrenaline is truly amazing!!!!

We live in the Sacramento area. My husband hates flying, so I think it would be difficult to convince him to go that route, but it's a possibility.

Unfortunately Memorial Day won't be an option, as the tickets need to be used by May 23rd. However, we get Cesar Chavez Day off (April 1st) so the weekend of March 29-April 1 is an option. I honestly don't mind cold or rainy weather, the only weather I can't do in Disneyland is high humidity, 95+ days...I've almost passed out more than once, not doing that again.

It's very true about Disneyland adrenaline!

 

[Christin82]

Since you’re starting the new job February 1st, and there are 10 days between now and then, could you possibly try to plan an impromptu trip before the new job starts? I’ve planned spur-of-the-moment trips like that and had a really, really great time!

 

[FeistyDisneyMom]

I think you will have more fun and be less stressed if you go for the march 29-april 1 weekend. Not knowing if your tickets will be honored at all after expiration can be a subconscious stress. Hours are likely to be good for that weekend too, to account for spring break travelers so crowds will probably be there, but you also have Food & Wine going still, so lots of things to see and do.

Congratz on the new job!

 

[Malcon10t]

We live in the Sacramento area. My husband hates flying, so I think it would be difficult to convince him to go that route, but it's a possibility.

Unfortunately Memorial Day won't be an option, as the tickets need to be used by May 23rd. However, we get Cesar Chavez Day off (April 1st) so the weekend of March 29-April 1 is an option. I honestly don't mind cold or rainy weather, the only weather I can't do in Disneyland is high humidity, 95+ days...I've almost passed out more than once, not doing that again.

It's very true about Disneyland adrenaline!

We live an hour south of you. We frequently do 3 day weekends. We do have the ability of leaving by 230-3p, so we are there by 9-930p. Leaving later is actually a positive, as traffic is better. We have left at 730p when my daughter had Back to School night, and actually arrived just after midnight. We are straight thru drivers pretty much. We drive the 99. We leave Modesto, and I drive to Fresno, we do a fast bathroom break and switch drivers, then my daughter drives to Santa Clarita and stop at Starbucks and switch, and I take it to Anaheim. (We do better driving these groupings. We used to just make the stop in Bakersfield, but I can't handle my daughter driving in LA rush hour traffic.) We generally go to the park on the Monday, then leave by 1pm.

April trip sounds good.

 

[RemainSeatedPlease]

Since you’re starting the new job February 1st, and there are 10 days between now and then, could you possibly try to plan an impromptu trip before the new job starts? I’ve planned spur-of-the-moment trips like that and had a really, really great time!

I wish I could do this! I'm at my current job up until January 31st, no break for me. I figure it's probably not a good idea to be gone on vacation for several days of your two week notice period! They were upset enough as it is that I would be gone at the end of this month (my boss wanted me to stay until March!! Yeah right).

 

[RemainSeatedPlease]

I think you will have more fun and be less stressed if you go for the march 29-april 1 weekend. Not knowing if your tickets will be honored at all after expiration can be a subconscious stress. Hours are likely to be good for that weekend too, to account for spring break travelers so crowds will probably be there, but you also have Food & Wine going still, so lots of things to see and do.

Congratz on the new job!

Thanks! The more I think about it, the more I think you're right that it will be less stress to go March 29-April 1, and that's what I'm leaning towards. Now to select a hotel....

 

[Whistlebee]

I would choose the March 29-April 1st weekend. We live an hour south of you as well in Modesto. We often to quick weekend trips. The nice thing about the weekends are the longer hours. I say sooner is better! Save money with the promo tickets and avoid the Star Wars crowds.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I would read the fine print on the tickets and probably contact DLR to verify these tickets will hold their dollar value after expiration due to them being a special promo.