Will May be crazy if WOC opens?

[briggscreek]

Hi, I'm a newbie here planning a trip to Disneyland in May with my husband and 4 & 5 year olds. I haven't been there since I was twelve so I'm really excited. We were planning on being in the park May 18 through the 21 but I'm worried that it will be crazy if WOC opens in May. We wouldn't likely be watching the show but do you think it will impact the weeknight day crowds much? Thanks!

 

[HydroGuy]

Hi, I'm a newbie here planning a trip to Disneyland in May with my husband and 4 & 5 year olds. I haven't been there since I was twelve so I'm really excited. We were planning on being in the park May 18 through the 21 but I'm worried that it will be crazy if WOC opens in May. We wouldn't likely be watching the show but do you think it will impact the weeknight day crowds much? Thanks!

Read the first two posts in this thread for more information.

"Understanding AP Blockouts and Impact on Crowds" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2365983

I think it will be very busy on weeknights, especially at DCA. It depends a bit on if and how Disney implements ShowPass.

 

[CrazyDuck]

I say go... If World of Color draws everyone to California Adventure then you should have Disneyand all to yourself!

 

[briggscreek]

Thanks, I had read the AP blockout thread but was thinking that our weekdays should be ok for crowds. Then I realized that WOC is supposed to be open by then. I expect that we'll be spending most of our time in the park during the morning and early afternoon rather than the evening, although I would like to see fireworks on Friday night. Do you think it will have a big impact on daytime crowds as well, or mainly just the evening? I've heard that WOC may be delayed more, so I'm also hoping that we manage to just miss it.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Thanks, I had read the AP blockout thread but was thinking that our week should be ok for crowds. Then I realized that WOC is supposed to be open by then. I expect that we'll be spending most of our time in the park during the morning and early afternoon rather than the evening, although I would like to see fireworks on Friday night. Do you think it will have a big impact on daytime crowds as well, or mainly just the evening? I've heard that WOC may be delayed more, so I'm also hoping that we manage to just miss it.

I am from the school of thoughht that there are too many variables that you have no control over to try to plan your trip around it.

Will it affect daytime crowds?
Will it even be open?
Will they issue vouchers
Will they adjust park hours?
Will there be other entertainment at DL?

Way too many factors you can't control or predict. Plan your trip. Keep your eyes on information and updates and adjust your daily plans accordingly as your trip gets closer.

That's how I roll anyway,
Dreams

P.S. Welcome to the DisBoards.

 

[HydroGuy]

I am from the school of thoughht that there are too many variables that you have no control over to try to plan your trip around it.

Will it affect daytime crowds?
Will it even be open?
Will they issue vouchers
Will they adjust park hours?
Will there be other entertainment at DL?

Way too many factors you can't control or predict. Plan your trip. Keep your eyes on information and updates and adjust your daily plans accordingly as your trip gets closer.

That's how I roll anyway,
Dreams

P.S. Welcome to the DisBoards.

Actually I agree with you. Almost. There are some things you do have control over or a lot of control over.

1. AP blockout periods of course

2. Off-season vs. high season and expected show schedules and potential for refurbs

3. Weather - visit during the summer you know it will be warmer and with lots of day light. Winter the opposite.

4. Days of the week and typical trends

5. Hotel (not in the same category of touring but still a choice) - affects transportation and mid-day breaks

At bottom though I would go to DLR on any day of the year and have fun, like you I suspect. If I shoot for more moderate crowds and it is busy, I roll with it. If I shoot for moderate summer weather and it is a heat wave, I roll with it. If I shoot for having all rides up and something is down, I roll with it.

So OP, I agree with Dreams that I would not avoid a May trip. At all. I was just answering your question about crowds. It will likely be the busiest May since 2005 when the 50th anniversary celebration kicked in. But I would still go. Just be informed.

 

[Disney Dreams]

^ Oh, absolutely. I just meant details related directly to WoC.

.... But I would still go. Just be informed.

Exactly.

 

[michelleh1]

So OP, I agree with Dreams that I would not avoid a May trip. At all. I was just answering your question about crowds. It will likely be the busiest May since 2005 when the 50th anniversary celebration kicked in. But I would still go. Just be informed.

so, do you think we'll need RideMax if we go mid-May for the weekdays?

 

[HydroGuy]

so, do you think we'll need RideMax if we go mid-May for the weekdays?

When I made my first visit to WDW RM was a security blanket in that it gave me an idea of how lines built and allowed me to run many "what-if" scenarios just to see how things worked. It actually helped me decide to tour Epcot very differently than I originally planned.

So even if you do not use RM itineraries, it can be helpful to people like me.

If you are first timers to DLR it can help. But if you do your own research then RM may not be needed. It depends on how you tour. May is kind of considered to have mid-level crowds. Not extremely crowded (especially on weekdays) but not empty either.

 

[briggscreek]

Thanks for the feedback, we're pretty flexible with our dates so I'm not sure what we'll end up doing for sure. My biggest concern was my 5 year old, he doesn't do well in really big crowds at all. I expect the park to be busy but if gazillions of people were there due to WOC, that would be a bummer LOL. Reading about the AP blockouts and the impact on the park is crazy!

 

[briggscreek]

How soon before WOC opens do you think it'll be officially announced?