Worried about Carsland refurb after summer?

[Rhonna]

NOT trying to start a rumor. I would like any experienced opinions.

We went to DL this month and plan to return in the fall specifically to see Carsland. I am a bit concerned about booking everything (non-refundable airfare, etc.) and then finding out that they are refreshing some parts of Carsland after the initial summer run and excessive use.

Has anyone seen a pattern of a new attraction opening before the summer crowds and then shutting briefly for refurbs? When did the refurb happen? Sept. Nov. Jan.?

We wanted to go the first week in November for low crowds across the board but I am wondering if that would be a perfect time in disney's mind to refresh anything in Carsland after the Halloween parties and before the Thanksgiving and X-mas crowds.

Any thoughts?

We could wait until Jan or Feb if need be since our AP's will last through the end of April. However in those months we often see snow, flooding or illness here so it isn't an ideal time to travel.

Thanks!

 

[sonnyjane]

Gosh, I'll see if an expert will chime in, but my initial reaction is that after building this thing for YEARS, they hopefully won't have to close it after just a few months!

 

[Rhonna]

Gosh, I'll see if an expert will chime in, but my initial reaction is that after building this thing for YEARS, they hopefully won't have to close it after just a few months!

I thought I vaguely remember that happening with some other attractions in the past. Not lengthy shut downs but enough that if your trip was only 3-4 days at the wrong time you would miss out. They can test stuff in advance but until there is real use by real crowds they don't really know what might come up. I am hoping for reassurance that I can book the time frame I want and for the most part not have to worry about this happening. From what I have read some people are already a bit concerned about Luigi's Tires not operating well.

 

[HydroGuy]

I would find that exceedingly strange. I think folks could find other things much more likely to occur if they are inclined to worry.

 

[cmwade77]

At worst, they would probably close one attraction for a day or two at a time.

 

[guynhawaii]

Aloha,

Not trying to sound like an "Insider Snob," but I received a direct tip that DL and DCA hours are NOT going to be reduced in the Fall but will maintain Summer Peak hours because of anticipated new "events" previously unannounced coming on line this Fall. Now, what they are I was not told. Perhaps my leg was being pulled. I'm skeptical because I know of nothing to indicate any new "events" for this Fall. Only time will tell.

 

[Rhonna]

Thanks everyone! I really would like to pick the first week in November and feel good that Carsland will be fully running. We aren't too concerned about other attractions being down.

Our must do's are Carsland, WoC and eat at Carthay Circle and Flo's. Anything else is icing on the cake. Of course, we hope our favorites are running.

Anyone aware of any upcoming closures for the first full week of November? We don't want a weekend this time. We were thinking a Mon - Thurs trip.

Thanks again.

 

[Rhonna]

Aloha,

Not trying to sound like an "Insider Snob," but I received a direct tip that DL and DCA hours are NOT going to be reduced in the Fall but will maintain Summer Peak hours because of anticipated new "events" previously unannounced coming on line this Fall. Now, what they are I was not told. Perhaps my leg was being pulled. I'm skeptical because I know of nothing to indicate any new "events" for this Fall. Only time will tell.

Was that just through October with all the Halloween crowds or did it extend into November?

 

[guynhawaii]

Aloha,

I didn't ask beyond October. I'm told through October. My family and I intend on visiting during the last 10 days of September.

As for your trip. Recommend one of two dates. Go in October and enjoy Halloween. Or go in late November AFTER the Christmas decorations are up. If you are going to go to DLR in the Fall, recommend either the Halloween season or Christmas season. Not in between. If $$ is no object, Christmas season in November, early December is the BEST time to go!

 

[Rhonna]

Aloha,

I didn't ask beyond October. I'm told through October. My family and I intend on visiting during the last 10 days of September.

As for your trip. Recommend one of two dates. Go in October and enjoy Halloween. Or go in late November AFTER the Christmas decorations are up. If you are going to go to DLR in the Fall, recommend either the Halloween season or Christmas season. Not in between. If $$ is no object, Christmas season in November, early December is the BEST time to go!

Thanks but we actually want to avoid the holidays. We used to always travel to DL or WDW in October but the Halloween parties have taken over several nights a week, the entire month now and it draws so many more people to the parks.

The first week of November will work really well for us IF Carsland is fully operational. Avoiding crowds is a really big consideration for us. And hopefully a nice AP discount for DLH during slow season is another big plus if we can get it.

 

[Daisybelle]

We went to DL this month and plan to return in the fall specifically to see Carsland.

SO JEALOUS!!
But very happy for you! You guys deserve many happy trips!!
<Hi Rhonna>

 

[fctiger]

OP based on precedence, absolutely not!

For ONE thing even though Summer is obviously high season, Disney still want people to get as many people to come as much as possible and the LAST thing they would do is shut down their new big attraction or area at that time so soon! People still book trips and come in the fall season even if its less of them, but believe me the HOPE is that more people will come in these months like you are doing just to see CL! They will be refurbing stuff but it wont be anything that new!

And two, look at every single major attraction added in the last few years: TSMM, WOC, ST 2 and TLM. NONE of these things had any major shut downs the first year at all! Yes, TLM shut down a few days this month for a minor refurb, but that was to improve the ride based on audience feedback of it and even did it when the resort was pretty light for attendence. But the others not at all for a long time! In fact, I dont think WOC has had one official shut down yet and thats nearly 2 years old now! I could be wrong on that, but I dont think so and that NEEDS to be shut down for a nice refurb. But WOC proves my point! They know how popular it is, even in low season and its the ONLY major show that is open 365 days a year while shows like F! and Fireworks are dark on the weekdays half the year believe it or not! But not WOC because its too new and popular!

Anyway, dont worry unless there is some major issue with these rides, they will be up all year! And if they go down, it may be 1-2 days, but nothing beyound that for awhile.

 

[sheetz]

As others have said I sincerely doubt that there will be any *planned* shutdowns/refurbishments. There's always the outside chance of unexpected shutdowns but that's something you can't plan for.

 

[Rhonna]

SO JEALOUS!!
But very happy for you! You guys deserve many happy trips!!
<Hi Rhonna>

LOL! I was thinking "Am I supposed to know who this is?" and then it dawned on me - sis told me your screen name a couple of days ago. Didn't think you were on this board very often. HI!!!

 

[Rhonna]

I think we will try for first week of November and hopefully it will all go well. Thanks everyone!

 

[Eeee-va]

My only concern (and it is a tiny possibility) would be that rumors are that they are going to decorate Cars Land pretty extensively for Christmas. I don't THINK that would require any downtime--I don't think Disneyland's atmosphere generally has massive downtimes for decorations, does it? And it would be beyond ludicrous to do a Haunted Mansion or Small World-style overlay of Radiator Springs Racers when the ride has been open for less than 6 months, so I can't see any rides being down to be decorated.

But I can't write off the possibility of maybe SOMETHING in Cars Land being blocked off for a bit to be decorated. Do I think it's probable? No; they should be able to handle it all overnight, and again, I'd be pretty shocked if they did any overlays to rides.

If there were a substantial problem with a ride, yes, they might take it offline during your trip...but that could feasibly happen even in peak season too.

 

[Rhonna]

My only concern (and it is a tiny possibility) would be that rumors are that they are going to decorate Cars Land pretty extensively for Christmas. .

Arrgh! Just when I thought it sounded like a safe time frame. Sigh.

And this is why I post questions like this, because sometimes info. comes out that I hadn't heard about yet.

 

[Priory]

Didn't TSMM have a lengthy refurb shortly after it opened to fix a loading problem? I recall being there when the ride was new and it was down the whole week. I remember thinking it was especially odd since TS3 was new in theatres at the time.

 

[fctiger]

My only concern (and it is a tiny possibility) would be that rumors are that they are going to decorate Cars Land pretty extensively for Christmas. I don't THINK that would require any downtime--I don't think Disneyland's atmosphere generally has massive downtimes for decorations, does it? And it would be beyond ludicrous to do a Haunted Mansion or Small World-style overlay of Radiator Springs Racers when the ride has been open for less than 6 months, so I can't see any rides being down to be decorated.

But I can't write off the possibility of maybe SOMETHING in Cars Land being blocked off for a bit to be decorated. Do I think it's probable? No; they should be able to handle it all overnight, and again, I'd be pretty shocked if they did any overlays to rides.

If there were a substantial problem with a ride, yes, they might take it offline during your trip...but that could feasibly happen even in peak season too.

Believe me you have nothing to worry about! They dont shut down anything to put up the decorations! Nothing will close and its all done over a few nights basically. As for Mansion style overlay, that wont remotely happen with RSR! There is SOME talk it could happen to TLM but again, thats all just rumor, but CL will be fine!

Arrgh! Just when I thought it sounded like a safe time frame. Sigh.

And this is why I post questions like this, because sometimes info. comes out that I hadn't heard about yet.

There is nothing to sigh about lol, nothing will be closed unless there is an unforseen problem in the ride! Read my post, they dont shut the new stuff down anytime in the first year because they WANT people like you to come in the off season as well to see it! It will all be open, dont worry!

 

[fctiger]

Didn't TSMM have a lengthy refurb shortly after it opened to fix a loading problem? I recall being there when the ride was new and it was down the whole week. I remember thinking it was especially odd since TS3 was new in theatres at the time.

LOL, that was in 2010, over two years after it opened!