Canceling our 1st trip.....Again

[Captainkidd76]

So how did you cancel the airfare without penalty?

I can't. But the difference will be made up in the cost of the hotel. DLH was over $600 a night. We can stay at a WDW Moderate for a 3rd of the price.

 

[Captainkidd76]

Oh, and June 30 is the last day of operations for Rainforest Cafe, ESPN Zone,Earl of Sandwich, and Starbucks.

Is this official? I know they need to be closed by the 30th, but last I read, some will be closing earlier.

From 1 week ago, ESPN closing June 2:

With construction set to begin on a fourth hotel at the Disneyland Resort, it was announced that the ESPN Zone’s last day of operation will be June 2, 2018. Other Downtown Disney locations including Rainforest Café, Earl of Sandwich, Starbucks West, AMC Theatres, Alamo, the Disney Vacation Club preview center and Walt Disney Travel Company Guest Services are expected to close by June 30, but specific dates are not yet available.

 

[DLgal]

Is this official? I know they need to be closed by the 30th, but last I read, some will be closing earlier.

From 1 week ago, ESPN closing June 2:

With construction set to begin on a fourth hotel at the Disneyland Resort, it was announced that the ESPN Zone’s last day of operation will be June 2, 2018. Other Downtown Disney locations including Rainforest Café, Earl of Sandwich, Starbucks West, AMC Theatres, Alamo, the Disney Vacation Club preview center and Walt Disney Travel Company Guest Services are expected to close by June 30, but specific dates are not yet available.

I misread that, I guess. I would think the other places would stay open as long as possible.

 

[Captainkidd76]

It's frustrating that there is no official date from Disney or Rainforest.

 

[agamble]

Matterhorn won't be closed, Pirates will probably reopen before then, WOC will be running, and it's too late to book WDW. Honestly you picked a good week. I don't think anyone foresaw the Pier opening so late. The Pier is likely the only thing closed that week, and shops can always soft open early.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

Honestly, it's an amusement park. Stuff closes. Not much you can do. They have to do maintenance and updates at some point. It's a safe bet that if you go in July, August, or Christmas time, you will have more luck with everything being open. But, then you have crowds. (I'll tell you a secret though--July isn't really that bad since most APs are blocked). It's a trade-off you have to balance. I've always felt that if you want to go to Disneyland enough, one or two rides won't make or break your trip. It's always what you make of it.

I wish you the best in finding a time to go that suits your needs. Hopefully you will eventually have luck figuring something out.

 

[millie0312]

Even December this last year had closures- we just try to enjoy everything else. Although we’re just doing a quick trip in July I’m glad to hear it’s a good time to schedule for the future! WDW and DLR are so different in so many aspects I can see how it can be frustrating though- I’ve gone 5 years in a row and I’m an ocd planner by nature so I always hate the planning aspect of dlr (the late notices), but we end up having a great time so I try to ignore the bad and relish in the good. I hate a feeling until Star Wars opens the closures might be crazy though

 

[DizneyMommy]

We are scheduled for June 17-23. I don't think in all my years going to WDW, I've seen so many "refurbishments" at one time, let alone in the summer. And NEVER with just 2 months notice.

It is what it is. Disneyland is not a tourist destination like WDW so advance notice of closures is not important to them.

Matterhorn will be open. Pirates reopens 6/7 from what I see. The Pixar Pier refurb was announced in 2017 so that is not new and it reopens on 6/23 so you could even catch a soft opening or go your last day. The plan to start demolishing DTD for SW hotel has been floating around since at least Oct 2017. None of this was last minute except Pirates (I think that one is to change the bride for sale scene?) and even that will be open again by your dates.

WOC, Fun Wheel and Incredicoaster are the only things currently confirmed closed on your dates and that was announced a long time ago. I personally wouldn't take a huge penalty over just those things. But then we would go even if Pirates and Matterhorn were closed. Things break, things need repair, and stuff happens. There is almost always all least a couple of things down and things break down day-of all the time anyways, never a guarantee!

 

[gottalovepluto]

I can't. But the difference will be made up in the cost of the hotel. DLH was over $600 a night. We can stay at a WDW Moderate for a 3rd of the price.

So you are eating the cost of the DL tickets (usable only if you make it to DLR eventually) and are eating the cost of the airfare in order to cancel the trip? Ouch!!! ...You might never get a better time to come to DL honestly now that I see your dates, you’re only bumping up against one ride closure (and there’s almost always 1 ride closed no matter the time of year) and maybe one show closure. Besides WOC they are running PTN and a new firework show, both should be awesome.

I’m saying the DLR trip you want might not even exist- this summer bugsland goes down to start becoming Marvel Land, SWL is going to change DLR crowds and touring in ways we can’t even imagine, the hotel construction is for the next 3 years. I totally get not wanting to spend $600/night on a trip you feel is a waste so spending $1,000 now to call it off IS cheaper, it’s just I think there is a high chance it doesn’t get any better than what you’re looking at now in the next 5 years so I’m hoping you took that into consideration as well or haven’t already pulled the trigger on closing the trip out if you didn’t.

 

[Geemo]

We are scheduled for June 17-23. I don't think in all my years going to WDW, I've seen so many "refurbishments" at one time, let alone in the summer. And NEVER with just 2 months notice.

It is what it is. Disneyland is not a tourist destination like WDW so advance notice of closures is not important to them.

It's frustrating that there is no official date from Disney or Rainforest.

Have you seen this information?

 

[momof2n2]

I’m there basically your dates 6/11-6/20.
I’m actually relieved some things are down because it “gives me permission” to not try and cram it all in.

I’m a little sad WOC is unlikely, but more rides!

When we did WDW May 2016 FEA was not yet open, Soarin’, was down, Avatarland and all the much-hyped AK “nightly entertainment” was pushed back, and half of DHS was under wraps.
It was still an amazing trip!

 

[Captainkidd76]

To be fair, not all my frustration is over this trip. This is probably our 5th planned trip to Disneyland (all in summer), and there always end up being multiple attractions closed. Also, my idea of what is important definitely differs from most. I'm most excited about the dark rides in Fantasyland. Those are something severely lacking at WDW. What got me really upset was reading the June thread and someone mentioning the Matterhorn being down. That was obviously a mistake. I just want the best trip possible. I've been waiting for this literally my whole life.

 

[DizneyMommy]

None of the Fantasyland dark rides are scheduled to be closed.

 

[DLgal]

To be fair, not all my frustration is over this trip. This is probably our 5th planned trip to Disneyland (all in summer), and there always end up being multiple attractions closed. Also, my idea of what is important definitely differs from most. I'm most excited about the dark rides in Fantasyland. Those are something severely lacking at WDW. What got me really upset was reading the June thread and someone mentioning the Matterhorn being down. That was obviously a mistake. I just want the best trip possible. I've been waiting for this literally my whole life.

Well, to be quite frank, "summer" doesn't start at Disneyland until the Southern CA AP holders are blocked out. A lot of local school districts are still in session through the third week of June. The first three weeks of June see closures and inflated crowds as the So Cal APs squeeze in final visits before their summer blockout begins. I would never suggest June for a "trip of a lifetime."

Can you stay at a cheaper hotel?

 

[Disney Dory]

I was wondering if someone can let me know what SWL stands for? I am wondering since it was stated that it will impact crowds and touring plans?

 

[DizneyMommy]

I was wondering if someone can let me know what SWL stands for? I am wondering since it was stated that it will impact crowds and touring plans?

Star Wars Land

 

[Disney Dory]

Ohhhhh, okay, now I feel silly!! I should have known that! I thought maybe it stood for the name of the new hotel being built in DTD! LOL Thank you, DizneyMommy!

 

[Malcon10t]

We're going almost the sames dates as you. I didn't realize Matterhorn and POC would be closed for then. And you think WOC won't be running then either?

The current estimate for WOC is 6-8 weeks. That said, I would expect WOC to be back up by 6/23 for a reopening with Pixar Pier opening. It could be open by 6/9.

I am one of the visitors who hates the planning it takes to go to WDW. I wish the OP luck in finding the exact perfect time to come to DLR. We went to WDW in Jan planning our first trip there to be out of the heat and humidity. We got our hotel a year out, planned our meals 6 mos out, FPs at the 60 day mark. So frustrating. When we arrived, they announced possibility of snow flurries!! So while we avoided the heat and humidity, we got temps of 29 degrees! We were at Animal Kingdom Lodge, went to take the bus to Epcot, supposed to be 20 mins. Bus left full, so we waited for the next bus. And we waited. And waited. An hour and 10 mins later, the bus returned. Warned us there were issues on the road.... Took over 40 mins to get to Epcot. Then 35 mins to get in thru security. In the mean time, we have missed 2 of our 3 FPs. We had a good time, but will take Disneyland over WDW any day. Even if there was a ride closure...

 

[DizneyMommy]

The current estimate for WOC is 6-8 weeks. That said, I would expect WOC to be back up by 6/23 for a reopening with Pixar Pier opening. It could be open by 6/9.

I am one of the visitors who hates the planning it takes to go to WDW. I wish the OP luck in finding the exact perfect time to come to DLR. We went to WDW in Jan planning our first trip there to be out of the heat and humidity. We got our hotel a year out, planned our meals 6 mos out, FPs at the 60 day mark. So frustrating. When we arrived, they announced possibility of snow flurries!! So while we avoided the heat and humidity, we got temps of 29 degrees! We were at Animal Kingdom Lodge, went to take the bus to Epcot, supposed to be 20 mins. Bus left full, so we waited for the next bus. And we waited. And waited. An hour and 10 mins later, the bus returned. Warned us there were issues on the road.... Took over 40 mins to get to Epcot. Then 35 mins to get in thru security. In the mean time, we have missed 2 of our 3 FPs. We had a good time, but will take Disneyland over WDW any day. Even if there was a ride closure...

We do have a lock on that gorgeous weather year round ;-)

 

[bumbershoot]

Disneyland is obviously a locals park and very little thought is given to tourists.

I live in WA and disagree with you entirely.

I'm used to WDW where they give you at least 6 months notice and have dates practically down to a science.

Oh I don’t think you’ve had a Wdw trip recently. They change opening times constantly so pre park opening ADRs are useless. They add paid early mornings now which destroy plans. They wait until the last possible moment to give even those tentative hours so you’re scrambling 5 minutes before ADRs to figure out what days to go. Onsite people do FP+ 60 days out then they change hours.and now many offsite hotels are being given 60 day FP+s, too

I can't. But the difference will be made up in the cost of the hotel. DLH was over $600 a night. We can stay at a WDW Moderate for a 3rd of the price.

I have stayed at DLH, POR, and CBR, and DLH is worth far more than the mods. There’s no way to compare. And I quite liked POR.

Though I would never pay 600 per night at ANY hotel.

And if money is worrying you at dl, there are many offsite options!! HOjo is good, many love candy cane inn , I enjoy desert palms. And there are many more.

I've been waiting for this literally my whole life.

Then GO. You’re psyching yourself out. Go and enjoy.