Let’s Try This Again...(WDW Vet/DL Rookie)

[Tbone17701]

Tried asking this as a reply on an old thread, but not sure that was the best approach, so here I am again!

We are WDW vets going for the first time early Nov this year. I'm doing my due diligence on these boards with research and have a bunch more to absorb, but I'm getting a bit nervous on two fronts. The first is potentially short park hours due to it being an off time (11/4-11/9) and a mid-week (Mon-Fri) stay. The second is potential refurbishments. I only went back as far as 2015 on the historical park hours thread (thanks to @theluckyrabbit for that helpful link in the original thread I tried to chime in on), but it looks like I can almost bet on IASW being down and at least one other headliner along with WOC? I'm already disappointed that we are stuck with a week in-between holiday seasons thanks to DD's school calendar, but shorter park hours and missing out on some of the headliner (and perhaps unique to DL) attractions is a real bummer. I know that's just par for the course, but is it possible that SWGE crowds may help both causes? TIA for any input!

 

[Mike_M]

We’ll be there a couple days before you. I went the first weekend in November, 2 years ago, and I thought it was pretty good. Yes, IASW was closed the last time I went in Nov, and may be again. You’ll also be there at the very beginning of the Xmas season in the park so there will be holiday decor everywhere (in 2016, the Halloween decor was replaced with Xmas over the course of our 3 days which made for an interesting transformation). This was a fairly lite period for crowds and I’m hoping it will be again (at least as lite as possible with SWGE Crowds). On that trip, we were able to hit all of DCA by 3pm with Maxpass if that gives you any idea. That should make up for the shorter park hours some.

I’ve done more off season than on for some time and I haven’t had a bad trip yet. Yes, you run the risk of an E-Ticket down for refurb, or may see some construction scrims somewhere; but it’s never gotten in the way of a good time. There are plenty of attractions unique to DLR that will be running and lots of opportunity for fun.

Overall, I think it will be a good trip and I wouldn’t stress it much.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

This was my answer to you in the other thread:

IASW goes down every year toward the end of October for the holiday overlay and comes back up for the start of Holiday Time (debate on this board whether it will be 11/08 or 11/15 this year). If DLR goes with the earlier start date, you might get to ride the holiday version of IASW by the end of your trip. I don't think SWGE will have any effect on the overlay. IASWH is a much loved holiday tradition at DL.

 

[HydroGuy]

Tried asking this as a reply on an old thread, but not sure that was the best approach, so here I am again!

We are WDW vets going for the first time early Nov this year. I'm doing my due diligence on these boards with research and have a bunch more to absorb, but I'm getting a bit nervous on two fronts. The first is potentially short park hours due to it being an off time (11/4-11/9) and a mid-week (Mon-Fri) stay. The second is potential refurbishments. I only went back as far as 2015 on the historical park hours thread (thanks to @theluckyrabbit for that helpful link in the original thread I tried to chime in on), but it looks like I can almost bet on IASW being down and at least one other headliner along with WOC? I'm already disappointed that we are stuck with a week in-between holiday seasons thanks to DD's school calendar, but shorter park hours and missing out on some of the headliner (and perhaps unique to DL) attractions is a real bummer. I know that's just par for the course, but is it possible that SWGE crowds may help both causes? TIA for any input!

Sorry, but are you asking a question? I did not see one in there.

You are right that hours will be shorter and there will be more refurbs during that time.

 

[cmwade77]

A dually, WOC will most likely be running at that time of year since it just came back from a very lengthy refurbishment and it will most likely play every night since it is actually a relatively cheap show to run and eats up crowds for a while.

Small World will probably still be down, IF they do the holiday overlay, there are rumors they won't due to SWGE crowds, but there were rumors that Haunted Mansion wouldn't either and they have already announced it will have it's holiday overlay, so it is anyone's guess on that.

It is quite possible that one other headliner will be down, but there are so many attractions, it won't matter and make sure you take time to see the roaming characters that don't have set times or lines for meet and greets. These tend to be even more common during the week during "off season".

 

[tarheelalum]

WOC is usually running. Its has bad problems over the past few years but when its working its good to go. November is busy and with Star Wars I think you will have longer operating hours this year. At least at Disneyland.

 

[HydroGuy]

WOC is usually running. Its had bad problems over the past few years but when its working its good to go. November is busy and with Star Wars I think you will have longer operating hours this year. At least at Disneyland.

As I understand it it had one bad problem that lasted for a long time and took a long time to fix (8 months). I am not aware of other "bad problems". So I assume you just meant the long bad one?

 

[Mike_M]

You are right that hours will be shorter and there will be more refurbs during that time.

I’m a little curious if SWGE affects park hours this year. In the year following Cars Land’s Opening, wasn’t DCA open longer than it had been prior, even during the “off season”?

 

[HydroGuy]

I’m a little curious if SWGE affects park hours this year. In the year following Cars Land’s Opening, wasn’t DCA open longer than it had been prior, even during the “off season”?

Yah, me too. I guess we will all find out when Disney posts the hours!

 

[cmwade77]

As I understand it it had one bad problem that lasted for a long time and took a long time to fix (8 months). I am not aware of other "bad problems". So I assume you just meant the long bad one?

There have been a couple of times it has gone down for fairly major work, this last one was far more than previously though.

 

[HydroGuy]

There have been a couple of times it has gone down for fairly major work, this last one was far more than previously though.

But was it because of a "bad problem" or just normal maintenance? Again, I am only aware of one bad problem. There have been a host of minor problems I believe. Plus some upgrades along the way.

 

[cmwade77]

But was it because of a "bad problem" or just normal maintenance? Again, I am only aware of one bad problem. There have been a host of minor problems I believe. Plus some upgrades along the way.

Yeah, poorly designed viewing area.

 

[Tbone17701]

Hi all and many thanks for the replies! I'm sorry that I missed your reply on the other thread @theluckyrabbit. I guess my patience got the better of me! I know things are somewhat up in the air with SWGE and we'll roll with whatever comes as our timing is what it is. If we got to experience even a light dusting of the Christmas decor while there, that would be unexpected icing on the cake! The mention of park hours when Cars Land opened is interesting as I hadn't thought of that for comparison. We'll be disappointed to miss whatever is down as who knows when and if we'll get back, but we'll happily take in everything else. I'm encouraged that WOC sounds like a real possibility as I had the dessert party on my "wish list". I feel a bit like a fish out of water planning this trip, so I may be back again. (You've been warned! LOL!!) I'll try to do a better job of framing my questions in the future though @HydroGuy. I do have one unrelated question that I hope is okay to tack on here...Is there a way to see Walt's apartment via a tour currently? I thought I read that the only tour that used to include it, no longer does?

 

[HydroGuy]

I do have one unrelated question that I hope is okay to tack on here...Is there a way to see Walt's apartment via a tour currently? I thought I read that the only tour that used to include it, no longer does?

Currently the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour takes you there. I did the tour once back in 2011 or so and they did not see the apartment back then. I was a bit underwhelmed by the tour but then I have been going to DL for 50 years.

See https://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/

 

[cmwade77]

Walt's apartment is currently back on the tour, it was off for a while, I think they were doing a restoration on the room and then they were worried about volume of traffic.

 

[Tbone17701]

Currently the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour takes you there. I did the tour once back in 2011 or so and they did not see the apartment back then. I was a bit underwhelmed by the tour but then I have been going to DL for 50 years.

See https://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/

That's the one I thought they stopped showing it on, but what I didn't realize is that it's 18+, so that's a no-go for us since DD is only 15. Bummer. Thanks for the quick reply and info though!

 

[tarheelalum]

As I understand it it had one bad problem that lasted for a long time and took a long time to fix (8 months). I am not aware of other "bad problems". So I assume you just meant the long bad one?

Yes that. But from what I heard lost of things were messed up with it and that is why it was down so long. Thats what I meant.

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

We're Disneyworld veterans and planning a possible trip to Disneyland next year. Is there a thread that tells me what I need to know about the differences between the two? I need someone to explain the Maxpass system to me, please.

 

[HydroGuy]

We're Disneyworld veterans and planning a possible trip to Disneyland next year. Is there a thread that tells me what I need to know about the differences between the two? I need someone to explain the Maxpass system to me, please.

Sorry, between the two what? Resorts? Fastpass systems? Other?

Assuming #2 since you mention Maxpass, see "Comparing DLR's MaxPass to WDW's FastPass+" - https://www.disboards.com/threads/comparing-dlrs-maxpass-to-wdws-fastpass.3726294/

 

[theluckyrabbit]

We're Disneyworld veterans and planning a possible trip to Disneyland next year. Is there a thread that tells me what I need to know about the differences between the two? I need someone to explain the Maxpass system to me, please.

Start with this sticky from the top of the first page: * DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here!. TONS of great information for your trip planning there! Then, from that same sticky, read this classic thread: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets. The information there will really help you! Move on to this very helpful thread (also from that same sticky!): "Maxpass/Fastpass: an overview and some strategy" by @Skyegirl1999 - www.disboards.com/threads/maxpass-fastpass-an-overview-and-some-strategy.3726246/
After you finish reading, come on back with all your questions!