Planning a Vegas/Disneyland trip in May

Drewbie · #1 02-15-2005, 01:19 PM

So I'm going to Vegas in May (15th-19th) to get together with some old college buddies that have spread all over the states since we graduated. I'm all set for what to do in Vegas, but my wife has never been to a Disney park and I've never been to Disneyland so we're thinking of doing a day trip over to check it out.

Now I know the 50th anniversary celebration will be starting on May 5th, but I'm curious how busy it'll be about 2 weeks later on say Tuesday the 17th or Wednesday the 18th. Admittedly, the anniversary is a big reason why I want to go then, since everything will have new paint and be looking nice and operating.

Thoughts? What's it like in early May? What day of the week will be best? How much is the anniversary going to affect attendance?

**Wes** · #2 02-15-2005, 02:40 PM

We were looking at going in June just because of schedules and stuff.

I was thinking that May is probably going to be slammed along with the rest of early summer IMO.

Montu Man · #3 02-15-2005, 03:26 PM

On a regular Summer day here, it's crowded. On the 50th there, the crowds will be swarming, and I bet you that even high capacity attractions like Pirates will have hordes of people in line. But, you will get to check out the new rides. I say spend at least two days there to check out the new stuff.

Drewbie · #4 02-15-2005, 04:21 PM

Well, my thought about going earlier in May is that most schools will still be in session. College's will be out, but who in college has cash at the end of the shool year? Or a desire to hit Disneyland rather than relax a couple weeks. I know that generally speaking the first 2-3 weeks of December and the first 2 weeks of May are the deadest travel times of the year since no one wants to pull thier kids out of school so close to the end of semesters. I'm just wondering if that's the case with the big event.

willski2002 · #5 02-15-2005, 04:29 PM

Montu Man was refering to Disney World in Florida, not Disneyland. I wouldn't think that California residents would be the problem, I would think that it would be tourists. Who knows? Have a good time anyway.

Sir Willow · #6 02-15-2005, 06:30 PM

You want to do a day trip from Vegas to Disneyland? Umm, you do know that it's a 3-5 hour drive each way between the two, don't you? Kind of harsh for a day trip.

My honest opinion, spend the extra time instead in Vegas taking part in the myriad of things to do there, and wait on Disney until you can take the time to fly to LA and spend a couple of days there. In the long run you'll thank me and be able to enjoy both so much more.

Montu Man · #7 02-15-2005, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willski2002

Montu Man was refering to Disney World in Florida, not Disneyland.

I was comparing the both of them. Notice I said here and there. It may be the deadest of travel times in May, but you've got to remember, many more people will have their eye on Disney in May because of the 50th.

Drewbie · #8 02-16-2005, 09:46 AM

I realize the distance Sir Willow, but I also really have no desire to spend anymore than a day in California. That damned state can fall off into the ocean as far as I'm concerned.

The other factor in going over to Disneyland is that my wife has never been to a Disney park. She's not so keen on letting me gamble everyday and even though it's a good 4 hours there and 4 hours back, that's not such a big deal. I'm the son of an over the road truckdriver so that doesn't faze me a bit. I just figure that being that close, (compared with being in MN) and it being right after the rededication and 50th Anniversary, it's an opportunity I should take.

Cephas · #9 02-16-2005, 08:21 PM

What are your coaster plans for vegas? ever been there before? if not, I can help ya there.

Montu Man · #10 02-16-2005, 08:34 PM

I can also help with Vegas, I lived there before I moved here.

Drewbie · #11 02-17-2005, 10:16 AM

Well, my coaster plans are to hit everyone I can, except the one on top of the Stratusphere cause I'm told it's lame. I will be hitting the new ride they just put up there though.

Drewbie · #12 02-17-2005, 05:52 PM

Sorry leeloo, I'm a card guy. At least with Blackjack or Poker, there's a bit more than just absolute luck than with slots.

Cephas · #13 02-18-2005, 06:21 PM

My mom won $56 from a slot machine in the airport like 10 mins before our plane left.

Anyways, the big shot (S&S drop tower on top of the stratosphere)provides great views, it dosn't really give you the illusion that your going to fall 1,000 feet, but the view is just incredible.

Buy a day pass for speed. When I was there, the place was empty and I re-rode it so many times...

Also, the canyon blaster is like a complete copy of the carolina cyclone, but the enclosed helix at the end is pretty cool.

Oh, and if you wanna play blackjack, go downtown and play double deck BJ, it has the best odds.

Montu Man · #14 02-21-2005, 12:01 PM

Speed cost 10 bucks, and you can only get an unlimited ride day pass. It was very cool, and since se stayed at the Sahara, I rode about 30 times with no wait, with lots of fromt row rides. Also, Canyon Blaster at Circus Circus is round and it sucks, it's just two loops and two corkscrews, definitely not worth the $5 I paid. And I'm not sure if you want to hit Manhatten Express, and if you need reasons, go see the POV of it on Theme Park Review. It's that bad.

socalMAN123 · #15 02-23-2005, 09:29 AM

As a former rider of Desperado at Buffalo Bills, you need to hit that coaster. It's awesome! Tons of airtime, great height, and good speed. Consider that a coaster you HAVE to hit.