Disneyland in February 2013

[TinkBride]

My DH and I JUST booked flights (like an hour ago) to be in DL on 2/16 - 2/19. Now reading about Pres. day I am thinking about changing to 2/9 - 2/12. We have 24 hours to change our flight with no fees. I am sooooo not interested in big crowds, we were there 2 Augusts ago the week before school started and it was crazy.

Any thoughts on crowds from 2/9 - 2/12? Will they be lower?

[pokee99]

Crowds will definitely be better earlier in Feb. I'll be there the 8th - 11th (family day long weekend in BC). The following weekend is not only president's day long weekend in the US, but also a Family Day long weekend in 3 Canadian provinces (AB,SK and ON), PLUS close to Valentines Day. Busy all around!

Don't let busy scare you, though, if your dates are unavoidable. We went during Spring Break in 2011, and it was totally reasonable (although, we toured mid-week, and the weather was bad, so it kept a lot of APs at home).

Now, when I say reasonable, 20-30 minute lines were fairly average, but FPs were a must on the big rides, as 60+ was normal. We stood in a few 60+ ride line-ups for no FP rides, but most weren't even worth it (like the Nemo submarine ride...effin boring!).

I spent $25 and bought Ridemax. It spat out some great itineraries for us to follow - and really helped minimize our ride line-up times. I will likely buy it again for my trip with my niece this Feb. We'll be there during the weekend and likely have to contend with the local APs, and I don't want to wait in anything longer than 20 mins!

[Ljbadfan]

My wife and I are going feb 10th through 14th. We went 2011 in feb after president day, and during the week it seemed cowed and we got there on the 23rd. When we were leaving our last day at the park a big cheer leading competition got there. It got busier the last day, there were a lot of teams. We still had 60 minute wait times for rides, and Peter pan was 90 minute wait durning that time. I was told feb is a good time to go, and I wonder sometime when is really a good time to go.

[rszdtrvl]

I think we are going to get Ridemax too. We used it on our last trip and during the Magic Morning we still had 15 minutes until the rest of the park was opened and had done everything we wanted to do. LOL.

Only a few weeks now until our 90 day mark! We will be there from the 18th - 22nd.

[danaesacto]

Originally Posted by Xenorye

Sorry to necropost, but I'm currently trying to overplan and decide when we should go next year. We (Wife, Me, Daughter-3, MIL) are planning to go sometime between February - April. I'm having a hard time deciding what to do.



The week we were originally planning was the second week of April, which is two weeks after Easter. I've been told to avoid the week after Easter, but I noticed that two weeks after still has the long hours as it's the tail end of Spring Break. Will the crowds make it not worth it, though?

Ugh... I know I can't be the only one to overthink and overplan, but this is driving me batty. TIA for any help.

A lot of California schools have gone to a modified year round schedule and have 2 to 2 1/2 weeks off in March- usually close to the traditional Spring Break, then you have to remember Spring Break for colleges is different for grade schools. I would go after between the last week in Feb and the 3rd week in March...jmo. Enjoy your trip!

[Xenorye]

Originally Posted by danaesacto

A lot of California schools have gone to a modified year round schedule and have 2 to 2 1/2 weeks off in March- usually close to the traditional Spring Break, then you have to remember Spring Break for colleges is different for grade schools. I would go after between the last week in Feb and the 3rd week in March...jmo. Enjoy your trip!

Thanks! We actually just booked recently and are going the last week in Feb.

[danaesacto]

Originally Posted by Xenorye

Thanks! We actually just booked recently and are going the last week in Feb.

WHOOHOO! I think you will find the park pleasantly uncrowded. Have fun!

[pokee99]

I kind of think it's always busy at DL now.

It's so hard to predict busy days. Some are obvious (because of time of year/holidays) but others can depend on so many other factors (like weather, those cheer/dance groups, conventions, etc).

Hard to believe that it was dead during spring break for a couple of days in mid-March 2011. But, it was rainy, and that helped! Normally it would have been a disaster.

I am sad that when we're going Grizzly River and Fantasmic will not be running (two things I didn't get to do last time).

I am so excited about the Ariel ride and Cars Land - two things that have opened since I've been there!!!

[cmpeter]

We'll be there Feb 12-16...can't wait!

[danlkrim]

My DS7 school district uses what they call a balanced calendar.
They shorten the summer to 2 months and have more week long breaks during the school year such as the whole week of Presidents Day. We wen to WDW last February at this time. We found it crowded with large contingents of travelers form South America and Louisiana since it was Mardi Gras week.
It was manageable especially with a little planning, early arrival and using FastPass.
Hopefully DLR will be workable as well.

We plan to stay off site and purchase a 5 day PH. A 6 day PH would have been perfect. since we will be arriving Saturday by noon and departing early Friday Feb 22. We will only have the 1 early entry to DL.
I am not sure if we should use 1 of our days on the Saturday we arrive. I am guessing that will be the day with the longest hours. However we have a 6:30 am departure out of Atlanta so it might be better to get settled, enjoy DTD and a good night's rest so we can be ready to roll very early Sunday and the rest of the days. We are excited to see everything, but Carsland is the big attraction for DS7 so getting to RSR as early as we can to get FP or ride will be important for us.
No matter what it will be magical!

[Susie63]

Originally Posted by pokee99

I kind of think it's always busy at DL now.

It's so hard to predict busy days. Some are obvious (because of time of year/holidays) but others can depend on so many other factors (like weather, those cheer/dance groups, conventions, etc).

Hard to believe that it was dead during spring break for a couple of days in mid-March 2011. But, it was rainy, and that helped! Normally it would have been a disaster.

I am sad that when we're going Grizzly River and Fantasmic will not be running (two things I didn't get to do last time).

I am so excited about the Ariel ride and Cars Land - two things that have opened since I've been there!!!

I didn't get to see Fantasmic last trip either Wanna meet up the River....I'll bring the tissues

[keltiesmom]

When will the hours and schedules be posted for feb? I want to get an idea of what shows and when.

[lsulindy]

Originally Posted by keltiesmom

When will the hours and schedules be posted for feb? I want to get an idea of what shows and when.

From what I gather, DL usually posts their schedule 60 days out.

[mjohnson83]

My family and I are going in Feb 2013 and I have done alot of research as to when is the best time in february. I noticed you said after pres day 2012 is was a mad house... it was because of leap year they had some special thing going on where the park was open very very early. So I am wondering if that was why it was so bad?? We are going the week after 25-1 and hoping we will not hit too much craziness :-)

[James G]

Originally Posted by DLovinFam

We will be there Feb. 23rd-27th! I'm interested in this thread.

I'm planning on going the same dates!