February 2012 Check-in!

[keishashadow]

Calendar updated for my dates 2/8 thru am of 2/11, no alladin, Fantasmic is still down too.

WOC still oncan't figure out what time (s) though on DL site though

Not sure what site is being referenced here re crowd size, but I use the Unofficial Guides 'free' touring plan park projections @ WDW and they always are on the mark. Just checked it for my dates @ DL and it looks to be great, ranging from 2 to 4 out of 10.

http://touringplans.com/disneyland-resort/crowd-calendar

 

[DryCreek]

Not sure what site is being referenced here re crowd size, but I use the Unofficial Guides 'free' touring plan park projections @ WDW and they always are on the mark. Just checked it for my dates @ DL and it looks to be great, ranging from 2 to 4 out of 10.

http://touringplans.com/disneyland-resort/crowd-calendar

I looked at this link, and most of the days of our trip (arrive early afternoon 2/23 and depart early afternoon 2/28) are shown as 6 out of 10 or higher! Friday and Saturday look especially crowded - if I am interpreting the chart correctly. To the right of the "major attendance predictor" are two more numbers, under the column labeled as "Disneyland" and "DCA". For example, Friday 2/24 shows 10/10, and then 9.0 under DL and 8.8 under DCA. What do those numbers represent? Predicted attendance at each park? Out of maximum scale of 10?

Wow, I know that we normally plan our WDW trips in February for the lower attendance rates (and plan around cheerleader groups/Brazilian groups). Maybe this tactic has backfired on us for our DL trip!

Are the predicted numbers based on having a large number of AP holders in the area showing up, or are there other regional anomalies that cause this? Do these crowds tend to be largest in the AM or PM, and what is the best strategy on avoidance? Since we purchased our 5-day Park Hoppers directly from Disney, we are entitled to one Magic Morning. What day would yield the best bang for our buck? Since we are staying right across the street at the BWPPI, we can easily take a break during the highest loading hours and get lunch, tour the resort hotels, or even indulge in a nap. This is where DL veterans can offer me some much appreciated strategy for coping with the crowds.

I'm "all ears" when it comes to advice! And I have read HydroGuys "DLR Tips for WDW Veterans". That is another reason I chose February as it fell in the middle of the projected sower dates [It seems that at both DLR and WDW January through early March are slow periods, as are September though early November.]

 

[disheadz]

DW and I will be at PP the 5th-9th. DS (3 months) will go along, our other two boys will be with the grandparents.

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

we got our flights today... it feels so much more official now, lol. we're only 4 weeks away!!

 

[kaoden39]

I was there with my best friend last year from Presidents Day until the following Friday. On Presidents Day it was really busy. The following days were pretty busy too. When I looked at the link that was posted it says that the days I am going to be there are 1 out of 10 and we were discussing adding a third day If we adding the first day we willing have a 3 day but if we add it at the end where I was considering doing it we will have a 6. I think I am going to rethink on adding it in the beginning.

 

[Dizzy4DL]

Calendar updated for my dates 2/8 thru am of 2/11, no alladin, Fantasmic is still down too.

WOC still oncan't figure out what time (s) though on DL site though

Not sure what site is being referenced here re crowd size, but I use the Unofficial Guides 'free' touring plan park projections @ WDW and they always are on the mark. Just checked it for my dates @ DL and it looks to be great, ranging from 2 to 4 out of 10.

http://touringplans.com/disneyland-resort/crowd-calendar

Thanks so much for sharing that link, I'd forgotten all about that site.
When you are on the Disney calendar it should pop up the times for shows when you hover your mouse over the date.
WOC will be playing at 8:15 PM on the 8th and 9th and 8:00 & 9:15 PM on the 10th and 11th.

I looked at this link, and most of the days of our trip (arrive early afternoon 2/23 and depart early afternoon 2/28) are shown as 6 out of 10 or higher! Friday and Saturday look especially crowded - if I am interpreting the chart correctly. To the right of the "major attendance predictor" are two more numbers, under the column labeled as "Disneyland" and "DCA". For example, Friday 2/24 shows 10/10, and then 9.0 under DL and 8.8 under DCA. What do those numbers represent? Predicted attendance at each park? Out of maximum scale of 10?

Wow, I know that we normally plan our WDW trips in February for the lower attendance rates (and plan around cheerleader groups/Brazilian groups). Maybe this tactic has backfired on us for our DL trip!

Are the predicted numbers based on having a large number of AP holders in the area showing up, or are there other regional anomalies that cause this? Do these crowds tend to be largest in the AM or PM, and what is the best strategy on avoidance? Since we purchased our 5-day Park Hoppers directly from Disney, we are entitled to one Magic Morning. What day would yield the best bang for our buck? Since we are staying right across the street at the BWPPI, we can easily take a break during the highest loading hours and get lunch, tour the resort hotels, or even indulge in a nap. This is where DL veterans can offer me some much appreciated strategy for coping with the crowds.

I'm "all ears" when it comes to advice! And I have read HydroGuys "DLR Tips for WDW Veterans". That is another reason I chose February as it fell in the middle of the projected sower dates [It seems that at both DLR and WDW January through early March are slow periods, as are September though early November.]

You could use the magic morning on the day you think the park would be busiest. That way you can get rides in when it's not as busy and then enjoy a leisurely afternoon doing the things that rarely have a (long)wait like Captain Eo, Innoventions, Tiki Room and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. You'll also want to take advantage of FastPass as much as you possibly can.

And yes, the local AP holders do affect the crowds at DL quite a bit. They tend to show up mid-morning on the weekends and leave after fireworks. They also show up Friday afternoons around 3:30-4:00 (after school).

I think my best advice is to utilize the FP system as much as possible, be at the gate early and pray for drizzle. The locals don't have to be there during the rain like we do. We were there on a fairly busy Sunday last year when it began to rain. It went from a 5 crowd level to a 1 level in about 30 minutes.

 

[Poppins2010]

Other than a few events at the convention center near-by, I don't know why it's supposed to be busy. Strange.

Do you mind checking Touring Plans for the 8-10 of February? Thanks

You're in luck. According to Touring Plans the 8th and 9th are rated a 2, and the 10th is rated a 5, as far as predicted crowd size goes. Have fun!

 

[kaoden39]

You're in luck. According to Touring Plans the 8th and 9th are rated a 2, and the 10th is rated a 5, as far as predicted crowd size goes. Have fun!

Well, I read that they are going to have AP parties. And one is scheduled for the 9th. That might have something to do with it.

 

[Dizzy4DL]

You're in luck. According to Touring Plans the 8th and 9th are rated a 2, and the 10th is rated a 5, as far as predicted crowd size goes. Have fun!

Thank you!

 

[jemimabean]

Yay! My best friend and I officially settled on our dates. We will be there the 9-12th. I think that we're staying at the Tropicana Inn, but I may read up more about the entertainment discount at Hojos. I have no idea what that means, but it seems like people find it to be worthwhile!

I am very, very, VERY excited about this trip.

 

[lauritagoddess]

I was there with my best friend last year from Presidents Day until the following Friday. On Presidents Day it was really busy. The following days were pretty busy too. When I looked at the link that was posted it says that the days I am going to be there are 1 out of 10 and we were discussing adding a third day If we adding the first day we willing have a 3 day but if we add it at the end where I was considering doing it we will have a 6. I think I am going to rethink on adding it in the beginning.

I've been there the week of President's Day the last two years and I haven't found it to be too crowded. We're going back again this year. It's a little more crowded around the the holiday, but not too bad.

 

[lauritagoddess]

We'll be there from 2/18-2/25 staying at PPH. This is the first time staying there, we've been at HoJo's and BWPPI but this will be the first time staying at one of the DL hotels.

 

[ORMom2Four]

Thanks so much for sharing that link, I'd forgotten all about that site.
When you are on the Disney calendar it should pop up the times for shows when you hover your mouse over the date.
WOC will be playing at 8:15 PM on the 8th and 9th and 8:00 & 9:15 PM on the 10th and 11th.



You could use the magic morning on the day you think the park would be busiest. That way you can get rides in when it's not as busy and then enjoy a leisurely afternoon doing the things that rarely have a (long)wait like Captain Eo, Innoventions, Tiki Room and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. You'll also want to take advantage of FastPass as much as you possibly can.

And yes, the local AP holders do affect the crowds at DL quite a bit. They tend to show up mid-morning on the weekends and leave after fireworks. They also show up Friday afternoons around 3:30-4:00 (after school).

I think my best advice is to utilize the FP system as much as possible, be at the gate early and pray for drizzle. The locals don't have to be there during the rain like we do. We were there on a fairly busy Sunday last year when it began to rain. It went from a 5 crowd level to a 1 level in about 30 minutes.

I am realllly hoping for rain! We are from Oregon--rain does not bother us a bit, but I know it clears the crowds like nothing else Isn't Feb the rainiest month of the entire year for CA?

 

[kaoden39]

I've been there the week of President's Day the last two years and I haven't found it to be too crowded. We're going back again this year. It's a little more crowded around the the holiday, but not too bad.

The busiest day for us was Presidents Day and the only lone we rode on was the Monorail to the park. We didn't get there until around 3 pm and it was pretty busy. Not crazy busy like when I was there in 2010 when WoC opened. That was a crazy busy time.

 

[Dizzy4DL]

We are from Oregon--rain does not bother us a bit, but I know it clears the crowds like nothing else Isn't Feb the rainiest month of the entire year for CA?

Us too! What do they call it here, liquid sunshine?

And yes, February is the wettest month in S. California. It has rained at least one day on both of our Jan./Feb. trips.

 

[kaoden39]

We are bringing our rain gear. I have a Mickey Mouse rain poncho I got last year and my husband has rain gear so we are set. A little rain never hurt us.

 

[Realmousefan]

We will be visiting the park Feb 2-4th and staying at Paradise Pier. We live in So Cal and have invited our grand boys ages 6 & 9 for their first ever trip! We are flying them down along with their parents for 4 nights. It will be a BIG birthday for my hubby, and our 25 yr old son will be joining us.

We lived in Fullerton when he was a toddler and went all the time.

It is the first time we have actually had the experience of staying in the park and doing multiple days and I am very excited!

Hubby and I are headed down to the park on Jan 2nd for a holiday visit and to do the holiday tour and a few things just for us...

It will be hear soon!

 

[DryCreek]

You could use the magic morning on the day you think the park would be busiest. That way you can get rides in when it's not as busy and then enjoy a leisurely afternoon doing the things that rarely have a (long)wait like Captain Eo, Innoventions, Tiki Room and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. You'll also want to take advantage of FastPass as much as you possibly can.

And yes, the local AP holders do affect the crowds at DL quite a bit. They tend to show up mid-morning on the weekends and leave after fireworks. They also show up Friday afternoons around 3:30-4:00 (after school).

I think my best advice is to utilize the FP system as much as possible, be at the gate early and pray for drizzle. The locals don't have to be there during the rain like we do. We were there on a fairly busy Sunday last year when it began to rain. It went from a 5 crowd level to a 1 level in about 30 minutes.

Thanks. All good tips. So, based on the projected crowd levels, Saturday (9/10) would be the best day to use the Magic Morning Early Admission, right? I wish they offered it on Friday (10/10) too. Rain and drizzle won't affect our plans much - unless it is about 45 degrees and drizzly, then we're outa there! I agree, fast Pass is your friend. I learned that at our many trips to WDW. Still no guess as to why the crowd levels are predicted to be so high?



[ † Magic Morning Early Admission at Disneyland Park

Magic Morning early entry allows admission into selected attractions at Disneyland Park before the Park opens to the public on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday.]

 

[Kittyskyfish]

Hi DryCreek! Yes, use your Magic Morning entry on days where the crowds will be at their peak. Also consider using it on mornings when the MM entry time is at its earliest - aka "inconvenient" time. An ideal day would be when the crowds are expected to be a 10/10 and the MM early entry opens at 7:00 a.m. It's quite painful to get up early to make a 7:00 a.m. early entry, but that's what makes it so good - less people are likely to make such an effort.

 

[Joe5000]

We'll be there 2/6-2/11 - staying at the Disneyland Hotel! Can't wait to try out the new Monorail water slide!