***** February 2022 Thread *****

[Bama Mom]

Is anyone else looking at the non-bonkers crowds now and hoping the Feb crowds won't be so too bad for our trips? When planning pre-lockdown, lowest possible crowds was the primary criteria in picking dates.

I don't even know what to think anymore so I will expect the worse and hope for the best. With International travel opening back up soon who knows what impact that will have. Plus I think it seems to be the whole "you have to quarantine this amount of days after a trip" rule some locations still have in place that are keeping some people away right now. However I think some of those are starting to ease a bit...but maybe not. I'm in Alabama and where I live never had those restrictions LOL Not that it would have applied to me since I work from home self employed.

 

[Bama Mom]

Well we weren't going to order new magicbands for this trip but I decided I really like the castle one for the 50th anniversary one so I am considering getting it. I have it chosen in the app but I am waiting to see if hubby wants a new one or not. We both have one from our 2019 trip and I have one from my trip this past March so we don't need them, I just really like that castle one. Plus that would at least give me some happy mail to look forward to.

 

[Rick195275]

Well we weren't going to order new magicbands for this trip but I decided I really like the castle one for the 50th anniversary one so I am considering getting it. I have it chosen in the app but I am waiting to see if hubby wants a new one or not. We both have one from our 2019 trip and I have one from my trip this past March so we don't need them, I just really like that castle one. Plus that would at least give me some happy mail to look forward to.

Might want to consider waiting a little longer. They just announced magicband+ the other day. From what I was reading they are magicbands that will interact with certain elements within the parks. Supposed to start early next year so not much time for us Feb people or we might miss it entirely lol

 

[Bama Mom]

Might want to consider waiting a little longer. They just announced magicband+ the other day. From what I was reading they are magicbands that will interact with certain elements within the parks. Supposed to start early next year so not much time for us Feb people or we might miss it entirely lol

I thought about it but honestly don't know that I will want to pay the price tag that may be attached to those magicbands.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

Well we weren't going to order new magicbands for this trip but I decided I really like the castle one for the 50th anniversary one so I am considering getting it. I have it chosen in the app but I am waiting to see if hubby wants a new one or not. We both have one from our 2019 trip and I have one from my trip this past March so we don't need them, I just really like that castle one. Plus that would at least give me some happy mail to look forward to.

I wasn't going to get a new one either. I really like the Stitch one I got for our trip in April but when I saw the blue anniversary one I just couldn't resist.

 

[Bama Mom]

MORE ENTERTAINMENT RETURNING

Did anyone else read this. So glad to see some things are returning. Hubby will be happy about The Indiana Jones Stunt Show coming back. I'll be glad to seem more "personal" character time even if it's not up close and we can't hug them.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Is anyone else looking at the non-bonkers crowds now and hoping the Feb crowds won't be so too bad for our trips? When planning pre-lockdown, lowest possible crowds was the primary criteria in picking dates.

We were there the last week in September when the wait times for many rides were low. I don't expect it to be the same for February for several reasons. A lot of things are still closed right now, including most entertainment and many restaurants. Some resorts are still closed. The park experience isn't back to normal yet and you get less bang for the buck now. They aren't charging less to make up for the reduction in "stuff". And most importantly, Covid is still around and people still have to wear masks indoors. I think that a lot of people are holding off until things are closer to normal.

With International travel opening back up soon who knows what impact that will have.

Our bus driver said that the international crowd can't wait to return. He expects there will be an increase in the crowds when they start arriving.

 

[shawthorne44]

I have felt bad for the international travelers. But, March would be better for them. Yup, flood in starting next spring. When I am home.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

We were there the last week in September when the wait times for many rides were low. I don't expect it to be the same for February for several reasons. A lot of things are still closed right now, including most entertainment and many restaurants. Some resorts are still closed. The park experience isn't back to normal yet and you get less bang for the buck now. They aren't charging less to make up for the reduction in "stuff". And most importantly, Covid is still around and people still have to wear masks indoors. I think that a lot of people are holding off until things are closer to normal.


Our bus driver said that the international crowd can't wait to return. He expects there will be an increase in the crowds when they start arriving.

I wonder when that will be. Hopefully not February.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Our bus driver said that the international crowd can't wait to return. He expects there will be an increase in the crowds when they start arriving.

Not sure how much weight I'd put into that. We're International and have had the opportunity to travel to FL since the beginning and only 2 families I know have gone to FL where normally I would know 50+. Many International guests are not ready to face FL yet...including our family. Booked for Jan/Feb trip but still not sure it will happen.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I wonder when that will be. Hopefully not February.

In the pre-pandemic days, there would be a lot of tourists from South America coming to WDW in January. But who knows what will happen this year. I expect the first part of February to be low crowds, since it is still considered value season, and then get busier for Presidents weekend.

 

[Deeleebaker]

2/12-18 at AKL Jambo for my birthday. Doing a more sedate visit since we were just there in September.

 

[shawthorne44]

We were at USF first week in Feb 2020. There were a bunch of South American quince. trip groups. Plus, that is their summer. Crowds still weren't bad though, at least on workdays.

 

[Ss77]

Swan for 20-25. I’m excited but nervous. Haven’t been in February in about 6 years. We usually go in the spring when weather is perfect but we wanted to try something new. Our first post covid trip was last March and it was perfect! We’re hoping for more magic

 

[leeniewdw]

Does anyone have any feel for After Hours events returning in 2023? I know they are doing the halloween and xmas stuff at MK, but I'm taking about the more run of the mill AH? We did that on our trip to WDW in March 2020 (were actually at the AK AH event when it was announced that WDW would close 3 days later). We thought it was SO worth it.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Does anyone have any feel for After Hours events returning in 2023? I know they are doing the halloween and xmas stuff at MK, but I'm taking about the more run of the mill AH? We did that on our trip to WDW in March 2020 (were actually at the AK AH event when it was announced that WDW would close 3 days later). We thought it was SO worth it.

Just confirming, are you asking about 2022 or 2023? If you're asking about 2022 I think they might but I'm not sure when.

 

[leeniewdw]

Just confirming, are you asking about 2022 or 2023? If you're asking about 2022 I think they might but I'm not sure when.

Ugh! 2022!!! Thanks for the catch! We have reservations for mid Feb, 2022!

 

[Bama Mom]

So now that more information has been released, who is considering Genie+? I just don't see where it is worth it at some parks, like Epcot, but I am still considering it for MK and HS but it will depend on the crowd levels during our trip. I do know I won't be paying for IAs, because I just don't see the worth in it. I'd just wait in line or try for boarding group for rides its available for.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

So now that more information has been released, who is considering Genie+? I just don't see where it is worth it at some parks, like Epcot, but I am still considering it for MK and HS but it will depend on the crowd levels during our trip. I do know I won't be paying for IAs, because I just don't see the worth in it. I'd just wait in line or try for boarding group for rides its available for.

Will they still have boarding groups once Genie is activated? Still haven't decided yet if we will get Genie+. We may just do it on a day by day basis. The only way we would do the other one is if we are desperate to get on a favorite ride.

 

[scrappinginontario]

So now that more information has been released, who is considering Genie+? I just don't see where it is worth it at some parks, like Epcot, but I am still considering it for MK and HS but it will depend on the crowd levels during our trip. I do know I won't be paying for IAs, because I just don't see the worth in it. I'd just wait in line or try for boarding group for rides its available for.

It's too early for me to decide with so many unknowns but like you I might consider it for MK and DHS. Can't see us purchasing it for the other parks.