February 23-26: what do you think?

[jemimabean]

My best friend (who has never been to Disneyland, or not since she was very little) and I get to go on a girls' only trip next year. I suggested Disneyland, and she's totally into the idea.

Originally I planned for February 23-26th, as I thought that it would be a really quiet time in the off-season. I was just there last week, and the Christmas crowds were a bit much for me. I way prefer going during a very quiet time, even if that means that rides may be down.

Reading through the boards it sounds like that week/weekend may not be as quiet as I originally thought. Monday is President's Day, and some schools get the whole week off, and it is also Mardi Gras, and Louisiana schools get that week off too.

Do you think that crowds will be mild from Thursday through Sunday, or should we choose a different weekend? You guys know your stuff, so I'm counting on the experts.

 

[DryCreek]

Originally I planned for February 23-26th, as I thought that it would be a really quiet time in the off-season.
Reading through the boards it sounds like that week/weekend may not be as quiet as I originally thought. Monday is President's Day, and some schools get the whole week off, and it is also Mardi Gras, and Louisiana schools get that week off too.

Do you think that crowds will be mild from Thursday through Sunday, or should we choose a different weekend? You guys know your stuff, so I'm counting on the experts.

Wow, hadn't thought about all of the points you just made. We are going February 23rd through the 28th for our first trip back in 19 years. I was just planning on having to deal with the refurb of the Matterhorn while there.

I will be watching this thread to see what is predicted, that is for sure!

On the bright side - if crowds are predicted, we will have more chances to catch fireworks/F!/WOC, won't we?

 

[jmac323]

we're going that week too, for the very same reason! I have little kids, so leaving early is ok and lack of shows/rides is ok too. we're so excited already!!!

 

[miss.potatohead]

Do you think that crowds will be mild from Thursday through Sunday, or should we choose a different weekend? You guys know your stuff, so I'm counting on the experts.

It'll be busy no doubt but if you are content with just going with the flow and waiting then there shouldn't be an issue.

If there are specific rides/attractions that you and your friend want to do, then I'd say a bit of planning would be required. Friday, Saturday and Sunday are busy regardless of the season, so I'd be prepared for larger crowds on those days. Make a list of what you definitely want to do, what you might do if it's do-able and what you don't care for, and work around that!

Your trip sounds like a lovely idea though! Enjoy it!

 

[jemimabean]

It'll be busy no doubt but if you are content with just going with the flow and waiting then there shouldn't be an issue.

If there are specific rides/attractions that you and your friend want to do, then I'd say a bit of planning would be required. Friday, Saturday and Sunday are busy regardless of the season, so I'd be prepared for larger crowds on those days. Make a list of what you definitely want to do, what you might do if it's do-able and what you don't care for, and work around that!

Your trip sounds like a lovely idea though! Enjoy it!

Thanks for the info! I'm really, really not content with going with the flow, unfortunately. I'm not a hot head, but I get pretty anxious in big crowds. Maybe we need to talk about going a different weekend. Hrm.

Thanks! We've been best friends for more than 25 years, and this is our first trip alone together. We're really, really excited about it.

 

[miss.potatohead]

Should have worded it better, by going with the flow, I meant just doing whatever is available and there at the time. If you want to have a good solid tour of the parks, I'd say have a tour plan prepared. There are some available online or throughout this website and in tour guide books too (Unofficial Guide to DL is the one I used). Doing attractions whilst parades and the fireworks are on often results in smaller lines, but then you miss out on seeing them!

Going when it's busy has it's ups and downs as has been said, more parades, fireworks, shows etc but it's totally up to you. I've only been during low season when it hasn't been a holiday, and we had walk ons for most attractions Monday-Thursday but come Friday night it was pretty busy.

Either way, whatever your end decision is, Disneyland is such a magical place and I hope you and your friend enjoy the time together

 

[skiingfast]

If you want no crowds shift the trip a week, but as mentioned above include a weekend day or two to get fireworks in.

If you don't mind some crowds, the week after President's day usually has shorter, but not the short offseason hours. It doesn't have the fireworks and F!. Some people find it busy, but I think that because they expected it to be dead. It's not aweful, not close to summer-busy.

 

[jemimabean]

If you want no crowds shift the trip a week, but as mentioned above include a weekend day or two to get fireworks in.

If you don't mind some crowds, the week after President's day usually has shorter, but not the short offseason hours. It doesn't have the fireworks and F!. Some people find it busy, but I think that because they expected it to be dead. It's not aweful, not close to summer-busy.

If we move it up a week, we would be hitting President's Day weekend, and I'm blacked out during that time. Thanks for the heads up on what to expect. I really appreciate it.

Now I'm thinking about the weekend of the 9-12th, but I'm not sure how that would work with her schedule (or mine at work).

Man, when I was a kid I had no idea that I'd grow into such a fusspot. It's Disneyland, for pete's sake, and I'll be there with my best friend. How much can a person possibly whine? Sheesh.

 

[skiingfast]

If we move it up a week, we would be hitting President's Day weekend, and I'm blacked out during that time. Thanks for the heads up on what to expect. I really appreciate it.

Sorry, I wasn't looking at a calendar and thought 23-26 were the weekdays after President's day. I didn't realize it was the next weekend.

Those dates should be pretty good. Feb, 9-12 not bad either. Weekends are always busy. You can't pick good ones, only avoid bad ones, like the 3 day President's day weekend. During the winter this means short weekend hours or long weekend hours. The rest of the year DL has long or almost long weekend hours.

Instead of DL 8-12, the other weekends during that time will likely be 9-11.

The only thing that makes a weekend quiet, is rain.

 

[DizNee Luver]

The Dis Divas Girls trip is over that same time period.....I had a friend that went this year the weekdays following Presidents Day & she said it was really busy...... heavy sigh, I was hoping it would be a quiet time at Disneyland. It's fun to be able to move thru the parks without running into people. A few other people have said that a lot of the Cali schools are out the entire week & that's why the crowd levels are up during that time. I still don't think it will be summer or spring break level crowds, but still up a bit. Of course, that might mean longer park hours & more entertainment choices.....for those reasons alone, I'll take the bigger crowds!!

Hope you have a *+*+*Magical*+*+* trip with your friend & who knows, maybe you'll see our big group there!!

 

[furb & dez]

It'll be busy.

I would either move it back 2 weeks (week of Feb 6-12) or forward a week (week of Feb 27-Mar 4).