How's the weather Jan/Feb?

[familyoffiveAZ]

We're hoping to go last week in January or first or second week of February. I hear it's the rainy season. Does that mean torrential downpours for days at a time? Morning shower with chance of sun in the afternoon? Help!

 

[Mom2micayla]

It is the rainy season. IIRC, Feb is the month that they receive the most rain the entire year.

We've been there the last 2 Feb (and likely going again this Feb, first week) and have gotten hit with rain both times. In 2005 it was just a quick little burst of rain.. lasted maybe an hour. Cleared the parks out though. In 2006 we had 2 full days of non stop rain. It was a hard cold rain and made the trip miserable to be honest. So this year we're watching the weather and only going if there is no rain in the forecast then.

 

[FlyingBelle]

We'll be there Jan 31-Feb 4th this year.

Doesn't matter what time of year we go - we've always had rain at least 1 day. We were there in late August 2006 and got poured on every day.

The best way to deal with it is to get a tiny umbrella (we found some at Target for under $10) for light rains - they easily fit in our fanny packs, and we keep ponchos on hand for real downpours (Target or Walmart camping section for about $1).

So many attractions are indoors - so as long as you can get from building to building, you can still have an enjoyable time!

 

[FlyingBelle]

Sorry! I just realized you were asking about California, not Florida.

Just ignore my last post!!

 

[MATTERHORN]

We went the last few years in both January and February. All January trips were great, practically in the 80's. The last two Febrary trips it rained on us, only in 2006 being for more than one day and actually something we didn't want to be out in. (with double stroller and 3 little ones, too hard to be out even to go from indoor ride to indoor ride. Nothing I hate worse than soaked shoes on everyone, and baby was not digging being under a poncho!)

Andrea

 

[Albort]

This year might be cool... last Sat, Sun are record lows ever in California... SOOOO SOOOO COOOOOOLD!

 

[shellyof4]

I'm assuming by record lows you're talking about 50 degrees, right Albort?? I'm teasing, but if you think California was cold, you obviously grew up there. Not that Seattle is that cold, but remember, I grew up in Canada AND I've lived through 4 Chicago winters.

Having said that, we're going to DL next week and I'm sort of bummed that the weather is going to be "Sooooo Soooo Cold!" I'm packing the gloves and hats as we speak...

 

[Albort]

I'm assuming by record lows you're talking about 50 degrees, right Albort?? I'm teasing, but if you think California was cold, you obviously grew up there. Not that Seattle is that cold, but remember, I grew up in Canada AND I've lived through 4 Chicago winters.

Having said that, we're going to DL next week and I'm sort of bummed that the weather is going to be "Sooooo Soooo Cold!" I'm packing the gloves and hats as we speak...

umm, no... more like 30-40 all around LA... Tis cold for LA
I have always been an LA boy But working Sat and Sun, i was wearing 3 t-shirt and a thick jacket but i was still cold... They dont have anything thicker... wished they let us wear our own stuff...

 

[iceskatejen]

Where I live has been in the 20s overnight (frozen over dog water bowls in the morning). There's also been black ice in a lot of places. It's really, really cold, not just 50s. We'd like 50s right now. Highs might make low 50s at this point. Plus it's really windy--red flag warnings and the wind is icy cold. I've heard there's been overnight lows in the 20s at some of the beach areas, too.

 

[Albort]

Where I live has been in the 20s overnight (frozen over dog water bowls in the morning). There's also been black ice in a lot of places. It's really, really cold, not just 50s. We'd like 50s right now. Highs might make low 50s at this point. Plus it's really windy--red flag warnings and the wind is icy cold. I've heard there's been overnight lows in the 20s at some of the beach areas, too.

yea, the wind is what makes it even colder... aka fireworks cancelled Sat and Sun... i kinda miss the old fireworks... no more holiday fireworks!

 

[jemilah]

This is the winter of weird weather ! I always think it is cold at DL and it always rains for us too! But it keeps the crowds down , but I really hope our Sat. is ok for Fantasmic! Wear layers and use a locker to lock up the jackets if you don't need them in the day.

 

[shellyof4]

Ok, ok, that's cold..I'll stop teasing now.. I guess with my frozen icy roads and winter wonderland I'm looking at I'm feeling bitter cause I was hoping CA would be a nice warm change And I do feel for you Albort since you're working outside much of the time! Course if my kids have one more snow day I'm not going to be responsible for my comments on here hahahaha

I hope it warms up soon!

 

[amw]

Course if my kids have one more snow day I'm not going to be responsible for my comments on here hahahaha

I hope it warms up soon!

Totally off-topic -- what's a snow day Just kidding. My kids always see TV shows or videos with US kids praying for a snow day and want to know what a "snow day" is. We've never had a day when our schools were closed -- not in my entire life did we ever miss a day of school due to weather. And trust me, although we've had a mild winter this year, we do get quite a bit of snow up here. It must be part of the American culture. We get Buffalo stations here, and they seem to get school closures on a weekly basis

By the way, 20F is our mild temperature right now It's all relative. Although, i do expect it to be warmer in California than here!

 

[familyoffiveAZ]

Record lows here too. Brrrrrrrrrr!

It is the rainy season. IIRC, Feb is the month that they receive the most rain the entire year.

We've been there the last 2 Feb (and likely going again this Feb, first week) and have gotten hit with rain both times. In 2005 it was just a quick little burst of rain.. lasted maybe an hour. Cleared the parks out though. In 2006 we had 2 full days of non stop rain. It was a hard cold rain and made the trip miserable to be honest. So this year we're watching the weather and only going if there is no rain in the forecast then.

I'd thought about doing that maybe too. But then I'd have to book a hotel directly through the hotel to avoid losing $$, and rooms are getting so scarce that I was going to maybe have to book through expedia (which locks me into going or losing money).

We went the last few years in both January and February. All January trips were great, practically in the 80's. The last two Febrary trips it rained on us, only in 2006 being for more than one day and actually something we didn't want to be out in. (with double stroller and 3 little ones, too hard to be out even to go from indoor ride to indoor ride. Nothing I hate worse than soaked shoes on everyone, and baby was not digging being under a poncho!)

Andrea

Ugh. Similar setup here. Kids are 6, 4, 3 and baby. Born and raised in Arizona, they barely know what rain is.

It wouldn't be the end of the world, I suppose, if it rained some. We're getting APs this time as we intend on making a few more trips this year yet. Still, it's been over a year since we've last been to DL, or on any vacation really. I'd prefer to make it a good one.

Decisions decisions......

 

[Hambletfamily]

We usually go in Feb - President's weekend. In 2003 it was beautiful no rain, but in 2005 we were hit 7 out of the 8 days we were there with down pours. We had to wear ponchos and even then we still got major wet. What can I say we are from Seattle so a little or a lot of rain doesn't damper our spirits.

 

[Mom2micayla]

Record lows here too. Brrrrrrrrrr!

I'd thought about doing that maybe too. But then I'd have to book a hotel directly through the hotel to avoid losing $$, and rooms are getting so scarce that I was going to maybe have to book through expedia (which locks me into going or losing money).


Ugh. Similar setup here. Kids are 6, 4, 3 and baby. Born and raised in Arizona, they barely know what rain is.

What part of AZ are you in? I'm in Tucson and this cold weather is killer! I moved to the desert for a reason! :lol:

Our kids are almost the same ages. I have (almost) 5, 3.5, 2 and a one month old.

As to the hotel.. we're just staying at Desert Inn and Suites. Nothing fancy but we like it b/c it's within walking distance. Plus I book with them b/c you can cancel any reservations without having to pay up until 48 hours in advance. So I went ahead and booked with them and will just watch the weather. We're going to be there Feb. 5-8 (M-Th), so if it's showing rain on the Fri. before, I'll just call the hotel direct and cancel the reservations.

 

[MATTERHORN]

Ugh. Similar setup here. Kids are 6, 4, 3 and baby. Born and raised in Arizona, they barely know what rain is.

It wouldn't be the end of the world, I suppose, if it rained some. We're getting APs this time as we intend on making a few more trips this year yet. Still, it's been over a year since we've last been to DL, or on any vacation really. I'd prefer to make it a good one.

Decisions decisions......

Hi! I was raised in AZ also so I know what you mean!!! 10 years in Lake Havasu and 5 in Mesa!!

Mine are 6, 3, and just turned 1, so pretty similar but when we were there last year Feb during the rain it was 5, 2, and 2 month old!! It pretty much sucked, we got stuck under the Jungle Cruise overhang for about 20 minutes just hoping it would let up enough to run back to the hotel. Didn't have a double stroller rain cover with me so if I went out in it, the stroller would have been soaked and ruined for the rest of our trip!!

I think it would be fun with adults or teens, but with toddlers and babies, it just plain stinks. Then you have to worry about drying out all the tennis before the next day, etc. And the baby was not diggin being all humid and sweaty underneath my poncho, so that was a no go. We stayed in our hotel one whole night that year!!

But I will say that after 50+ trips to DL in all different months, it wasn't until that trip in Feb 2006 that I ever so much as felt a single drop hit me during a trip! So odds are in your favor~!

Andrea

 

[MATTERHORN]

What part of AZ are you in? I'm in Tucson and this cold weather is killer! I moved to the desert for a reason! :lol:

Our kids are almost the same ages. I have (almost) 5, 3.5, 2 and a one month old.

As to the hotel.. we're just staying at Desert Inn and Suites. Nothing fancy but we like it b/c it's within walking distance. Plus I book with them b/c you can cancel any reservations without having to pay up until 48 hours in advance. So I went ahead and booked with them and will just watch the weather. We're going to be there Feb. 5-8 (M-Th), so if it's showing rain on the Fri. before, I'll just call the hotel direct and cancel the reservations.

Yes, Desert Inn is great for booking and cancellations! We get there the day you leave, but went last year at this time with kids pretty much the same ages as yours except DS was 2 months old!! Praying for no rain for both our trips!!

Andrea

 

[familyoffiveAZ]

We're in Mesa.

I'm leery of booking DI&S. A few years back I had a devil of a time getting them to reverse charges when they "oops" charged me even though I'd cancelled like a month earlier. It was an....ordeal, to put it bluntly.

Besides, the only room we could get yet is an A Parlor Suite. Kinda cozy for six people especially with a Pack N Play.

 

[MATTERHORN]

We're in Mesa.

I'm leery of booking DI&S. A few years back I had a devil of a time getting them to reverse charges when they "oops" charged me even though I'd cancelled like a month earlier. It was an....ordeal, to put it bluntly.

Besides, the only room we could get yet is an A Parlor Suite. Kinda cozy for six people especially with a Pack N Play.

Hi! We actually were in Gilbert for most of the 5 years in Val Vista Lakes!!

Yeah, I know once you've been burned, it's hard trust that hotel again. But I figure you pretty much get a problem reported like that with every single hotel on this board and I have to stay somewhere! The parlor suites are great. We usually get the rooms with 4 queen beds and it works well. We've been lucky and kept going back 6 or 7 times now and I haven't had 1 single problem (knock on wood) But I have been like that with hotels too and it's hard to take a chance again once you get a bad impression or have a problem.

Hoping for good weather!!!


Andrea