****Official February 2016 Check-In Thread****

[roobug]

First I've come across this thread. Also first I heard that some Northern California schools have the week off. Drat. We were coming from the East Coast on our break hoping to miss the crowds. I guess the crowds won't be quite as low as I hoped - though I know that Northern California won't necessarily bring a ton of bodies coming down for the break. (I wasn't really worried about East Coasters - those of us coming to DLR are pretty rare.)

We are going mid-week (2/16-18) with 3 nights at the VGC in a 1-bedroom. Hopefully the worst of the crowds will be on the weekend, as we don't start our DLR portion off until Tuesday. There's so much stuff going to be closed its terrible, but we've been before so I think we'll be fine. First time staying DVC and so excited to be in the Grand Californian! I tried to get in at the 7-month mark and was shut out. Our waitlist finally came through just a week ago! We've stayed on Harbor Boulevard before, and would be perfectly happy there - but VGC can't be beat - especially at the price!

WE are coming the 15 - 20 from Northern California We are doing a split stay between Newport Beach for the first three nights then moving to the DLH for two nights. We are expecting it to be crowded but still fun.

 

[CarolynFH]

DH and I will be there Feb. 17-24. We brought our kids shortly after DCA opened but haven't been back since. Can hardly wait!

 

[donaldanddaisy]

Should have joined before. My DD and I will be there Feb. 5-8th, staying at BBWI, in the parks all day the 6th and 7th and part of the 8th. She turns 10 the following week, so it will be a birthday trip -- while she can still be at kid prices! We're super excited to see at the 60th stuff and I'm thrilled the forecast isn't looking like it will rain. That was my big fear when we booked, given El Nino. We'll gladly leave the rain here in No. Cal!

 

[Gisele]

Disneyland can be fun though in the rain. Pouring torrential rains, not so much granted, but a nice bit of rain, just enough to keep the guest attendance on the low side, is great. Plus the added bonus of the glorious rain itself!
I love the rain. I just don't care to drive in it. Lol

 

[momstable]

That's awesome! The tea sounds like it will be very cute, too. I can't wait to see everyone's pictures. It's at Steakhouse 55, right? Their lounge is on my to-check-out list...

Yes, it's at Steakhouse 55. I've never eaten there before, but I'm really looking forward to tea.

 

[momstable]

I have never visited in Feb and I know it is the rainiest month. But do you think it will be warm enough to swim in our hotel outdoor pool?? We are staying at the new Homewood Suites. Should we even bother bringing our swim suites for the week of Feb 21st?

Oh and if you haven't joined our February Facebook Planning Group, come and join our small but lively group.

We've had 90 degrees in January, rainy February, lovely February - the weather can be all over the weather map. Whether it's warm enough to swim depends on the weather and if the hotel heats it's pool. Or if they have a hot tub. I've gone to the hotel hot tubs in the rain after being in the park for hours. Actually a really pleasant experience and the feet appreciate it.

 

[LizzyS]

Going from 2/25 - 2/28 for my 50th birthday!! We are going to try the new Afternoon Tea.

DH and I will be there at the same time for our 7th anniversary!

 

[TalkDisnerdytome]

I will be there February 29th to March 3rd, I know only one day in February but still I will be there

 

[Gisele]

DH and I will be there at the same time for our 7th anniversary!

Like maaaan it would need to be like that, otherwise it wouldn't be as much fun....... I think. Lol

 

[heybets30]

ADLFan - you made my day!! I missed those kebabs. Having BTMRRBBQ shut down was major disappointment. It would've been our 15th trip with that delicious BBQ. Our next favorite is the kebabs.

Mikeeymike - if the outdoor pool is heated, swimming will be fine! My kids are 6 & 9 now, 5 & 8 last trip ... coming from Chicago, in February, even the nighttime temperatures of about 55-60 degrees, we were swimming. We stayed at the Ramada maingate, pool is heated, so it was lovely. I just made sure to have coverups ready for when the kids got out of the pool. In our world - anything over 50 degrees in CA warrants a dip in the pool!

 

[heybets30]

Oh - and geergirl - how fun you get to make your trip a surprise! Because the first part of our trip is always spent visiting my father-in-law and his wife in Lake Elsinore, CA, we can't really make it a surprise (i.e., they don't know how to NOT tell the kids how excited they are to see them leading up to it!), and since we pull the kids out of school for a few days, our school is awesome about letting the kids do some work ahead of time, and then take some work with them. Maybe when we take them to WDW for the first time ... BUT, I think while FIL is still "with" us, we'll be heading to CA every vacation, rather than miss out on the kids seeing him as he cannot travel to Chicago.

For packing - we've been SO FORTUNATE each Spring trip. Last February, we were basking in the sun in San Diego the week of President's week ... close to 80 degrees. It was very warm in the parks our days there too ... but, like others have said, while we were in shorts & tee-shirts during the day (and "dying" from the heat ... again, we left Chicago that week when it was a -4 day!), we all were glad we had sweatshirts at night to just block the chill a bit.

And, like everyone else said, the temperature is all relative. We'll be in shorts & tee shirts & sandals as long as it is above 50 degrees

 

[OldPyrate]

We'll be there Feb 24-28! Myself, DW, and our 10 year old granddaughter . It will be her 5th trip! We're staying at the Camelot.

 

[PRomano]

I just realized 2 weeks from today we will be on our way

 

[PoohBearFriends]

Great time. 2nd day in park. Very fun but today- Saturday is extremely busy at DL park.

 

[mamapenguin]

Four more sleeps! The weather looks great 2/4-2/6, I hope it stays that way.

 

[smartlabelprint]

Staying at Stovall's BW 2/28-3/4.

 

[Berlioz70]

We leave in 5 days, and I'm so very excited! DH and I visited DLR for only 1.5 days back in 2011, so DCA was still mid construction and it was packed with December crowds. This will be DD2 first trip, we're staying at DGC 2/5-10 with 4.5 days of park time. We're hoping for slow paced relaxing days with afternoon naps for DD.

 

[thewesterberg]

I'm heading out tomorrow for a work conference that's being held in Anaheim. And since there are breaks in the schedule and I will be about a mile from the parks, you know where I'll be any chance I get!

 

[Mountain Fan]

Just a couple of weeks away! Will be there the 19th and 20th.

 

[PoohBearFriends]

We had amazing Disney Magic!

I phoned the Walt Disney Travel Company before we left to tell them how important the trip was to my girls and how they both had told me they needed it. We had a horrendous event happen in our lives that the girls are bearing up through amazingly well.

When we arrived we had a large bag waiting for us. It had an autographed picture frame, by the fab 5; 2 autograph books and pens and a letter inviting us to VIP seating for the Soundsational parade. We were also upgraded to a view room at the Paradise pier Hotel.

When we were at the parade the cast member asked us if we like to have VIP seating for PTN and the fireworks. We got to sit front row for both parades the fireworks were canceled because of wind but we got to see the preshow on the castle and Main Street.

It was an amazing experience and I cried so hard!