Park Hours?

[DryCreek]

Sorry if it was in a sticky, but I must have missed it. I went to the Disneyland website to try and find the (usual) hours for the parks in February of 2012, but their site didn't go much past November. Anybody here that can help me?

We are GO! (the DW and I) for a February vacation. We will be flying into SNA and staying at the BW Park Place Inn. I am trying to figure out the park hours to make my decision as to whether or not I should buy 5 day Park Hopper Passes instead of 4 day passes. If the park(s) will be open until 9 or 10, then it should be worth us buying entry for our arrival day (ETA is approx. noon at hotel). If the parks are only going to be open until 7 or 8, then we might spend the remainder of our first day exploring DTD and the awesome Resort Hotels of Disneyland.

We have planned a leisurely 5 day getaway from 2/23 til 2/28. That is only two days less than our usual trip to WDW, so we have time to see and do it all. I have only been to Disneyland twice (in the early 80's while stationed in San Diego) and then again with the DW and DS in 1992. I can see that it has changed by leaps and bounds! Since we used to live on the east coast, we visited WDW almost annually for about 10 years. It was getting to where our son almost (almost) seemed bored, so we took time to do other things. Now that our son is in college, we has been dropping hints that he'd like to come with us. I don't want to spoil it for him, so he'll just have to go on his own after he has saved up enough. Isn't that thoughtful of his parents?

I plan on using the Gray Lines Disneyland Express service from SNA to the hotels area. Anyone have any hints or useful tips on this service? I have grown used to the Disney Magical Express and guess I took it for granted that they would offer something similar at Disneyland. Since they didn't, that was the final reason to save some money and book offsite on this trip.

Looking forward to your responses!

 

[Malcon10t]

They won't have the exact park hours out til December. But you can guesstimate that Mon-Thurs, hours will be 10am-8pm. Fri-Sunday 8 or 9am - about 11pm (maybe midnight.)

 

[DryCreek]

They won't have the exact park hours out til December. But you can guesstimate that Mon-Thurs, hours will be 10am-8pm. Fri-Sunday 8 or 9am - about 11pmaybe midnight.)

I am still on the fence. Do you folks think that 8 hours (or so) will justify adding another day to our passes? We arrive on a Thursday.

 

[skiingfast]

I am still on the fence. Do you folks think that 8 hours (or so) will justify adding another day to our passes? We arrive on a Thursday.

It is a tough call. I think you could flip a coin at it. Going during a slow period you can get a lot done easily. Accept there may be some big attractions in rehab too, which means sightly less to do but less bigber waits to deal with.

For Disneyland Express, no reservation is needed, you can find a coupon in the link below. Are you staying onsite? It's most convinient if so, if not may look at other options.

From SNA a lot of people prefer super shuttle, if you have of don't need a carseat. Pricing can be better too. Also they have a coupon in the link.

http://www.anaheimoc.org/coupons

 

[HydroGuy]

See "Historical DLR Park Hours, Entertainment and Refurbs" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2291124

 

[Eeee-va]

If you have the money and love the parks more than DTD and the hotels, I think the extra 8 hours would absolutely be worth it. The cost to add another day is usually fairly low per person; right now I think to upgrade from 4 to 5 days $12 per adult on the Disney website. Obviously with more people the price would add up, but as one person I'd absolutely do it.

We came in about 2 or 3 PM on an off-season day in December, and were shocked at how small the crowds were--it was magical to come in and be able to ride Indy standby. I'm not sure your crowds will be QUITE so low, but I think there's a good chance they'll be lower than the Friday-Sunday crowds. So if I were you, I'd explore DTD and the hotels on a weekend afternoon or evening.

But if you'd rather put the cost savings toward a nice meal at DTD or something, nothing wrong with that. Myself, I'd rather be in the parks, but there's no wrong choice.

 

[DryCreek]

See "Historical DLR Park Hours, Entertainment and Refurbs"

Thanks HydroGuy! I knew that I had seen a post somewhere that addressed this issue, but I couldn't find it with a casual perusal.

 

[DryCreek]

See "Historical DLR Park Hours, Entertainment and Refurbs"

Thanks HydroGuy! I knew that I had seen a post somewhere that addressed this issue, but I couldn't find it with a casual perusal.

Ooops! Double post. Sorry about the wasted bandwidth folks. Mea Culpa

 

[DryCreek]

It is a tough call. I think you could flip a coin at it. Going during a slow period you can get a lot done easily. Accept there may be some big attractions in rehab too, which means sightly less to do but less bigber waits to deal with.

For Disneyland Express, no reservation is needed, you can find a coupon in the link below. Are you staying onsite? It's most convenient if so, if not may look at other options.

From SNA a lot of people prefer super shuttle, if you have of don't need a carseat. Pricing can be better too. Also they have a coupon in the link.

We are staying at a Good neighbor property (BW Park Place Inn). We won't need a carseat as it is just me and the DW. Is the Super Shuttle a better deal in that case? Oh, one more thing I noticed - the coupons all expire December 2011 in that link! I am sensitive to looking at that now as I discovered that those awesome Park Hopper Pass prices are only good until December. I would have been very disappointed to have bought the tickets and not be able to use them when we get there!

We arrive February 23rd, and fly out early February 28th. If they don't repeat the good deal that they now have on the Park Hoppers, we may just opt for a day to explore DTD and the resort hotels.

Oh, and to prove that I can learn - I edited out the link (in the quote) you kindly provided, since my post count is too low to allow me to post links. That is how I ended up with the double post above!

 

[DizNee Luver]

We used the Super Shuttle from SNA in March & it was $10 each way where the Magical Express was ??$17?? each way. We also were the only ones on the shuttle, so we went straight to our motel from the airport. The bus will have multiple stops (not to say that won't happen on the shuttle, but to & from we were the only riders).

We'll be there about the same time as you!!

The shorter hours do seem like a bummer, but we rode & saw everything we wanted due to the smaller crowds. There will be things down for refurb (unk at this time)....but that's the payoff for going in the offseason. The entertainment schedule will be mainly offered on the weekend....but there is still plenty to see & do on the weekdays!!

 

[DryCreek]

We used the Super Shuttle from SNA in March & it was $10 each way where the Magical Express was ??$17?? each way. We also were the only ones on the shuttle, so we went straight to our motel from the airport. The bus will have multiple stops (not to say that won't happen on the shuttle, but to & from we were the only riders).

We'll be there about the same time as you!!

The shorter hours do seem like a bummer, but we rode & saw everything we wanted due to the smaller crowds. There will be things down for refurb (unk at this time)....but that's the payoff for going in the offseason. The entertainment schedule will be mainly offered on the weekend....but there is still plenty to see & do on the weekdays!!

I think that the wife has decided that the big bus is more to her liking. It looks like they drop you off at the ART stand right in front of the BW Park Place Inn (where we're staying). They also have a bathroom on board, another BIG plus for us (almost) older folks.

I see that you are in Salem Oregon. Just by coincidence I was there only about two weeks ago. I was invited to be a beef cattle judge during the Oregon State Fair. I had a great time, and the weather was very nice (compared to here). I was judging the Texas Longhorn specific breed classes the day before Labor Day. We enjoyed a scenic trip up/down the "will am it" river on the Willamette Queen, and enjoyed watching the carousel. It was a nice town and we had a better time there than we did wandering around Portland (although it was kinda fun).

 

[skiingfast]

I think that the wife has decided that the big bus is more to her liking. It looks like they drop you off at the ART stand right in front of the BW Park Place Inn (where we're staying). They also have a bathroom on board, another BIG plus for us (almost) older folks.

I can understand but like Diznee Luver experienced the smaller shuttles can be much more convinient.

As your trip approches those coupon in the link will update. Super Shuttle and Disneyland Express are consistently available.

Since you don't have to book these far out you have lots of time to choose.

 

[Malcon10t]

I think that the wife has decided that the big bus is more to her liking. It looks like they drop you off at the ART stand right in front of the BW Park Place Inn (where we're staying).

Just to clarify, Park Place Inn doesn't have an ART stop, so they will likely drop you in front of the motel itself. I believe they pull in between the motel and Captain Kidds. If it says they drop you at the ART stop, then they are dropping you at the tram area at Disneyland.

 

[skiingfast]

I think that the wife has decided that the big bus is more to her liking. It looks like they drop you off at the ART stand right in front of the BW Park Place Inn (where we're staying).

Just to clarify, Park Place Inn doesn't have an ART stop, so they will likely drop you in front of the motel itself. I believe they pull in between the motel and Captain Kidds. If it says they drop you at the ART stop, then they are dropping you at the tram area at Disneyland.

Disneyland Express and ART in most cases stops at the public bus stops(OCTA). There is one directly in front of the BWPPI. Some shuttles will pull up to hotel offices since they are smaller and easier to manuever and often more accomodating on thier less rigid routes.

 

[DizNee Luver]

I think that the wife has decided that the big bus is more to her liking. It looks like they drop you off at the ART stand right in front of the BW Park Place Inn (where we're staying). They also have a bathroom on board, another BIG plus for us (almost) older folks.

I see that you are in Salem Oregon. Just by coincidence I was there only about two weeks ago. I was invited to be a beef cattle judge during the Oregon State Fair. I had a great time, and the weather was very nice (compared to here). I was judging the Texas Longhorn specific breed classes the day before Labor Day. We enjoyed a scenic trip up/down the "will am it" river on the Willamette Queen, and enjoyed watching the carousel. It was a nice town and we had a better time there than we did wandering around Portland (although it was kinda fun).

The trip isn't very long from the airport.....took us about 15-20 mins. We're (almost) older folks too....... & we were able to make it that long......
The shuttle pulled right into the motel, put our luggage out right at the doors......very convenient!!!

I didn't get to the State Fair this year.....I didn't realize they had longhorns there.....that I would have enjoyed seeing!! The weather that week was hot for us, but beautiful, nonetheless!! Riverfront Park & the Carousel is a neat area....haven't done the paddleboat yet. Glad you enjoyed our city!!!!

 

[Malcon10t]

Disneyland Express and ART in most cases stops at the public bus stops(OCTA). There is one directly in front of the BWPPI. Some shuttles will pull up to hotel offices since they are smaller and easier to manuever and often more accomodating on thier less rigid routes.

Yes, the OCTA stop is directly in front of the motel. I think I would prefer super shuttle so they could drop me a little closer to the entrance of the motel.