What is the best time in February for Aulani and Grand Californian?

[tripletsmama]

If you could choose any week in February for Grand Caliornian and Aulani, which week would it be? We are homeschooling next year, so it can be any day, any week! We have enough points for 3 nights Grand Californian and 10 nights Aulani. We would love low crowds at Disneyland and great weather at Aulani. Thoughts?

 

[dianeschlicht]

We went the last two weeks of February and loved it. The only thing I would say is to stay away from Aulani on Valentine's Day. That's the day we arrived, and there was nowhere to eat! Everything was booked because of the holiday.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I would avoid Disneyland around Presidents Day because of higher crowds.

Also, February is the rainiest month in Anaheim.

The weather is likely to be a little warmer (better) both places if you go toward the end of February than at the beginning.

If it's an option, I would consider late February going into early March. That way, you're traveling after Presidents Day / Washington's Birthday, but before most schools have their spring break weeks.

 

[tripletsmama]

I would have to pull the points chart up again to be sure, but I think points increase in March. We could definitely do end of February though! Thanks for the input, I will look up the date for presidents day.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Avoid holidays - otherwise any other time in Feb should be good. S. Cal can be a bit rainy then but that is unpredictable. And it's not necessarily a bad thing since DL is such a locals park and they will not come out in the rain.

 

[JackandSally79]

We went the first week in Feb this year...it was great!! It never rained in Hawaii but rained one day while at DL. Thinking of going again the same time next year. Aulani wasn't crowded at all. We arrived Superbowl Sunday at 1pm and had so many people greet us as we pulled up. They even had our room keys for us as we got out the car.

 

[asunutgirl]

I would definitely stay away from DLR President's weekend. It is a holiday weekend and on top of that, there is a big dance competition at DLH that weekend. Place is mobbed. Since your kids are home schooled and you have some options, I'd definitely recommend DLR during the week.

 

[tripletsmama]

We went the first week in Feb this year...it was great!! It never rained in Hawaii but rained one day while at DL. Thinking of going again the same time next year. Aulani wasn't crowded at all. We arrived Superbowl Sunday at 1pm and had so many people greet us as we pulled up. They even had our room keys for us as we got out the car.

Great to hear a first hand report!!! Did you have any trouble booking Aulani? When did you book? We have to use the 7 month window and will be going for a 2 bedroom.

 

[tripletsmama]

I would definitely stay away from DLR President's weekend. It is a holiday weekend and on top of that, there is a big dance competition at DLH that weekend. Place is mobbed. Since your kids are home schooled and you have some options, I'd definitely recommend DLR during the week.

DH works though, so we do have his schedule to work around. Plan was to do Grand Californian Friday, Saturday, Sunday night, then Aulani Monday-the next Thursday. Then we would stay at an LAX airport hotel Thursday night. Fly home Friday. That would give us all Saturday and Sunday to recover from the time change and be ready to head back to work/school on Monday. If we alter the plans to move Disneyland to weekdays, I guess we would stay at Aulani a few less nights. Thoughts?

 

[Cinderpamela]

DLR is going to be less crowded on weekdays so if you can work it so you are there on weekdays that would be good. If not just get there bright and early to avoid the crowds.

You may also want to consider taking a look at the DL planning stickies at the top of the DLR thread here on the DIS.

Specifically helpful to you might be Hydroguys thread about traditional park hours month by month just to give you an idea how early the parks will open/close:http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2291124


and also his "What You Should Know About the Off Season" thread:http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18462889