February Trip - Questions

[Tigger1988]

So, I'm planning my first DLR trip since 2001 and we're looking at February 2016 (first week, to avoid President's Day crowds).

Few questions for the experts here:

How awful is the rain? I keep reading that it's the rainiest month, will it ruin our trip?
Will there be less refurbs around this time because of the 60th? Or will it be refurb heavy like usual?
Anything else I should know/consider with a trip in Feb?

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

Disneyland is best in the rain.

 

[TP2000]

First off, don't forget to check out the thread here that answers all sorts of questions for WDW veterans heading to Disneyland. It's invaluable. http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/guide-to-dlr-for-wdw-veterans.875596/

How awful is the rain? I keep reading that it's the rainiest month, will it ruin our trip?

It is the rainiest month, but you have to remember that's subjective. For an East Coaster, if it rains it will seem like light showers or light to moderate rain. The upside to this is you'll get to watch the local TV stations absolutely lose their minds and go on STORMWATCH! and have remote reporters breathlessly report that puddles have formed, a housewife in an SUV spun out on a freeway onramp, and some citizens have been reduced to using umbrellas. It's quite hysterical to watch, but locals don't know how ridiculous they look.



Average rainfall for February in Anaheim is 3.07 inches. As a point of reference, the average rainfall for Orlando in June is 8.74 inches. This past winter, thanks to the drought, Anaheim recorded 0.0 inches of rain; it was absolutely dry and rainless for the entire month. An El Nino is forming in the Pacific, so this winter could be rainy. But again, it's subjective.

Even if we get an El Nino, you might arrive during a dry week of sunny and 75 degrees, which can also be quite typical in February. Evenings will get chilly, down towards 50 degrees, so sweaters and light jackets are advised.

All that said, Disneyland has more outdoor attractions and dining patios that can close in rain. The Teacups, Gadget's Go Coaster, Goofy's Sky School, and Alice In Wonderland all close in steady rain.

Will there be less refurbs around this time because of the 60th? Or will it be refurb heavy like usual?

I would expect some refurbishments. Previous marketing campaigns have never changed the routine refurbs in both Anaheim parks.

Anything else I should know/consider with a trip in Feb?

World of Color and Paint The Night will probably run nightly on weeknights this winter, as per the usual World of Color winter schedule. But Fantasmic! and the Forever fireworks will be Friday, Saturday, Sunday only. Make sure you've got one or two weekend nights to see those offerings. All other stage shows and entertainment runs daily that time of year.

 

[Tigger1988]

First off, don't forget to check out the thread here that answers all sorts of questions for WDW veterans heading to Disneyland. It's invaluable. http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/guide-to-dlr-for-wdw-veterans.875596/


It is the rainiest month, but you have to remember that's subjective. For an East Coaster, if it rains it will seem like light showers or light to moderate rain. The upside to this is you'll get to watch the local TV stations absolutely lose their minds and go on STORMWATCH! and have remote reporters breathlessly report that puddles have formed, a housewife in an SUV spun out on a freeway onramp, and some citizens have been reduced to using umbrellas. It's quite hysterical to watch, but locals don't know how ridiculous they look.



Average rainfall for February in Anaheim is 3.07 inches. As a point of reference, the average rainfall for Orlando in June is 8.74 inches. This past winter, thanks to the drought, Anaheim recorded 0.0 inches of rain; it was absolutely dry and rainless for the entire month. An El Nino is forming in the Pacific, so this winter could be rainy. But again, it's subjective.

Even if we get an El Nino, you might arrive during a dry week of sunny and 75 degrees, which can also be quite typical in February. Evenings will get chilly, down towards 50 degrees, so sweaters and light jackets are advised.

All that said, Disneyland has more outdoor attractions and dining patios that can close in rain. The Teacups, Gadget's Go Coaster, Goofy's Sky School, and Alice In Wonderland all close in steady rain.

I would expect some refurbishments. Previous marketing campaigns have never changed the routine refurbs in both Anaheim parks.

World of Color and Paint The Night will probably run nightly on weeknights this winter, as per the usual World of Color winter schedule. But Fantasmic! and the Forever fireworks will be Friday, Saturday, Sunday only. Make sure you've got one or two weekend nights to see those offerings. All other stage shows and entertainment runs daily that time of year.

Great info! Thank you!

As far as refurbs go, are there particular attractions that traditionally go down this time of year? Also, how far in advance is the refurb schedule released?

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Great info! Thank you!

As far as refurbs go, are there particular attractions that traditionally go down this time of year? Also, how far in advance is the refurb schedule released?

Water rides like Splash and Grizzly River tend to go down in Jan/Feb.

Haunted Mansion and Small World close in Jan to take down their Xmas stuff, but they are usually done by Feb.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Haunted Mansion and Small World close in Jan to take down their Xmas stuff, but they are usually done by Feb.

Not necessarily. In recent years they've staggered HM and IASW's post holiday refurbs so they're not both down at the same time. This past year IASW didn't close until January 26 (or some date thereabouts). Typical post-holiday closure is about two weeks, so one of those rides will likely be closed in early February.

 

[TP2000]

Great info! Thank you!

As far as refurbs go, are there particular attractions that traditionally go down this time of year? Also, how far in advance is the refurb schedule released?

In addition to the usual Small World, Mansion, Grizzly, Splash refurbs in January or February, I would expect Pirates to have a refurb coming up this fall or winter sometime. Pirates didn't close for a refurb in 2014/15 because of all the other attractions also closed this winter; Matterhorn, Peter Pan, Indy, etc.

The refurb calendars are generally out about 60 to 90 days in advance. But rumors can start swirling a month or two before they show up on the Disneyland.com calendar.