Wait times collected by Thrill Data show crowd levels reached their high point at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure more than two dozen times in 2022.

SEE ALSO: Disneyland submarines already rusting badly after yearlong refurbishment — See photos

Thrill Data scrapes wait times released through the Disneyland mobile app and uses data analytics to track trends and generate charts about the visitor experience at the parks. Disneyland officials rarely discuss attendance numbers or crowd levels.

All of the busiest periods at Disneyland and DCA during 2022 fell during school holidays. While dates vary by district, school breaks tend to be tied to national and religious holidays.

Here are the busiest periods at the Disneyland resort during 2022, according to wait times collected by Thrill Data:

• Winter Break/Presidents Day – Feb. 17-24
• Spring Break/Easter – April 9-17
• Start of Summer – June 13-22
• Fall Break/Columbus Day – Oct. 3-16
• Thanksgiving Week – Nov. 19-25
• Christmas/New Year’s – Dec. 21-31

Here are the average wait times on the 26 busiest days in 2022 when the wait factor reached a peak of 10 on a 10 scale at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, according to Thrill Data. Ties are shown in chronological order.

1. Monday, April 11 – 52 minutes
2. Tuesday, April 12 – 52 minutes
3. Wednesday, April 13 – 52 minutes
4. Thursday, April 14 – 51 minutes
5. Saturday, Oct. 15 – 50 minutes
6. Wednesday, Feb. 23 – 49 minutes
7. Tuesday, Dec. 27 – 48 minutes
8. Wednesday, Dec. 28 – 48 minutes
9. Friday, Dec. 30 – 48 minutes
10. Saturday, Dec. 31 – 48 minutes
11. Wednesday, Oct. 12 – 47 minutes
12. Tuesday, June 14 – 46 minutes
13. Wednesday, June 15 – 46 minutes
14. Thursday, June 16 – 46 minutes
15. Monday, June 20 – 46 minutes
16. Wednesday, Dec. 28 – 46 minutes
17. Saturday, April 16 – 45 minutes
18. Sunday, April 17 – 45 minutes
19. Saturday, Oct. 22 – 45 minutes
20. Thursday, Dec. 29 – 45 minutes
21. Tuesday, Feb. 22 – 44 minutes
22. Friday, April 15 – 44 minutes
23. Monday, June 13 – 44 minutes
24. Tuesday, June 21 – 44 minutes
25. Wednesday, June 22 – 44 minutes
26. Thursday, July 28 – 44 minutes

Contrary to conventional wisdom, the vast majority of the busiest days of the year at Disneyland and DCA fell on weekdays.

The Disneyland resort experienced the longest average wait times of the year – 52 minutes – three times during that Spring Break period in April, according to Thrill Data.

The best periods to visit Disneyland in 2022, according to wait times collected by Thrill Data:

• Post-Christmas season/Lunar New Year celebration – Jan. 7 to Feb. 14
• End of Summer/Back to School – Aug. 8 to Sept. 30

The best week of 2022 at Disneyland with the lowest wait times was Sept. 4-10. The best day of the year to visit Disneyland also fell during that Back to School week. Average wait times dropped to a yearly low of 15 minutes on Friday, Sept. 9.

The average wait time at Disneyland and DCA for 2022 was 31 minutes, according to Thrill Data.

Festivities officially begin on Jan. 27. And though it might feel like you need a fairy godmother to plan (or pay for) your visit, there are plenty of ways to maximize your time and money to see the new attractions.

In the morning

Many of Disney’s popular characters have their own rides, so it’s only fitting that Mickey Mouse should finally get one of his own. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will open on Jan. 27 as a dark ride.

Len Testa, president of Disney vacation planning website Touring Plans, recommends lining up at the “rope drop,” which is when the park opens, to beat the crowds.

“The only way to avoid a long wait for Runaway Railway will be to arrive at the park early — at least an hour before the park’s scheduled opening time,” Testa says. “Then you’ll be at the head of the pack rushing to Runaway Railway first thing in the morning.”

The rest of the renovated Mickey’s Toontown land will reopen on March 8. If you have toddlers who would enjoy the kiddie roller coaster or new play areas, plan your Disney100 trip for the spring or later in the year.

Pick a view spot

The short-lived Magic Happens parade is returning on Feb. 24 after a hiatus due to the pandemic. This rendition of the parade features characters from newer movies, including “Frozen 2” and “Moana.”

“Look for spots at least an hour before if you want an unobstructed viewing spot in front of the crowd,” Testa says.

While he says any spot along the parade route is fine, photographers should prioritize Main Street, U.S.A. or the park’s central hub in front of the castle for better backgrounds.

Beci Mahnken, founder and CEO of travel agency MEI-Travel and Mouse Fan Travel, prioritizes crowd avoidance.

“I prefer the area near It’s a Small World or Pixie Hollow, where it’s less crowded and you may even find a bench if you arrive early enough,” she says.

Stay late

Disneyland will debut a nighttime show called Wondrous Journeys on Jan. 27 with a new song and projections around the park. Baymax, the inflatable robot from the film “Big Hero 6,” will star in the show, taking flight through the skies around Sleeping Beauty Castle. Not every performance of Wondrous Journeys will include fireworks, but these less dazzling shows will probably be less crowded, too. If you want to see fireworks, you’ll have to go on the weekend or a peak night during the spring or summer, according to an email with a spokesperson for Disney.

“The best spot to view fireworks is in the central hub with a clear view of the castle and the sky above Disneyland,” says Testa.

At Disneyland’s sister park, California Adventure, the iconic water show, World of Color, is set for a refresh as well. The new show is called World of Color – One.

Make reservations

Maximizing your time — and money — at Disney begins long before you arrive at the park. First, you’ll have to figure out when you’re going to visit and what kind of ticket to buy. Keep the opening dates of the new attractions in mind.

Park Hopper tickets allow you to access two parks in a single day, and they’re more expensive per day than the alternate one-park-per-day ticket. If you only have one day to visit both parks, then Park Hopper is the only way to visit both. It’ll put you back at least $169 for one-day, two-park adult admission. But if you have at least two days, it’s sometimes cheaper to get a one-park-per-day ticket, which starts at $143 per day for two days of adult admission.

All those ticket options can be confusing to some guests, so Mahnken recommends doing your own research or working with a fee-free travel agent.

“There’s an initial learning curve, and sometimes an additional charge, but once you understand how to use the tools, it can be a big time saver,” Mahnken says. “It’s no secret that a visit to Disneyland isn’t as simple as buying a ticket and just showing up.”

This article was provided to The Associated Press by the personal finance website NerdWallet. Sally French is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: sfrench@nerdwallet.com

The owner of the store where Gonzalez works felt safe enough to let the store’s security guard go.

But when she began closing up the store at night, Gonzalez dreaded her short walks home — passing dark alleys, empty storefronts and encountering people with mental health issues. She considered buying pepper spray to protect herself.

When earlier this month a large sign went up on a vacant storefront on Third Street Promenade reading “Santa Monica is not safe. Crime … depravity … outdoor mental asylum,” she felt conflicted about her beloved neighborhood.

“As a woman, I don’t feel safe here,” Gonzalez said. “I love my city and for me to say that ‘I don’t feel safe’ is a lot — because I want people to still come to Santa Monica without feeling they are not safe.”

Gonzales is not alone in her complex feelings about the beloved and increasingly dense beach town.

Gonzalez said she suspected the increase in people with mental health issues worsened during the pandemic when she noticed more tents and makeshift shelters scattered along sidewalks.

“I’ve never been afraid to walk in my own neighborhood,” she said. “But recently I see many people with mental health issues here.”

Gonzalez wondered whether the proximity of the E Line, which ends near the Third Street Promenade, contributes to the problem. Just recently, the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority, or Metro, considered reviewing a policy that requires commuters to get off the last trains at end-of-the-line stations at about 1 a.m., when the lines shut down for the night so the transit cars can be cleaned.

The policy applies to the Metro E Line which ends in Santa Monica, where homeless individuals who often sleep on the line must get off at day’s end.

The Santa Monica Coalition, a group of homeowners, renters, and business owners  posted a sign similar to the one on Third Street Promenade on its website. They are demanding that city leaders “fund law enforcement, create new improved services for the mentally ill and addicted living on our streets.”

City of Santa Monica spokeswoman Constance Farrell said, “it’s sad that a small group of landlords is working against our collective success through signage at the very moment when small businesses are welcoming holiday customers.”

The city, she added, “places the highest value on community safety. Our police department is successfully preventing and addressing crime in our downtown every day through increased patrols and the hiring of nearly 30 new officers this calendar year.”

She noted that the city added new private security resources for the downtown area and parking structures.

“We care deeply about the success of Santa Monica businesses,” Farrell said.

According to data compiled by the nonprofit news organization Crosstown at USC Annenberg, the crime rate has spiked in Santa Monica since the beginning of the year from 528 criminal offenses in January to 683 in September. Crosstown has moved Santa Monica up in crime level ranking, to 123 — still low on its list of the Los Angeles area.

Still, the City of Santa Monica reported in May that its homeless population has declined by 11% from 907 in 2020 to 807 in 2022.

“I see a good number of homeless people in Santa Monica being associated with drugs, acting weird and chasing people,” he said, adding that Santa Monica remains a safe city compared to other areas in the region.

“There is crime anywhere in L.A., but Santa Monica is one of the safest places to live,” he said.

Still, he worried that the dramatic sign that went up on an empty storefront could potentially hurt businesses on the Third Street Promenade which, in recent years, has witnessed an exodus of major retail stores including The Gap Inc., Banana Republic, J. Crew, Guess and Barnes & Noble.

“The sign is affecting businesses because it’s telling people ‘Don’t come here and don’t shop here,’” Hamis said.

Gonzalez echoed his concerns.

“I don’t think the situation is worse than in other cities,” she said, “but it can get there, if not much is done.”

The coming year is looking to be a promising one for travel, with restrictions disappearing in many countries, new flight routes launching, and the hotel industry bringing its A game after two years of uncertainty.

From next-level luxury escapes in Dubai, Mozambique and the Maldives to hip urban hideaways in Paris, Sydney and Palm Springs, this year’s exciting array of new hotels has something for every traveler (and budget!).

We’ve handpicked 20 incredible hotels with openings in 2022 and 2023 for you to stay at — or dream of — in the new year.

Starting rates are included where available.

andBeyond Punakha River Lodge, Bhutan

Known for its beautiful African safaris, the luxury travel company andBeyond will be launching its first lodge in Asia with the opening of Punakha River Lodge in Bhutan in September 2023.

The lodge will feature just six safari-style tented suites, plus two villas with private plunge pools and hot tubs (depending on the season). With its spectacular location on the banks of the Mo Chhu River deep in the Punakha Valley, each suite boasts stunning 360-degree views over the surrounding Eastern Himalayas.

Other diversions include nature hikes, temple visits, paddy field lunches and traditional Bhutanese hot stone baths.

andBeyond Punakha River Lodge, Punakha Valley, Bhutan

Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa, Maldives

Situated on a lush tropical island on a glittering turquoise lagoon in the Raa Atoll, Emerald Faarufushi is the literal definition of paradise. Here, guests can choose from 38 castaway-chic beach villas, or 42 equally luxe overwater villas, perched on stilts above the ocean, each with its own private plunge pool.

There’s also a sprawling spa, a dive center, one of the biggest kids’ clubs in the Maldives and five restaurants (which you’ll enjoy even more knowing the resort is all-inclusive). Emerald Faarufushi, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, opened in October 2022.

Rates start from $1,378 all-inclusive.

Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa, Faarufushi Island, Raa Atoll, Maldives

Hoshino Resort KAI Yufuin, Japan

It doesn’t get much more scenic than KAI Yufuin, a luxurious hot spring ryokan nestled between Mount Yufu and the famous rice fields of Oita. The stunning property — opened in August 2022 — was designed by Kengo Kuma (named the world’s most influential architect in 2021 by TIME) and features just 45 rooms hidden amidst cascading rice terraces.

What you’re really here for, though, are the onsen (hot springs) — there are three on site for guests to enjoy. But for the ultimate relaxation, book yourself a suite with its own outdoor onsen, so you can soak in the healing, mineral-rich waters in total privacy.

Rates start from $250.

Hoshino Resort KAI Yufuin, 879-5102 398 Kawakami, Yufuincho, Yufu-shi, Oita

Conrad Los Angeles, California

When luxury hotel group Conrad made its first foray into California, it spared no expense: the Frank Gehry-designed Conrad Los Angeles opened in summer 2022 and features 305 plush rooms framed by floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the City of Angels.

Highlights include not one, but two signature restaurants from celebrity chef José Andrés: San Laurel, an upscale Spanish-Californian eatery and the rooftop Agua Viva, which serves up cocktails and Latin-Asian bites.

There’s also a luxurious, 7,000-square-foot spa that offers guests the latest in wellness technology — think circulation-boosting compression boots and wearable bio-hacking discs that deepen relaxation. Next-level stuff.

Rates start from $490.

Conrad Los Angeles, 100 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, California

The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya, Mexico

The St. Regis Kanai stuns from the outset with its otherworldly design, drawing inspiration from the geometry of local mangroves and the constellation Pleiades, a star cluster with significance to Mayan culture. The resort, hidden in a 620-acre nature reserve along Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, is split into intersecting circles, built from white concrete and reflective crystal.

All 124 guestrooms and 20 suites will have ocean views; there are 32 additional villas with private plunge pools. There’s also a spa, two golf courses and five restaurants (including a tequila and mezcal bar, naturally). The St. Regis Kanai is slated to open in May 2023.

Rates start from $1,015.

The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Paseo Kanai 15, Solidaridad, Playa Del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico

The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne, Australia

With a high-speed elevator that whisks guests straight up to the 80th floor lobby, The Ritz-Carlton is set to be Australia’s tallest hotel when it opens in March 2023. The “sky lobby” — and the hotel’s 257 rooms and suites — will boast unparalleled views of the Yarra River, Marvel Stadium and the city skyline.

Other hotel highlights include an infinity pool framed by floor-to-ceiling glass windows (indoors and heated, of course, in a nod to Melbourne’s notoriously erratic weather) and a sprawling wellness center featuring a yoga studio, a sauna, two vitality pools and six treatment rooms.

Rates start from $450.

The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne, 650 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Victoria

The Homestead, Nambiti, South Africa

This new eco-conscious luxury safari lodge is what bucket list dreams are made of: it’s tucked in the heart of the wildlife-rich Nambiti Private Game Reserve and features 12 suites that are as sustainable as they are plush.

While many safaris focus solely on game drives, The Homestead will offer a range of experiences, such as animal photography classes, biking excursions, cooking with local ingredients and taking part in sustainable initiatives. For the more relaxation-inclined, there’s also an infinity pool with views out onto the savannah, perfect for lounging with a G&T in hand. The Homestead is slated to open in late 2023.

The Homestead, Nambiti Private Game Reserve, Ladysmith, 3370, South Africa

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, Hawaii

1 Hotels is bringing its distinct brand of sustainable luxury to Hawaii with the opening of its Kauai outpost in February 2023. Its 252 rooms will feature reclaimed wood furnishings, beds dressed with organic cotton linens and plenty of native greenery.

Like all 1 Hotels, the resort is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certified and carbon neutral, and will limit single-use plastics and work closely with local farmers and fishermen to provide ingredients for their restaurants.

Sustainability aside, the hotel’s biggest draw is its location. Nestled on the shore of Hanalei Bay beneath the lush, soaring cliffs of Makana Mountain, it offers some of the most breathtaking views in Hawaii from the hotel’s sweeping Sunset Terrace.

Rates start from $1,164.

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, 5520 Ka Haku Road, Princeville, Kauai

Ace Hotel Sydney, Australia

Known for its chic boutique hotels in Brooklyn, Palm Springs and Kyoto, Ace Hotels’ latest outpost in Sydney (its first and only hotel south of the equator) might just be its coolest one yet.

The sleek 264-room property sits at the heart of hip Surry Hills, flanked by cafes, bars and art galleries. In a nod to its eclectic address, its rooms feature exposed brick walls, handwoven wool blankets, vintage record players and acoustic guitars.

Hotel highlights include a killer Australian art collection scattered throughout the property and rooftop restaurant Kiln, which serves up thrilling contemporary Aussie fare — with views to match.

Rates start from $350.

Ace Hotel Sydney, 47/53 Wentworth Ave, Sydney

Viceroy at Ombria Resort Algarve, Portugal

Though Viceroy Hotels is best known for their sleek oceanfront hideouts in Saint Lucia, Los Cabos and Santa Monica, its newest outpost in Portugal will be nestled amidst 150 acres of lush, hilly countryside.

The 76-room hotel makes for the perfect country escape, flanked by miles of citrus groves, small farms and quaint cobblestone villages. But don’t let its pastoral surroundings fool you: in signature Viceroy style, the property is as plush as any resort in Capri or St. Tropez — complete with infinity pools, a sprawling spa and an 18-hole golf course.

Viceroy at Ombria Resort Algarve, Rua Miguel Bombarda, Nr 3, 8100-746 Loulé, Algarve, Portugal

Atlantis The Royal, Dubai

There’s luxury, and then there’s Atlantis The Royal: a jaw-dropping feat of architecture that boasts 795 lavish rooms, 44 suites with infinity pools, 17 restaurants and bars (including eight helmed by celebrity chefs like Heston Blumenthal, Nobu Matsuhisa and José Andrés) and a 295-foot-long Skypool on the 22nd floor that will have guests feel like they’re swimming in the clouds.

In case all of that weren’t enough to make it stand out, the extravagant hotel is also home to the world’s largest jellyfish aquarium, a water fountain that “breathes fire” and its own private beach. It’s slated to open in early 2023.

Rates start from $1,443.

Atlantis The Royal, Crescent Road, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort, Mexico

If it’s a far-flung nature escape you’re after, you can’t beat Naviva, an unspoiled nature retreat hidden amid 48 acres of lush forest in Riviera Nayarit. The retreat, which opened on December 1, 2022, is Four Seasons’ first tented resort in the Americas and one of its smallest resorts in the world, with only 15 tents.

Of course, each tent has its own pool and deck with a hammock and outdoor shower — this is a Four Seasons, after all. But what sets this resort apart is its exploratory nature.

From discovering fire pits hidden by the edge of the ocean to experiences like moonlit forest bathing, everything at Naviva was created to help guests connect more deeply with their natural surroundings.

Rates start from $3,950 all-inclusive.

Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort, Lote H-2, México 200 Km 19.5, 63734 Punta Mita, Nayarit, Mexico

Hotel Cerro, San Luis Obispo, California

Nestled in the heart of downtown San Luis Obispo, Hotel Cerro is the most charming new boutique hotel on California’s Central Coast. It’s got just 65 loft-style rooms, including 14 suites with soaking tubs, fireplaces and private terraces outfitted with firepits.

It’s sustainable to boot: the LEED-certified hotel has limited single-use plastics and offers complimentary water bottles to guests, with filtered refill stations positioned on every floor. The hotel also has its own edible organic gardens that grow seasonal fruits, vegetables and herbs that are used daily in the hotel’s restaurant, SLO Brasserie.

Other highlights include a spa that incorporates herbs and botanicals from the hotel gardens in its treatments, and a luxe rooftop pool deck that boasts dramatic 360-degree views of the city, surrounding hills and countryside.

Rates start from $305.

Hotel Cerro, 1125 Garden Street, San Luis Obispo, California

The Rome EDITION, Italy

The luxury lifestyle brand EDITION Hotels is set to open five new properties across the globe in 2023, but we’ve got our eye on its first Italian outpost, built within a beautiful historic building just steps from Via Veneto and Bernini’s Tritone Fountain.

The hotel will feature 93 modern, design-centric rooms and suites, including two penthouses, each with a private terrace. Other highlights include a craft cocktail bar, an al fresco restaurant and a scenic rooftop pool and terrace with sweeping views over the Eternal City.

The Rome EDITION, official address not yet available

Banyan Tree Ilha Caldeira, Mozambique

With just 40 thatched-roof villas scattered about a tiny tropical island off the coast of Mozambique, Banyan Tree’s newest resort might have you feeling like a castaway marooned on a remote island — albeit one with private plunge pools.

Besides soaking and sunbathing, the resort will offer activities like kayaking, snorkeling and scuba diving in the Primeiras and Segundas Archipelago, Africa’s largest marine reserve, of which Ilha Caldeira is part. In an effort to conserve its pristine environment, the resort is entirely solar powered, with all water desalinized on site. It’s slated to open in late 2023.

Banyan Tree Ilha Caldeira, Ilha Caldeira, Mozambique

Hôtel Dame des Arts, Paris, France

There are certainly flashier and fancier hotels in Paris, but chances are, they don’t have the heart and spirit of this new boutique hotel in Paris’ Latin Quarter. Hôtel Dame des Arts has just 109 rooms, but they’re thoughtfully decorated with bespoke furniture and bold original artwork (every room has its own unique collection). One third have private terraces with views of the Eiffel Tower.

There’s a lobby-level French fusion restaurant helmed by Mexican chef Othoniel Alvarez Castaneda, as well as a sleek spa and gym outfitted with Pelotons. But the hotel’s crowning jewel is its expansive rooftop bar, which serves up champagne, craft cocktails and 360-degree views over the City of Light. It’s slated to open in February 2023.

Rates from $305.

Hôtel Dame des Arts, 4 Rue Danton, 75006 Paris, France

Shinta Mani Mustang – A Bensley Collection, Nepal

Award-winning designer Bill Bensley has the vision behind this new lodge at the gateway of Mustang, a remote kingdom in Nepal that was forbidden to outsiders for centuries. Starting from May 2023, guests can book a stay in one of Shinta Mani Mustang’s 29 suites, modeled after a traditional Tibetan home and offering show-stopping views over the Himalayas.

Though there’s lots to do at the lodge — there’s a lovely spa and a Nepalese farm-to-table restaurant — guests are encouraged to spend time outside the grounds. Shinta Mani’s highly personalized guest experience program honors the traditions of Sherpa hospitality and offers guests everything from guided, off-the-beaten-path treks to leisurely gourmet picnics.

Rates start from $1,700 (all-inclusive).

Shinta Mani Mustang, Marpha-5, Jomsom, Mustang Nepal

Casa Cody, Palm Springs, California

If you’re after luxury that’s a little more low-key — and at a slightly more attainable price than many on this list — Casa Cody is the place to be.

Though the hotel was built in the 1920s, it was purchased by boutique hotel firm Casetta in 2017 and completely transformed and relaunched in 2022 with stylish new rooms, villas and a poolside eatery serving up cocktails, beers and artisanal dishes.

Its 30 rooms are scattered amongst acres of fragrant citrus trees (fruit pickers invite guests to help themselves) and intimate pools shaded by palm trees and lush bougainvillea. Added bonus: being located in always-balmy Palm Springs, Casa Cody offers travelers a summer escape all year round.

Rates from $199.

Casa Cody, 175 S Cahuilla Rd, Palm Springs, California

The Peninsula Istanbul, Turkey

With lush landscaped gardens and sweeping water views — it sits on the banks of the Bosphorus Strait — The Peninsula Istanbul is an oasis in the bustling heart of Turkey’s most famous city.

The property features 177 opulent guest rooms adorned with Turkish textiles, marble bathrooms and wide picture windows. It also boasts a sumptuous spa with hammam, a rooftop restaurant and two swimming pools — an outdoor pool perched on the Bosphorus waterfront, as well as a stunning indoor pool illuminated by dome skylights and flanked by Marmara columns.

The Peninsula Istanbul is slated to open in February 2023. Rates start from $653.

The Peninsula Istanbul, Karaköy, Kemankeş Karamustafapaşa Mahallesi, Kemankeş Cd. No:34, 34425 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey

The Anam Mui Ne, Vietnam

There’s something special about its elegant Indochine-inspired design: think hand-laid mosaic tiles and cornice detailing, statues on plinths, clawfoot bathtubs and leather-bound tables.

Each of The Anam’s 127 rooms also feature original paintings by Vietnamese artists to tell the country’s story; even the woodwork is handcrafted by local craftspeople using wood sourced from sustainable Vietnamese harvests. More than just a luxury hotel, The Anam is a love letter to Vietnam.

Rates from $260.

The Anam Mui Ne, 18 Nguyễn Đình Chiểu, Phường Hàm Tiến, Thành phố Phan Thiết, Bình Thuận 77000, Vietnam

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Game-based attractions seem like they would be natural candidates to entice repeat visits. Since every trip on a shooter ride provides a different experience, parks have ordered countless such dark rides over the past two decades.

But whether the attraction requires you to play with a toy gun, some other device or just by waving your hands, many theme park visitors have grown tired of shooter rides. Disneyland fans responded with a collective yawn when Disney California Adventure opened the interactive Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure ride last year, for example.

“What happened to the days when you could just enjoy an experience without having to ‘shoot’ at something?,” one reader responded when I recently wrote on ThemeParkInsider.com about interactive attractions.

I asked my website readers what element on theme park rides most makes them want to ride an attraction again. “Overwhelming detail” was the overwhelming winner, followed by physical sensations. Beloved themes, variable elements and short waits trailed, with interactive elements coming in last, chosen by just 1% of respondents.

And yet, major theme parks continue to announce new shooter rides, with the latest being Universal Studios Florida’s Villain-Con Minion Blast. Opening next summer, it’s going to be yet another screen-based shooter ride, except with visitors playing from a moving walkway rather than sitting in dark-ride vehicles.

Ultimately, as Disney’s Imagineers and other theme park designers are so fond of saying, storytelling drives theme park experiences. Yet too often, fans have been disappointed by the prospect of scoring points on a theme park ride when that game play ends up being a gimmick that distracts them from what should be a more complete experience.

Well-designed interactivity can advance a story rather than standing it its way. Universal’s Great Movie Escape, which opened just weeks ago in Orlando, provides a perfect example. Billed as escape rooms, these “Jurassic World” and “Back to the Future”-themed one-hour adventures are puzzle-driven attractions that deliver the group-based problem-solving experience that make modern video games compelling for so many players. And you don’t have to shoot a thing.

The concept does not scale, unfortunately. Doing the math based on what I heard from a Universal official, Universal Orlando’s sort-of-escape-rooms can accommodate no more than about 64 guests per hour. With such low capacity, Universal’s Great Movie Escape can exist only as a premium-priced upcharge attraction. But it remains an inspiration for what larger attraction one day might include.

There are no shortcuts to excellence. While shooter rides such as Buzz Lightyear once won fans as something new, that novelty has worn off. Great attractions continue to need the complete package — immersive detail, compelling characters, physical activity and an engaging story — to beat the test of time and become a classic that will keep people coming back to the park.

Anything less just doesn’t score.

The end of the Christmas holiday season always brings a flurry of seasonal refurbishments at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure in January — with nine attractions getting a refresh in early 2023.

January 2023 will see “Pardon Our Pixie Dust” signs posted in front of Radiator Springs Racers, Grizzly River Run, Mickey’s Philharmagic and Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind at DCA and Indiana Jones Adventure, Haunted Mansion, It’s a Small World, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln and the Disney Gallery at Disneyland.

That’s a high-powered lineup of popular attractions that will be on the disabled list — with Disney charging extra to skip the lines on Racers, Mansion, Indy, Small World and Grizzly using Genie+ and Lightning Lane services.

Radiator Springs Racers is arguably the most popular ride at DCA — designated as the park’s lone Individual Lightning Lane attraction. The slot car-style dark ride will be closed for refurbishment on Jan. 17-23, according to the Disneyland website.

SEE ALSO: Disneyland quietly raises Genie+ prices as Christmas crowds loom

Relatively frigid January — at least by Southern California standards — is always a good time to shutter a water ride. Grizzly River Run will close on Jan. 9 for a seasonal refurbishment. The Genie+ river rapids ride will be down through spring, according to the Disneyland website.

Indiana Jones Adventure will be closed for 10 weeks to 6 months for a much more comprehensive refurbishment. The popular Genie+ Adventureland motion-base dark ride has been prone to downtime issues that are expected to be addressed in the latest refurb that begins on Jan. 9.

The curtain will be pulled on Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln and the adjacent Disney Gallery on Jan. 9-25 for seasonal refurbishment, according to the Disneyland website. A Disney100 exhibit celebrating 100 years of Disney animation is expected to occupy the Disney Gallery once the space reopens.

Mickey’s Philharmagic will go dark starting on Jan. 24 for a seasonal refurbishment. No return date has yet been set for the Hollywood Land 3-D film.

Haunted Mansion Holiday and It’s a Small World Holiday — both Genie+ attractions — typically take turns closing following the holiday season. Mansion usually goes first, followed by Small World two weeks later — but this year the order will be swapped.

It’s a Small World will be closed Jan. 9-19 for the transformation from holiday to classic version, according to the Disneyland website. The perennially popular Haunted Mansion will close Jan. 30 to remove the holiday seasonal overlay with a return date yet to be set, according to the Disneyland website.

Pixar Pier’s Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind at DCA will close Jan. 30 for refurbishment — with no return date announced yet for the spinning balloon ride.

The recurring Jan. 9 closure dates are no coincidence. The Christmas holiday season ends on Jan. 8 at Disneyland and DCA.

January will be a busy month at Disneyland with the new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction set to debut on Jan. 27. Runaway Railway will be the centerpiece of the reimagined Mickey’s Toontown — which will return a few weeks later on March 8.

A Splash Mountain closure date has not yet been set for the log ride’s transformation into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in 2024. The Magic Kingdom has set a January closure date for the Florida version of Splash Mountain — and a Disneyland closure date is expected to be announced soon.

Tarzan’s Treehouse has been closed since 2021 with a makeover as the new Adventureland Treehouse featuring a Swiss Family Robinson retro theme set to return in 2023.

The future of other attractions is less certain. The Hyperion Theater, Star Wars Launch Bay and Blue Sky Cellar have remained shuttered since the parks returned following the yearlong pandemic closure.

It already looks like 2023 is going to be a year of “revenge travel,” with people who were cooped up during the pandemic taking the long-overdue dream vacations they’ve been saving up for.

However, while most of the world is open again and operating like before, not every attraction survived the pandemic unscathed. Some have taken advantage of the pause in tourism to remodel or upgrade infrastructure, while others have said goodbye forever.

Ahead of making your next travel plan, here are the places you need to cross off the list for 2023 — and in some cases beyond. For each spot, we have included a backup destination to explore instead.

Train Street, Hanoi, Vietnam

“Train Street,” the Instagram-beloved road in Vietnam’s capital, had long been a source of controversy. The Old Quarter street became famous for the trains that would shuttle along the tracks just inches away from homes and shops. The spot became popular with tourists who liked the thrill of posing on the industrial tracks with coffee shops in touching distance.

However, despite their vintage look, the tracks are still very much in use. Overtourism on Train Street became not just an annoyance but a legitimate safety issue, as trains sometimes had to re-route at the last minute to avoid people.

Although the Hanoi government had ordered some of the tourist shops that had opened up on Train Street to take advantage of the foot traffic to close in 2019, the area remained popular. Finally, in fall 2022, all businesses on Train Street had their operating licenses revoked and barriers were erected to keep people out.

Plan B: Hanoi’s historic quarter, much of which was built by the French during the Colonial era, has plenty of postcard-pretty walkways. Head to Nhà Thờ Lớn Hà Nội (St. Joseph’s Cathedral) and begin exploring from there. There won’t be any trains rumbling past, but there will be plenty of motorbikes.

The Underground Museum, Los Angeles

The brainchild of artist couple Noah and Karon Davis, the Underground Museum developed a reputation for championing work by artists of color.

Occupying a few small storefronts in the lesser-known Bernal Heights neighborhood, the museum was also a bookshop, organizing space, and community center, and persevered following Noah Davis’ death in 2015.

However, the pandemic was hard on the Underground Museum. Despite high-profile celebrity fans and supporters like Beyonce, Tracee Ellis Ross and John Legend, the museum shut its doors in 2022.

It’s unclear exactly what happened, or whether the museum will re-open elsewhere in another format.

“We simply do not have any answers right now. So, we will also be closing the museum until further notice. During this period, we encourage you to engage with the incredible art spaces all over our beloved Los Angeles,” Karon Davis wrote in a statement on the museum’s website.

Plan B: The free California African American Museum in Exposition Park also highlights work from Black artists. Art lovers can heed Karon Davis’ advice at L.A. institutions like The Broad and LACMA.

Jurong Bird Park, Singapore

Asia’s largest bird park announced its closure in August 2022 after more than 50 years of operation in Singapore.

However, there’s good news for its fans. The park isn’t disappearing — instead, it will join several other famous Singaporean wildlife and nature attractions to create a new eco-tourism hub in the northern reaches of the city-state.

The Singapore Zoo and Night Safari will also be part of the project, which is called Mandai and could open as soon as 2023.

Plan B: Spending time outdoors in reliably warm Singapore is easy. The Singapore Botanic Gardens are the country’s lone UNESCO World Heritage Site, while those who want to get up close to animals can visit The Live Turtle & Tortoise Museum in the Yishun area.

The Dublin Writers’ Museum, Ireland

Wilde. Beckett. Yeats. Some of the most significant authors in English-language literature came from Ireland, and the Dublin Writers Museum in the capital celebrated that literary heritage.

Like so many tourist attractions around the world, the museum closed in March 2020 for what was supposed to be a temporary shutdown.

However, that turned out to be the end of the story.

Failte Ireland, the Irish national tourism body that owned and operated the museum, announced in August 2022 that the museum would be permanently closed, saying that it “no longer meets the expectation of the contemporary museum visitor in terms of accessibility, presentation and interpretation.”

Plan B: Goodbye, Dublin Writers Museum, hello MoLI. The Museum of Literature Ireland opened to much fanfare in 2019.

A partnership between the National Library of Ireland and University College Dublin, it is home to Irish literary artifacts like the first copy of James Joyce’s “Ulysses” (the museum’s nickname is a wink to the novel’s heroine Molly Bloom) and makes a point to highlight lesser-known figures as well as authors who write in Irish.

Jumbo Kingdom Floating Restaurant, Hong Kong

Once the world’s largest floating restaurant, the years were not kind to Hong Kong’s Jumbo Kingdom.

The restaurant, which was featured in dozens of movies and TV shows and was visited by everyone from Queen Elizabeth II to Chow Yun-Fat, became less popular with both locals and tourists over the years.

Costs of keeping the ornate three-story vessel were high, and Hong Kong’s tourism took a nosedive amid strict Covid closures and restrictions.

After several attempts to sell Jumbo to a local Hong Kong buyer fell through, the ship was en route to a southeast Asia shipyard when it sank near the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea.

Plan B: Though Jumbo is gone, many of Hong Kong’s iconic landmarks are still flourishing. One, the Peak Tram, got a makeover in 2022.

If it’s a floating experience you’re after, the green-and-white Star Ferry still brings locals and commuters alike between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, and the Dukling, the city’s last remaining wooden junk boat available for public use, plies the waters several times a day in Victoria Harbor.

The 9/11 Tribute Museum, New York City

Before the National September 11 Memorial & Museum opened at Ground Zero, there was the 9/11 Tribute Museum.

The quieter, more introspective cousin was opened in 2006 by loved ones of those who died in the World Trade Center attacks in 1993 and 2001. The small space in lower Manhattan was a gathering place for those affected by the tragedies and was home to many personal items and objects donated by survivors and by victims’ families.

Citing financial losses during the pandemic, the museum bid farewell in summer 2022. Its Tribute Walking Tours of the community, which were led by 9/11 survivors, have also ended.

Plan B: Although the museum’s physical presence is gone, the majority of its holdings are now part of the permanent collection at the New York State Museum in Albany, about 150 miles north of New York City.

Travelers who aren’t able to visit the state’s capital can also visit the nearby National September 11 Memorial & Museum, which remains open and active.

TeamLab Borderless and Edo-Tokyo Museum, Tokyo

Two Japanese museums are both going through periods of transition this year.

Though they’re both in Tokyo, the two museums are wildly different — the Edo-Tokyo Museum is a traditional history museum focusing on Japanese culture, while TeamLab Borderless is an all-digital experience created by self-described “ultra-technologists.”

The Edo-Tokyo Museum has announced that it will be closed for at least three years while going through a renovation. Its riverfront building in the city’s Ryogoku neighborhood opened in 1993 and is best known for its full-size replica kabuki theater.

Representatives for the museum say it will reopen in late 2025 or early 2026.

Meanwhile, TeamLab Borderless — which was crowned the world’s most-visited museum by the Guinness Book of World Records — will be relocating from its home in Odaiba to a new facility in the highly anticipated Toranomon-Azabudai Project, which is due for completion in 2023. No reopening date has been announced yet.

In addition to TeamLab, the new development will be home to Japan’s tallest skyscraper.

Plan B: Tokyo is a museum lover’s dream, with plenty on offer, including the Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo. the Mori Art Museum and the National Museum of Western Art. In Ueno Park, the Tokyo National Museum will scratch your itch for history.

Museum of London, UK

The popular history and culture museum is making a short move with big significance.

The museum, founded in 1912, will move from its current London Wall home into the nearby General Market, a formerly derelict site that will be renovated and preserved.

In addition to the new digs, the destination will rebrand as The London Museum, expand its hours on Fridays and Saturdays and encourage patrons to visit local small businesses nearby.

Even better: the museum — due to reopen in 2026 — will be easy to access through the Farringdon station of the new Elizabeth Line, another example of London’s evolution.

Plan B: There are plenty of places to explore London’s rich history. See Shakespeare’s plays performed at The Globe, go underground to explore the Churchill War Rooms, and learn about royal dramas of yore at the Tower of London.

The Queen Mary, Long Beach, CA

It was a working retirement, though — the Queen Mary, with her Art Deco decor, operated as a restaurant, hotel and general tourist attraction after settling in Long Beach.

Now, the ship is in urgent need of repairs.

The city of Long Beach, which owns the vessel, says at least $5 million of work is needed to fix up the Queen Mary, which has suffered more than just wear and tear. In particular, the weight of the lifeboats has caused long-term damage, and they’ll be removed — with the hope that a museum, historical society or other attraction will want to display them.

There’s no firm date for the Queen Mary’s reopening yet.

Plan B: Long Beach has lots going on, from a happening downtown to a museum of Latin American art. In the meantime, the ship’s successor, the Queen Mary 2, is still in active service with the Cunard line.

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Under the updated policy, all visitors 17 years old or younger must be accompanied by a chaperone on Saturdays to enter Knott’s Berry Farm, according to the park’s website.

The chaperone policy has evolved several times since July after a series of fights involving rowdy teens caused panic and chaos that forced the early closure of the park to ensure guest safety.

Knott’s initially required teen chaperones on Fridays and Saturdays before adding Sundays as well. The theme park extended the chaperone policy to every night of the popular Knott’s Scary Farm Halloween event in September and October.

The violence erupted on July 16 when Buena Park Police responded to reports of multiple fights and unfounded reports of gunshots at Knott’s. Video footage of the chaos and panic inside Knott’s showed punches being thrown during numerous fights throughout the park while visitors hid for their safety in shops and restaurants.

The chaperone must be at least 21 years old, have a valid ID with date of birth, provide a phone number and remain with the minors throughout the entire visit. A single chaperone can accompany up to five underage visitors per day. Visitors under 18 found in the park without a chaperone could face ejection.

“Our entire tribe will come together — in person — to celebrate our creative superpowers,” drag icon RuPaul said in a written statement announcing the convention and ticket sales.

“Show up. Show off. And show them how it is done, henny!”

DragCon LA, which organizers describe as “the largest all-ages, family-friendly celebration of drag culture in the world,” will include signings and meet-and-greets with stars of the drag world, including many from the hit reality TV series “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” which earned RuPaul six consecutive Emmys for best reality TV host, and its various spinoffs.

The con also features drag performances both days, other panels, programs and activations, and what the news release announcing its return described as “wig-snatching merch.”

Ticket sales begin on Wednesday, Nov. 23, but for a limited time, a special flash sale for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, will give early buyers a chance to get tickets for 20-50 percent off regular prices.

Discount codes for the flash sale will be sent on Wednesday to members of the mailing list for World of Wonder, the production company behind “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and RuPaul’s DragCon LA.

The general public can find discount codes starting Thursday, Nov. 24 on the World of Wonder social media channels.

Tickets will be available at la.rupaulsdragcon.com and worldofwonder.com/bfcm. World of Wonder’s social media channels include @WorldofWonder on Twitter and @WorldofWonder on Instagram.

The Disneyland Resort

The holiday season this year at the Disneyland Resort will run from Nov. 11 through Jan. 8, with various chances to celebrate. Learn more at Disneyland.com.

Disneyland Park: A 60-foot-tall Christmas tree just begging for photo opps anchors one end of Main Street while Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle at the other end is covered in twinkling lights and shimmering icicles. Returning attractions include “A Christmas Fantasy” Parade and “Believe … in Holiday Magic” fireworks on select evenings. Santa will hold court in Critter Country, while It’s a Small World and the Haunted Mansion will feature their traditional holiday overlays.

Disney California Adventure: The Disney Festival of Holidays features various celebrations including Christmas, Navidad, Hanukkah, Diwali, Kwanzaa and Three Kings Day, The popular “World of Color — Season of Light” water show returns. Look for Santa at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail and other live events, including live music, a character celebration “Mickey’s Happy Holidays,” the Viva Navidad! street party and the Holiday Toy Drummers. The Festive Foods Marketplace also returns with nine different kiosks offering holiday treats. People can buy a Sip and Savor Pass to try them.

Knotts Berry Farm

Holiday fun is scheduled at Knotts this year from Nov. 18 through Jan. 8. Organizers promise “winter wonderland-inspired décor” with twinkling lights, garlands, snowflakes and more. Special shows include “Home for the Holidays” musical revue as well as the classic ice show starring Snoopy, the Peanuts Gang, and a cast of world-class ice skaters. Holiday food will be available, including crispy breaded turkey bites, while the streets of Calico holds a craft village and more. Also check out Santa’s Christmas Cabin, nightly tree lighting and a light show in Camp Snoopy. Knotts.com

Legoland

This year, the Holidays at Legoland California Resort in Carlsbad will run from Nov. 19 through Jan. 8 in Carlsbad. The fun includes nightly tree lightings of the park’s LEGO Christmas tree, which will be covered with lights and Lego ornaments.

And then there’s the special kids’ New Year’s Eve party on Dec. 31, which will include live music and other entertainment, plus a New Year countdown at 6 p.m.–a move sure to please many parents. All holiday activities are included in the price of admission. (Note that Legoland no longer accepts cash, according to its website. And reservations are required in some cases) Learn more: 760-918-5436 or at legoland.com/california/

SeaWorld San Diego

Holiday times at Sea World will run from Nov. 14 through Jan. 8 this year. Look out for live entertainment, festive food and drinks and special holiday displays such as the 320-foot SkyTower Tree of Lights. seaworld.com/san-diego/events

Sesame Place San Diego

“A Very Furry Christmas” runs from Nov. 12 to Jan. 8, on select dates in Chula Vista.  The park is decorated to feature a winter wonderland, including Sesame Street Christmas shows,  the Sesame Street Christmas Parade, the Furry Friends Christmas Dance Party, and more. Look for holiday games, special merchandise, and photos with Sesame Street characters in holiday attire.  sesameplace.com/san-diego/events/a-very-furry-christmas/

Six Flags Magic Mountain

Holiday in the Park will run on select dates from Nov. 24 through Jan. 1 including a new Merry Marketplace located near Katy’s Kettle. It promises millions of lights, festive foods and special shows, including a traveling toy soldier troupe, live music and dancers, choreographed lights and visits with Santa. Treats to buy include fudge, peppermint bark and white chocolate candy apples. Firepits offer the chance to roast marshmallows. sixflags.com/magicmountain/events/holiday-in-the-park

Universal Studios Hollywood

Put on your walking shoes, because the holiday season starts the day after Thanksgiving at Universal. It will run until Sunday, Jan. 1. The events will feature “Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter” and “Grinchmas,” All the holiday activities are included in admission price. Check out the village of Hogsmeade, which will be decorated for the holidays and have fun activities, including a capella performances from the Hogwarts Frog Choir. Hot Butterbeer will also be for sale. The village shops will offer holiday items including personalized ornaments and notebooks. Holiday dining available at Three Broomsticks. After dark, Hogwarts Castle will feature a light projection show with animation and music called “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle.”

Warner Bros. Studio Tour

A special winter holiday feature called “Holidays Made Here” is scheduled from Dec. 22 to Jan. 1 to be part of the Studio Tour. (The tour is closed Dec. 25). The holiday special features the Midwest Street Backlot, which is the set location for Stars Hollow from the “Gilmore Girls” TV series. Also find holiday-themed trivia, guided tours and behind-the-scenes stories from “Gremlins,” “Elf,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” and many other holiday fan favorites. “Gilmore Girls” fans particularly will enjoy seeing “Stars Hollow, Connecticut” decorated for the holidays. Buy hot chocolate and Pop-Tarts, explore the Gilmore Girls sets and see real props and costumes from the show. Look for special photo opportunities and merchandise from various hit TV shows. Learn more at wbstudiotour.com.