February or October?

MsMamaBear

MsMamaBear

Mouseketeer
Joined
Mar 29, 2014
So, it's looking like we may have to cancel our cruise for April 2016. So I'm hoping I can just cancel and put what I paid on a land Disney trip. I teach so I can only go in high times, but as this will be our second trip, can you all tell me which would be better? So far I have a pros and cons list. I want to avoid June again because I loved it but I was pretty dang miserable and hot....and I live in Georgia! LOL! We'll be driving down, so we have to factor in 6 hrs by car.

Winter Break February 2016 13-17th With travel days, I'd have 3 full days in the parks.

Fall Break October 2015 8-11 With travel days, 2 full days, but MNSSHP is something I'd like to enjoy.I'd LOVE to dress up with my daughter!

Please help! Hopefully y'all have some things I haven't looked at to help me figure it out! :)
 
No doubt it will be FAR busier in February, that week is a very busy week. The week in October will be much less crowded. The week in February may also be cold whereas in October it will be nice. If you want to do MNSSHP then its a no brainer, go in October
 
Your October dates are essentially over Columbus Day weekend, so the standard advice of October crowds being lower may not apply -- those will probably be the busiest three days all month.
 


Itll be busy no matter when you go.

So I'd pick by this:
October: if you want to do MNSSHP and/or enjoy Halloween decorations. Will usually be hot still.

February: way better chance of cool weather

My birthdays mid Feb so we were there for my birthday a couple months ago and I definitely enjoyed being in the park with temps in the 40-60 degree range vs the 99-160 degree range it is the other 10 months out the year lol
 
I would think those days in February would be busier than October, even with Columbus Day. I would go with October because I love Halloween and MNSSHP. It was a lot of fun! I usually go in October and have gotten lucky with the weather, I haven't had any hellishly hot days yet.
 
MataHari22 said:
I would think those days in February would be busier than October, even with Columbus Day. I would go with October because I love Halloween and MNSSHP. It was a lot of fun! I usually go in October and have gotten lucky with the weather, I haven't had any hellishly hot days yet.
Click to expand...
I agree-usually the Presidents' Day is more of an extended weekend/full week for schools, so I think Columbus would be better (Plus lots of places don't even recognize it as a holiday any more)
 


Thanks y'all! I'd like the extra days in February, but I REALLY want to do the MNSSHP. LOL! That's so true, there will be a crowd no matter what. :)

I think I am going to go with October. I hate I have to cancel my cruise, but I am excited for that party and dressing up. pixiedust:
 
We just went this past Presidents Day week and it was so crowded. It was better than shoveling snow in New Jersey so we were still happy. Plus it was kind of chilly, well, fleece weather anyway. I think October would be warmer and if the party is appealing go for that. :) Have fun planning
 
I would imagine the overall crowd levels would be a little less for Columbus Day weekend than President's Day weekend (like a 7 for Columbus Day vs. an 8/9 for President's Day).

What you have to keep in mind is that MK may "seem" more crowded in October because it closes early (7 pm) on 4 out of 7 nights for MNSSHP around Columbus weekend. FP+ availability only goes till closing. Days that are longer (with MSEP and Wishes) are super crowded in the evening. Evenings at Epcot are also very crowded due to F&W. So, if your main interests are MK and Epcot, there won't be as much difference.

Having said that, I really like October and that would be my choice. I've only had horrible weather once, I love F&W, and it's hot enough to swim.
 
Both Oct and Feb are the times we go on our semi-annual trip so these are 2 months at least I know.

Feb is my B-day and a few other holidays for us (or the ValenBirthAversary for short). You'll be having low crowds and beautiful sun-shiney weather with highs around 75 most days with cold mornings. However, the specific dates you'll be there put you into Disney on V-day, one of the more crowded holidays in the world that time of year (we usually try to avoid going then, but then again, we live 4 hours south of the mouse) but the good news is that the worst of the crowds will only be there on that day and most likely in the MK (proposals in front of the castle). Sadly, by the time you'll be there all the holiday decorations will be down too. There won't be much special going on, but for the crowds and weather, this is my favorite time to go.

October, however has so much to do. You'll have the MNSSHP and F&W festival. Just be aware that a date within this time period can have incredible fluxuation in weather. You could be in for one last summer scorcher or you could free your booty off (free from a Miamians perspective) trying to watch wishes after the sun has fallen (If you're there during the best part you'll have both during the day and night). You'll be getting the beautiful fall holiday decorations that the world has been known to put out. However your dates put you in a heavily crowded weekend (as opposed to just the day) of Columbus Day weekend. Too short to make it worthy for out-of towners, but anyone within a few hours of driving distance will be on Disney World like free candy. You'll have alot of special holiday time things to check out, but the crowds will make it a bit annoying to navigate on a weekend where local schools are out.

Hope you enjoy your trip whichever you choose!
 
We have been to the World in both February and October - 2 completely different trips!
October is hot and HUMID so be prepared for that (I'm a Louisiana girl so I know humidity LOL) The warmer temps made pool time way more enjoyable than the blue lipped swims we've done in February though. Also February 2016 is our Mardi Gras break so once again the horrible mash of Mardi Gras and President's Day crowds will be in effect at that time. We are still hoping to be there but will probably check out on Thursday before the Pres Weekend crowds start to roll in.
MK is beautiful when it's decorated for fall. When we were there it was a few days before Columbus Day weekend so the crowd level was very low on Wed - Fri but still quite manageable over the weekend.
That plus the added benefit of MNSSHP - I would vote October! =)
 
We have been in October and I can say that it was a wonderful time to visit! The temps were still warm but nothing compared to summer heat and the crowds were fairly low. There were a couple of days we noticed a large amount of tour groups but nothing too bad. We didnt get tickets to MNSSHP but saw tons of people dressed up going to it and it definitely looked like fun!
 
I've been in October, so I would do February. We have also been in late January and I strongly preferred that weather to the weather in October, which was kind of alarmingly and surprisingly hot. If you prefer hotter weather, pick October because it will no doubt be hotter.
 
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