2008 Trip Planning

[dandee00]

I know I'm crazy to start planning this early, but I can't help myself.
I confess I'm a Disney addict

If anyone has been to the World in February or March, could you post on how the weather was and/or how the crowds were?

Also, has anyone been to any beaches in Florida they would recommend?

Has anyone been to any of the Florida Keys? Any great areas to see? Hotels? Restaurants? Beaches?

 

[SplashMom]

Hi Dandee00 I totally understand the early planning! We Disney addicts all have that problem!

We have been to WDW the last two years in March and the weather was wonderful. We were there for 16 days last year so it was quite a bit of the month! It was warm--shorts and tshirts most days. There were two days it was a little cooler. We still wore shorts but we did have sweatshirts on. The year before, we didn't wear sweatshirts at all--it was warm the entire time. We did have some rain last year but nothing too heavy. There were a few days of afternoon drizzle and then rain for a short time, similar to summer storms. Once it was over, the evenings were beautiful.

We did go to Daytona Beach one day last year. It was sunny and beautiful. For us, the weather is perfect that time of year--usually 75-80. The crowds were large during our visits because it is spring break for lots of people. Last year, we stayed for March break and the following week, which was Easter. It was definitely more crowded then. The previous year, we went a few days before March break and there were few crowds. It is still manageable as long as you use fastpasses and do a little planning. Have fun planning!!

 

[F4disneyfan]

I know I'm crazy to start planning this early, but I can't help myself.
I confess I'm a Disney addict

If anyone has been to the World in February or March, could you post on how the weather was and/or how the crowds were?

Also, has anyone been to any beaches in Florida they would recommend?

Has anyone been to any of the Florida Keys? Any great areas to see? Hotels? Restaurants? Beaches?

Not an addict at all an early planner yes not an addict LOL. We have our trips planned through 09 and 2010 is in the early stages of planning so don't worry about it and have fun with it.

 

[yanners]

I'm going back in 2008 and have already started to plan.

I was just there this February (1st week) and we had NO crowd issues whatsoever! I didn't wait more than 10 minutes for anything (and I'd say 90% of the time my wait was 2-3 minutes.
.

It wasn't all that warm (I sported shorts but my boys chose pants and a t-shirt) but it was warmer than Canada so we didn't care.

The mornings and evenings were cool (you needed a long sleeve shirt or jacket) but the days were warm and never too hot.

I'd pick February again for sure. The Unoffical Guide to Walt Disney World rates the crowds based on the days of the month so it is a good resource.

 

[highland3]

I knew I couldn't be the only one planning for 2008!!!

We were there in mid-March 2005. The temperatures were wonderful, although we did see a heavy downpour on two afternoons. They each lasted less than 1/2 an hour and then disappeared.

The crowds were easy to handle, especially in the mornings. I'm one of those who drags my family to MK for the rope drop. It got us on Splasm Mountain, BTMR and POC within the first hour or so!

 

[riu girl]

In regards to beaches, we have spent a week at Daytona (2004) and two weeks in Siesta Key (2005). You will find that the Atlantic side beaches (unless you go as far south as Ft. lauderdale and Miami area) offer a lot of wave action as well as brown grainy sand.
The beaches on the Gulf of Mexico are less rough and offer a finer white powdery sand.

We preferred Siesta Key (about two hours SW of Disney). The key (8 miles long) is pretty laid back and we felt much safer there then in Daytona/Ormond Beach.

We plan on going back to Siesta Key later on this year for another two weeks.
We rented privately through an owner on vrbo.com. If you are interested in Siesta Key at all, you can find quite a bit of good info. on the Siesta key chamber of commerce web site.

Happy Planning

 

[Donald - my hero]

I know I'm crazy to start planning this early, but I can't help myself.
I confess I'm a Disney addict

HECK NO!! Hubby and I are deep into planning our 25th anniversary Uhm, that is not till LATE November 2009

 

[Hockeychic]

We went in Feb in 2001 and we had amazing weather it was around the dates of the 25th....as I was in MK for my birthday. It was nice, we where swimming in our pool till 10 at night it was beautiful and there was no crowds, never stood in line and never needed fast passes.

However, we had friends that went the week before we did and DH had a co-worker go the week after us and they have quite cold weather the entire time so I think it is pretty hit and miss with weather in Feb.

Also we cruised out of Jacksonville this Feb and it also went to Key West....Jacksonville was very cold, you could see your breath and Key West was OK but more on the cool side.

kim

 

[dandee00]

We preferred Siesta Key (about two hours SW of Disney). The key (8 miles long) is pretty laid back and we felt much safer there then in Daytona/Ormond Beach.

We plan on going back to Siesta Key later on this year for another two weeks.
We rented privately through an owner on vrbo.com. If you are interested in Siesta Key at all, you can find quite a bit of good info. on the Siesta key chamber of commerce web site.

Happy Planning

Siesta Key sounds heavenly. Even the name of it has me hooked. Thanks for letting me know about this place, I will definately be searching the web for info.

 

[dandee00]

It's beginning to sound like Feb and March weather can be as unpredictable as January's. When we were there this January, I wore everything form my bikini to my parka!!!! Even in a 24 hour time span. I found the evenings quite chilly. Hard to believe I'm from Canada, eh?

I am thinking Feb might be the better month since we can get a room at value season prices if I time it right.

 

[F4disneyfan]

Our 1 and only trip in Feb was 3 weeks long and it rained most of that trip and wasn't very warm. We had about 4 warm sunny days the rest of the time we wore jeans and sweatshirts everyday.

 

[tone.def]

I am thinking Feb might be the better month since we can get a room at value season prices if I time it right.

Oh yes - the first week of February is lovely... I was there 2004, sweaters in the morning, bathing suit in the afternoon... Not hot, not fricking cold... Just right!

 

[DisneyMom14]

Glad to hear all the good news about Feb! We're planning on the first week in Feb 2008 because we're off for Mardi Gras. Cannot wait!