? about President's Day, Feb/Mar crowds

[B'rer Karen]

I'm working on planning when I'm going to WDW in 2005. I normally like to take a short trip in the late winter. Typically I have gone the last weekend of February going into March, arriving on Thursday and leaving Monday. The crowds have always been pretty decent at this time of year. However in 2005 President's Day is Monday, February 21st. If I were to go when I normally do, I would arrive the following Thursday, the 24th. I know that President's Day weekend itself will be very crowded, but will the whole week following also be crowded? Would I be better off going the first weekend of March? I worry that I will start hitting spring break crowds at that point. So if you had to choose, when would you go?

 

[vicb]

Does anyone know when Mardi Gras is for 2005? That could impact your choice. Also Daytona 500 week although I'll bet that is mid-Feb.

We went on the Sunday following Pres. Day this year (similar time to you I think) and had the Mardi Gras crowds. We noticed it being more crowded that the time we went in early Feb. but still very managable.

In 2005 Easter is early, third week of March, how that will impact other "spring break" weeks in March I don't know.

Good luck!

 

[crzy4mk]

Originally posted by B'rer Karen
I'm working on planning when I'm going to WDW in 2005. I normally like to take a short trip in the late winter. Typically I have gone the last weekend of February going into March, arriving on Thursday and leaving Monday. The crowds have always been pretty decent at this time of year. However in 2005 President's Day is Monday, February 21st. If I were to go when I normally do, I would arrive the following Thursday, the 24th. I know that President's Day weekend itself will be very crowded, but will the whole week following also be crowded? Would I be better off going the first weekend of March? I worry that I will start hitting spring break crowds at that point. So if you had to choose, when would you go?

B'rer Karen,

I've never been at the beginning of March, but I do know that many schools have started taking a much earlier Spring Break and that always spells big crowds. However, my family was at WDW this past February right after President's Day, and I thought the crowds were very managable. If you have a good touring plan, and utilize fastpass, you should have no trouble in the week following President's Day. The longest we waited in line for anything (primarily because we used fastpass ALOT) was 25 minutes, and that was just twice.
Hope this helps.

 

[liznboys]

We were there the first week of March 2003. The crowds weren't bad at all. From what we've learned, AFTER President's Day it slows down, and stays that way until the spring breaks begin. Now, next year I'm sure some spring breaks will be earlier due to the holiday, but I am willing to bet that most will still not be until atleast mid-March. (And if you've seen any of the "when is your spring break for 2005" threads, this proves to be true.)

We will be in WDW late Feb/early Mar next year (for 13 nights).

 

[suevee]

We were there the week before and during President's Day weekend this year and Memorial Day. My bet is President's Day all the way! Parks were more crowded on Memorial Day and the heat! I can take crowds with low heat. Last year we were there at the end of Feb/early March and it was great!

 

[patriciauk]

i was there this year from the friday before presidents day for 2 weeks. As a brit I'd never even HEARD of pres. day until after I'd booked, so I thought I'd made a huge mistake and it would be a nightmare...but it was fine, really. I think the longest wait was half an hour (goofy's barnstormer), BUT we did some pretty careful planning, utilising early starts and Fastpass. In any case, the crowds were manageable even on presidents day itself.

 

[B'rer Karen]

Thanks all, you've been a great help