Advice for February!

[wdwobsessed!]

I'm looking for insight about how February is at WDW. We are avid goers but have never been in February, just always at spring break. We would be going during Presidents Week for February. Are crowds the same that week vs spring break? Is presidents week considered Peak? Any advice would be great. Thanks in advance!

 

[wdwobsessed!]

I should add the week we would be going. It would be Friday Feb 16-22 2018. Thanks!

 

[gap2368]

I love February Cooler weather ( for the most part) but the hours are shorter, I have never been over that weekend so not too sure about the crowds but I would guess that the Tuesday and Wednesday should be very nice as fair as crowds go.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

In Feb, the major things to watch for are Mardi Gras, President's Day weekend, and the Princess Half. So, for next year:

Mardi Gras: Tuesday 2/13, much earlier than this year, which was 2/28
President's Day: Monday 2/19
Princess Half: Thursday 2/22 - Sunday 2/25 (crowds tend to grow towards Sunday)

I went President's Day weekend this year and my wife went the following weekend for the Princess Half. Both were relatively 'stout' rate wise. Discounts could be hard to come by around the Half dates, so watch out for that.

I found the President's Day weekend crowds pretty high but manageable. No worse or better than 'spring break' to some extent.

I would vote for the following week if possible, but I would totally go that President's Day week if that's your only option too. Any week at WDW is better than a week at home! Have fun!

 

[CAS239]

We usually go every year during that time since my birthday is on the 19th. I never think the crowds are too bad during then. And the weather is usually amazing, especially when it's more on the cooler side

 

[iujen94]

I'm going to disagree with some of the previous posters. We've gone Presidents' Day week probably 4 or 5 times in the last 6 or 7 years because my kids have that whole week off (as do a lot of northeastern schools). I've found the parks to be REALLY crowded that week. And just when things might calm down from the holiday weekend in the first part of the week, people start rolling in for the Princess Half Marathon the second weekend. That said, I firmly believe any week is manageable at Disney (except maybe the week between Christmas and New Year's when even *I* won't go!) as long as you plan well and have a good strategy! Just definitely don't go Presidents' Day week expecting to find the low crowds you'd find the rest of February. Hope that helps!

 

[dreiwhit]

We went at the end of February into the beginning of March in 2016 and really liked that week. The parks weren't crowded and the weather was really great. We had one rain shower the entire time we were there, and it happend at 2am when I was fast asleep! The humidity was lower and the temps were in the 60s and 70s.

 

[gap2368]

I guess it really depends on what you think crowded is. I was talking to a CM and another guest came up and said man it is crowded to day I looked around me and said no it is not I an see the ground. The CM said yep if I can see the ground then it is not crowded. The guest said I do not want to see what Disney is like in crowds.

With this said there really is not a slow time anymore where you can walk on rides. there are times the big rides at the park will be an hour wait and then there will be times the same ride will be a 120+ minute wait. for me the times the big rides are a hour wait is a slow time, now if someone has not been for a few years this will seem like a very crowded time and the wait for rids will seem really long.

I would plan your FP for what you really want to do, take advantage of RD and just have a great time, you are at Disney

 

[HopperFan]

This year Disney hotel prices were -
16th Peak
17th-19th President's Day (super Peak)
20-25th Peak

So yes it is considered like the peak/easter/peak.. Lots of schools have off that whole week, I know we did in NJ for everyone to go skiing or Disney or Hawaii .. lots like to escape the cold.

We did it once and I wouldn't do again. We prefer first week of February or last week of February.

 

[WDWFantasmicFan]

I'm looking for insight about how February is at WDW. We are avid goers but have never been in February, just always at spring break. We would be going during Presidents Week for February. Are crowds the same that week vs spring break? Is presidents week considered Peak? Any advice would be great. Thanks in advance!

I'd suggest making your trip late-Feb/early-March if possible due to Mardi Gras, Presidents Day and Princess Half. I am going that time next year, and it was the best week in the year to go according to a lot of crowd calendars. You'll also get the start of Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot if that is something that interests you.

 

[Jdbsfw]

Shhhhh.....stop talking about the late February early March time....it's still a secret...

 

[WDWFantasmicFan]

Correction: late Feb/early March is the absolute worst time to go, it is so crowded and the weather is terrible (Is that better @Jdbsfw haha)

 

[wdwobsessed!]

LOL! Unfortunately end of Feb is out of the question. I'm a teacher and we have a week off in Feb and a week off during Easter.

 

[HopperFan]

LOL! Unfortunately end of Feb is out of the question. I'm a teacher and we have a week off in Feb and a week off during Easter.

Many travel then for the same reason. At least you know that it could be crowded, have planned accordingly and maybe you will be pleasantly surprised. Use all the strategies; FP+, Park Hopping, Rope Drop, EMH if you are onsite and make ADRs for special places asap.

 

[WDWFantasmicFan]

LOL! Unfortunately end of Feb is out of the question. I'm a teacher and we have a week off in Feb and a week off during Easter.

If you plan around the crowds, you should be fine. Are you planning to stay onsite?

 

[wdwobsessed!]

If you plan around the crowds, you should be fine. Are you planning to stay onsite?

Yes...planning on POP!

 

[wdwobsessed!]

In Feb, the major things to watch for are Mardi Gras, President's Day weekend, and the Princess Half. So, for next year:

Mardi Gras: Tuesday 2/13, much earlier than this year, which was 2/28
President's Day: Monday 2/19
Princess Half: Thursday 2/22 - Sunday 2/25 (crowds tend to grow towards Sunday)

I went President's Day weekend this year and my wife went the following weekend for the Princess Half. Both were relatively 'stout' rate wise. Discounts could be hard to come by around the Half dates, so watch out for that.

I found the President's Day weekend crowds pretty high but manageable. No worse or better than 'spring break' to some extent.

I would vote for the following week if possible, but I would totally go that President's Day week if that's your only option too. Any week at WDW is better than a week at home! Have fun!

YES I agrees with that last sentence!

 

[wdwobsessed!]

This year Disney hotel prices were -
16th Peak
17th-19th President's Day (super Peak)
20-25th Peak

So yes it is considered like the peak/easter/peak.. Lots of schools have off that whole week, I know we did in NJ for everyone to go skiing or Disney or Hawaii .. lots like to escape the cold.

We did it once and I wouldn't do again. We prefer first week of February or last week of February.

We are from NY so escaping the winter is exactly what we are doing!

 

[WDWFantasmicFan]

Yes...planning on POP!

Perfect! Just make sure you book your Fastpasses 60 days in advance for the most popular attractions and you'll be fine! Have a magical trip!

 

[DeterminedOne]

Here's my only advice different than what others have given. It can get cold at night, especially on the boats. Pack accordingly.