Advice needed for Presidents' Day 2017 visit

[Jan2016]

Hi all! This is my first post here, though I've been lurking for quite some time now. I am excited to be planning a 5 night trip for February 2017, arriving on Presidents' Day. For background, we are a family of 4, kids will be 8 and 13. We haven't been to DW as a family ever so I am trying to make the most of this trip. We were at DLR in 2012 and loved it. And we were in DW in 2006 with our older child. The last time before that was just DH and me the week btwn Christmas and NYE in 1997! I know Presidents week will be super crowded but other than late summer it's the only time we can visit. And I would rather deal with the crowds than the heat/humidity/rain in August.
We are planning to stay in BLT. I was going to get 4 day park hoppers and start visiting the parks on Tuesday the day after we arrive, trying avoid the biggest crowds on Monday. I am reconsidering that now and am thinking of getting 5 day passes to maximize our time in the parks, and perhaps head into Epcot world showcase on arrival day (Presidents day). I don't have flights booked yet so don't know when we will get there, but we will likely take a morning flight from NY. Is this a terrible idea being that it'll be Presidents' Day and therefore all parks will be super crowded? What are the afternoon/evening crowds like in world showcase during holidays? Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

 

[HM2012Butler]

President's Day crowds get bad but I think you're actually expecting worse than it really is. The days after the holiday are less crowded than the three-day weekend itself. President's Day certainly isn't one of the BIG holidays. I think you will be ok. February isn't the worst time to be there. And the weather is very nice compared to August.

 

[mjkacmom]

Flights will be very expensive, so watch airfares. Get a guidebook for planning, plan what parks on what days based on crowd calendars, book ADR's and fast passes when your window opens.

 

[Jan2016]

Thank you both for your responses!
HM2012butler - oh how I hope you're right!!
Mjkacmom - for flights we hope to redeem miles so should be able to save some there. And for planning I will subscribe to Touring Plans (unless others recommend something else!) so hopefully that helps!

 

[HM2012Butler]

Thank you both for your responses!
HM2012butler - oh how I hope you're right!!
Mjkacmom - for flights we hope to redeem miles so should be able to save some there. And for planning I will subscribe to Touring Plans (unless others recommend something else!) so hopefully that helps!

It will be more crowded than say, the week after you're there but it certainly isn't one of the worst. If I had to rate it I would say its a 7/10 that week. Monday will likely be the most crowded day of your trip but since you're not planning to hit the parks that day, you should be pretty set!

 

[ArwenMarie]

It's very crowded but waiting to go to the parks on Tues will help. But I would go with a holiday mindset if that makes sense. It's a very busy week

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

I agree with 7/10 crowd level. If you plan well, utilize RD, and make good use of FP+ you should be fine. We've always had quite enjoyable trips during that week.

 

[Jan2016]

Wow - thanks everyone! So does trying to see Epcot world showcase when we arrive on Presidents' Day seem like a good idea? I thought that we could cover some ground there which would give us more time to enjoy the rest of Epcot and the other parks for the other 4 days, and then we can hit the ground running on Tuesday.

 

[im4pacers1]

Wow - thanks everyone! So does trying to see Epcot world showcase when we arrive on Presidents' Day seem like a good idea? I thought that we could cover some ground there which would give us more time to enjoy the rest of Epcot and the other parks for the other 4 days, and then we can hit the ground running on Tuesday.

I say, yes! Go! It is a bonus day, anyway. Even if all you get to do is walk around and be there, that is something, at least to me, anyway. To add on an extra day is next to nothing in the grand scheme of things.

 

[ArwenMarie]

If you're at BLT and are adding an extra ticket day, I would use it to go over to MK for a few hours on arrival and just see it as a bonus day. Use your three FPs, maybe knock out one land. But I can never get enough MK time! Epcot would be fun too, but more of a trek for just a few park hours (the monorail and then hoofing it back to World Showcase)

 

[Jan2016]

Thanks again for all your input! I think I will just get 5 day passes and decide later on which park to hit on our "bonus" arrival day. Maybe I'll even add a 6th day depending on what time our flight home is!

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

We went during President's week for many years before our oldest DD started college - then she wasn't off that week. It was crowded but not that bad especially not like Spring Break. Also the year that President's week was bad was when it coincided with Mardi Gras. You will be good next year. Mardi Gras is the week after President's week. We always went to the park on President's Day. You can go to EPCOT but we always went to MK at night. About 7pm because it used to be open past midnight. Now with the earlier hours I don't know when it will close. We love MK at night - you get much more done than during the day. Not sure how late your kids will handle. I would definitely do the 5 day park pass.
Enjoy!

 

[OhMari]

I would call this time of year as young married couples with toddlers/babies visiting their parents in Florida. We usually visit this time of year. The parks started to get crowded after Presidents Day, for The Princess Marathon. If you plan your ADR's in advance and your Fast Passes, you will be fine. Me and my husband always say, the walkways are crowded, but the lines for the rides are short.

 

[Jan2016]

Excellent!!! Thanks so much everyone! I just booked BLT and am finally excited, rather than apprehensive about the crowds!!