Anyone Been In February?

[PigSoldier]

I've booked my next trip this morning, leaving in exactly one year's time, 8 nights on International Drive, then 7 in WDW!

Has anybody been in February, and can tell me what it's like then?

I thought crowds wouldn't be a problem, but looking at the figures, it looks like quite a busy time to go. I'm used to going at Easter, how would they compare?

And would the water parks be a very silly idea in winter?

 

[angel659]

Hi

I havent been in February. I have been keeping an eye on the weather. Recently its been cold. Here is a link to weather history of Florida.

http://www.wunderground.com/history...istory.html?dayend=25&monthend=2&yearend=1972

I am sure you will have a great time and the weather will be much better than here. There have been a few days when it was 80 and low 70's.

Hopefully someone who has been can advise you more.

 

[UKPhil]

Have a look at the thread "Advice re.staying off-site " on here for some stuff about February.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Never been in February Suzi but we went last March before Easter and the crowds were okay.
However, as the weather is a much discussed subject we found it was unpredictable (a word I seem to be using a lot of late), we had nice days/rainy days/pretty cold days...as far as water parks go I would just see what the temps. are when you arrive, I am sure you will have a brilliant time whatever the weather.

You could find temps. in the 80s or they could be in the 60s

 

[lagunn]

I love February its my favourite time to go.
Parks are not packed the weather can be unpredictable but i love it . I do not like the hot weather of May & June .

 

[Soprano]

Yes, twice in February!

Its an excellent time to go crowd-wise. It may be Presidents Week when you are going, which is busier, but not as bad as Easter or Summer. Most rides are a walk on without any kind of planning. Universal was very quiet.

Both times the weather was good for me. A few mornings were cool but no real cold days. Maybe one day with jeans. It was very dry and rained once on each trip.

It wasn't too cold to swim at anytime, but I think one of the water parks was shut due it being off peak.

My only gripe would be the parks tend to shut a little early. Especially Universal who had a few private functions going on sometimes.

I would go again in Februray, but want to try different months out while I can still take the children out of primary school without worrying about them getting behind in their work.

 

[jdybnsn]

Another vote for February here...been twice (2002 and 2004 ) and off again this Thursday !!
Would not have picked Presidents Week if I'd known earlier (we've only done first 2 weeks of Feb before) but we are going later this year hoping to ensure we get calmer seas for our cruise.

Weather previously has been great - not too hot.....not too cold...a bit like Summer here but without the light nights !

T shirt weather by day, fleece by night, in the majority of our experience (though this year, this last week the whole of the US seems to have had exceptionally cold weather for the time of year).

Swimming is fine as long as the pool is HEATED- which all the Disney ones and waterparks are. Normally, one or other of the waterparks is closed for rehab during the winter but mid Feb they both may be open by then.

Have fun !

 

[Miffy2003]

Whoo hoo Suzi!!

No advice, just wanted to celebrate your trip!

Which resorts are you staying at on I Drive and at WDW?

Oh actually I do have some advice. We were there in December 04 and it was unseasonably cold, but we still found a couple of days that were warm enough (just!) for BB. We had the park to ourselves, literally. I am sure if you get even only average temps you would be fine in the middle part of the day for a water park! Only one of the water parks will be open

 

[jax100]

we were there exactly a yr ago now. weather was great - we had a couple of dull days but nothing too drastic and the weather did seem to hit 80 in our final week. we were there the last 2 wks. we would not have picked then had we known about presidents day but i have to be honest and say it was fine. no worries re crowds and everything was very relaxed.
the only water park we did was wet n wild and it was fine not too cold. the hotel pool was cold most of the time despite telling us it was heated. so i would just make sure they have the heating on in the pool.

im sure u will enjoy yourselves. it is certainly warmer than the weather here so just get ready to count the single figures - which will be here before u r aware of it.

 

[martinrmn]

I am new to this forum so please be gentle. My family and I are going to Disney on December 2nd for two weeks staying on I Drive. My son will be 6 and so we are looking for any advice regarding queues, days to visit or not visit parks and if the water parks are open. This is our second time of going, last time was November 2004. Are things different with just several weks difference? Thanks in advance.

 

[Miffy2003]

Hi martinrmn and welcome to the Dis

You might be better off starting a new thread and asking your question so that folks who have been in December know to answer


Early December is possibly the best time to visit WDW as far as crowds go. You won't wait in much of a line for anything except the really popular attractions (and even those the lines will be shorter than normal).

There are some great extras in terms of stuff that goes on - you could try Mickey's Very Merry Xmas Party at MK, Osborne Lights at MGM, the Candlelight Processional at Epcot and of course the Xmas decorations are up everywhere at WDW so it is very magical. I recommend checking out some of the resorts too.

The only downsides I can think of are the parks will be open for less than at peak season (but at least it will be quiet so you can get so much more done!) and the weather can be rather changeable.

Some people experience great weather in December - I have heard it described as "perfect parks weather" as you can go round the parks and not get over heated. It can turn rather cold though so I recommend packing some warmer clothes as well as your shorts

 

[Miffy2003]

Sorry - forgot to add - yes one of the Disney waterparks will be open

I think Wet N Wild is open year round too but hopefully someone will confirm? This may be handier for you in an I Drive location

 

[LondonMom]

Hiya
I am off to Disney next week, so I will let you know next week what the weather/crowds are like. I know presidents week is the week on the third monday in Feb.

I would say this about weather though, of recent times in Florida its been unpredictable, not sure if its to do with the hurriccanes, as we've always found it affects the carribean islands for a couple of years after as well.
I went last year in
January - Freezing - clder there than here, had to buy kids and us warmer clothes (yet friends of our parents told us it was 80 the week before)
Whole of April - Quite cold at night, but heating up gradulally through the month.
End of May - my aunt went and it RAINED for whole 2 weeks - according to locals - they got unlucky!
beginning of June - I went Just perfect perfect florida weather
beginning of Sep - My parents went - perfect again
Beginning of Oct - I went. Rained for 5 of the 7 days - miserable.

Really what Im trying to say is you cant guaretee weather, I suppose the good thing is, theres no where on earth I can think of where there are more things to do on a rainy day!
Whatever happens, you'll have a great time, happy planning!

 

[petrymom]

Hi - we went the end of february, beginning of march last year!!!! It was awesome. It was COOL in the morning, but by midday It was definitely shorts weather. The lines were never very long. Daytona Bike week and spring break started when we left. At that time it was getting kind of busy, but I would go again in a heartbeat at that time of the year. (if I didn't have to pull my kids out of school for so long).

 

[basas]

Just came back (went Jan 31 to Feb 6), and it was great! Lines were mostly short (MK was busier on Sunday...80 minutes for Buzz, etc.), and temps were a little coolier at the end (although still plenty warm). You can easily do the water parks if you go on a warmer day. We made the mistake of leaving it to our very last day...was freezing. Temp was 58 as we we got off the chairlift to do Teamboat Springs! We were nearly the only ones there though! We did leave much earlier than usual because of the temps though (I swear the pool temp was like...65!!). Still, Feb is a great time to go!

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Must admit although we have to go in August, it was at times pretty cool most mornings when we went last March.
People were buying sweaters at the parks and as for Discovery Cove, the water was freezing and realy spoilt our day there, although having a 2 hour delay because of a thunderstorm did not help.

 

[PigSoldier]

Thankyou for your help everyone! I've spent several summers surfing in Cornwall, so I'm no stranger to swimming in the cold, I think I should manage the water parks fine!

I'm going to be staying in the Quality Inn International on I-Drive, and then probably Pop Century in Disney, although I'm shopping around, because Disney aren't taking 2007 reservations yet.

It's good to be back in obsessive planner mode, a year to go, and I've already got a list of possible restaurants drawn up

 

[jtlover]

I have just come back yesterday. Unfortunately we had the coldest weather for years - on record apparently We had a great time though - in the sun it was lovely. I would still go again in February. Parks are slightly quieter too.

 

[Soprano]

I have just come back yesterday. Unfortunately we had the coldest weather for years - on record apparently

Orlando High: 82 tomorrow

I hope it didn't spoil things for you.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Yep that's February (or March) for you 60 degrees one day and 80 the next.
At least when we are there in August we know we will fry