Best time to go?Last week Jan, first week Feb? help

[Tina1]

Trying to decide which week is best. We usually go at a different time period. HELP

 

[Hootch]

I'm not sure there is a major difference between the two from a Disney perspective. Crowds will be low both weeks. The weather will be about the same. You are not there during either MLK or Presidents' Day. I don't see any rehabs that will be impacted by choosing either week.

If you are flying, I would choose based on what rates or flights are cheaper/more convenient.

 

[JennyDrake]

Both weeks will be the same for crowds and weather.

 

[amylevan]

The only difference is that the HS Cheerleading Nationals is always at the end of the first full week in February. That shouldn't affect crowds in the parks too much, but it will affect those staying at the affected resorts.

That said, we were there both weeks in 2014 and there was no noticeable difference in our 2 week stay.

 

[jess20k]

About the same..One thing to note is that we have gone either the last week of Jan or first week of Feb many many times, because of the low crowds. This past Jan we went the last week and it was crowded, I mean like crowded like when we have gone busier times of the year. I hope it was just a fluke, and it is not that way all the time anymore. There were some large tour groups too. It was almost as crowded as when we went this past May the week before Memorial Day.

 

[Tina1]

Thanks everyone. Im pricing the flights now. I am leaning toward the first week of Feb. Just have to get the flights down. Might try one of the smaller airlines, but the extras they charge are so confusing. I miss the days when the airlines were more friendly

 

[Kristine316]

We have gone both weeks. In January 2011 we went the last week of the month.
It was a perfect trip with beautiful weather and low crowds. I remember that week was all predicted to be like 1's and 2's.. And it was definitely our best trip in terms of lower crowds. The first week of February in 2012 was similar for us crowd wise but, it was busier.

We are going back the first week of February in 2016. The crowd calendars are not 1's and 2's anymore.. In fact a few of those days that week are predicted to be moderate to higher crowds, certainly not low.
From what I have been hearing from friends and family who have traveled that time period in the past couple years, things have changed a lot since our 2011/2012 trips.. Things are much busier. Maybe compared to other times of year the crowds aren't bad but, just like with September every year those less crowded times get more and more crowded.

 

[boufa]

I STRONGLY recommend the last week of January... only because I will be there the first week of Feb, and that would be one less person in line in front of me... lol.

As for crowd calendars... those are based on wait times, and not actual bodies in the park. Since they are only stand by wait times, it is a partial snapshot of actual crowds. This is becoming an issue for them. Don't know how else they can figure it out though.

 

[nervous1sttimer]

I STRONGLY recommend the last week of January... only because I will be there the first week of Feb, and that would be one less person in line in front of me... lol.

But I would recommend avoiding the last week of January for the exact same reason!

 

[EdmondD]

If it matters to you, I think Splash is always down for a couple weeks every January (we've missed it a couple times because of that). Might want to see when that's been down historically...again, if that one ride makes a difference.

 

[sonocruiser]

About the same..One thing to note is that we have gone either the last week of Jan or first week of Feb many many times, because of the low crowds. This past Jan we went the last week and it was crowded, I mean like crowded like when we have gone busier times of the year. I hope it was just a fluke, and it is not that way all the time anymore. There were some large tour groups too. It was almost as crowded as when we went this past May the week before Memorial Day.

We had the complete opposite experience

sonocruiser said: ↑
We are headed back at the end of Jan. We did the same week last year and had a blast! We never felt like it was crowded. In fact we walked on to alot of rides and had minimal waits for the bigger attractions. We even snagged FP's for SDMT from the kiosk at the park after our first 3 were used up. Shorter hours at the park might be a problem for some, but we just stayed all day with no break and then were able to get a good nights sleep and do it again with no problem (with a 4 yo). For us the weather was perfect, jeans and tee shirts, but we did see some people wearing jackets. We didn't go expecting to use the pools or anything if that is important to you. 2 years ago we went to DL the first week of December and it was beautiful with all the decorations, to me that was the only negative of going in Jan- no holiday magic

 

[yooperfan]

Splash is scheduled to reopen the 14th I believe. Make sure the airline you choose is on the list for Magic Express or you will have to pay out of pocket to from and back to the airport. That can be a big pic of change so make sure when comparing airlines you figure it in.

 

[larryz]

Jan 18 to Feb 6 resort rates are priced as "value season" meaning WDW doesn't expect crowds in either week.

 

[amylevan]

Splash is scheduled to reopen the 14th I believe. Make sure the airline you choose is on the list for Magic Express or you will have to pay out of pocket to from and back to the airport. That can be a big pic of change so make sure when comparing airlines you figure it in.

It is free to use ME no Matter what airline you fly. The only difference is when you fly out-whether you can check in at the resort or have to wait until you get to the airport.

 

[anniemae]

you can't go wrong crowd wise with either week. Will be slow, IMO a great time to go if you can swing it.