Disney in the beginning of Feb...any advice?

[sunnymom]

We have planned a trip to Disney the 1st week in Feb with 2 kids under 3. I was wondering what the weather is like. Can you use the waterparks, pools etc? What are the crowds like? Should we make priority seating arrangements? Does Cindy's castle fill up? Are the lines long? Any advice or info would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

The weather in Orlando can indeed be cool that time of year. Occasionally even downright cold. Generally jeans (with shorts available) and layering works. Water parks are limited usage IMHO.

Lines can be long but check out the tips on the boards and various books for working around them.

Never done Cindy's castle so no help there.

Deb

 

[Kate-n-sam]

Unfortunately this time of year can be hit or miss fir the weather. When we went we were lucky and it was close to 80 each day and gorgeous, but the day we left a cold front came through and it was 55 and rain, definately pants and jackets. I'd pack a variety of clothes to layer, and even a nice warm jacket. You can always check the weather.com before you go to help with packing.

As far as crowds, we found it to be pretty light. I'd still make PS's, especially for Cindy's which is generally full regardless of the time of year.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you on the weather!

Hope this helps

 

[jaret]

We have been twice at the beginning of Feb.The first was in 200 and we were always in shorts,the mornings and evenings were a bit cool(we had light jackets/sweaters to wear at that time of day)but were comfortable wearing shorts.We went this past Feb and we were in long pants and layered clothes most of the time.I did not bring enough warm clothes(a jacket or sweatshirt was required each day all day ,for the most part)I ended up buying fleece sweatshorts for everybody!!We had maybe 3 days of hot weather out of the 14 days we were there.One water park is open (the others are down for rehab)and we picked a warmer day to go(but they close if the crowds are not there).The resort pools are heated and my children swam most days.Some days they were too tired from the theme parks,we also live in Canada and our weather is cool(It was 30 below zero before we left)thus we were alble to deal with swimming in temps of 70
If you are going with young children I would make priority seating ,you do not want to end up waiting.I know with my son at 3 we ended up letting him eat in the room most days just to give him down time.For Cindy's I would make the ressie as soon as the time arrives.My TA this past trip forgot and I could not secure a ressie at all!!So good luck and enjoy you trip

 

[crisi]

We went last Feburary with a 2 year old and a 3 year old.

Pack jackets and long pants, and shorts and shirts. Bring a backpack so you can stuff the kids jackets into the backpack. If you check weather.com (we did) they will have a forecast for 10 days out - but they are about as right as any weatherman.

We did swim in the hotel pool - but it wasn't hot enough to make swimming a necessary part of the vacation. Don't count on swimming - sometimes it is very cold at this time of year. But don't leave the swimsuits at home (that would guarentee 90 degree weather!). Usually one of the big waterparks is closed for renovation during the month. The other is closed in January for the entire month. The WDW resort pools are heated.

Feburary can be very hit or miss, but it is generally cool enough in the morning and evening for a sweat****, warm enough in the afternoon that you really don't want the sweatshirt. Highs in the high 70s or low 80s - but you may only see 80 degrees for an hour or so in the afternoon.

Make PS arrangements for anything you'd be disappointed if you missed. You can generally walk in to many restaurants during the off season if you eat during non peak times, but some places are hard to walk into anytime during any season (Cindy's). I made PS arrangments about a month before we left, and couldn't get Chef Mickey's at any breakfast like time during our entire 7 day stay - but did get a seating for the character breakfast at the Poly for the date and time that was my first choice anyway (and I like the Poly). I had to get a seating at Mexico about 1/2 an hour off from my perferred time - the ideal time was booked - and I know when they sat us they were turning away anyone who didn't have PS.

 

[FeeFeeWhite]

We've been a lot this time of year. The younger (ones in strollers/getting carried) need long pants (with shorts in the backpack). Older 6? and up need what they want (which is usually shorts) and sweatshirts over everything else. My son like the pants that zip off at the bottom. It keeps us both happy. Be sure to pack gloves (and maybe winter hats) if you will not be returning to the room until very late. I've been there when they ran out of gloves in the stores and grown men were buying the large Mickey Hands for their warmth. That was one sight, especially on one body builder type guy! Hope this helps.

 

[padams]

We have been to WDW during the 1st week of Feb. for each of the last 4 years. DSs were 1 and 3 for our first trip. Everybody is correct that the weather is quite variable at that time. We wore jackets, sweatshirts, hats and mittens one year because the temperature was in the 40s (30s at night) and it drizzled most of the time. We did see people swimming in the pools on that trip but we didn't. This year, it was sunny and 80, 70s at night. The other 2 years were in between. Layering clothes does work best.

There is only one water park open during that time because the other one is down for rehab. I think the park open each time that we have been is Typhoon Lagoon. I can't recall Blizzard Beach being open, and River Country appears to be permanently closed.

With small children, you do need to make PS arrangements for any sit down restaurants so that you don' t have to wait long. The buffets are great because you don't have to wait for your food. I wouldn't do 3 sit down meals a day with young children. I would plan to eat counter service at least once a day. You will need to call for Cindy's on the first day that you can. You can wait until closer to your trip to make your other PSs but don't wait too late if, for example, you have your heart set on Chef Mickeys at 6:30 on Thursday.

The great aspect of an early Feb. trip is low crowd levels. The year that it was cold and drizzling, we walked onto every ride. On our other Feb. trips, 20 minutes has been our longest wait (we do use the fastpass as much as we can).

 

[AimeeM]

We were in WDW the last few days of January and the first few days of February this year. IT was in the 80's the entire time. We never even put a jacket on!! We usually go this time of year and out of 4 years in a row, we had one trip where it got chilly at night, and once the sun went down, we changed into jeans and sweatshirts. We have never needed gloves or hats. I always take at least two pairs of jeans and a light jacket. I could always wash clothes if I had to. We aslo rent a locker everyday for extra clothes and our jackets. We always take them, but didnt need them at all in Jan/Feb 02! My kids swam even on the trip we had when it was cold at night. The pools are heated. Its just the cold trip back to the room for them. As for rain, in 4 trips at 7-9 days a trip, we had it rain ONE time for about 5 minutes. that was it. We have been super lucky with rain!!

 

[aide4]

We went Feb 9-16 this year, the weather was great!!! One downpour of rain when we got off Kali River Rapids in Animal Kingdom, we just went back to the resort and changed, then back at it again!!! The kids swam every night, the pool was nice and warm. The day we left it was rainy, which just darkened our mood as we were having to leave that wonderful place!!!