Do the Daytona races have any effect on travel to WDW???

[hopetoseedisney]

We are flying stand-by on February 13th to Orlando for our first trip to WDW. While the flights look good so far, I know it can change in an instant. I am trying to prepare for the possibility of being bumped from the flight. I noticed that Nascar has a few Daytona races from Feb 12 up until the big Daytona 500 on the 20th. We are planning on leaving on the 18th (Friday) due to that being President's Day weekend. So, does anyone think that there will be an influx in travel through the Orlando Airport due to the races or President's Day weekend??? Thanks.

 

[rflorek]

A lot of my friends who go to that race actually fly into Orlando & stay there (the hotels are cheaper than they are in Daytona). Not sure about the flights that day though. Most of them go down fo the whole Speedweeks (2 weekends of racing). Good luck & enjoy WDW!

Robyn

 

[Maliki2]

We are flying stand-by on February 13th to Orlando for our first trip to WDW. While the flights look good so far, I know it can change in an instant. I am trying to prepare for the possibility of being bumped from the flight. I noticed that Nascar has a few Daytona races from Feb 12 up until the big Daytona 500 on the 20th. We are planning on leaving on the 18th (Friday) due to that being President's Day weekend. So, does anyone think that there will be an influx in travel through the Orlando Airport due to the races or President's Day weekend??? Thanks.

I can't believe it will. I'm going down on the 15th and leaving Disney on the morning of the 20th to head to the race myself.

 

[jctwizzer]

Between the Daytona races and President's weekend, the impact on the entire WDW area is substantial....which is why we're leaving on the 16th.
Good luck

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

We are flying stand-by on February 13th to Orlando for our first trip to WDW. While the flights look good so far, I know it can change in an instant. I am trying to prepare for the possibility of being bumped from the flight. I noticed that Nascar has a few Daytona races from Feb 12 up until the big Daytona 500 on the 20th. We are planning on leaving on the 18th (Friday) due to that being President's Day weekend. So, does anyone think that there will be an influx in travel through the Orlando Airport due to the races or President's Day weekend??? Thanks.

It absolutely does. Off-site hotels jack up the prices and traffic is busy because of the 500. Many people stay in Orlando to go to WDW and make the drive to Daytona for the race. This is probably why the really good WDW resort discounts end Feb. 12. Disney knows the race crowds are coming!

 

[hopetoseedisney]

Thanks for the replies. I'm concerned because we are flying stand-by, and was hoping we could avoid the crowds. I made a mistake, we are flying in on the 12th, and leaving on the 18th. I'm not really concerned with the 12th, because I think we will make it, however, I'm concerned with getting back on the 18th -- but I am thinking more people will be coming into Orlando versus leaving Orlando. What would you guys do??? This is our first trip, and it has been rescheduled a bunch of times due to my father's health situation. This is probably the only time we will have an opportunity to go this year. I want to go when it's not going to be crowded though -- should we move our trip to the first week in February????

 

[Drizzo67]

We were in Florida Wed Feb 11 to Tues Feb 17 in 2004. Daytona was that Sunday and President's day was that Monday. The crowds were great Wed to Fri but by Saturday they started getting heavy.... Not crazy heavy but not a light as mid week. President's day - we saw a lot of people but no line was too long that we wouldn't wait. Couldn't have been too bad. We are going back again. Hope this helps.

 

[debbiedoo]

I have been this time of the year, very busy, all hotels are sold out, and trying to get into a Perkins, yeah right. Lots of people for the UK, the guys go to the race and the women and kids go to disney, universal, and sea world. Good luck!!!!

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Oh, if you can move it up to the first week of February, I'd do it now. Run...don't walk! I don't know where you're flying in from, but I'll bet you'll save money and get a substantial credit from your airline because the rates, and crowds, typically skyrocket after the 12th. Also, you'll save money because before Feb. 17, Disney hotels are in value season. After, they're in peak season, which can cost you much, much more. Check out www.mousesavers.com to see if you can find a discount code. I'm telling you this out of experience. We were planning on flying down Feb. 24th for 10 days, but changed plans to Feb. 4th because of the savings. Our Delta tickets went from $550 round trip to $129, and our AKL reservations dropped $100 per night. Call the airlines to check it out, it'll be worth it! Besides...you'd rather be there earlier anyway!

 

[vacanut]

I don't believe you will have any trouble getting in on the 12th, as the big race, Daytona 500 isn't until the 20th. I am actually leaving Feb 11 and staying in Disney until the 16th, then heading to Daytona for the long weekend. We went down a few years ago and did the same stayed in Disney for 5 days and Daytona 5 days and there wasn't much of a crowd in Disney, I hope you enjoy your vacation, don't worry so much and ENJOY sounds like you really need this vacation.