Early Oct. or Late Feb.

[GoldenOwner]

I'm debating between an early Oct. (2011) visit to the World or a late Feb. (2012) visit. DH and I are not able to go on our "regular" summer vacation (fishing in Canada with his family) next summer because I can't get that specific time off, so we decided we would like to go back to Florida. Our last trip was early December 2009-it was a wonderful trip overall, but was maybe a bit cool for swimming (although we still managed to do so!). We have been in late Feb. before and it was chilly then, but that may have been the luck of the draw.

Pros for October: should be plenty warm enough to swim (we prefer the "quiet pools" at the mods which don't seem to be heated) plus I want to visit Typhoon Lagoon, we can do HHN at Universal, already have free dining booked (we would be starting our vacation at the very end of Sept.), Food and wine at Epcot
Cons for October: could be quite a bit hotter/more humid than we would like, our preferred airline may not be flying to FL from Iowa during the fall

Pros for February: It will be our 10 year anniversary, cooler weather for touring, going to Florida when it's freezing/snowing at home
Cons for February: Probably will be too cold to swim comfortably, no "fun" extras like HHN or F&W, winter weather may impact our flight(s)

Which time frame would you prefer?

 

[Robo]

October

 

[Sherrkel]

If you choose Feb 2012 make sure it doesn't coincide with President's day and that whole week, or with Mardi Gras. Both are busy times .

Personally I'd choose Oct if I had the option:
pros: it's closer than Feb
cons: none I can recall, but haven't been in Oct since mid-90s - before our DD started school.

 

[beccasmom]

February is nice - if often a bit too chilly to swim - but can be crowded from Presidents' Day onward. Early in the month is better to avoid crowds, IMHO.

October is one of the few months we have not visited WDW. I would bet it beats the hotter summer months, but could still be warm-ish.

I think I'd choose October if early February is not an option.

 

[vicki_c]

I find early October too hot but love February. One advantage to October is getting to go to Food & Wine. Also, you could do the Halloween party if you wanted.

 

[Teamubr]

Both?

 

[OhioDisneyDad]

My wife & I did late Sept - first week of Oct. this year for the F&W Festival and loved it. We usually go in January or a couple weeks before Xmas. Early October was great and you also get MNSSHP (loved that). It was a little warm a couple days but not too bad (I don't like hot & humid so that's saying something). The crowds were low except for Epcot on the weekends and then it was MADNESS (all the locals come out for F&W). Never been in Feb. but I figure it's a lot like January which can be a little dicey on weather (it can get COLD). I'd say you really can't go wrong with either choice but Oct. wins for me because of F&W and MNSSHP. Enjoy!

 

[Pakey]

My wife & I did late Sept - first week of Oct. this year for the F&W Festival and loved it. We usually go in January or a couple weeks before Xmas. Early October was great and you also get MNSSHP (loved that). It was a little warm a couple days but not too bad (I don't like hot & humid so that's saying something). The crowds were low except for Epcot on the weekends and then it was MADNESS (all the locals come out for F&W). Never been in Feb. but I figure it's a lot like January which can be a little dicey on weather (it can get COLD). I'd say you really can't go wrong with either choice but Oct. wins for me because of F&W and MNSSHP. Enjoy!

The weather for this time period in 2010 was unusual. In 21 visits, this was the most perfect weather I've ever had at WDW. Usually it's hot and humid.

I would go in October if going to the Food & Wine and/or MNSSHP is important to you. Otherwise, you have better chance of good weather in February. I would not go in February if your choice is around the Presidents holiday.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

If you went in October you'd be there for MK/WDW's 40th birthday on October 1st. I'm not sure if they are planning anything special yet.

Oh, and I vote October since it's sooner!!

 

[GoldenOwner]

Thanks all. I think I'll keep Oct. If it seems too warm, maybe I can get DH to go to the waterparks more often! We're (I'm) rope drop kinda people, so we should be able to do most of what we want before it would get too warm.

 

[julirina]

Personally I'd choose Oct if I had the option:
pros: it's closer than Feb

 

[ZoZo]

Be warned that early October can be extremely hot and humid (not just "a little"). I was there in October 2009, and we had record-breaking highs (90+ degrees nearly every day, and very humid). I've been there five or six times in October, and only once was the weather just warm and pleasant - the rest of the time it was uncomfortably hot.

If that makes a difference in your decision, be warned!

 

[sjs314]

I am with the others who voted for early October, the crowds are lower and you will have MNSSHP and F&W at Epcot, also although nothing has been announced for WDW 40th Anniversary, I am sure there will be something going on to kick off the year of celebrations like in years past on Oct 1st

Follow this link to compare, weather temps, humidity levels etc for the time periods you want to visit......I checked 2008,2009,2010 before booking my trip for Sept 29 to Oct 5
http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KMCO/2008/9/29/WeeklyHistory.html?req_city=NA&req_state=NA&req_statename=NA