February '04 Trip - Suggestions?

[Artuero]

My wife and I are taking our daughter (5) and son (will be 4) to DisneyWorld and are thinking about the first week in February as a good time for us to go. If anyone has thoughts and tips about this time of year I'd love to hear them. In particular, our kids love to swim and I was hoping that it wouldn't be too cold.

We went last year in May and found the crowds pretty manageable; maybe a little heavy on weekends. Having read that February is a pretty quiet time in the parks (other than presidents day weekend) I am thinking we will enjoy it even more.

On our last trip, we stayed at OKW courtesy of a friend (only had to pay the years' DVC dues), and were spoiled by the kitchen and separate bedrooms. Looking to get that kind of space again makes me think we will stay off site, maybe rent a vacation home for the week so we can have our own pool. The Disney hotels just look too expensive for multi-room suites.

Any tips will be welcome.

Thanks,

Artu

 

[jcemom]

We will be there Feb 3-12 with DS's (10, 9) and DD (1). My boys will swim regardless of the weather, I'm sure. (Coming from below-freezing PA, and with a heated pool, anything will feel warm to them.)

I used to live in Orlando, and the winter weather was unpredictable. We have spent DH's early February birthday at the beach. I also read here on the boards that last year was practically freezing at that time.

Most likely, it will be warm (low 70's) during the day, and cool (50's) at night. So, depending on where you're from...
...for us, that's shorts and tee weather! With maybe a sweatshirt over top at night. lol

I've also read (only been there once in early Feb a LONG time ago) that crowds are VERY low at that time of year. So, we can look forward to riding with litte or no waiting in line. Gotta love that!

Hopefully others will have some tips for both of us!

OH...WELCOME TO THE DIS!

 

[Artuero]

Thanks. We'll be coming from Chicago, so likewise will be sick of the cold weather and anything above 50 is going to seem like summer. I'll get the pool heated as it can't hurt to do so.

Based on what I have read here it does look like a non-busy time to go which should add to the fun. I am surprised at how excited I am about this trip even though it is a pretty long ways away.

I want to stay off-site this time so I can compare the experience at OKW to a rental home. Though I imagine, and other people can chime in, that OKW is less of a "magic" type place. Don't get me wrong, I loved it, but it isn't that different from golf course resorts I have been to as far as the rooms go. I suppose one of these days we will have to bite the bullet and try out the Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge, Contemporary or one of the other classic Disney hotels.

 

[kilee]

We were there this year 2/7-2/15. The weather in the afternoon was great. Them mornings and evenings were cool (long pants and a sweatshirt). Most afternoons were right around the 70 mark. We did only swim twice though because the water just wasn't heated warm enough. We are from NY--- so it was great to escape the cold.

The biggest factor is weather. This plays into your getting there. Driving or flying can be delayed drastically at that time of year--- so be prepared to be flexible by a day or 2. On our trip home we got caught in that huge blizzard in West Virginia that burried the Eastern states. It delayed us quite a bit.

The crowds were moderate. This wasn't President's Week (when we got there) and MK was still pretty crowded. (non EMH day), but all the other parks were very managable.

 

[44disney]

We went in mid - late Feb of '99. The first few days were COLD (and I'm from Buffalo). One morning it was in the high 20s! Of course, it warmed up later in the day (probably to the 50s), and later in the trip it was in the high 60s. I suggest dressing in layers - that way you'll be prepared for anything. Also, if you have lightweight gloves I would bring them. I actually had to buy my son gloves at the MK on that freezing morning. On the plus side, not many people were there! Obviously, we didn't go swimming, but I have heard that the water parks are heated year round so it would be possible to swim.

 

[AMF1218]

I would try and see if you can rent points from a DVC member on the DVC board. OKW is still a Disney resort even if it might be in a less magical location. IMHO your trip staying off site would not be able to compare to the one you had at OKW. Points totals aren't too high that time of year and you might be able to get in at BCV or VWL (which are very magical areas) and there for still have the extra amenities you liked.

Should be worth checking into.

 

[Elaine Guidi]

We were there 7 Feb - 21 Feb this year, we found it warm enough for shorts and t-shire morning - evening with a sleeved top during the evening. We did swim a few nights and although chilly on exit it was lovely in the water. We went to TL and Wet and Wild and found it pleasant, but this is compared to February British weather. As the second week included Presidents Weekend the first week was comparably quiet but we avoided the parks during the weekend and found the rest of the second week good, 15 minute wait at most on the rides.

 

[Rpsemont]

We have gone four years at that time and have only NOT been able to swim once. There was another year that we swam, but it was really too cool for the water park. We LOVE going that time of year. Crowds are really light, weather is usually good. Go while you can, now that DD is 8, we really feel we have to go Pres. Week! I think renting points is a great idea for that time period. It's really an economical way to get great accomodations for Sunday through Thursday nights. You'd need to stay elsewhere for Fri - Sat nights to keep costs down. Just keep in mind you probably have to pack more than usual. You need to be prepared for cooler or warmer temperatures.

 

[melee]

Hi Artuero! Our friends rented a vacation home in mid February a few years ago. They didn't pay the extra fee to have the pool heater running (figuring "Hey, we're from Maine. How cold can Florida pool water be?") The water was so cold that the grownups didn't get in at all and the kids could only stay in for short periods of time. I don't know if making you pay extra for the pool heater is standard rental policy or not. I just wanted to give you a heads up.

We're planning our third mid february trip ('98, '01, '04). We have always had pleasant weather and have enjoyed the (heated) resort pools.

Have a great trip!

melee

 

[maps]

we've gone the last week of feb for a couple of yrs and yes the weather can be unpredictable.
in one week, we went from jeans and sweatshirts to tanks and shorts.
i had plans to stay in carribbean beach resort 2/04 but the prices are much higher than if we stayed in the same vacation home we had this year (plus we can extend the length of the trip)

it was a no brainer for me:
half the price for a full home with pool (get it heated) and
able to stay 3 days longer

don't believe people that you won't get the "disney magic" being offsite. you're vacation is what you make of it and we have just as many memories staying offsite.

 

[Artuero]

Thanks all, this is really helpful info. I imagine we will be going quite a few more times over the next 10-15 years, and I'd like to stay off site this time so that I have a frame of reference for future trips. It'll be a great trip no matter what so if the accomodations are less than ideal, we'll chalk it up to experience.

I'm glad to hear that swimming is usually possible-- I'll definitely pay the heating fee. That's one of the reasons for staying off site as well; the private pool could be a big plus as it can be a bit of an ordeal to get the kids ready to go to the resort pool. This way we can swim whenever we like, even if it is just for a little while where otherwise we wouldn't make the effort.

At this age the kids aren't huge water park fans, plus they are pretty fair skinned and can't stay out in the sun all day, so if it's too cold for the water park I don't think we'll miss it.

Good point about the increased packing requirements. That'll be a pain but much better to be prepared than uncomfortable half of the time.

This is a great forum, thanks again.

 

[melee]

If your vacation home has a washer/dryer it could really save you from having to pack a ton of clothes.

 

[Elaine Guidi]

I must admit I was over cautious and took enough clothes for everyone in the event of hot and cold weather. As it turned out we were like 20 steps from the laundrette and it was reasonable to use the washers/dryers. When we go again - and it will possibly be Feb as it worked so well this time - I will take half/half and plan to wash clothes. Its no real hastle really as you pop down, put in the wash and go back for it finishing, no problem!

 

[Artuero]

We used the washer/dryer at OKW and agree that it was really nice to be able to do so; it adds a great deal of flexibility to packing and where the kids have favorite clothes that they want to wear at the parks, it can help us give them what they want. Now I've just got to find the right place to stay.