February 2013 Discount Watch

[aubreysmom09]

Hi all!! This is my first post altho I've been using this helpful site for years.
Going to Disney Feb 7th-13th, staying at French Quarter.
(Luckily the kids here on the MS Gulf Coast get out of school for three days every yr for Mardi Gras.)

2 yrs ago we took advantage of that & the *international* cheer comp. was going on. It didn't cause the parks/lines to be overly crowded but some of the girls were very obnoxious, cheering the name of their home countries at the TOP of THEIR LUNGS in the lines, ugh....
Otherwise, it was a GREAT time to go!

Here are the dates for the cheer/dance competitions in Feb & March, according to ESPN Wide World of Sports/Disney (can't post the link since I'm brand new)

February 2 - 3, 2013
UDA National Dance Team Championship
Held in the HP Field House and Jostens® Center at ESPN and the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Theater at Hollywood Studios.

February 9 - 10, 2013
UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship
Held in the HP Field House and Jostens® Center at ESPN and the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Theater at Hollywood Studios.

February 15 - 18, 2013
Twirl Mania

March 2 - 4, 2013
2013 Contest of Champions Nationals
Cheerleading and Dance Competition held in the HP Field House at ESPN.

March 9, 2012 - March 10, 2013
2013 UCA/UDA International All Star Championship
Held in the HP Field House and Jostens® Center at ESPN and the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Theater at Hollywood Studios.

March 16 - 17, 2013
AmeriCheer / AmeriDance International Championships
Thousands of the most elite cheerleaders and dancers hit the mat for the AmeriCheer & AmeriDance InterNational Championships at the Walt Disney World® Resort.

Nice we would be checking in on the 3 and leaving the morning of the 9th.. Thanks for the info

 

[ErinsMommy]

Thank you LaurieO for the info and welcome to DIS!! =)

 

[ErinsMommy]

Here's to hoping that if they come out with something for January, they don't forget us early-mid stayers in February.

 

[dreams4disney]

Going the first of February for the first time. I am super excited to see what the parks are like that time of year.

 

[HPS3]

Hoping for free dining too! Really worried since they haven't come out yet, as usually they have by now.

 

[Sally]

Well thankfully we booked for Feb 3-9 so we get the off week of the cheerleaders. Now if FD comes out we can change from camping to a resort, whatever makes hubby happiest. Either way it will be a great time!!

 

[cindyfan]

Both DD's just decided to do the Princess Marathon.....
so really need discounts starting Feb 21st - thru - Feb 28th!!

 

[CraigInPA]

Hoping for free dining too! Really worried since they haven't come out yet, as usually they have by now.

If you check allears historical log of discounts, you'd see that free dining is typically preceded by a room discount offer by about a week. Last year, the room discount was 8-3. The previous year, a week later. Free dining didn't get offered until 2 weeks later in 2011, and much longer in 2010. IIRC, Free dining didn't get offered until October or November in 2009.

I predict we'll see a room discount offered within the next week, and free dining by the end of August.

For those of you on the fence, remember that booking a room now means that Disney will see less excess capacity and may hold back on offering free dining even longer. So, if you absolutely need FD to make your trip work, do not book anything!

Craig

 

[PrincessHanasMom]

I am a total WDW novice. Is there any realistic possibility of getting FD the week of Presidents Day (16th-23rd)?

 

[mom2princesses2]

I am a total WDW novice. Is there any realistic possibility of getting FD the week of Presidents Day (16th-23rd)?

Welcome to the smart insanity of Disney planning!!

It will depend upon when FD is offered and when you will check in. FD won't likely be offered the Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Monday of Presidents Day weekend. So if you check in any of those days (or any other that are blacked out), you won't be eligible for FD. However, FD is offered up to an including the Thursday before Presidents Day weekend (which has happened in previous years) and you check in during that period, you will be eligible for FD even if you stay takes you into or over Presidents Day weekend (or any blacked out dates).

The rule is, as long as you check-in on a day that falls during the FD dates, your whole trip is eligible for FD. The same can not be said for check-out dates...it only applies to check-in dates.

Since you are a WDW newbie, I just want to give you a helpful FYI: Presidents Day weekend (and the rest of the that week) have some of the highest crowds at the parks. Be prepared to wait in lines and lots of them.

Good luck with the rest of your planning!!!

 

[LovinPooh]

LAst year when they threw out the discounts they made a mistake and had it start on the Friday before Pres Day. So I go nabbed it lol! The guy on the phone told me it was a mistake but I could use it. They actually didnt fix it for a couple days, then it went to Thurs. So just be on your game when it comes to looking lol... I am sure they wont be making the same mistake twice. But def check everyday.
Good luck!
I am shooting for a end of Feb deal this year.

 

[PrincessHanasMom]

Welcome to the smart insanity of Disney planning!!

It will depend upon when FD is offered and when you will check in. FD won't likely be offered the Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Monday of Presidents Day weekend. So if you check in any of those days (or any other that are blacked out), you won't be eligible for FD. However, FD is offered up to an including the Thursday before Presidents Day weekend (which has happened in previous years) and you check in during that period, you will be eligible for FD even if you stay takes you into or over Presidents Day weekend (or any blacked out dates).

The rule is, as long as you check-in on a day that falls during the FD dates, your whole trip is eligible for FD. The same can not be said for check-out dates...it only applies to check-in dates.

Since you are a WDW newbie, I just want to give you a helpful FYI: Presidents Day weekend (and the rest of the that week) have some of the highest crowds at the parks. Be prepared to wait in lines and lots of them.

Good luck with the rest of your planning!!!

Thanks for the help. Unfortunately, thats when my daughter is off school, and we booked our frequent flyer miles airline tickets before I found out about the WDW Presidents Day chaos.
These boards have become my nightly obsession, so I'll be keeping an eye out for any tips that may be offered on how to manage the chaos.

 

[ilovepete]

We are hoping for free dining in Feb as well. I can't wait!

 

[5terre]

PrincessHannahsMom We went during President's Day week last year and, with some strategies, we had an amazing time and never waited in line. We arrived before the parks opened every day and utilized Fastpass and considered ideas from touring plans. Every afternoon we had pool time. Have a great trip.

 

[PrincessHanasMom]

PrincessHannahsMom We went during President's Day week last year and, with some strategies, we had an amazing time and never waited in line. We arrived before the parks opened every day and utilized Fastpass and considered ideas from touring plans. Every afternoon we had pool time. Have a great trip.

5terre, thanks for the words or encouragement!! Everyone keeps scaring me. Just curious: did you avoid EMH days? And, what touring plans did you use/consider?

 

[LovinPooh]

We didnt think Pres week was that unbearable either. The one thing that we thoguht was the best esp at MK, was beign there at night during EMH. Walked onto everythign. Its def busy. But like my DH said, this place always is lol.
dont worry, you will have a good time. Its not like new years lol

 

[mrsfelix]

We are hoping for an early March free dining, like we got last year - fingers crossed they announce something soon!

 

[Jennifer_W]

Bump!

 

[YesMickey]

Subscribing. Looking to go Mardi Gras weekend also. Kinda bummed the kids aren't out for Wednesday next year also, but we decided we would let them miss school the Friday before instead. Last time we went during Mardi Gras it was awesome. No lines for anything. I remember riding Test Track and the CMs just told us we could stay on the ride because nobody was in line because 1. the fireworks were starting soon and 2. The Super Bowl was taking place. This year the Super Bowl is the week before Mardi Gras in New Orleans of all places. I expect plenty of New Orleans people getting out of there for those two weeks. Unless of course, the Saints are playing.

 

[5terre]

5terre, thanks for the words or encouragement!! Everyone keeps scaring me. Just curious: did you avoid EMH days? And, what touring plans did you use/consider?

Yes, we avoided EMH parks, that is a major strategy. They say the only time to go to a morning EMH park is if you can be there before rope drop and then leave by late morning as the crowds get big. I liked easyWDW.com, check out his detailed crowd calendar, he explains 'why' and it really helped me learn. I had created my own touring plan using a combo of his, The Unofficial Guide, and touringplans, and discovered that I didn't necessarily need an exact schedule - arriving before rope drop and getting to the popular rides immediately and using Fastpass was really all we needed. And knowing what rides are generally not crowded; so for example when arriving at MK at rope drop, head to Dumbo (long lines all day and no FP), and visit Hall of Presidents during a busier time of day (lines are not usually long at this attraction).