February, March, or April?

[eeyore29]

If you've visited WDW during these months in the past, how would you rate the following: crowds, weather, prices, park hours, special events, and fireworks/parade schedules?

We're pretty flexible with our schedules. I just want try to plan a fun vacation that does't cost an arm & a leg. And I want to pick a week where short hours, large crowds, bad weather, or anything else won't ruin our vacation (and that means you, HURRICANES!). I know nothing's a guarantee, I'm just hoping you all can share some of your wisdom regarding vacations in the late winter/early spring months.

Thank you all for your help & suggestions (sorry if I'm posting this in the wrong place)!

 

[bamajill]

February will probably be less crowded, but cooler. If you want to ride water rides, it might be a bit chilly.

We went this year (April 14-21) and even then, we had sweatshirts on daily (except for the very last day)....we were cold watching Fantasmic (water didn't help, lol)...and crowds were still very manageable. I'm sure Feb. has its benefits, but if the cool days kept me off Splash Mountain, I'd be sad....

Good luck deciding and have fun, whenver you go!

 

[eeyore29]

I think we'll be ok if it's too chilly to hit the water parks. We're not really into them & we've never gone to them yet. But then again, I'm with you on the whole Splash Mountain thing!

Thanks! Keep 'em comin', Dis-er's!

 

[floridagirrl2]

February! March and April can be too hot (although you can also have some beautiful weather if you're lucky). DH and I are going to a continuing education class in Orlando this Sunday, so we're slipping in a day at WDW on Saturday, but I normally don't go at such a warm time of year.

 

[LilMagic2000]

I would go ahead and say February-it may be a bit cooler, but then again, it's Florida, and you never know...last December, we all had to slip into one of the shops and buy t-shirts because it was warm, and we all packed thicker clothing!!
Although these three months are considered to be "the off season" to go, some parents of the students in my preschool class complained of crowds when they tried to go at the END of February. We get time off for Mardi Gras, and schools close, so many families try to take advantage of that, and squeeze in a trip to the World. They said that they experienced crowds a little bigger than they had expected (Mardi Gras tends to fall somewhere in the last two weeks of February).
You should have no problem as far as the crowds go in the beginning of February or in March-but the closer you get to April, you start to tred in "Spring Break" territory, and the crowds tend to swell up again.
As far as I know, the prices aren't much of a difference in these three months. The weather "should" be reasonably cool, and if you aren't looking forward to going to the water parks, then you shouldn't miss out on anything. We rode Splash Mountain anyway when we went and it was cold-we just sucked it up because it is one of our favorites! And Florida residents claim that for it to be down right COLD in February or March is rare.
I would go with early February or March. If it's all that cold when you arrive, you can always stick a change of clothes in a back pack, should your love of Splash Mountain sway any attempts to stay dry!

 

[eeyore29]

Thanks again!

OK...so now I'm kinda leaning toward the beginning of February...anyone else got any other info they wanna share?