February Questions!

[lynzi2004]

Our family is headed to WDW the first week of February 4-11. We were last there in April of this year, April 22-26. The weather in April was pleasant (we were camping at Fort Wilderness) and the kids were able to enjoy the pools, etc. It was more crowded than normal for that time of year bc Passover fell around that time and many Northeast schools were out. It didn't really effect us, but since our kids are not school age yet (DD started preschool this year) we decided we would like to go when most people would be in school. We are from the Midwest and although our winters aren't terrible, the thought of some warm Florida sunshine is appealing.

I know February weather can be all over the board, but for those that have gone in February, is swimming something you can consider most days, or is it more likely than not too cold to swim? I'm wondering if it might actually be a deal breaker and we should schedule for early May instead? The kids absolutely loved the mini slides at the resort!

Or by moving our vacation to May (probably 1st week), are we going to trade swimming time for more crowded parks/higher resort prices? Can anyone give me their thoughts or experiences?

 

[pens4821]

We went the third week this year and the weather was good for swimming. We had a day or maybe two in the high 60s, but other than that it was high 70s/low 80s. Was even nice to swim after the sun went down.

We went the last week of January two years ago, and it was in the 50s most the week (with lows in the high 30s low 40s). They closed the pools at sundown, but we were in during the day. Pools were heated, cold as heck getting out though.

So, no matter what, you should be able to get in. Just expect to move FAST when getting out if it's cold.

 

[drdrowsy]

i'm been there the lat week in january a few times and the weather is highly variable. One year, most days the highs were in the 50s, one year the highs were in the lower 80s most days. Note that those highs occur in the afternoon, at at least for us, those were the times we were most likely to be in the parks. early morning and later evening temps were no higher than 60s on any days. Pools are heated and basically always open, and we definitely saw people in the pools at all times in all temps. (some days it was so cold as compared to the water temp, that thick steam was hovering over the pools)

 

[dreiwhit]

FWIW, we went the last week of February and it was in the high 70s and low 80s. I wouldn't say the 4th - 11th is going to be that warm, but it will definitely be in the 70s.

 

[vicb]

I have been to WDW several times in Feb. when my kids were in school and we had to go on school breaks. On those trips we have worn bathing suits in the water parks and fleece coats,hats and gloves in the parks. I would not travel in February without both. And be flexible, one trip it was clear the only day warm enough to go to Blizzard Beach was our first day of the trip, we shuffled our plans and went to BB instead of MK while it was 80. It never warmed up enough to swim the rest of that week. But going through the parks in shorts and sweatshirts is ok too, nice not to be sweltering. Last trip we finally got to go in early May and it was great. So much warmer that we could really enjoy being outside. So personally I won't go back in Feb. now that I don't have to, the weather is just so much more variable.

 

[disneycraz]

Our family is headed to WDW the first week of February 4-11. We were last there in April of this year, April 22-26. The weather in April was pleasant (we were camping at Fort Wilderness) and the kids were able to enjoy the pools, etc. It was more crowded than normal for that time of year bc Passover fell around that time and many Northeast schools were out. It didn't really effect us, but since our kids are not school age yet (DD started preschool this year) we decided we would like to go when most people would be in school. We are from the Midwest and although our winters aren't terrible, the thought of some warm Florida sunshine is appealing.

I know February weather can be all over the board, but for those that have gone in February, is swimming something you can consider most days, or is it more likely than not too cold to swim? I'm wondering if it might actually be a deal breaker and we should schedule for early May instead? The kids absolutely loved the mini slides at the resort!

Or by moving our vacation to May (probably 1st week), are we going to trade swimming time for more crowded parks/higher resort prices? Can anyone give me their thoughts or experiences?

We were there same time last year, and it was FREEZING.... The week or two before that it was nice, but you never know how the weather is going to be. We are also going next Feb 6-10, and I'm hoping for a bit more warmer weather.

 

[Marbel]

I was there Feb 6-12 this year and it was too cold to swim. I didn't wear shorts, nevermind a swimsuit. Some mornings (I rope drop) I could see my breath. I wore a polar fleece jacket in the mornings and evenings. I felt bad for some ppl who were in tank tops, shorts and flip flops and were obviously freezing. The weeks prior to my trip and the weeks after, the weather was warm but my week was cold.

 

[tobikaye]

I agree that Florida is a hard time to figure out temperatures. I think the last time I was in Florida during February was 2011 to visit my cousin in Tampa. We did a one day visit to DTD and Epcot and it was very windy and cold. My cousin has since moved and she and I are doing a girls' trip to WDW in late Janaury.

I have been to Florida from November to February when it was cold one day hot the next. I have been when I was able to wear all short sleeves and shorts in December and I have been in January when I had to have sweatshirts and gloves. My early plan for my next trip is probably leggings, long and capri, with tunics and dresses. I will take sweaters to wear over if needed and a few shirt/short combos in case of any hot days. I may or may not take a swimsuit. I will start checking the weather about 1 week before my trip and finalize my clothes about 2 days before my trip.

 

[wdw&sonny]

You CAN swim, but probably won't feel like you WANT to swim. Typical highs might reach 80 degrees for one out of 7 days. Remember, hitting 80 means most of the afternoon will be in the 70s. Night time may drop into the 40s!!!

You will be more likely to want a sweatshirt than a bathing suit. Still, I would choose that time of year for the lower crowds. The cooler temperatures are perfect for park touring. You won't get hot, sweaty and tired like in summer. You can go all day without someone needing a $5 drink at every kiosk and you won't need the afternoon break either. You will be more relaxed and in a better mood.

But, we still DID swim. My boys and I loved getting in the cool pool then jumping in the hot tub. Or, just sitting by the pool on a sunny afternoon with a book was more relaxing than fighting for a lounge chair in summer. Enjoy.

 

[Babydreamz]

We were there this past April too as that's when the kids were out of school. We're also thinking about next February as the kids have mid winter break then. We decided against April next year as that week coincides with Easter and we would like to avoid the easter crowds so we're hoping it'll be warm enough in February to swim.

February is hit or miss for swimming. You just never know. I went once in January and it was swim weather. I can't remember if it was 06 or 07 when I went in January. So February definitely could be swim weather.

 

[Sweet Pea Reed]

I went the week of February 11-18 in 2013. We had all sunny days, two days well into the 80s and the rest in the 70s. I swam every evening, sometimes in the upper 50s, in our outdoor heated pool at Caribbean Beach. But I'm also a "water baby" from the north and used to bitter February weather. DH and I were in shorts and tees at the bus stop in low 50 degree weather...it all depends what you consider warm or chilly, I guess. And kids usually are more adventurous.

 

[Canooknic]

It makes a difference depending where you're coming from too.

Our last 2 trips have been February and we've been in shorts/t-shirts/flip flops the entire trip (occasionally hoodies in the evening) but we fly in from around -20c so anything above freezing is wonderful for us!

 

[keishashadow]

Our family is headed to WDW the first week of February 4-11. We were last there in April of this year, April 22-26. The weather in April was pleasant (we were camping at Fort Wilderness) and the kids were able to enjoy the pools, etc. It was more crowded than normal for that time of year bc Passover fell around that time and many Northeast schools were out. It didn't really effect us, but since our kids are not school age yet (DD started preschool this year) we decided we would like to go when most people would be in school. We are from the Midwest and although our winters aren't terrible, the thought of some warm Florida sunshine is appealing.

I know February weather can be all over the board, but for those that have gone in February, is swimming something you can consider most days, or is it more likely than not too cold to swim? I'm wondering if it might actually be a deal breaker and we should schedule for early May instead? The kids absolutely loved the mini slides at the resort!

Or by moving our vacation to May (probably 1st week), are we going to trade swimming time for more crowded parks/higher resort prices? Can anyone give me their thoughts or experiences?

We'll be right behind you! It's a great time to visit but if you are making one trip and the kids want to swim nearly every day, I'd go with April (checking out when the holidays/spring break falls next year first).

Early May is great but around Mother's Day gets busy. If Star Wars Weekends returns next year (in the past mid May), I'd expect crowds to bump up

Disney heats their pools well. It's interesting to see the steam rising off the water in the evening. Once the sun goes down you often need to be brave to venture into the water as the air temp can drop off sharply.

Rash guards help to keep the little ones warmer in the water.

 

[Accident]

It's kind of like coming in december. Most likely you'll be more than happy to swim but there is the potential to be cooler than you want to go swimming. Nights in feb are usually lower than you might expect so if you want to swim, it's an afternoon resort break thing to plan for.

 

[CAS239]

Traveling late October-Feb is always a toss up. More times than not it'll be warm. But there's always chance that during that time it could be in the 40's with a wind chill making it feel like the 30's. No way to know until the date gets closer

 

[lynzi2004]

Thanks everyone! You definitely "confirmed" my thoughts! Right now our reservation is "room only" so we are going to keep it and our dining reservations and see how things play out when it gets closer. Thinking I may pick room and dining reservations out for May when the 6 month window opens and then we can make a firm decision as the time gets closer! Thanks again!!