February vs. April 2016??

[lolobug]

Hello!
We went to Disney for our first trip in January 2014! We loved visiting in January because the crowds were low, prices were cheaper and the weather wasn't too hot (we are from MA, 70-80* would be ideal but fir the convenience of a cheaper vacation and no crowds 50-60* was absolutely fine!) I am working now and can't take time off to vacation (teacher) so next February 12-21 or April 15-24 are the only times we could go. Thoughts? Suggestions? Im particularly interested in knowing about:
Room discounts (wilderness lodge lovers!)
Crowds?
Costs?
Weather?
Any advice is greatly appreciated, thank you!

 

[EPCOTgrl1]

February 12-21 does get a little busier because of Valentines day. April 15-24th get even busier because it is the start of Spring Break (which is Disney words is a 6 week event).

That being said Crowds are bigger, they don't need to do discounts because they know that people will show up, and yes the weather is nicer.

Out of those two times I would choose February over April. The temps will be a little warmer then January. It will be a little more crowed, but nothing that should be unmanageable. I think you will still end up paying more in general though. If that is your major concern then I would look at different dates.

 

[lolobug]

Really?! I'm surprised! Everything I read suggested April would be much less crowded, only early April is supposed to be crowded. Am I wrong?
Price is a factor but not the most important factor. Most importantly is enjoyment- if it's miserably hot and the kids are melting that would stink!
Others thoughts on February vs. April?

 

[dougsmom98]

You have a similar schedule to me and my husband (we are both teachers). For the past 9 years, we have always gone in February over President's Week. We really enjoy that time of year despite the crowds, because the humidity is pretty low and we the park hours are generally long (parks open at 8 or 9 and close between 11pm and 12am). The only downside is that the weather can range from warm to cold. We are from Maine, so it feels very warm when it is in the low to mid 70's. We have had years where it has been in the mid to high 80's. Some years, however, it has been in the 40's. If you decide on February, pack knit hats and gloves. We always do, and most years they didn't get used, but on at least 3 occasions we did use them. 40's isn't too bad when we are in Maine with our winter coats, but if you are outside all day at the parks with only a sweatshirt, it gets downright cold when the sun goes down. This year, we had to switch it up because of our kids' basketball schedules, so we are here now (April 18-25). The crowds may be a bit lower than over President's Week. It is a lot hotter, but not nearly as bad as when we went in June. The park hours are still pretty long. It was open from 9 am-midnight at MK this past Tuesday and we go to Hollywood Studios tomorrow and it is open from 9 am to 9:30 pm. We have taken quite a few days off from the parks and just enjoyed the pool and the weather is warm enough to ensure being able to do this in April. The only downside is the threat of Thunderstorms. It has never rained on us in February. There has been thunderstorms, and the threat of rain almost every day this week.
One thing to consider is whether or not your February break coincides with Mardi Gras week. If it does, the crowds are always higher because you will get everyone from Louisiana taking their trips that week. They are a fun/great crowd of people to be in the parks with, but it does make it more crowded. Also, double check when Easter is. You will want to avoid the week before and after Easter in April.

 

[lolobug]

Thanks for your response! Would you choose February over April?

 

[staceyrhood]

For next year I would pick April over February for sure. President's week is PACKED! And our local schools here are off for a long weekend Feb. 19-21 making it even busier, also mix all that with the Princess marathon Feb 18-21....REALLY BUSY.
Easter is super early in 2016, so by mid April most Spring Breaks will be over. I would not come here in March next year thru April 3rd. After that it should start to slow down. Also, the weather is nicer in April. This February was pretty cold.
I hope this helps...have a great trip

 

[lolobug]

I appreciate it! Any idea on the costs for April?

 

[limpy]

If you are missing the majority of spring breakers in April and don't mind the higher temps, I would go in April. That said, we went over President's day this year and enjoyed it. We went to the parks early, breaked for a few hours in the middle of the day and went back in the evening, so we missed the busiest time of the day. It was pretty great actually. Our most crowded experience was trying to get lunch in AK around 1 instead of leaving.

 

[lolobug]

Thank you for the advice!
I called Disney today and found out that there is a significant increase in cost going in February vs April.
So far, it's looking like April

 

[lolobug]

Bump, anyone always go in April?

 

[SmallWorld71]

As a MA teacher also, February and April vacations are when most of our trips are. To me, April is the clear winner. President's week is consistently more crowded than April vacation; though both are manageable with a good touring plan. (The exception would be when Easter is late in the season and is adjacent to the vacation week; but Easter is in March next year so not a concern).
Other advantages to April:
1) better weather - every April trip I've taken to FL that week (30+ due to visiting relatives, not necessarily Disney) the temps have ranged from the 70's to the low 90's but the summer humidity hasn't hit; February is a gamble - I've had everything from 30's! to 80's
2) less rides down for refurbishment - because President's week is stuck there in the middle of quiet weeks, it's smack dab in the middle of refurb season; so you get the crowds but are likely to have a few fairly big name rides closed; that hasn't happened to us as much in April
3) Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot - Spring is the prettiest time at WDW with all the flowers in bloom!
4) less expensive - our April vacation trips are almost always cheaper than the April ones; I have gotten discounts President's week through pin codes, but the spring discounts seem to be more consistent (usually room discount, have never had free dining during April that I know of)
5) cost of travel - both weeks the airfare is expensive from Boston, but I've had much better luck with April, especially if you don't purchase airfare well in advance
6) travel risks - do you remember the 6 feet of snow we were under this past February? February is consistently the snowiest month in Boston and with that comes a fairly strong likelihood that your flights could get messed up; April is much more reliable!

HTH

 

[lolobug]

As a MA teacher also, February and April vacations are when most of our trips are. To me, April is the clear winner. President's week is consistently more crowded than April vacation; though both are manageable with a good touring plan. (The exception would be when Easter is late in the season and is adjacent to the vacation week; but Easter is in March next year so not a concern).
Other advantages to April:
1) better weather - every April trip I've taken to FL that week (30+ due to visiting relatives, not necessarily Disney) the temps have ranged from the 70's to the low 90's but the summer humidity hasn't hit; February is a gamble - I've had everything from 30's! to 80's
2) less rides down for refurbishment - because President's week is stuck there in the middle of quiet weeks, it's smack dab in the middle of refurb season; so you get the crowds but are likely to have a few fairly big name rides closed; that hasn't happened to us as much in April
3) Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot - Spring is the prettiest time at WDW with all the flowers in bloom!
4) less expensive - our April vacation trips are almost always cheaper than the April ones; I have gotten discounts President's week through pin codes, but the spring discounts seem to be more consistent (usually room discount, have never had free dining during April that I know of)
5) cost of travel - both weeks the airfare is expensive from Boston, but I've had much better luck with April, especially if you don't purchase airfare well in advance
6) travel risks - do you remember the 6 feet of snow we were under this past February? February is consistently the snowiest month in Boston and with that comes a fairly strong likelihood that your flights could get messed up; April is much more reliable!

HTH

Thank you! Wonderful advice!! Our last trip was January and we did in fact run into flight troubles. Our friends went a month later (Feb vacation 2014) and they had to rent a car and drive because airplanes weren't traveling for days! I appreciate all of your help, now I just need a little pixie dust to get this ball rolling!

 

[SmallWorld71]

Thank you! Wonderful advice!! Our last trip was January and we did in fact run into flight troubles. Our friends went a month later (Feb vacation 2014) and they had to rent a car and drive because airplanes weren't traveling for days! I appreciate all of your help, now I just need a little pixie dust to get this ball rolling!

 

[I M Fearless]

Avoid Presidents week at all costs. It is not far off Easter/Holiday/Thanksgiving busy. Plus in April you have the flower and garden event to enjoy which is a nice bonus.

 

[kidneymomma]

We are going 2/22 will the crowd be thinned out by then?

 

[SmallWorld71]

We are going 2/22 will the crowd be thinned out by then?

I would imagine so. I believe there is a princess marathon on the 22nd itself, but that shouldn't affect the crowds much. It should be a relatively quiet week. (by WDW standards)