February - Weather etc

[Shamurocks]

Hello everyone, we are travelling to Orlando for a week during the February half term and I have a couple of questions I wondered if anyone could help with.

The big question I have is about the weather, what sort of conditions are we to expect? I've looked at average temperatures and stuff, but I wondered what sort of clothes we should pack. Will shorts be ok, or will we need longer trousers etc
We have previously made trips in April, May and October (including record lows in Oct '08) to give you an idea of what temperatures we are used to.

Also I thought I'd ask while I'm here, if anybody else has been to Orlando at this sort of time and what the crowds are like. The crowd calender is saying 9s for most of that week for WDW but I wasn't sure if this translated to the other park as Universal and SeaWorld don't seem to have extended their opening hours like Disney has for that week.

Any help/experiences would be appreciated

 

[alibeau]

Hi

Our last three trips have been Jan 2008, Feb 2009 and Feb/March 2010.

On the first two trips the weather was very pleasant in the day time, DH wore shorts on quite a few occcasions but I stuck to t-shirts and 3/4's. For early mornings and evenings it was far more chilly and we wore jeans and t-shirts and sometimes a fleece. We had one or two cold days on each trip where jeans and fleeces were needed all day.

Our last trip in 2010 though was very different. Very cold indeed. On a 19 night trip we only managed to get in the pool once or twice In fact the pool heating was pretty much ineffective as it was so cold. It was beautiful and sunny but cold. On the trams to the parks we were freezing.

It is a shame but is was enough to put us off going in Feb for now and we have opted for Easter this year.... However, Feb was brilliant for the (lack of) crowds and the crowds at Easter may well be enough to make us return to booking Feb again The parks get busy around President's day (think this is mid feb though) but other than that, crowd levels were imo low.

In a nutshell, pack for all weathers and hope for the best. We have had great weather on 2 out of 3 trips so fingers crossed for you. I have heard that last years weather was out of the ordinary so hope you have a great trip

Ali

 

[wayneg]

We will be there the same week (19th-26th) never been in Feb before, been at Xmas and end of March both can be cold so expecting cold but if its warm its a bonus. Will take everything from Shorts & Tshirts to winter coats, ready for any weather.

Parks will be busy our 1st weekend as its Presidents' Day Weekend, not sure later in week. Don't even know if we are doing any parks this trip.

 

[Jordanblackpool]

I went for 11 days last year in February...and it wasnt warm! We went mid-Feb and I think I got down to the pool once. I went out a few times at nights in shorts, but it was deffinately hoody weather. I think some days we were walking round the parks in jackets, this isnt what your wanting to hear, but you will still have a good time. Check my trip report in my sig for abit more details!

 

[Shamurocks]

Thanks for all the help everyone
I think I'm just going to pack for all weathers and see what happens. It'll be fun no matter what the weather so

I went for 11 days last year in February...and it wasnt warm! We went mid-Feb and I think I got down to the pool once. I went out a few times at nights in shorts, but it was deffinately hoody weather. I think some days we were walking round the parks in jackets, this isnt what your wanting to hear, but you will still have a good time. Check my trip report in my sig for abit more details!

Thanks for the advice, I'll definitely check out your TR!

 

[Jordanblackpool]

Yeah i would pack for all, the thing is I still came back with a tan, its just theres a cool breeze! We didnt see much rain, i think on one day it did. But you will still have an awesome time

 

[strawberry blonde]

We normally go every 2 years in Feb but each time we've found it colder. Saying that by 11am, most days were hot enough for suncream and both my boys got really burnt at Aquatica. I usually wear cropped trousers and a strappy top but take a fleece with me. Last time I took jeans but only wore them at night. We all came back with some colour. As we've been 5 times in Feb, would like it a bit warmer next time we go.

Didn't do Disney as we had the Flexticket. Half term was quite busy but the second week was great. Mardi Gras is also on at Universal and we saw Ne-Yo and the week before the Village People


Sure you'll have a great time

 

[chocolateMinnie]

We usually go October (2003/2007/2009/2010) and have found it to be incredibly hot compared to the only time we went in February (2009).

We had a 'good' week according to all the resort staff we met. It was Feb half-term, think we flew on Valentine's day and I know half-term is a week later this year.

We had the first part of the week warm, sweater needed until about 10am and after 5pm but hot enough for shorts/t shirts and swimming rest of the day. Had heavy rain on the Thursday which obviously cooled the whole area down, Friday was a cropped trouser, t shirt and sweater day. Saturday was freezing, anoraks and jeans all day.

Crowds wise we were there for 'Presidents week' which we had not realised. The beginning of the week were busier than usual for October but not any worse than Halloweeen weekend. Presidents day and the days either side were jammed, we were hardly able to get on the resort buses but clearly I'm comparing this to October which is light in crowds and not to Easter or Christmas.

Presidents day is February 21st this year.

 

[strawberry blonde]

Crowds wise we were there for 'Presidents week' which we had not realised. The beginning of the week were busier than usual for October but not any worse than Halloweeen weekend. Presidents day and the days either side were jammed, we were hardly able to get on the resort buses but clearly I'm comparing this to October which is light in crowds and not to Easter or Christmas.

Presidents day is February 21st this year.

We usually go shopping President's Day. Usually about 70% off in the sales which disappear the week after.