First week of Feb no longer lower crowd level?

[Silock]

Seems like there are a ton of people going that week. I'm wondering if we need to adjust our plans a bit to compensate for the crowd levels.

 

[teamdkdisney]

Seems like there are a ton of people going that week. I'm wondering if we need to adjust our plans a bit to compensate for the crowd levels.

Why do you think this? We're going at the same time and it appears to be before or after many major events during that time of year (presidents week, pop warner, cheer competitions, etc)

 

[Ds4angels]

We went the 1st week of Feb last year, went to the wrong park on the wrong day (easywdw) twice and we had no problems seeing everything we wanted. This was before FP+ so I think you'd be fine. We did do RD each morning though

 

[DisneyDreamingInMI]

Just wanted to say we'll be there that week too! From everything that I have read, the first week of Feb seems like a great time to go in terms of crowd levels!

 

[DanInMN]

We will be there too! It is "low season", no holidays or special events (that I know of), and should be fine.

Last year we went the prior week (last week of January) and it was very nice.

 

[Silock]

I'm not basing my post on anything except the fact that there seem to be a TON of DIS'ers that are going to be there.

I hope it's just because we're smart and not indicative of a huge change in crowd levels.

 

[morethananyonex]

I'm not basing my post on anything except the fact that there seem to be a TON of DIS'ers that are going to be there.

I hope it's just because we're smart and not indicative of a huge change in crowd levels.

Yeah, you can't really base it on that.

DISers know when to go to Disney for lower crowds and cheaper prices, which is exactly what that first week in February has. It probably also seems like more people because our trips are getting closer and closer hyper so more people are talking about their February trips.

 

[Phil'sFrontier]

I was there in 2012 late Feb with the Cheerleaders..lol
I didn't mind it, accept for me not getting on space mountain because of it. However both wife and kid did not want to ride so was not that big of a deal for us. Along with the bigger crowds and energetic kids, a great atmosphere follows. When we were at Fantasmic @ DHS it was standing room only. A large part of the audience being cheerleaders and South Americans. All who were great at cheering and making noise.

 

[mialovesariel]

We will be there too!! Getting very excited Have never been this time of year. Looking forward to sunshine and warmth since northern Indiana in Feb gives us not much of either. I will be interested to compare crowds to the other times we've been to DW, which was slow in Sept and busy during first week of Dec.

 

[FiggieFan]

I'll be there too, Feb 4 - 15! I don't think it will be too bad. Last year was horrific because Mardi Gras was early, everyone was talking about the increased volume! I don't have any cheerleader horror stories (since high school anyway). I think the South American tour groups are more January than February, but they can wear on you fast....aren't considerate of anyone else, blocking paths in parks......wait.....deep breath!

 

[karly05]

I was there over Mardi Gras this year and didn't think it was that bad - maybe because it was better than I'd expected. I've been doing 2nd week of Feb and have no crowd complaints, but if I go in 2015 I'm looking at late April because I'm tired of missing out on Splash Mountain.

 

[AuroraRora]

We're going too! Feb 3rd - 14th with a few days away in the middle for a work conference. My friend hasn't been in about 10yrs and I can't wait to show her everything!

 

[Viva Las Disney]

I'm not basing my post on anything except the fact that there seem to be a TON of DIS'ers that are going to be there.

I hope it's just because we're smart and not indicative of a huge change in crowd levels.

I went the first week of December and had the same concerns you do, it seemed like half the people on the DIS were going that week even though it's listed as one of the best weeks of the year to go. It ended up being a great week with short waits and I noticed a huge difference on Friday and Saturday before I left as the crowds went from 4's to a 7. Sun - Thursday there was plenty of space and by Friday night walkways were shoulder to shoulder, after my trip I'm a first hand believer of Josh's crowd calendar.

I think it's simply the fact Dissers know when it's slow so that's when most of us go.

 

[rf53]

Seems like there are a ton of people going that week. I'm wondering if we need to adjust our plans a bit to compensate for the crowd levels.

I have also noticed that the level of interest in going to Disney World during February-March 2014 has increased this year. It is reflected in the hotel prices. Of interest is the fact that the state of Florida public schools system has switched its FCAT (standardized yearly testing) for elementary / middle school / high school students from mid-February through early March, to late April. In the past, when the FCAT's where administered in February, the crowds at Disney were way down due to the fact that these exams were under way and no Florida kid traveled on exam weeks.

In March many schools begin their Spring break and this lasts through April's Easter season. Although late January and early February should be a good time to go, there may be no respite from the crowds again after that until early October.

 

[DisSmis]

We will be there 1/31-2/6 . We were their the same week last year and thought it was great.

 

[teamdkdisney]

I'm not basing my post on anything except the fact that there seem to be a TON of DIS'ers that are going to be there. I hope it's just because we're smart and not indicative of a huge change in crowd levels.

It's easy to forgot just how BIG WDW is, and how tiny of a percentage DIS'ers represent for that overall number of visitors

 

[KorbensMomma]

Well count me in on making the Feb crowds bigger. We will be there 2/3-2/8.

35 days and counting.

 

[Silock]

So, looks like so far, my fears were not unfounded. Pretty high crowds for what is supposed to be the 2nd or 3rd least busy time of year.

Maybe low crowd periods are truly dead.

 

[HopperFan]

Arrived yesterday, Magic Kingdom last night, DHS today. Our resort is sold out - I tried to move my room away from the tour groups and there was no rooms available.

Magic Kingdom at 7 pm had lines from turnstyle to the bag check to get in. Once inside it was masses of people on Main St, we could barely get through them. We able to get on the spot FP+ (we had not planned to go to park after our drive) for HM and Buzz Lightyear. We found the standby lines were not bad (worse we saw was 35 minutes for Peter Pan) but the walkways were packed. The few counter service open had long lines and we decided to just wait and make sandwiches in the room.

DHS today there was such a long line entering parking lot they were waving people in, even when they were trying to pay. Some lucky offsite got free parking! Park today again was difficult just walking around in some areas. Standby times were mostly for TSM 75 minutes, RNR 40 minutes and most the rest were 20 or less. We used our 3 FP+ and were still able to do plenty of others. Most Counter places seemed very busy for this time of year. Beauty & Beast was packed full - last year about this time was half full at best.

Both parks had considerable number of large tour groups of teens. There were mobility issues because of their blocking areas or sitting on walkways.

Last year we came the last week of January and it was so pleasant in the parks crowd wise, felt nothing like we have had the last two days. The tour groups were at our hotel (miserable week) which is why we booked a week later this year hoping they would be back at school. No such luck.

I am curious to see how the rest of the week goes. Not sure I'll return for a winter trip this time of year again. If I do likely I will stay offsite, especially if they are offering prebooking on FP+.

This was Main Street Sunday at 7:30pm. It was from the moment we entered all the way to the castle. If my DS weren't so excited I would have turned around and left -

 

[heyitsmejosh]

are you people going to a different disney world than i was today? because i went to all 4 parks today and a water park and i didnt wait in line for one thing.. the only busy park was MK and that was because its monday and the superbowl motorcade was today