How bad is President's weekend?

[01Sweetpea]

I am going thru a serious case of WDW withdrawal!!! My kids are off 2/18 - 2/21, and I'm thinking of taking a quick trip, possibly arriving late on 2/17, and leaving either late 2/21 or sometime 2/22. So, how bad is that weekend? We were there this year from 2/27 - 3/6 and the lines were really manageable. I'd hate to go down for a quick trip only to have HUGE lines & crowds.

 

[mark smith]

Bad!!

 

[jokan]

Not only is that a holiday week that is also speed week (Feb 12-20) at the Daytona Speedway. The Daytona 500 is the 20th so there will be Nasty Car fans everywhere.

 

[lovethattink]

President's weekend is usually very crowded. Not like Christmas day, but close. We've gone at least on of those days of the weekend since ds has off from school. We go with the attitude of knowing we won't get to experience everything we usually do. We usually pick one or 2 big attractions to fast pass. The rest we do are high capacity attractions and shows.

 

[disney's daughter]

We will be there beginning Wednesday February 16th and leaving Monday President's Day, the 21st.....Will that Wednesday and Thursday be really bad, too?

 

[liznboys]

President's Day Weekend is very crowded according the the Unofficial Guide. From Friday Feb. 18th-Monday Feb. 21st, the crowds will be pretty big. Before and after those dates, they are relatively low though.

 

[charabby]

I hope it's not too bad! We'll be there 2/20 to 2/23 (Sunday to Wednesday after President's Day) and one of those days we'll be at Universal. As you can see from my siggie, they are going with the dance team. Our strategy will be similar to above poster. We're going to pick one or two 'must dos' per day and then try to hit as much as we can the rest of the time. As it is, I don't think we'll have much time. The kids are dancing one day in Disney and one day in Universal - both in the morning as far as I know. Prime touring time!

 

[FatCow]

Went to WDW during Prez Week '04. It was BAD.

 

[Muffy]

We will be there 2/15-2/27 and then we move to Universal for 2 nights. I am expecting managable crowds. I have visited WDW at Christmas and New Years several times so I know all about crowds....

 

[mickeyfanmom]

I hate to be the one to break it to you- but it is TERRIBLY crowded! When we went in 2002 during President's Week, there were 4 hour waits for Test Track. Also, they had given out all of the Fast Passes for the day on the major attractions by around 11 am each day.

We had AP's so we just chalked it up to experience and enjoyed time at the WL a little more. But we will NEVER try to go during that time again!

PS- And we've even gone the week before Christmas too!

 

[Muffy]

With certain parks open 3 hours after park closing it should be more than managable. I'm sure presidents weekend will be the worst of it.

 

[Beachangel]

I went Pres weekend a few years ago - never again. BAD!!!

 

[DisDarling]

See,we planned our vacation to be out of there the 19th, and we possibly will be changing it to be leaving the 15th instead. Why would the weekend BEFORE Presidents Day be bad and not THE day and the following week? We planned it so that we would be outta there before the crowds hit, but no rethinking seriously on leaving the 15th, any thoughts?
D.D.

 

[lisareniff]

Take a look at the predicted crowd levels from the unoffical guide - updated for the new EMH schedule.
touring plans

Pres. Weekend (Sat., Sun. and Mon.) are listed as a 7. The Wed., Thurs and Fri. before are listed as 4,4 and 5. The Tues., Wed., and Thurs., after are predicted to be 4, 3, and 3.


The Crowd Level column is based on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being least crowded conditions and 10 being most crowded:


1. Lightest crowd conditions of the year.
2. Very light crowd conditions.
3. Light crowd conditions.
4. Moderately busy.* Crowds primarily affect headliner attractions.
5. Busy.* Crowds affect headliner attractions and major attractions.
6. Moderately crowded.* Expect all attractions to be affected.
7. Crowded.* Expect waits of 65 minutes or more at headliner attractions and 40 minutes or more at major attractions.
8. Very crowded.* Expect waits of 80 minutes or more at headliner attractions and 45 minutes or more at major attractions.
9. Exceedingly crowded.* Expect waits of 100 minutes or more at headliner attractions and 60 minutes at major attractions.
10. Jam packed.* Most crowded conditions of the year.

 

[lisareniff]

Also MK hours increased to be open til 11 on Friday-Monday.... Last year they were open til 11 only on Sat., with Sun. and Mon. til 10pm. That may give you some idea of Disney's expectations.

 

[lllovell]

We went down last year over President's weekend and stayed through Wed morning. The worst day of it WAS President's day (Monday). Saturday we arrived in the middle of the day and just went to EPCOT, did the Living Seas and Illuminations. Sunday, we went to Sea World and it was fine. Monday, my mother was with us in a wheelchair (her first and only trip to WDW - she passed away in April - soooooo glad we went) so we were able to ride some rides because of her being with us. Otherwise, we might have just given up on Magic Kingdom. It was REALLY that bad. Tuesday, we went to Animal Kingdom and had a nice day with the day finished up with Wishes at MK. We got in and one of us stayed parked for the parade and the rest went and rode a few things. We are low crowd people, so it was rather shocking to me to be there with so many at first, but we adjusted and had a great time.

Its all about attitude baby!

 

[Missin' Walt 58]

As a fellow Northeasterner - one of the major items to confront for that weekend is airfare. While NYC based Jet Blue is usually about $180 round trip, it can easily run $300 - $470 round trip on that very busy Florida travel weekend.

Good luck.

 

[ALostBoy]

Hi,
Spam in a Can!!!

We went during this past Pres. week and again on
July 4th and we thought Pres. week was worse.
Thank goodness we had AP's and had already been
and knew we were going back. Good Luck

 

[Mich Mouse]

Everyone who is saying the week is "Bad"....Do you mean only Presidents weekend, or the days after as well? We are arriving the day after Presidents day, and staying until the 27th. What are your thoughts?

 

[FatCow]

The entire week was packed. We definitely know how sardines feel. At least sardines don't have to pay to be crammed like that.