How is WDW in February?

[c&m]

TagsMissy:

I think I got a great airfare deal, compared to what WestJet is offering flying out of Vancouver. Again, we are flying out of SEATAC, with Alaska Air. BTW, Hawaiian Air is comparable with Alaska, though maybe a wee bit more expensive. But Hawaiian feeds you, whereas you have to buy a cold sandwich on Alaska.

In February, WestJet is charging about $1000 per round-trip ticket. Our family of 4 is flying to Seattle-Honolulu (Alaska Air) on for $149 each. Then Honolulu-Maui on Hawaiian "free" on award points. Then Maui-Seattle with Portland stopover (Alaska Air) for $231 each -- but for us 50% off using our Alaska Air points. Total for 4 of us round-trip is $1100 USD.

Starwood Vacations sent me an e-mail recently with a special offer $849 for 5 nights at the Westin Ocean Kaanapali Villas with a free rental car and $75 resort credit. So that's where we're staying in Maui. In Honolulu, we're staying 3 nights at the Hilton Hawaiian Village for a $170 AAA rate.

I also factor in parking at Master Park Seattle, probably about $120.

Our total (before food costs) for a family of 4 for 9 nights is probably $2900.

Hope that helps you!

 

[TagsMissy]

That does sound like a pretty good deal c&m...

I had considered driving to Seattle but I am scared of the lines at the border!

 

[disneyfreak89]

Well, after reading all your replies, we did not want to chance the weather. We decided against going back to WDW...though that was a tough decision as we had the BEST trip in August at the AKL and wanted a repeat experience.

Instead, we are going to Honolulu and Maui in February. The kids have 2 weeks' spring break, early this year to coincide with the Olympics. We have booked our flights and hotels, and am so looking forward to it.

To the previous poster and others who're going in Feb., I really hope the weather is warm for you, and you don't have to bring the fleece and gloves.

WOW! That sounds like an awesome vacation c&m! You'll be GUARANTEED warm weather there for sure!!!! I am soooo jealous!

And thanks for the inspiration for our trip in February! Last time I wanted to wear my winter coat and gloves but my husband thought it would be too embarrassing.....until we noticed EVERY cast member (and other guests) were all layered with their coats, hats and gloves!!! So while they were all toasty warm, I was freezing to death!!! I do recall it was the 'windchill' factor that really made the difference, it just seemed to cut through our clothing w/ no mercy.....had it not been for that, the weather would have been somewhat tolerable!

That's also another reason why we're heading down to Vero Beach and the Keys for a couple of weeks FIRST, to get some (guaranteed?) warmth before we head back up to Disney. Lets hope this winter will be a mild one all around!

 

[c&m]

That does sound like a pretty good deal c&m...

I had considered driving to Seattle but I am scared of the lines at the border!

The border line-up is non-existent at 5am or 6am We've never had any problems in the 8 years we've flown out of SEATAC. We have breakfast on the road. Then depending on the time of our flight, we usually head straight to SEATAC, or hang out at Southcenter Mall and have a meal at Cheesecake Factory before the flight. We'll most likely do the latter for our Hawaii trip, since our flight doesn't leave until 4:55pm.

WOW! That sounds like an awesome vacation c&m! You'll be GUARANTEED warm weather there for sure!!!! I am soooo jealous!

And thanks for the inspiration for our trip in February! Last time I wanted to wear my winter coat and gloves but my husband thought it would be too embarrassing.....until we noticed EVERY cast member (and other guests) were all layered with their coats, hats and gloves!!! So while they were all toasty warm, I was freezing to death!!! I do recall it was the 'windchill' factor that really made the difference, it just seemed to cut through our clothing w/ no mercy.....had it not been for that, the weather would have been somewhat tolerable!

That's also another reason why we're heading down to Vero Beach and the Keys for a couple of weeks FIRST, to get some (guaranteed?) warmth before we head back up to Disney. Lets hope this winter will be a mild one all around!

If you, an east coaster, are feeling the cold LIKE THAT, can you imagine how I, a west coaster, would tolerate the cold ?!?!

Trust me, I would've LOVED to have done a repeat trip to AKL in February. Hawaii, though very nice, is really not tops on my list. Here's the thing: I hate riding planes over oceans. I will probably need a sedative to get me through the 5.5 hour experience.

But as much as I hate riding planes over oceans, I hate the cold more...so Hawaii here we come!

Really...how cold is Orlando in Feb? Would a nice quality fleece jacket keep you warm, or do you really need a winter jacket?

 

[disneyfreak89]

Here's the thing: I hate riding planes over oceans. I will probably need a sedative to get me through the 5.5 hour experience.

Me too! Actually, I've never flown and if I HAD to, I would DEFINITELY be taking a sedative of some kind!!!

Really...how cold is Orlando in Feb? Would a nice quality fleece jacket keep you warm, or do you really need a winter jacket?

We live in Southern Ontario, so its not NEARLY as freezing here as it is out East or West.....but we're sucks, what can I say? Weather in Orlando in February is very iffy.....one week it can be in the 70-80's, the next week it can drop down to the 40-50's when we went...the day we left it was back up to 70's! As for wearing a nice fleece jacket, yeah, only we didn't bring one....we figured it would be sunny and 70's....so all we had were the winter clothes we wore down along with our winter coats......I layered as best as I could, wearing a turtleneck, fleece vest and spring jacket, but that still wasn't enough....the windchill was exceptionally brutal that week and it literally ripped through whatever we had on. But we've learned from that trip and will make sure to pack WARMER clothing if and when we need it!

 

[TagsMissy]

The border line-up is non-existent at 5am or 6am We've never had any problems in the 8 years we've flown out of SEATAC. We have breakfast on the road. Then depending on the time of our flight, we usually head straight to SEATAC, or hang out at Southcenter Mall and have a meal at Cheesecake Factory before the flight. We'll most likely do the latter for our Hawaii trip, since our flight doesn't leave until 4:55pm.

Yes but the Winter Olympics are on --- that is what I am concerned about. The borders will be a madhouse, I believe, even at 5am.

 

[aristocat65]

Yes but the Winter Olympics are on --- that is what I am concerned about. The borders will be a madhouse, I believe, even at 5am.

That's what I'm worried about too. My DS is also out of school for the Olympics and I have not made plans yet.

I got a PIN from Disneyland Hotels for 35% off which is valid the last week of Feb. I'm thinking maybe I can splurge on the GCH for 3 nights, and that's all we'd need as we wouldn't waste time travelling to and from the park. There are pretty good prices on Alaska right now. I don't want to risk a drive to SEA at that time of year though, and I'm thinking of Bellingham with a connection in SEA or using part miles out of YVR. I just don't know about the borders. I also think my family may need a break from Disney. (unlike me)

Our other idea is going skiing at Sun Peaks for the last week in Feb, since I don't think we'll be using the local mountains this year.
Decisions
I feel like I need to decide soon though.
Good Luck to all with their Olympic "Escapes"

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

we were there the 5th to the 12th back in 2005. it was down rite cold! i was shocked! it was actually a cold snap for them, and all teh cm's were wearing their winter parkas!!! the day we arrived i changed into shorts at the airport only to put jeans back on to go to the park. i was very happy that i had my jeans and a good sweater with me. those evenings we had to crank the ac to heat in the room. oy!

 

[mcgraws]

We went Feb 7 - 14, 2006 and we had one cold day (44 degrees) the rest of the time it was high 70's. We had one quick rain storm one afternoon (15-20 minutes) and then that evening it rained again and kept up for a few hours, still that day was sorta warm so the rain didn't seem too bad, we spent that evening at DTD.

Most days we were capris and t-shirts, by evening (and for Morning EMH) we wore a fleece hoodie or polar fleece jacket and were fine.

We went to water parks 2x but chose days when the sun was out and no wind. Both of the days were only low 70's but with the sun shining and no wind the water parks were pleasant.

Overall the short lines and decent weather made us decide to go again this coming year from February 3-11th, hope our luck holds out and the weather is as good then.

S

 

[Sue M]

TagsMissy:

I think I got a great airfare deal, compared to what WestJet is offering flying out of Vancouver. Again, we are flying out of SEATAC, with Alaska Air. BTW, Hawaiian Air is comparable with Alaska, though maybe a wee bit more expensive. But Hawaiian feeds you, whereas you have to buy a cold sandwich on Alaska.

In February, WestJet is charging about $1000 per round-trip ticket. Our family of 4 is flying to Seattle-Honolulu (Alaska Air) on for $149 each. Then Honolulu-Maui on Hawaiian "free" on award points. Then Maui-Seattle with Portland stopover (Alaska Air) for $231 each -- but for us 50% off using our Alaska Air points. Total for 4 of us round-trip is $1100 USD.

Starwood Vacations sent me an e-mail recently with a special offer $849 for 5 nights at the Westin Ocean Kaanapali Villas with a free rental car and $75 resort credit. So that's where we're staying in Maui. In Honolulu, we're staying 3 nights at the Hilton Hawaiian Village for a $170 AAA rate.

I also factor in parking at Master Park Seattle, probably about $120.

Our total (before food costs) for a family of 4 for 9 nights is probably $2900.

Hope that helps you!

We fly out of SeaTac too, and stay at Marriott Towne Place Suites in Kent, or Springhill Suites in Renton, whichever has the better deal. (I don't like the Towne Place Suites in Renton).
They let you park free, for however long you are away, and give you breakfast. they both have airport shuttles. I am staying at the Towne Place Suites in Jan, with Entertainment rate of $70.00 Hotel is about 10 min from airport.
I love the Kent location because it's near Southcenter Mall, Cheesecake Factory and Bahama Breeze, my 2 fav restaurants

 

[c&m]

Sue M: Nice rate you are getting with the Marriott in Kent. I'll have to check it out for our trip in February. I do love Southcenter too. We've only eaten at Cheesecake Factory. We've never tried Bahama Breeze. Fill me in on what's good there. Thanks!

 

[Sue M]

http://www.bahamabreeze.com/menus/ I usually order a chicken or seafood entree. Can't remember but I think last time I had the Margerita Chicken. Everything is good.
We feel like our vacation starts when we leave for Seattle! Staying at the Marriotts, is a great deal cause parking is free, so you get a hotel stay for cheaper than the price of airport parking. Last Aug. we were in Florida for a month, and no problem with leaving the car. they also have security patrolling the parking lots at night. The other bonus is that it's near the mall & restaurants. Staying at the airport, there's nothing there.
We used to stay at The Doubletree across from the mall, but now they charge extra for park & stay. And no breakie!

Just getting that rate has more then paid for the Entertainment book! We stay at the hotel on our way back home too. I never feel like driving after flying all day, and the time change. I tried it once. never again.

 

[Sue M]

C&M: just a note- The Kent Towne Place Suites have a full kitchen, and the room has 1 king or queen, and a double or queen pull out. One room.
The Renton Springhill has 2 beds in the bedroom double or queen, I can't remember, and a double pull-out in the living room area. So depends on how much room you think you'll need. For 1 night, we don't care. And feel the Kent location is better.