I can't decide between Jan/Feb 08

[Fies4]

Help! DH and I are going to surprise our little ones with another trip to Disney. It's going to be one of their Christmas presents this year. Our problem is that we can't decide whether to go in January or February 2008. I realize that there's probably not much difference in the weeks I'm looking at but in all the times we've been to Disney, we've never been there in the winter months so I'm hoping I can get some suggestions from you all as far as crowds, weather and just basically anything you think would be helpful .

Some info for you to go on:
- We plan to be there a week (arrive on a Sunday, leave the following Saturday).
-We definitely want to go during value season so that means we need to go before Feb. 14th.
-I've read that there is some sort of marathon in town Jan. 10th through 13th so that rules out the week of Jan. 7-12th.
-I'd really rather not go the first week in January just because we'll still be recovering from the holidays
-We're from PA, so we're coming from snow/cold (it's going to be warmer there than where we are driving out of ) - no worries about that, if anyone is at all concerned. But I really would like to hear about what it's like down there in Jan/Feb.

Soooo .... that means, I'm thinking:
Jan 13 -19
Jan 20 - 26
Jan 27 - Feb 2
Feb 3 - 9

Any thoughts?

 

[Diz Kids]

We were there from January 20-27 last year. The crowds were very low. When we arrived it was in the low 70's. Most people there had pants on, but we are from WNY, so we were ready to hit the pool! Later in the week it dropped down to the 50's at certain points in the day, but like you said, that is still much better than snow. We will be returning this year the last week of January. You probably can't go wrong with any of your dates, but I think 1/21 is Martin Luther King day, so the parks may be busier for the long weekend.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[LuvOrlando]

Ok, its a very nice time of year to go but you might want to avoid:
Both sides of Presidents day- tons of families
Daytona 500-tons of families
Cheerleading championships- mostly you can avoid this if you stay away from the cheaper hotels which is where the kids + chaperone's seem to congregate. Think hotel wide sleepovers. Also, the kiddie rides will be untouched but the big kids ones will be snarled.

I'm not sure of the dates, you might need to do a little research but I'd bet on Jan 20-26 as being the safest choice for avoiding the crowds.

We go this time of year all the time, it is by far my favorite because being from PA like you (howdy neighbor) it just doesn't feel too cold to us. There is nothing better than calling PA to check on the dog and hearing about the blizzard we missed The Floridians are all in sweaters saying its freezing and we're thrilled to be walking around in light pants and sweatshirts. The weather is like a PA fall, all over the place but mostly wonderful. Also, an added bonus is that it is something to look forward to during the long boring cold spell that runs from the holidays through Easter.

Have a blast

 

[Fies4]

Thanks LuvOrlando!! That really gives me a lot to go on. I'm curious though - do you know where I can check to see when the cheerleading championships are going on? Or do you usually just keep on eye on these message boards?
I was thinking the later the better - the closer to Feb. that I could get - because it would break up the "Cabin Fever" of winter - so Jan 20-26th would work great if I find out it won't be crowded. Thanks again.

 

[jenb1023]

I am from PA and planning the same thing. With all of the checking out of dates, I have determined that Jan 26-Feb 2 is the time to go. It is part of the wonderful weeks of disney listed on the website and part of value season.

It also is the only time that I could figure out in January/early February that did not have some other event or holiday - like the marathon, MLK weekend, Mardi Gras week, cheering events, etc.

Hoep this helps but I am sure it will be fine whenever you decide to go!

 

[Fies4]

jenb1023 - you are awesome! Thank you so much! I probably sound like an idiot but what is the "wonderful weeks of Disney"? I am just getting back into planning our trip again and haven't had much time on the website yet.

 

[jenb1023]

No problem! I believe that the Wonderful Weeks of Disney are times that Disney has determined have the lowest attendance. They are listed on their website. I don't know if they will offer any discounts beyond it already being value season but I figure there is a better chance of an additional discount during those weeks than weeks that are already busier.

 

[Fies4]

Thanks again - jenb1023. I have to start all my research into the trip so we can book it. We haven't been back to Disney since April '06 and the kids have been asking when we are going back ever since we got home from the last trip! So needless to say, we're very excited to surprise them with this vacation.
Does anyone know if they've got the rates out yet for 2008? I read somewhere that they would be out in July or August - but now I can't remember which one. I like to get the rates first on the Disney website so I have a good idea as to what it's going to be and then call and book it in person.

 

[jenb1023]

2008 rates are not out yet - and everyone on the DIS planning an early '08 trip is anxiously waiting. I have heard early August but I am hoping for earlier because I can make my ADR's starting 7/30.

 

[tink2]

jen- I did the same thing and your dates are the exact same as mine!!! We are staying at POFQ Jan 26- Feb 2. It is the only week that doesn't have something going on. Plus, according to a website that ranks crowd predictions for each day of the year, it is the lowest week of the entire year I believe. On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the most crowded, the levels are all 4s except one 5 and even one 3- I didn't see a 3 anywhere else on the calendar! The week of Jan 20 has a few 5s and even some 6s, plus it has MLK day in it- so I think the week of the 26 should be less crowded. Now for the rates to come and the countdown to begin!!!

 

[mousebymarriage]

Just a word of advice if you are planning to go in Feb before value season ends. Things are changing after Jan. 1st, O.K. let's say you want to go to WDW for 7 days and book it for mid February just before value season ends. You check in on Feb. 13th and value season ends on Feb. 15th, in the past your entire week would be charged value season prices even though only 1 or 2 days fell during value season, well that will not be the case starting Jan 2008. You will be charged per night, so if 2 days fall during value season you get those rates and the other 5 days you will get charged the regular or peak season rate. I know it stinks! We used to do it every year so we could lock in the value rates for the entire stay but Disney got wise to that plan and squashed it

 

[dazzled]

Hi! Our family went this year Feb. 2-9. Just be prepared for all kinds of weather. And we did encounter some competition groups right at the beginning of our stay and at the end. The worst part is the food courts at the resorts. We stayed at the All Star Music Resort. I would definetly pay for the preferred room if staying at a value when a competion is going on. We had a preferred room and we had no problems at all.

As far as the crowds are concerned it was very nice. My husband was thrilled every morning when we would drive through half empty parking lots to the parks.

Have a great time!

 

[jenb1023]

Tink - I am glad someone else came to the same conclusion as me! It is a lot to look at and figure out. Now with your crowd estimates I am positive that this is the week to go! (Don't tell anyone our secert ) Did you make room only ressies? If so, will you change it to a package once the rates come out?

 

[Fies4]

Well, I think Jan 26 - Feb 2 it is then! You guys are the best!! Now all I have to do is wait for the rates to come out so I can make our reservation and then figure out where to make my ADR's. I love these boards!

 

[Lesley Mahler]

I am from PA and planning the same thing. With all of the checking out of dates, I have determined that Jan 26-Feb 2 is the time to go. It is part of the wonderful weeks of disney listed on the website and part of value season.

It also is the only time that I could figure out in January/early February that did not have some other event or holiday - like the marathon, MLK weekend, Mardi Gras week, cheering events, etc.

Hoep this helps but I am sure it will be fine whenever you decide to go!

Is Mardi Gras week usually busy??

 

[tink2]

jen- we booked room only for now. We have two rooms at POFQ- my parents are also traveling with us. They already have tickets (they bought 10 day non-exp when they went with my brother's family) and we don't. I will probably wait and see what kind of discount comes out. If a package discount comes out then I will call and switch to a package. If not, I'll probably leave it as it is. I don't necessarily like paying the full amount 45 days before we leave. Either way though, not a big deal. My parents had a room only res. last year and when a discount came out, they just switched it to a package- I don't think it was hard.

 

[jenb1023]

Is Mardi Gras week usually busy??

I don't know if it is unusually busy or not. I am sure it is still much slower than a lot of other times of the year.

However, when I was originally leaning toward the first week of February I was on the Feb 2008 thread for discount codes and it seems like a large number of people from LA go that week because their kids are off school for Mardi Gras but other kids from other states are not.

I am sure it will be fine that week but since I was flexible on my dates I decided to go the one week that I don't believe there is anything else going on.

 

[princesskimberella]

We went this past Jan 13 - 20 th, we arrived on Sat and Sun & Mon pretty busy for MLK weekend but not too bad, you could definatly tell that the crowdn lightne up on Tues - Fri. I think the longest wait we had was on Sun about 35 minutes for Pirates and Peter Pan. The only thing we FP was Soarin and Peter Pan on one of the days, everything else we walked on or waited tops 15 min.

Weather was unuasally warm 80 - 85 the first 3 days then one day it dropped to 65 then back to high 70's the lst 2 days. Defianatly cooler at night.

 

[drumer121]

Went last 2 years 06 2nd week Jan. cool at night 50's, pool ok during the day and had one windy cool day. 07 3rd week Jan. 2 days rain and cool the rest of the week 70's. Going 08 1st week Feb. hope to be alittle warmer in the evenings. Note pools are heated. Good luck