If you HAD to include part of President's Week in your vacation..

[C.Ann]

would you put it at the beginning - or the end? And why?

DD is concerned about weather in late Jan - 1st week of Feb - so we were looking more towards the middle (which would also mean less time lost from school for my DGD)..

What do you all think?

I know..I know.. I'm driving you all nuts!! But no more than my DD is driving ME nuts!! LOL

 

[jctwizzer]

At that time of year, a two week difference will have absolutely no effect on your chances of good or bad weather. And if I had to go during President's Week, I wouldn't.....but then that's just me. Last week in January and first week in Feb. are prime times as far as we're concerned

 

[funhouse8]

We went during pres week in 2001 the weather was great. Most schools have off Monday and I think only the schools in the north were off the whole week. By Tuesday most parks weren't crowded at all but it might have helped Rosie was in MGM the beginning of the week so we avoided this park till she left on Thurday.
However-My friend in Ga. Said they might get off the whole week off this year so I'm not sure if this will bring in more crowds, I would post a question to find out how many states have off the whole week. Maybe that will help you make a decision.

 

[goofyernmost]

It doesn't really matter (beginning or end). I have almost always gone during that time period because that is when my kids were out of school (mid winter school break). My kids are grown and have their own now but I still go at the same time.

I have been others but I feel that the moderate crowd size makes the place come alive. It is just more exciting and except for slightly longer lines it is just more enjoyable for me. I don't go to see how fast I can get on a ride, I go for the overall feeling of the place and a mild crowd does it for me. I have been when it was horrendous and beleive me it wasn't enjoyable at all. I have also been when the place was deserted and something really important seemed to be missing.

So just because the attendance will be a little higher that week don't worry about it. WDW is plenty big enough to take on the crowd. Have a great time.

 

[dgaston]

Since DH is a teacher, we have been limited to many busy times --Christmas, Easter, and of course February school vacation. We just make sure we're in the parks early for areas like Fantasyland, and use Fastpass. We're from New England and watch the weather for a warm day and make that our waterpark day. It's always been warm enough for us, but folks from warmer parts of the country look at us funny! LOL

 

[justhat]

We went last year over Presidents Week and we loved it. Of course, we had just been there over NYE so compared to that the crowds seemed non-existent. We didn't have a choice since my fiancé is in medical school so we have to go when he has breaks, but we have always wanted to go for Valentine's Day and since it was all the same weekend last year we went. We arrived the Thursday afternoon and MK was pretty empty, Friday wasn't too bad at AK, and Saturday at MGM was fine too. Sunday and Monday were pretty crowded at MK, with very long waits for Splash, Buzz, and Space, but the other parks weren't bad. We were supposed to leave Monday night, but that blizzard hit DC so we were 'snowed in' at WDW till Thursday night. Aside from the unexpected expense of the extra nights at ASMu (we luckily have APs), this was great since Tuesday-Thursday the parks were not very crowded. Average waits were 20-30 minutes, though some of that may be due to the fact that many people had their flights cancelled and couldn't get to Florida. Obviously many others were like us and stuck there, but when we were extending our stay at the check-in desk, we heard lots of people saying that their child's dance/cheerleading/band team couldn't get a flight down to Orlando for a few days, and there were definitely a lot fewer people in the parks after Monday. Also, I guess, people with hoppers might have used all their days so they spent the extra time at the pool or whatever. The weather was great all week though, pretty warm and it only rained Sunday night (after we had waited over an hour for Fantasmic). So based on my experience, I would put Presidents Week at the beginning of your trip, that way the crowds will die down as your vacation goes along, making it more relaxing when you're tired after having been at the parks everyday.

 

[3for Me]

I agree - I would get the crowds over with. We have gone when President's Day was at the end of our trip and the crowds definately increased. This is kind of a bummer if you are trying to squeeze in those last few rides.