Is February going to be too cold?

[LJRJR]

We go to Disney every year. This year we want to take the kids again, I have my reservations for the Poly for early February, and I can get round trip tickets for really cheap. I dont know if it will be too cold, most of the fun for the kids (ages 3, 5 and 7) is the Poly pool. If we are going to go again this year it needs to be for the lowest possible cost, and with 5 people, it is more difficult to find hotel rooms on site for a low price. February seems to be less costly with the airfare and the hotel room. What is Disney like in February? Can the kids swim, will we need coats and hats?

 

[dpwright]

It's probably hit or miss, hard to say for sure. Daytimes can be anywhere from 82 to 52 depending on the weather. I think it's usually in the 70's range. Which for us, coming from Massachusetts, is WONDERFUL to feel in February. The evenings can get pretty cool, so your best bet for pool going would be a mid day park break. But from all I've seen, winter weather in Orlando can go either way, hard to predict, but usually just fine. Last year we were there this very week, thanksgiving week, and it never got above 65, it got to the 20s at night! we were freezing. Today it's 82 down there. So I say go and have a ball. If it's a little chilly for the pool either go for it anyway, kids don't usually care, and have sweatshirts and pants ready when they get out or there certainly are a million other things that would keep their minds off of it!!
We're going February '09 and are also hoping for nice weather. Good luck

 

[Elmo888]

We have gone three different times in January, and we are going again at the end of January 2008/beginning of Feb. While we have needed light jackets, we haven't ever needed coats. Last January, we took our DDs, and they swam on 3 different days. The weather was in the 70s, the sun was shining, and the pools are heater. And, as the PP stated, it doesn't seem to make a difference to the kids. And DH and I never used jackets this past January (DD6 at the time used a jacket once, and DD2 at the time used a jacket 2 or 3 times).

Occassionally, there will be a winter where coats are needed. Just check weather.com or accuweather.com before you go and you will be prepared. Usually, it is just light jackets and/or pullover sweatshirts/fleece tops.

It is a great time of year to go, and I would (and did!) go ahead and book. Crowds are low, prices are low, and you aren't sweating buckets. Even if it is on the chilly side, it is still worth it.

Have a great trip!

 

[mommyrom]

We are also booked for the first February trip this coming year...We will be at DVC for the first time from 2/7-12...DH and I have been discussing what we will need to pack and I cannot wait to wear a sweatshirt in Disney, as we were last there this past August for 9 days and it was sooooooooo hot! Can't wait to see Mickey again and not be sweating constantly...

 

[wrighter]

This will be our second trip in early February. I can't speak for every year, but last year it was beautiful! It was definitely brisk in the mornings - we wore light jackets. But by lunch we shedded the jackets, and by mid-afternoon we saw people in tanktops. We took our kids to the pool and they loved it - regardless of the weather. The pools are heated to something like 82 degrees, so you won't notice the difference. Bring something warm to throw on afterwards, though, as the air is cool once you get out!

We love early February, as it is value season and the crowds are low. We do understand that you just never know what kind of weather you're going to get in February. We just make sure the check the weather the week prior to see what we need to pack more of.

Have a wonderful trip - don't let cooler weather hold you back from hitting the pools!

 

[Ella's Mom]

We were married at Disneyworld on Feb. 4, 2000. Our wedding day was beautiful, but I remember the other days being chilly. We wore sweatshirts during the day and winter jackets with light gloves at night. I remember being cold watching the night shows. Just check the forecast before you go. We are going in Feb. also and I'll be packing a little bit of everything. Plan on having a little extra luggage.

 

[SplashMountainMama]

Do most of you bring your winter coats with you or just fleece,sweatshirts,etc for layering when you go that time of year??

 

[mommylicious]

We were there Feb 1 - 6 this year. We were in long sleeves and usually sweatshirts every day but the last day (perfect theme park weather...jeans and tees were fine). We had our last 2 nights at the Beach Club with a room that overlooked Stormalong Bay. Our kids would occasionally say "LOOK! There is someone in the pool! can we go too?!?!?" DH would look outside and say "those are crazy people. If the life guards still have on their warm up suits and jackets, it's too cold to swim. You don't need to go swim with the crazy people."

It was cool to cold (but not freezing) but the trade off is that we walked on to just about everything. This was the first trip where we were not there at rope drop even once, didn't go with any sort of touring plan and between low crowds and using fast pass (when it was available, a lot of times crowds were so low the machines were covered) we pretty much had walk ons all week.

 

[wrighter]

We brought our winter coats but never used them. But we were also never in the parks late at night.

 

[Addicted2TheMouse]

We went the second week in February this year and it was COLD. One day in particular was winter jacket weather. We stayed at the Poly and if I remember correctly the pool was closed for refurbishment. We didn't miss it that's for sure. My parents stayed a week longer than DS and I and the next week was much nicer so it can be pretty hit or miss that time of year. But the low crowds and short lines make up for the cool weather.

 

[toesmom]

We did 2 trips these past 2 years, both end of Jan/beginning of Feb. They say pools are heated. Ha ha ha. sorry, not heated to a temperature that keeps you comfortable unless you really move around a lot.

I dreaded getting in and out of the pool with the kids. Under the water you could be sort of warm if you moved around. But as soon as you have to get out... I hate remembering it.

You may be lucky, but don't count on warm water for swimming. Kids don't care very much, but if you have to be there in the water with them, then prepared to be cold.

Better to know ahead of time. But the crowd levels more than make up for the lack of swimming time. So I"d say, go and enjoy the parks. And if you have some warmer days, go for a dip.

 

[wld4mky]

We went in Feb. 2007 3-10 It was nice during the day but the air still felt cool when you got our of the pool. That did not stop our 1 and 3 year old from a quick daily dip.It is hit and miss so swim when you can.
Have a great trip!!!!

 

[disneygal2007]

We have gone for the past 2 years in FEB and it has been cold. This year it was down right freezing. We probably never go back in feb.

 

[dairyqueenmom]

We went the second week in February this year and it was COLD. One day in particular was winter jacket weather. We stayed at the Poly and if I remember correctly the pool was closed for refurbishment. We didn't miss it that's for sure. My parents stayed a week longer than DS and I and the next week was much nicer so it can be pretty hit or miss that time of year. But the low crowds and short lines make up for the cool weather.

We were there a few days after you and it was warm!!! We wore shorts and tee-shorts most days. A light jacket in the morning and in the evening. The kids swam everyday. Just look out for the cheerleaders, they were there in mass.

 

[LJRJR]

Thank you to all who replied to my original post. I guess we are definately going in February because I bought the airline tickets today, and I made my deposit for the Poly a few weeks ago. I realize I am taking a chance with the weather, but the lower price and less crowds should make up for the possibility of it being cold. Now I have to work on my ADRs. Thanks

 

[t-beri]

It will be longsleeve weather. Winter is coming late here and I'd expect it to stick around till March.

I agree go and use the sparse crowds to your advantage

Of course as far as the pool goes it all depends on where your from. I was at the poly in Jan (05) and it was so cold I flat out refused to go walk around the parks (we were there on a business trip-paid for) and there were, I don't know I think they were canadian...people in the pool everyday. Even the lifeguards were in fleece pants and pullovers w/ socks and tennis shoes. So, you MIGHT be able to go swimming.

I hope you enjoy your trip, I think the kids will enjoy having the run of the park much more than swimming in the pool. And you're more likely to run into the characters just wandering around the park when it is cool out too. That is always a treat.

...t.

 

[pixiepower1971]

We LOVE going in the cooler weather. Make sure you pack gloves! I also always take warm jackets. You might not need them but if you do you will be so glad that you are warm when you see all the other people shivering!!

We pack lots of things to layer. We have never needed shorts that time of the year. Even if it does warm up we were comfy in jeans and short sleeves. Swimmimg...NO WAY!!! We like our pool water warm! 82 is not warm when the air temp is low.

 

[dfamily]

We were there the first of February this year and I agree with earlier posters - it was cold on some nights! We were at the Pirate and Princess Party in gloves, hats and many layers of clothes. Fortunately, we were staying at the BWV and had a washer/dryer which we needed to wash jeans each night. By the end of our stay, we were able to wear shorts and sweatshirts. I will say this . . .having been in September several times, I'd much rather face a couple of nights of cold. The 3 kids handled it much better than heat. Regardless of the weather, you're at the most magical place on earth. Have a great time!