Jan.04-Feb.04

[Tiger926]

I am currently planning my next trip for Jan. 25/04 - Feb.5/04. We usually only go in the summer as I am a teacher, but we have been in May & Dec. as well. I know that weather can fluctuate at this time of year, and crowds are low because it's value season, which is why we thought it would be a good time to bring our baby daughter (will be 8 months) for her 1st trip! For those who go at this time, here are some questions since we have no experience with value season:

1. Can you get everything accomplished with shortened hours?
2. Is it normally just chilly this time of year, or does it rain a lot as well?
3. Does Disney normally refurb. any of their major attractions at this time (I know about water parks)?
4. Any major conventions or groups at this time of year?
5. We are Canadian and do not have annual passes, so what would be the best option for room discounts? eg. codes, Can. at Par, etc...


Any info anyone could provide would be great.

Thank you kindly, Tiger (aka Piglet's momma)

 

[debster812]

Tiger--

We were there last year from Jan 25-February 5 of '03. We will be going this year from Jan16th to the 25th (our APs expire on the 25th ).

Was it chilly? Yes, a little, but we're talking 60s and 70s. In January and February that is positively balmy for us, being from Mass, and with you coming from Canada, it should be much the same. Some days it got up to the 80s, we swam several times during the week, and DS LOVED the play fountains at DTD and in EPCOT.

We were there for 11 days, with APs, so we feel we did get everything done that we wanted to, without having to rush rush rush, but I think with the right park hopper passes, you could definitley see what you wanted to. We saw every parade 2x (except Spectro, which we only saw once) We saw fireworks in every park but the Studios, as we thought he would be a little spooked by Fantasmic! We hope to keep going this time of year, until DS is too old to pull out of school.

We did not notice a lot of big groups. There were some cheerleaders/dance teams, but they were usually in small groups of 6-8 and were always perfect ladies and gentlemen.

Good Luck!!!!!!

 

[jiminyfan]

We go almost every year around that time frame. I love it. The crowds are usually non-existent. Shorter hours at MK and MGM really do not make that much of a difference except for Spectro and Fantasy in the Sky performances. We just end up at EPCOT every night for Illuminations.

Weather - never had much rain if any. Being a Canadian it will feel wuite comfortable. Being from PA we always felt it was plesant weather. make get a chill at night, but we never had "COLD" weather.

Attraction rehabs are a crap shoot. You never know what will go down when. I would say that you have a better chance of missing one major attraction, but once again being a frequent visitor it does not bother us to miss one or two attractions.

The WDW Marathon is in January, Cheerleaders and Dance teams may be there as well. We never had a problem with any of these groups much to the surprise of many people and things I read on these boards. WE sayed at All-Stars last years during the time and had both Cheerleaders and Dance teams around us and didn't have any complaints. They practice during the day and this may upset some, but they were well-behaved.

The reason we go at that time of the year is it is the anniversary of our son's first trip. He was 6 months old at the time. So, I say it is a great time to get your daughter initiated to WDW!

APs can still be a good option to keep open. They usually have good rates and for the length of stay you have planned it will most likey pay off. Besides you may get TWO trips out of them as well. You can go a week earlier the following year and save some $$$. we always get APs and do two 10 day (or more) trips.

 

[vicb]

Just wanted to add we have been twice in that time frame (mid Jan to mid Feb value season). Generally crowds are low and you're right about reduced hours. We felt we were able to do most things we wanted given reduced hours but you must plan more carefully. In early Feb. spectro was only one night the whole week! One trip we missed SM completely due to rehab, the next trip it was going down for rehab on our second day there so we made sure to get to it first. Then splash mt. rehabbed!

 

[cmoger]

I'm going Feb.20-29/04 (because of my spring break in ontario) and was wondering when I might be able to find out about discounts. Also, I heard that this is a slow week even though it is peak season because it is between president's day weekend and most spring breaks, is that true?

 

[vicb]

The best place to watch for discounts is mousesavers.com. But I don't expect we'll see anything for our week until January at the earliest (hope I'm wrong).

I too have read that the week after Pres. is supposed to be slow but this coming year (04) it is Mardi Gras that week so that may increase things slightly.