jan or feb 2008

[stitchsfourkids]

Want to start planning our trip for next year...2 families with 7 kids under 8. Trying to pick a weekand know to stay away from MLK and Presidents Day weekend. What other events during those times should we stay away from when picking dates? I know the marathon is in Jan. How do I find out when? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MamaOfTwoPrincesses]

I know the Marathon this past year was the weekend of Jan 5-7. We arrived on Sun the 7th and stayed through Sat the 13th, which was the Sat of MLK weekend. The only day we experienced waits was that last Saturday, but it was also early entry day at MGM. Aside from that, we had a truly wonderful week, with great weather and not too many crowds.

 

[stitchsfourkids]

thanks for the info. can't wait to start planning

 

[susykt4]

I wouldn't worry about the marathon weekend. We went during that time in 2006 and the crowds were very low despite the marathon. We also never had any unusual waits at the Pop Century food court. I think the marathon is the first weekend in January after new year's- at least that's what it was past two years.

We went Jan 5-13, 2006 and Feb 1-10, 2007 and got very lucky with weather (as in little rain, but some days both trips were very cool) both times. This trip we were worried about some huge builder's convention as well as a cheerleading and/or dance competition but were not bothered by either of them in any way- crowds were still low in the parks, etc. We stayed in the 50s section of Pop and didn't have cheerleaders. We did see lots of cheerleader (or dance) groups around the parks but they were well behaved and nothing like the horror stories I kept reading about the groups in early December.

We're so spoiled with the low Jan/Feb crowds I can't imagine going at any other time of year! (Unless we suddenly came into enough money to go multiple times a year!)

 

[stitchsfourkids]

i agree with Jan/Feb being a great time of the year to go. I just printed a calendar for 2008, so let the planning begin!

 

[Camping Griswalds]

Hi, we always go last week of Jan/first week of Feb. That is when kids have a winter break. Already booked a house offsite for the 26-2/4 next year. Really no crowds at all. Walk on to 90% of stuff, and with a little planning and fast pass, can ride multiples of big ticket or popular kiddie rides. We have always been big believers of the early entrance hours in the am. Especially in the MK, you can do all of Fantasyland and Buzz and Space and be ready to hit Splash and Big Thunder when they open. Weather can range from freezing (literally) to 80 degrees. We have done water parks in January 2 out of last 8 years. This year was the coldest and rainiest yet. Still enjoyed Florida weather. (We stayed off site in a house for first time and only did Universal and IOA, Seaworld and Busch Gardens to see how we would feel about staying off site. We are a family of 5 now so the private pool and hot tub were worth trying for us. Plus it was only 1000 for eight nights including pool heat and tax. We will go back to staying onsite in future, but want to try the home idea again, and just do the 4 Disney parks on this next trip) l If you are staying on property, at least try one early morning and one late evening EMH. I know there are a lot of conflicting posts about these, but try to see how they fit your lives first. We love them at some of the parks, (MK and MGM) but found for us that Epcot and AK weren't needed. Especially at that time of year!

 

[latexscooter]

I know the Marathon this past year was the weekend of Jan 5-7.

2008 Marathon weekend is January 11-13, with the races on the 12 and 13. They moved it out a week from previous years and it's the 15th year so participation will certainly reach the max.

I think your best time to go would be any time from the January 14 through the first week of February.