Jan or Feb?

[TerriBelle]

Our kids next year have two weeks where they have a day off and 2 days that they get out 3 1/2 hours early. These would be great weeks to go to Disney. We can't decide which one.

1) Week of MLK 1/18 - 1 24
2) Week before President's Day 2/10 - 2/15

Anyone been this year to either of these weeks? Did you swim at all? We are leaning towards the Jan. week because the DVC points are lower

 

[#1MMFan]

I would go with January. I've been in mid January and late Jan/early Feb. January was less busy and we still managed a midnight swim on one night. We were lucky with the weather but it was in the 80s. I would definitely recommend January as my favourite time of year to go (so far!).

#1MMFan

 

[Dana_Buckley]

We went this year around Jan 10th, and it was way too cold to swim. It was unusually cold, though. Like 40 in the morning and at night and maybe 60 in the afternoon. The crowds were very light, but if swimming is important, I would lean toward Feb.

I also think MLK is a super busy weekend, where as the week before President's Day may not be as bad. Best of luck planning! Have a great vacation!

 

[Harambe]

If you decide on MLK weekend, we'll see you there! We're going down Jan. 14. Hopefully we'll enjoy some low-crowd days before and after the weekend. We are planning to spend the weekend doing a little at the park but a lot at AKL, so we won't feel the weekend crowd too much!

We like January, and often swim if it is at all possible. But then again we're from New England!

 

[Chess]

TerriBelle - Thanks for asking this question I was just talking with my mom about the two weeks you are talking about and saying I needed to post it on the DIS.

Any other responses out there.

 

[jaysue]

Have the season dates been posted yet - I am not sure but thinking that your Feb dates might be in a more expen$ive season than your Jan dates

Thanks
Jason

 

[Geoff_M]

I'd go with the January dates. We've been to WDW three times in January. The weather can be a bit hit-n-miss temperature wise, but we've been able to swim all three trips. The pools are heated and temp. is a relative thing. Being from Maryland, an air temp. of 55 at night, when the water is like bath water, would probably be just fine! We did that at WL one year and those from warm weather states thought we were nuts! But it worked for us!

 

[B3LM]

As long as you go in early February, you should be able to get value rates. For 2003, WDW switched over to peak season rates on 2/13. 2004 seasons haven't been announced, yet.

 

[Mamu]

We visited Disney in February this past year. We arrived the Wednesday before Presidents weekend.

The rates doubled on the the 12th. So I would think you would want to visit before rates go up. Crowds were low, most rides were walk on unil the weekend. It did get more crowded but never un-manageable. We did hit good weather while we were there, we swam every day. The weather can be iffy this time of year.

I know people have gone during the Jan.-Feb. value season and the weather has been cold. It's hit or miss. I know we all want great weather, if only we could plan it that way. When Florida does get a cold snap, one good thing is it usually doesn't last long. Doesn't help if it during your trip though.

 

[debster812]

We were just there from Jan 26-Feb 6th. The weather was cool, but we're talking 60-70. And coming from the winter we had here in New England, that was positively TROPICAL. We did swim several times during our stay. I have to say the crowds were virtually NON existant. We walked onto everything for the entire 10 days. DH rode RnR 4x back to back.

Disney pools are generally heated pretty well, so swimming is usually fine unless you get the freak cold snap they had this year where they had temps in the 30s.

We are also planning on going for the time surround MLK weekend, so we can get another big trip out of our APs.

 

[Demosthenes]

I'd definately go with January. Weather patterns are virtually identical for these two months down there (it's hit or miss for both months), but rates are better in January and crowds are typically lighter. We've done MLK weekend several times before, and the MK gets pretty crowded for the weekend, but the parks are virtually empty the rest of the week. February crowds are slightly elevated (as evidenced by Disney changing most of Feb. to regular or peak season).

 

[TerriBelle]

Thanks for all the input. I think we will give Jan. a try this year. We have been in Feb before and it can be really busy if you hit the same week as some of the Northern states have their "enery break". Know I just have to decide if we want to try a universal hotel for the weekend!

 

[girlsx2]

We went the week before president's day this year and we loved it!! None of the parks were crowded at all. We never had to wait more than about 10 minutes in line for any attraction. The weather was great during the day, around the 70 degree mark, however, once the sun went down, it did get very cool. My kids swam everyday but one. I would recomned this time of year hands down. We loved it so much that I have already booked my trip for next year for the very same week. Hope this helps.

Sherri