January or February?

[sue0911]

Just returned from our first visit home on May 26th and I am already planning our next visit!
I am trying to decide between middle to late January or the middle of February (right before presidents week).
If anyone has been during those times, how is the weather, warm enough to swim or not? How are the crowds?
Any insight you can lend would be greatly appreciated.
I would be going with my dh and two dd's ages 10 and 12.
Thanks for all the help

 

[jimmacmn]

I am trying to decide between middle to late January or the middle of February (right before presidents week).
If anyone has been during those times, how is the weather, warm enough to swim or not? How are the crowds?

Just about anything can happen in Dec, Jan and Feb. weather wise. One year we went in Feb and on the first day we played golf at Eagle Pines with a 9:30 tee time and it was 50 and drizzleing. I don't think it got over 60 that day or the next but by the end of the week it was in the 80's. The same with the several times we have been there in Dec. We have not been in January, but I assume it would be the same. As to the crowds, it should be relatively quiet up to Presidents weekend. After that they start building

 

[DVC Grammy]

Since there's no guarantee of swimming weather in either month, we tend to choose January because of the lower point cost (I'm a point-miser ).

 

[sue0911]

That is what i was thinking, I would be able to save some points. I am going to try to get into AKV - any ideas on what my chances would be?

 

[n2mm]

Both months are unpredicatable when it comes to weather. We have gone late January and early Feb. Always cold at night, but some days it gets into the 70s. There was swiming going on when we were there this year...we mostly enjoyed the hot tub.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have had weather all over the map at those times too. I think we once had a high of 99 the first week of January, but we have also had it be near freezing!

I think I would go for late January and take advantage of the lower points.

 

[Mtnman44]

I like January. Crowds are great, except for MK on the weekend. Weather has been good for us, but always seems like it rains one day out of our 12 day trip. Biggest problem is ride closures. Usually at least one good ride at each park is not operating. It's still worth it to me to avoid the crowds. Our last trip in Jan '06, I think over the 12 days the longest we stood in line (including using fast passes when possible) was about 15 minutes (peter pan on Saturday), and we did EVERY ride in WDW.

 

[edk35]

We have gone twice in Jan. We go the last week of Jan. We love that time of year. It was a bit colder this past Jan. than the other Jan. we went. The crowds are low, it is nice. I say go for Jan.

 

[sue0911]

Thanks everyone!!! I think I will change the ressie and go at the end of Jan to save the points. Hopefully I can get AKV

 

[Nadine&Scott]

Hope you are able to change your ressie, January is our favorite month to go to WDW.

 

[ktbugsmom]

This will be our 4th year going in January. (Have 2008 booked already!). We love it then. We go starting on marathon weekend - which is usually the 2nd weekend in January. We have been very lucky with the weather - 60s and 70s. Not hot - but much better than Wisconsin in January. And - we swim every day! (A Wisconsin thing I am sure! )

Crowds are good. MK is the most crowded - but not bad.

However, as mentioned - sometimes there are ride shut downs. This year it was Rockin Roller coaster and Splash Mtn. In 2006 - we would go to MK right when it opened and ride Splash Mtn and BTMRR about 3-4 times each before moving on (when the lines got to about 10 minute waits). It was great! The first 2-3 rides were no lines at all! Even with Splash being closed this year (meaning same amount of people - but only one ride to split them up) - we could still ride BTMRR 2-3 times before the line hit 10 minutes long.

Just avoid MLK Jr. weekend. That gets busy. Pack a fleece jacket and shorts and have fun.

 

[beachblanket]

Just to "distill" all the prior responses and add my ten cents:

- Weather is unpredicatable. Yes, the pools at DVC resorts are heated, but in the worst case scenario, be aware the air may be too cold to comfortably swim.

- Yes, crowds are smaller. But because of that, park hours and entertainment schedules are are cut way back, and as others have mentioned favored major attractions are almost always shut down for refurbs.

As a result, off season trips to WDW almost always end up having more of a resort/dining/shopping focus, particularly in the evening. Or put another way, this isn't the time to go if you like to park hop and/or ride your heart out.

In fact, for that reason we are going during President's Day week next year. Yes, our park itinerary strategy will have to be more "commando" because of the holiday crowds, but if we want to Faspass attractions at 10:30 at night in the MK, we'll be able to and Spectro and Fantasmic will be running twice every night.

And best of all, my wife won't complain about the heat!!!

 

[edk35]

Just to "distill" all the prior responses and add my ten cents:

- Weather is unpredicatable. Yes, the pools at DVC resorts are heated, but in the worst case scenario, be aware the air may be too cold to comfortably swim.

- Yes, crowds are smaller. But because of that, park hours and entertainment schedules are are cut way back, and as others have mentioned favored major attractions are almost always shut down for refurbs.

As a result, off season trips to WDW almost always end up having more of a resort/dining/shopping focus, particularly in the evening. Or put another way, this isn't the time to go if you like to park hop and/or ride your heart out.

In fact, for that reason we are going during President's Day week next year. Yes, our park itinerary strategy will have to be more "commando" because of the holiday crowds, but if we want to Faspass attractions at 10:30 at night in the MK, we'll be able to and Spectro and Fantasmic will be running twice every night.

And best of all, my wife won't complain about the heat!!!

I have to disagree a bit.....in that yes the parks close early except EC is open til 9.... but because the crowds are so low....you get so much done in that shorter day than when it is more crowded. PLUS we feel more rested and less exhausted from being up early and up late going other more busy times. It is worth trying that is for sure.