Late February/Early March - what should I know?

[Dentam]

So I did a search on this topic and the threads I found were pretty short and most were from over a year ago so I don't think this will be a redundant question...

I'm tentatively planning to do a short trip the very first week of March. I'd like to catch the opening day of the Flower and Garden Festival and I'd also really like to check out the Harry Potter areas at Universal this time!

I'm wondering, for those of you who went during late Feb/early March this year, what your experiences were? What should I be prepared for? It looks like crowds should be fairly low (by Disney standards at least) and the weather shouldn't be as hot as it was earlier this month. Looks like park hours will be shorter like they were this month as well.

I'd love to hear from those of you who have been during this time! I haven't been to the Flower and Garden Festival in years and it looks like they've expanded it quite a bit so I'd love to check it out!

 

[Wood Nymph]

I'm wondering, for those of you who went during late Feb/early March this year, what your experiences were? What should I be prepared for? It looks like crowds should be fairly low (by Disney standards at least) and the weather shouldn't be as hot as it was earlier this month. Looks like park hours will be shorter like they were this month as well.

We were there last year from Feb 26th to March 1st and it was cold and rainy most of the time. The last day was sunny and low 80's but the prior to that we had 60's. The crowds weren't too bad, though. And MK had late hours on Saturday night.

 

[mkla2015]

We were there Feb 26- Mar 7... Our trip started off chilly- we needed sweatshirts and one night was so cold, we brought blankets for the kids to cover up with in the stroller. It rained the next day then turned warm- after that we needed shorts.

The weekend we were there was crowded but week days were not crowded at all. We were able to see and ride everything we wanted to... Multiple times.

I think MK was opened until 10pm most nights- Saturday had EMH until 1 or 2am- most rides were walk ons. We didn't do EMH at any other parks.

I think it's a great time to go to Disney. My fav time of year!

 

[Dentam]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm hoping to go on a Monday-Friday to avoid weekend crowds and the higher hotel prices. Sounds like I should be prepared for all weather possibilities!

 

[Princess candy]

Crowds were definitely higher on the weekends than during the week. We went last weekend of Feb last year. Lower crowds than I have seen in May and thanksgiving but definitely more people than I expected--many foreign travelers and young families with toddlers.

 

[MermaidMommy]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm hoping to go on a Monday-Friday to avoid weekend crowds and the higher hotel prices. Sounds like I should be prepared for all weather possibilities!

Yes, that's the most important thing to keep in mind for weather at that time of year. We arrive don Feb 28, last year and stayed for 12 days. We had one day that was cool and rainy, definitely sweatshirt or jacket weather, but the temps were in the upper 80's by the last few days of our trip. Grnerally, it's a good time of year for weather.

As far as crowds, as long as you're gone before the second week of March, you won't have any issues with spring break crowds, and crowd levels should be moderate.

Epcot is beautiful during F&G. There's also food booths during it now - like a mini Food and Wine - in case they last time you went was before they were added. If you're curious about the food served, Josh at easyWDW did reviews of just about every item last year, and since they often stay the same, it might be worth googling to find his reviews.

 

[Dentam]

I haven't been to the Flower and Garden Festival in 8 years so that's my main reason for wanting to check it out - there were no food booths last time we went either!

I'm still debating on this trip - was hoping there would be some good room only discounts but I checked after work today and there's really not much available at all. Only pool view at POFQ. Wonder if they all sold out that fast or if there just wasn't much offered compared to the fall discounts.

Thanks for the info!