Newbie questions

[tailgreater]

Hello, I'm new to this board and wasn't sure which forum to post these questions in. We are planning on visiting Disneyworld next year (2012), on the following dates:

Arrive: Sunday 2/5/12
Depart: Friday 2/10/12

We will be staying at Shades of Green. Our total travel party will be my parents, myself, my wife and our 2 boys (ages 5 and 8 at the time of the trip).

Is this traditionally a good time to go as far as crowds and weather are concerned? We went to Disneyworld 2 years ago in late September, and we were thrilled with the whole experience including weather and lack of crowds. How does the early February time frame compare historically?

Also, a few more questions in regards to our staying at Shades of Green:

1) Is Disney Dining plan available for purchase?
2) Is magical express bus from airport available.

Thanks for any info you can provide!

 

[captinhookedondisney]

Crowds should not be a problem it's before the Northeast gets off from school.


Magical express is NOT offered for the Shades of Green Resort. However other Disney transportation to the parks/DTD ect. is offered.

Dining Plan is also not available to guests at the Shades of Green resort.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

February is generally a less-crowded time to visit, with the exception of the 3-day holiday weekends.

Shades of Green is not a Disney resort, and as such doesn't participate in the Disney Dining Plan or Disney Magical Express.

 

[Metro West]

 

[lovetoscrap]

That should be a great time to visit. It may be a little too cold for swimming but I know I read somewhere on the boards that the locals are saying it is warm enough for swimming now.

I do want to clarify that I don't believe that Shades of Green has the same transportation system as a WDW Resort. They have more of a shuttle system with buses running at certain times and only dropping off in some places. I am pretty sure they only go to the TTC for MK and Epcot instead of directly to the parks. Not sure if they go directly to AK or DHS. And I think they drop off at a DTD hotel instead of at the "Disney" bus stops for DTD.

I know when I looked into it a few years ago I did find out that it is close enough to walk to the Poly so you can always get a bus there if you miss one at SoG or take the Poly bus back if you miss a SoG getting out of the parks.