November vs February

[lynzi2004]

We went on our first WDW trip this past April. It was a shorter trip with 2 small kids (DD4 and DS2) and we only did MK. We thought that would be a good starter and when they got bigger (like 3-4 years) we would go back and do all the parks for a full week. Well, we got bit by the Disney bug and we are already looking at planning another trip!! We are not necessarily interested in the Christmas parties, but weather/crowd wise which time of year do you all prefer? Dates would be mid-November or the last week of February?

 

[Hootch]

The week of Thanksgiving will be heavier. If you could hit the week before Thanksgiving, crowds should be lower and weather should be nice. You would be looking at upper 70s for a high and and around 60 for a low, at least on average.

Crowds in February should be low at the end of the month. Presidents' Day will attract more people. On average temps will be several degrees lower and the chance of inclement weather is higher.

I would recommend the middle of November as long as you stay away from Thanksgiving.

 

[tink9702]

The weather in February is often colder than November and you might not be able to swim in the pool if you go in Feb. I wouldn't pick based on crowds because they will be similar for mid-Nov & last week in Feb.

 

[agavegirl1]

Another vote for mid-November avoiding Thanksgiving week. Better chance of nice weather for sure.

 

[PeasandCarrots]

The weather is too variable to really be the deciding factor. We were there in mid-Nov 2014 and it was cold (highs some days in the 40s with rain and wind). However, in 2015 I think they had record highs that same week. February can obviously be cold too, but less likely to have really hot temps. I think the bigger consideration is crowds. If you don't care about the Christmas decorations, mid-Nov is going to probably be more crowded than the end of Feb.

 

[matthewhavens]

We went on our first WDW trip this past April. It was a shorter trip with 2 small kids (DD4 and DS2) and we only did MK. We thought that would be a good starter and when they got bigger (like 3-4 years) we would go back and do all the parks for a full week. Well, we got bit by the Disney bug and we are already looking at planning another trip!! We are not necessarily interested in the Christmas parties, but weather/crowd wise which time of year do you all prefer? Dates would be mid-November or the last week of February?

My wife and I did February in back to back years with DD3/4 & DS1/2. My wife ran the Princess Half Marathon each time. The crowds were great. The weather was definitely cooler than we would have hoped for each time but with the kids that small they were mostly interested in rides/characters and didn't ask about the pool. Not being tied to a school calendar, we would do February again for sure.

We then did November the next year with DD5 & DS3. Again the weather was nice but cooler than expected and we did a couple chilly dips in the pool (the pool water was 80+ which helped). We did go to a MVMCP party, though at 5 & 3 both kids fell asleep during the first parade. The atmosphere at MK is amazing that time of year.

Somehow we let a couple years slip by since that last trip but we will be going back to Disney this November. With both kids in elementary school the deciding factor for this trip is two school holidays in the same week (Election Day & Veterans Day).

I agree with peasandcarrots. The weather alone is not enough to pick one month over the other. There is generally that sweet spot the week before Thanksgiving for low crowds but all the parties make it challenging to schedule as you either have to leave MK early on party days or potentially see bigger crowds on non-party days (I wouldn't go during a party week without hoppers). Research MVMCP a bit more. If it's truly not for you then I vote for February but either way you're deciding between our two favorite months.