Planning for a friend over President’s Weekend- help!

[preemiemama]

A friend is planning a family trip to WDW over President’s weekend. They plan to go Friday overnight through Saturday (they have relatives that live an hour or so away so they can have pretty much all day both days). They have not booked a hotel yet (MDE does not have anything available past December?). I know we have plenty of time before we need dining and FP+ reservations. Just trying to come up with some type of strategy for them. She will have herself, DH, and 2 DDs— ages 5 and 9. DD 5’s birthday is actually that Saturday.

The family went when DD9 was 5 as well- drove in for the day from the relative’s house and split the day between Epcot and MK. They got a lot accomplished, but this was with FP- and was not over a holiday weekend. She is overwhelmed by MDE and all that needs to be pre-planned now. So I offered to help. I know a lot, but figured I would see if there were any President’s Day veterans out there who had any advice. (DH and I are teachers, so we are used to going in the summer. Is it similar or closer to Christmas??)

Any help you can give me is appreciated! BTW-I know they cannot change the days- they have to request time off quite a bit in the future and have their minds set on celebrating DD’s birthday there.

 

[ArwenMarie]

We went this past Presidents Day weekend/week. It was really really really crowded. That weekend was a combination of Presidents Day weekend, Valentines Day weekend and I believe Mardi Gras (the real Mardi Gras week). Looks like it's going to be a similar combination for 2016. Honestly, I wouldn't go to the parks that weekend again. If I was in Florida, I would just sit outside in the sun at my hotel and enjoy the escape from winter lol. It was by far the worse crowds I have ever seen and that includes Easter week and summer crowds (I've never been at Christmas)

The only thing I would tell them to do is try to get some stuff in at rope drop, book the FPs and then make the best of it. ADRs in the parks help a lot to get out of the crowds for a bit. Have a really good plan, something I admit I didn't really put enough time into.

The good part is the weather is nice and cool!

 

[preemiemama]

That was what I was planning to tell them! Rope drop and ADRs. Maybe even a mid-day break on the first day since they will have their room.
They want a magical birthday for the little one- I am just worried they will have high expectations. I can try to mitigate it a bit with the planning... Thanks for the heads-up on the crowds...

 

[ArwenMarie]

That was what I was planning to tell them! Rope drop and ADRs. Maybe even a mid-day break on the first day since they will have their room.
They want a magical birthday for the little one- I am just worried they will have high expectations. I can try to mitigate it a bit with the planning... Thanks for the heads-up on the crowds...

If they want a special birthday I would try to encourage them to do that through a special ADR or character meal or other prepaid event (Bippity Boppity or Pirates League etc). Something out of the parks even. Maybe that Princess Tea?

Good luck helping them plan!

 

[prudence64]

2016 isn't quite as bad. Mardi Gras is the 9th and Presidents' Day is the 15, so they are in separate weeks.

 

[preemiemama]

Interesting. I think they were planning on the 22nd being President's Day, but that may work in their favor. It is still a weekend, but maybe not quite as bad...