Popularity of early February?

[Camping Cat]

There is a possibilty that we may be making a trip to WDW to celebrate our 35th anniversary in early February. We want to bring our daughter, son-in-law and (by then) 13 month old granddaughter with us, but it's not certain that they will be able to come. I want to put off making reservations until as late as possible because what type of unit we reserve will depend on the number of people staying, or even if we make the trip at all. I know the fall with the Food and Wine Festival and December are extremely popular times of year for DVCers, but does anyone have any experience with making fairly last minute reservations at a DVC resort for early February, particularly the first week of the month? Our first choice would be OKW because of the size of the one bedroom, but we would be pretty flexible. Any thoughts on this time of year? I'm usually an avid planner, making our reservations as soon as we can, but this trip will be more than just my husband and me, so I find myself having to wait on other's work schedules.

 

[Granny]

I would think that early February for OKW should be little problem to book with little advance planning. As long as you're avoiding any three-day weekend times, I think it's probably about the easiest "short notice" time of the year, especially at OKW or SSR.

 

[MermaidJan]

I have a ressie for Feb 11th - 17th book at the 7 month window for a standard studio at BWV.

The CM told me that there were still plenty of rooms available.

Good Luck.

 

[PocahontasLookALike]

Just booked our 1 bdrm at BWV for early Feb today! We changed our plans last minute from late feb. to early feb and I had no problems getting a 1 bdrm at BW!

 

[JWollman]

we have gone down in early february with no issues-
less crowded- but you have to go before the school vacation/presidents day week rush.

 

[jennypenny]

Just remember (this year) the superbowl is Feb 3 in Miami so the first week will be more crowded than usual. And the week following Pres day is also usually pretty crowded.

Jenny

 

[Anjelica]

and it was not fun compared to other times we have been in recent years (1st week of May and 2nd Week of November). I couldn't believe how packed the parks became so quickly and especially with EMH's - it was pretty bad. It was supposed to be "lower" crowds but I personally found it to be worse than any other times we have gone.

We did go to Seaworld on the Saturday during our trip and did not get anywhere near the crowds we got at WDW parks. Not sure how that makes sense but I don't think we will go again during early Feb.

 

[n2mm]

Just remember (this year) the superbowl is Feb 3 in Miami so the first week will be more crowded than usual. And the week following Pres day is also usually pretty crowded.

Jenny

I didn't realize the superbowl is played on a Saturday...I always thought it was a Sunday, thanks. The week after is not President day. President's day is Feb. 19th, so actually 2 weeks after.

We went the first week of February last year. The crowds were low and the weather was cool during the day and cold in the evening. We never went in the pool, but did use the hot tub. We were at the WLV. I booked our WLV studio at the 7 month window from the check out date, with no problem.

We have also booked WLV for the first week of February again for 2007. We again booked at the 7 month window on check out date and again had no problem.

We like going early February, but would never choose February if it was the only trip I took per year. We go to WDW 4-5 trips a year. We like February as a relaxing trip after the holidays. From the WLV it's a quick run from the building to the lobby in the morning as it's pretty cold. During the day, if you're lucky, it might get into the high 60s or low 70s (however in 2005 it actually got close to 80 a few days--but is not the norm). We could have had our pick of any resort when I called a couple of weeks ago, but like the WLV because of the size and the fact that we can zip into WCC for breakfast in the AM and not spend too much time outside in the AM. Plus the members hot tub is very close to the building, because it's a mad dash after you get out of the tub to the villa building. Our only concern while traveling in Feb, is getting out of Wash. DC, because the weather can turn at any time. In 2005 we had to add another night because of a snowstorm in the Wash. area shut down the airports....drat, it forced us to stay another night, so you need to have a plan B just in case this happens to you.

 

[Granny]

I didn't realize the superbowl is played on a Saturday...I always thought it was a Sunday, thanks. The week after is not President day. President's day is Feb. 19th, so actually 2 weeks after.

Super Bowl is Sunday, February 4 but the advice is still valid. I think the week after Super Bowl would be the one most likely to be affected as the week before will be filled with lots of activities in Miami.

The only other aspect about February is that the park hours are somewhat shorter and more attractions are being re-habbed. So there are trade-offs in going during the non-peak season. Having said that, I think we'd like to go at that time sometime since we only go during the summer now!

 

[DVC Grandpa]

We have gone to WDW many years during the month of February. Prior to being DVC members we always stayed at ROR or Dixie Landing in those days. We always enjoyed the Super Bowl get together in the lounge at POR until the year most of the resort was closed and the management didn’t have anything planned for the event.
Daytona speed week and Valentines Day both are considered when we make our February plans.
Going to BCVagain this year and am counting the days already.