Presidents Week--How Crazy-go-nuts is it?

[freewill]

Tried searching this question but surprisingly didn't find much.

How crazy busy is Presidents Week, after the holiday weekend in February (e.g., February 15-21, 2016)?

Does MK typically experience any phased closures that week? Or is it just summer-type busy without being Christmas or Easter week busy?

Thanks!

 

[Alesia]

Summer busy. No phased closures.

 

[Aurora0427]

Yes... Summer busy. No closures. We went in 2014 and I wasn't expecting it to be so busy. But we had a plan and got everything done!

 

[freewill]

Thanks!

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

We went this year and it wasn't bad at all. I think the most important thing is to have a plan and realistic expectations about crowds.

 

[mkla2015]

We were looking at that time of year as well... from what I've read, most people say it's summer busy but not insane- and it also tends to be even busier when Mardi Gras falls on that week as well.

 

[britterbell]

The 18-21 is also Princess Half Weekend so be prepared for those crowds as well

 

[freewill]

The 18-21 is also Princess Half Weekend so be prepared for those crowds as well

Thanks, hadn't considered that. Does that have much impact on crowds prior to the race day?

 

[BobC]

i went on accident 5-7 years ago thinking it's a slow time of year, but totally spaced out about President's Day! It was busy, but not that busy where I couldn't do anything I wanted.

 

[britterbell]

Thanks, hadn't considered that. Does that have much impact on crowds prior to the race day?

By the sounds of the PHM board, a lot of racers will be heading to the parks, my group and I being of them. I would say the crowds will be towards the end of the week and the weekend

 

[freewill]

By the sounds of the PHM board, a lot of racers will be heading to the parks, my group and I being of them. I would say the crowds will be towards the end of the week and the weekend

Thanks -- I'll look into this event more as we get closer, and maybe avoid Epcot heading into that weekend. What's the PHM board?

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I went in 2013 because it was my birthday week without even thinking about Presidents week and I found it way busier than I expected. It also had Valentines Day that week.

 

[krissyh]

Over the last 15 years, I have been to WDW (staying on-site) six times, always during President's Week.
I'm a teacher and consider that week my best option because:
- It is not hot ( last year, it was so cold they closed the pools two days; still better than the -10 temps at home)
- It is usually warm enough for water parks/pool
- It is crowded and "high" season, but not nearly as crowded at Christmas or Easter/spring break weeks
- Dining reservations need to be booked early, but I've always be able to get the ones I wanted (I do signatures, but not character meals)
- I get up early anyway, so getting to the parks shortly after rope drop, with FP+ for afternoon worked great for me
- If you can work it to be there later in the week / return home on Monday, you'll find better airfare and lower crowds
- I never really noticed a huge impact from the runners

Hope that helps.

 

[tessiesevin]

I will be there Mardi Gras week which falls the week before President's week.

 

[NorthshoreTigerFan]

I will be there Mardi Gras week too. Does anyone know if the week before President's Day is particularly busy? Or do the East cost schools stick to President's Day week being their week off?

 

[epcotty]

When we went then the crowds were a bit busier than we were expecting, which was moderately high

 

[hiroMYhero]

Thanks -- I'll look into this event more as we get closer, and maybe avoid Epcot heading into that weekend. What's the PHM board?

Princess Half Marathon thread.

Try to avoid DTD/Disney Springs on Saturday and Sunday. Many of the runners will choose to be there rather than in a park.

 

[pangyal]

I'm curious about this too, as we are booked Feb. 18-28. I confess that I am not overly familiar with US holidays. Would the crowds be better after PHM starting on that Monday? A few crowd calendars have that week at 2 and 3 levels all week, so I'm trying to figure out how accurate that estimate is!

Would you all suggest avoiding MK until after the 21st completely?

 

[FindMeAFishingSpot]

As for the question of East Coast school break - most of Massachusetts is off Presidents Week. Airfare is proving to be very expensive. We're doing a Disney Cruise and ending with a few days in the park - I'm expecting big crowds.

 

[NorthshoreTigerFan]

I'm hoping to avoid the BIG crowds since I will be there the week before Presidents Day. I've got my fingers crossed...