President's Weekend Experience?

[loveDisneyinTN]

Hello!

I KNOW the weekend prior to President's Day will be crowded but I am curious from those who have actually been at the parks during this time...just how bad is it??

I am doing a quick weekend trip with my siblings and just curious how bad it'll be. This is the only time we can do it so I am just hoping since we won't have our kids it will be manageable.

thanks in advance!!

 

[NJ Goofy]

We've only been there one President's Weekend, but I didn't think it was too bad. It is much more crowded then the weekdays leading up to the weekend but it wasn't Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas time busy. We were able to get on all the attractions we wanted to and since we had ADR's we didn't have an issue having dinner. It was the coolest weather of all the different times we've been to the parks so I'd keep an eye on the weather.

 

[ArwenMarie]

We went the last two years.
Last year was extremely crowded
I'm not sure I would go that weekend/week again.
Prices are also high that week (airfare and hotel) so that factors in as well.
But not having kids with you should help

 

[stormer]

We always go then because I am a teacher so we are limited when we can go. It is very crowded, but it is better than being home!

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

I went last presidents' weekend before my DCL cruise and found it busy but manageable. The important thing is to make sure you have a plan.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

When presidents weekend overlaps with Mardi Gras week, which is the case this year, that weekend us easily as crowded as Thanksgiving weekend.

 

[Eeyore's the Best]

We are going this weekend as well and I'm anticipating ridiculous crowds. I figure if I plan for it than if by chance it's not as busy as I think I will be pleasantly surprised. We have fast passes, we have ADRs and we will go with a lot of patience and low expectations and I'm sure we will make out fine.

 

[prudence64]

When presidents weekend overlaps with Mardi Gras week, which is the case this year, that weekend us easily as crowded as Thanksgiving weekend.

Mardi Gras 2016 is February 9th. Presidents' Day is February 15th

 

[Jdismom]

I was going to say the same thing - Mardi Gras is the week before President's weekend this year.

 

[loveDisneyinTN]

Thanks for everyone's help! I agree, a plan is a must! I wish we could do it the weekend before but since this is when we have to go we will make it work! I haven't had an issue getting the ADRs and FP+ I want so maybe that's a good sign!

 

[ariane37]

We were there over Presidents weekend 2014. Crowds started noticeably increasing the Thurs before but the only days it really seemed crowded were the day before Pres day & Pres day itself, but nothing ridiculous. At that point you couldn't get additional FP's after your original 3 yet, either. As others said, just have a plan Our trips w/o kids are always easier to maneuver so that should definitely help!

 

[eeyoreandtink]

Mardi Gras 2016 is February 9th. Presidents' Day is February 15th

Yes, but most schools in Louisiana and costal Mississippi and Alabama are out if school Feb 8-12 and LOTS of us go to WDW for that whole week, leaving the 14th to head home. Presidents' Day crowds start to arrive Friday the 12th. There is definitely overlap.

 

[davkata]

We have been the last two years. It was crowded, but as others have said, with a plan (FP and ADR pre booked) we did all the headliners easily multiple times. Last year was a bit more crowded than 2 years ago since President's Day fell during Mardi Gras week. We also took advantage of RD, EMH and single rider lines where we could. Due to a blizzard at home last year, we arrived a day earlier than planned with no pre-booked FP and still hit all 4 parks and rode all headliners with mostly less than 30 minute waits! Not bad for the Sunday of President's weekend with no pre-planning due to our change in arrival plans.

 

[1tripandIfell]

Yes, but most schools in Louisiana and costal Mississippi and Alabama are out if school Feb 8-12

I didn't realize that any schools other than the ones in La. get out but I do know that most of the schools/colleges only get 2/8-2/9 and go back on 2/10. (at least around here) I am in La. and my son is at a Catholic school so he will be out all week. So we are hitting US/IOA & Disney 2/5 till 2/10 when we come home...Hoping for lower crowds but just happy to be able to be there

 

[loveDisneyinTN]

I was able to get B'fast At BOG before park opening today...super surprising and impressed!!

 

[eeyoreandtink]

I didn't realize that any schools other than the ones in La. get out but I do know that most of the schools/colleges only get 2/8-2/9 and go back on 2/10. (at least around here) I am in La. and my son is at a Catholic school so he will be out all week. So we are hitting US/IOA & Disney 2/5 till 2/10 when we come home...Hoping for lower crowds but just happy to be able to be there

The parish My MIL teaches in has always had all week, and most of our family/ friends in the area get the whole week. All of costal Alabama and much of costal Mississippi gets the week. I think northern Louisiana gets less time, but everyone I know from Baton Rouge south is out for the week or will be taking the extra 2 days.

 

[1tripandIfell]

everyone I know from Baton Rouge south is out for the week or will be taking the extra 2 days

I am actually in Baton Rouge!! I know it does depend on the school. I never realized MS. & AL got time off too! Oh well we will be there crowds or not!! LOL. We haven't been back to Disney since '09 and US since '13

 

[ajwolfe]

We were there one year when Mardi Gras and President's day overlapped. Honestly we didn't think it was that bad at all... What I do remember thinking was how many folks we met from LA and how friendly everyone was. We are from MO and we had a Mizzou back pack that year and it generated a lot of buzz and started a lot of conversations which my sport loving kiddos loved.
Edited to add: This was also the year we stayed at French Quarter...Totally booked it all without thinking about the Mardi Gras holiday in there. But in the end it was an awesome experience.