Tell me about February Vacation week, please!

[Penmac]

Taking a trip in 2019 and trying to decide on the best time. We never travel in the winter. My oldest will be 10 this year, and we have never gone away over any school vacation week for various reasons- mostly inflated costs and at least one or several of our kids having pneumonia, a fever, the stomach bug, etc. We can't do April vacation because of my work schedule.

We have been to Disney 4 times in summer weather. Average temps on all of our trips mid-90's. It's hot and sticky, but I like to vacation in hot weather, and enjoy the extra warm pool water. I love the later park hours, and we did the MNSSHP last year and loved it. I can't even imagine experiencing Disney in temperate weather. How does one dry off quickly from Splash Mountain? These are questions I need answers to! I think it could be really nice to pick up around the horribly cold weather that is mid-February in the Northeast, and head south for a nice break. I know it's probably not pool weather down there, but I think anything down there will be better than our winters up here. But, I am nervous about giving up my hot vacation weather! And nervous about the higher chance of someone in the house being ill. Winters are so tough for that in our house (kids are 2-9, at the moment).

President's Week is our school vacation week, so I am thinking of driving down. The weather Gods would need to help us out here, but we have 5 kids so flying over school vacation week is absolutely out of the question. We have driven twice before so I am not worried about those logistics aside from bad weather. We would do maybe 5 nights in FL with a stop on each way. Would we be better off going down mid-week before vacation week, and staying until early in the vacation week, or leaving mid-week of vacation week and staying until the start of the week they should technically be back in school? I don't mind them missing a couple days of school, and think staggering the trip for only part of vacation week could help us out. My gut tells me that avoiding that long weekend of President's Day may be the best option, but I am interested to hear what others have done and how crowd levels are.

How long in advance should we book accommodation? I am used to doing it just 4-6 weeks before... Guessing that may not be possible that week. We stay offsite. We have been to MK on the 4th of July and it was so crazy (rest of the week it was ok). I wouldn't want to do that type of crowd level again. Splash Mountain FP line was 35 minutes long. Does it get like this? We may do Universal, too, because my older girls are obsessed with HP.

Other times of the year we are considering are:
December 2018- probably not going to happen since we just went earlier this summer, but I would LOVE to do the Xmas Party. We would travel earlier in the month and miss some school for this since I have heard the crowds at end of month are insane. We would probably have to fly since we wouldn't have any school vacation days to work with, but flights prices are ok as of now. As I am typing this, I know my husband will refuse to go back a second time in one year on principle, lol! We are both turning 40 then, though.....

August 2019- Stick with our usual summer plan and do the Halloween Party again. I know we will have an amazing time, as usual. But, we will be sacrificing a nice trip to the White Mountains in NH to hike, lake swim and visit a couple smaller theme parks in the area.

 

[Marionnette]

Taking a trip in 2019 and trying to decide on the best time. We never travel in the winter. My oldest will be 10 this year, and we have never gone away over any school vacation week for various reasons- mostly inflated costs and at least one or several of our kids having pneumonia, a fever, the stomach bug, etc. We can't do April vacation because of my work schedule.

We have been to Disney 4 times in summer weather. Average temps on all of our trips mid-90's. It's hot and sticky, but I like to vacation in hot weather, and enjoy the extra warm pool water. I love the later park hours, and we did the MNSSHP last year and loved it. I can't even imagine experiencing Disney in temperate weather. How does one dry off quickly from Splash Mountain? These are questions I need answers to! I think it could be really nice to pick up around the horribly cold weather that is mid-February in the Northeast, and head south for a nice break. I know it's probably not pool weather down there, but I think anything down there will be better than our winters up here. But, I am nervous about giving up my hot vacation weather! And nervous about the higher chance of someone in the house being ill. Winters are so tough for that in our house (kids are 2-9, at the moment).

President's Week is our school vacation week, so I am thinking of driving down. The weather Gods would need to help us out here, but we have 5 kids so flying over school vacation week is absolutely out of the question. We have driven twice before so I am not worried about those logistics aside from bad weather. We would do maybe 5 nights in FL with a stop on each way. Would we be better off going down mid-week before vacation week, and staying until early in the vacation week, or leaving mid-week of vacation week and staying until the start of the week they should technically be back in school? I don't mind them missing a couple days of school, and think staggering the trip for only part of vacation week could help us out. My gut tells me that avoiding that long weekend of President's Day may be the best option, but I am interested to hear what others have done and how crowd levels are.

How long in advance should we book accommodation? I am used to doing it just 4-6 weeks before... Guessing that may not be possible that week. We stay offsite. We have been to MK on the 4th of July and it was so crazy (rest of the week it was ok). I wouldn't want to do that type of crowd level again. Splash Mountain FP line was 35 minutes long. Does it get like this? We may do Universal, too, because my older girls are obsessed with HP.

Other times of the year we are considering are:
December 2018- probably not going to happen since we just went earlier this summer, but I would LOVE to do the Xmas Party. We would travel earlier in the month and miss some school for this since I have heard the crowds at end of month are insane. We would probably have to fly since we wouldn't have any school vacation days to work with, but flights prices are ok as of now. As I am typing this, I know my husband will refuse to go back a second time in one year on principle, lol! We are both turning 40 then, though.....

August 2019- Stick with our usual summer plan and do the Halloween Party again. I know we will have an amazing time, as usual. But, we will be sacrificing a nice trip to the White Mountains in NH to hike, lake swim and visit a couple smaller theme parks in the area.

I know that this is sacrilege on a Disney message board but have you considered just not going to Disney for a year?

February is cool but not usually cold. Although you will have your winter coats and warm clothing for your traveling days, so it should be no problem having hats, gloves and heavy coats if you need them. Driving from the Northeast to Florida can be a huge wild card. You know how to drive in snow but in the southern states, they get ice. It can be bad, with highways getting shut down due to accidents and jackknifed tractor trailers.

February is also when Disney does ride maintenance and refurbs. Some of your favorites may be closed. Park hours are shorter (especially AK) and some night time shows will only be offered once per night. Yet, President's Weekend will be crowded with other Spring Break families trying to escape the bitter cold when the kids are off from school. It won't be as insane as the 4th of July, but there really is no slow time at Disney anymore. IIRC, the Festival of the Arts runs thru February at Epcot and it is beginning to catch on.

The Princess Half Marathon will be held on Feb 21-24, 2019. Presidents Day is Monday 2/18/19. This adds to the crowds at race resorts toward the end of the week although the impact at the parks is not too great.

December can be very nice but I've been there when it is very cold. The first weekend will host the Pop Warner football championships. Again, crowds at the host resorts but minimal impact on the parks. However, *free* dining, holiday decorations, and MVMCP will make up for it. The first two weeks of December see moderately high crowds with the level dropping significantly from the 3rd week until Christmas/New Year's week, when it will be insanely busy.

TBH, mid-August can be one of the slowest times for Disney. Southern schools are back in session. Northern schools are gearing up for the new year. It's hot and humid, as you know. But park hours are a bit longer than they are in the winter and there are few, if any, attraction rehabs. You're guaranteed to get the warm weather you crave and you won't have to deal with any lost school time. But since going next August would mean forgoing what looks like a very nice trip, my recommendation is to skip Disney until the following year. SW:GE will open in late fall 2019. Going in January or February of 2020 might be a better choice.

 

[SwanVT2]

We live in VT and go to Florida every February, but our vacation falls the last week of February into the first week of March due to Town Meeting day in VT. I would try to avoid President's weekend = busy! We have been during our dates when they have fallen on Mardi Gras and it is crazy. Thankfully, we will avoid that this year. The weather is great for the pool...warm days and semi-cool evenings (which don't seem cool after being in VT winter). I would not drive down due to weather. Since you are in NH, you could fly out of Manchester. Also, we have a credit card that includes trip insurance on it, so that is great for us. We have one kid, age 6, and I totally get it about illness in February. If you really want to go, go in August, or go in February and plan for crowds around President's weekend and get trip insurance. I think February is a beautiful time to go and it rejuvenates me to April break (I am a teacher).

 

[mjkacmom]

I believe that week is very busy since most of the northeast has that week off.

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

We went in Feb 2018 and the temps ranged from 82 to 87 as a high. I prefer the cooler temps of 65-70 degrees so I was HOT! I looked at the farmers almanac weather history and the week of President's Day 2018 it was still warm with temps in the 85 degree range...

 

[Penmac]

I know that this is sacrilege on a Disney message board but have you considered just not going to Disney for a year?

February is cool but not usually cold. Although you will have your winter coats and warm clothing for your traveling days, so it should be no problem having hats, gloves and heavy coats if you need them. Driving from the Northeast to Florida can be a huge wild card. You know how to drive in snow but in the southern states, they get ice. It can be bad, with highways getting shut down due to accidents and jackknifed tractor trailers.

February is also when Disney does ride maintenance and refurbs. Some of your favorites may be closed. Park hours are shorter (especially AK) and some night time shows will only be offered once per night. Yet, President's Weekend will be crowded with other Spring Break families trying to escape the bitter cold when the kids are off from school. It won't be as insane as the 4th of July, but there really is no slow time at Disney anymore. IIRC, the Festival of the Arts runs thru February at Epcot and it is beginning to catch on.

The Princess Half Marathon will be held on Feb 21-24, 2019. Presidents Day is Monday 2/18/19. This adds to the crowds at race resorts toward the end of the week although the impact at the parks is not too great.

December can be very nice but I've been there when it is very cold. The first weekend will host the Pop Warner football championships. Again, crowds at the host resorts but minimal impact on the parks. However, *free* dining, holiday decorations, and MVMCP will make up for it. The first two weeks of December see moderately high crowds with the level dropping significantly from the 3rd week until Christmas/New Year's week, when it will be insanely busy.

TBH, mid-August can be one of the slowest times for Disney. Southern schools are back in session. Northern schools are gearing up for the new year. It's hot and humid, as you know. But park hours are a bit longer than they are in the winter and there are few, if any, attraction rehabs. You're guaranteed to get the warm weather you crave and you won't have to deal with any lost school time. But since going next August would mean forgoing what looks like a very nice trip, my recommendation is to skip Disney until the following year. SW:GE will open in late fall 2019. Going in January or February of 2020 might be a better choice.

Thank you for the advice. We did plan to skip Disney this year, but we have a day pass that isn't activated that expires end of 2019 (long story). Rather than let it expire, I thought it would make sense to take the trip a year or two earlier to use it, and then take a couple years' break from Disney after that. After all of this helpful advice, I am certainly leaning towards August again. But, no decisions are final.

 

[sponica]

Honestly, I'd stick with August, especially if you'd be driving. With my luck if I planned to drive down, there'd be some massive crippling blizzard the day I was scheduled to leave and the day I was scheduled to arrive back home...

 

[Penmac]

Honestly, I'd stick with August, especially if you'd be driving. With my luck if I planned to drive down, there'd be some massive crippling blizzard the day I was scheduled to leave and the day I was scheduled to arrive back home...

I have similar luck! My sister-in-law and also a friend have driven to Disney on Feb vacation week from here multiple times with no problems, but I know I would end up with the wild card!

 

[Chrislovesdisney]

I work in the schools too up in the NE and my husband works in the universities which makes it even harder to find a few days that work out for our schedules. I thought about every single holiday opportunity and the end of summer just makes the most sense. Just knowing there’s no inclement weather to worry about ruining our plans, no high crowds (relatively speaking), no work to rush back to the next day sets the tone already for a much more relaxed vacation.

 

[sponica]

I have similar luck! My sister-in-law and also a friend have driven to Disney on Feb vacation week from here multiple times with no problems, but I know I would end up with the wild card!

My mom teaches in NH so she has the following week off and goes to Hilton Head, I think in the past 4 years she's had to scramble on the way out or on the way back 2 times. 2015 was the way down, they had to shuttle her to Boston from MHT and switch her layover somewhere else. This past year she almost didn't make it out of Hilton Head....

 

[rg35]

I would stick with August since you have already done it in August and don't mind the heat.

I would avoid driving the I95 corridor in Feb simply because the weather is so unpredictable.