Tell me the President's Week Horror Stories...

[turnlisa]

To make a long story short, we have our vacation planned for the week before President's Day to hit my DS's (he is a 4th grader) mid-winter break. The district has now changed it to the week of President's Day. I am trying to justify changing our reservation to this week. I have heard that the crowds are "bad". My question is: How "bad" is "bad"? I know that I will lose my discount for value season, probably lose my AAA discount and have to pay more money. Are the crowds another reason to keep my original reservation? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[cinderella97]

I'd love to know this too. This is the first year that dd school is out President's Week. Usually its the second week of Feb. I know I don't have high expectations to be able to do everything like we usually do. I just know that I really need a vacation and can't wait to be down there. I am definately going thru my Disney withdrawals!

 

[DDADRLS]

We were there this year over the President's Week. Yes it is crowded. The only advantage is that the weather was awesome. We took advantage of the longer park hours and the extra magic times, planned our meals during off peak times and had a great time. IMHO I believe that the crowds would be considered manageble...BTW I live in the Metro-Atlanta area, this year only a couple of counties in the metro area observed this as a holiday week, this February coming up MOST schools in the metro area will be off...

 

[drusba]

I guess one question to ask is whether and when you have been there before. President's week is very crowded. You can get 75 minute or longer lines for the more popular rides making fast pass a necessity; having extended hours alleviates the problem somewhat. Nevertheless, it is "light" in comparison to Christmas week, the two Easter weeks, and week of July 4, and close to many of your other summer weeks. I generally do not recommend any of those heavily crowded times for newcomers unless there are no other options. For those who have been before, and thus know a little about getting around and how to avoid lines and do not have to necessarily see and do "everything," it can be OK.

 

[Bob P]

drusba has hit it right on the head.

Prenident's day weekend is crowded; the good news is it does start to thin out by Wednesday or Thursday.

I would also caution you that while I'm happy that DDADRLS had good weather, February weather in Orlando is completely unpredictable. You could have great days in the 80s with cool evenings, or you could have mornings near freezing with days that struggle to get above 50. And both of those things could happen within a few days of each other!

Bob

 

[Jacksmom99]

We had a great time last year. I found the crowds to be busy at MK only, but they got better after President's Day. We were able to see everything we wanted, walked on somethings, and Fast Passed others. We're going again this Feb., and I can't wait!!

 

[turnlisa]

drusba,

We have been during Spring Break before and quickly decided that it wasn't for us. My DSs are still somewhat small (my oldest is 9) and this was just too crowded with too many older kids for us. That's why we switched to November. We were hoping to avoid yanking him from school for the earlier week but I am starting to lean that way. Thanks for the info.

 

[cman]

We were there this past Presidents week. I agree that the weather can be so so but this past year it was great. Low 80's each day and no rain.

We normally go in Oct. so we were prepared for massive crowds.

The only problem we had as far as crowds go was at MK. We decided to leave the around 11am because it was just too crowded. Becuase of EMH it was open until 3am. So we went back around 10pm and once midnight came it was like we had the park to ourselves. Very few people and no lines. If you have kids that are old enough to handle a 3am closing it's worth it.

The other parks were'nt very busy. Just a few hour long waits to deal with. I'd like to think it was becuase of my excellent planning skills that we were able to avoid the crowds - but I'm not sure that was it.

 

[Buckalew11]

I have been twice in Feb.
First time was the week leading up to Preisdent's day. That weekend (Saturday before PD) was horrible in the MK. I had never seen it so crowded. We did breakfast at the CP and left ASAP. Went over to MGM and it was actually *slow*--wonderful slow!
The weather, like BobP said is unpredictable. One trip we had 80s and HOT and one trip we wore sweatshirts and were comfy. One day on the 80's trip it was downright COLD in AK though (??What is up with that?!)

If it were me, since your son is only in 4th grade, I'd probably keep the week before. It'd make for a better time and less costly too. JMHO. That's what I'd do (if your son is a good student)
I'm afraid when people say it clears out right after PD, that that used to be the case because of long weekends but now more schools have "mid-winter break" then and may have the whole week off. Also, do you know when Daytona is? That makes for more crowds also!!!!