Visiting in February

[abeautybutafunnygirl]

Hi everyone!
I've just done my school for the spring semester, and I found out that I have Monday and Friday off classes, creating a perfect block around reading break to maybe take a trip to WDW.
I realize it is a little late to start planning, so I need all the help I can get before I propose this to the rest of my family. The dates would be Friday, February 5th to Monday, February 15th. Is there anything going on around there that would have an effect on crowds? (American holidays? It always seems like there's something going on). Would Valentine's Day have a noticeable effect on crowds?
What would it be like to start planning now? Obviously I could start booking TS reservations now, but when could I start booking FP+ (we would be staying onsite).
Any other general advice about visiting around this time of year?
Thanks for any info you can give me!

 

[Badamon]

Hi everyone!
I've just done my school for the spring semester, and I found out that I have Monday and Friday off classes, creating a perfect block around reading break to maybe take a trip to WDW.
I realize it is a little late to start planning, so I need all the help I can get before I propose this to the rest of my family. The dates would be Friday, February 5th to Monday, February 15th. Is there anything going on around there that would have an effect on crowds? (American holidays? It always seems like there's something going on). Would Valentine's Day have a noticeable effect on crowds?
What would it be like to start planning now? Obviously I could start booking TS reservations now, but when could I start booking FP+ (we would be staying onsite).
Any other general advice about visiting around this time of year?
Thanks for any info you can give me!

We'll be there Feb. 10 - 18. We've visited during this time for several years now. Our kids have school break during this time (as does most of the Northeast-it's busy!). You can expect the parks to be crowded. During that week is also President's Day (very busy days!). Valentine's Day, in my opinion, doesn't seem to add crowds, it's already packed. If you check crowd calendars you'll see most days during your dates will be at the least yellow, most will be red. That being said, take advantage of your magic hours and rope drops. We always have a great time, regardless. We can start our FP+ on Dec. 10 I believe.

 

[amylevan]

Crowds should be pretty light from the 5th thru about the 11th. President's weekend (the 12th-15th) will be pretty busy (and expensive on-site).

On site reservations can make FP+ reservations 60 days in advance. We arrive on 1/30 and can make FP+ reservations next week, so your period would open the week after.

The only other thing to know about Florida in February is that the weather can vary pretty crazily. You could potentially need everything from shorts to jackets & hats.

 

[Shiltons]

Mardi Gras is on February 9th this year. Some schools in the southern states have time off for this holiday. I know a lot of people in the New Orleans area trek to Disney during the week of Mardi Gras. Not sure how much it really effects the crowds though.

 

[ars0525]

I've gone the 1st weekend in Feb & it's been very nice crowd wise. That is also Superbowl weekend. You'll also see a resort price increase along with a crowd increase for the 2nd weekend due to it starting a holiday week.

Weather can be all over. Wear layers to remove & add as needed.

 

[Accident]

Some of the crowd calendars were predicting it a little more crowded that week with valentine's day but that's all relative as it'll be less crowded than right now I'm actually going the week after.

 

[HopperFan]

A good indicator is the Disney Hotel rates. For your trip you are talking about ....

- Couple nights Value
- Few nights Regular
- Night Peak
- Few nights Holiday

So progressively hotel prices keep climbing after your first couple nights so the crowds will as well. Everyone above is correct; Mardi Gras, Presidents holidays, School Winter Breaks .... will all increase the crowds.

 

[epcotty]

around President's Day is always more crowded than you would think

 

[soccer mom]

I would suggest getting all your "must do's" done early in your trip. President's Day Is Monday , February 15 (that weekend starts a week long break for many school districts in the US) and Mardi Gras on the 9th will both raise the crowds some the second half of your trip. Here is a website that might help with some of your planning. www.easywdw.com. Have fun planning. You'll have a great time no matter what!

 

[abeautybutafunnygirl]

Thanks everyone for your advice! I didn't even think about Mardi Gras, and I didn't realized Presidents' Day was a holiday in the states.
We'll take all that in to consideration when planning!