WDW in February? Weather - How cold?

[Peylog]

Hello fellow Disney Fanatics,

My family usually goes in May ( we love May), But can't go in May next year, we thought earlier and in Value season--- possibly February 12th for 7 or 8 nights but I was concerned about the temperature and crowds at this time, also is it warm enough for swimming. I have looked up historical weather patterns at WDW in Feb, but wanted to hear from any regulars in Feb or anyone who might know. Any info would be appreciated. TIA Peylog



2005 Feb POLY (I think, depending upon weather)
2004 May WL
2003 May CSR
1994 November SOG

 

[JennSaint]

We've gone in February for the past 3 years. Crowds start getting bigger President's weekend. Which next year is Saturday the 19th. So you would probably miss most of the crowds. We always check in 3 or 4 days before that weekend. As far as the weather we've had temps as low as 59 and highs in the low to mid 80's. It really could go either way. As far as swimming goes my boys always go swimming at least a few times and sometimes more on our trips. The pools are heated.

 

[DisneyWisher]

The weather all depends on if a cold front comes through. We went Pres. Day this past year and it was chilly w/ overcast. Upper 50's ( FL resident here anything below 65 is chilly) LOL. But the next day was warmer. I think typically it will be in mid 70's during the day and low 50's at night. We love it at this time of the year. Who cares how big the crowds are when it 70 outside, at least we aren't sweating. But before Pres. day is usually a slow time of the year.

As far as swimming weather that depends on you. One December when we were there it was in the 30's at 10am and people were in the pool. Steam was coming off the water because Disney pools are heated.

have fun,
Shirley

 

[hhender102]

We are going that same week (2/12-19). We debated going the last week of April vs. Feb., but I really wanted to hit value season this year since we will be staying onsite. We went this past Feb 27 - March 5 and it was perfect -- warm, sunny weather (NO rain!) and low crowds! Although I was looking at going that same week this year, that would put us smack dab in peak season -- we were offsite this past visit -- and I can't justify the increase for two rooms for a two-week difference in time.

I am hopeful that the weather will be okay also. My aunt and cousin went a couple of years ago during the first week of Feb., and they were wearing jeans, sweaters, and coats the whole time...ugh! Then, again, we are from WI, so FL has to be better than what it will be doing back home at that time! I hope

Come on nice weather

Have a great trip!

 

[my2tinkerbells]

We went the first week of Feb. this year. We thought the weather was very nice! It was always a little chilly in the morning, we would start out with jackets on. But by lunch time it was very nice, low 80's most of the week. We did swim, and there was very little rain. And best of all, the crowds were very low, almost no existant! I think the longest we waited in line was 5 min. We walked on almost everything, and lots of times had the option to ride again, because there was no line! We rode Kali River Rapids 4 times in a row and could have kept riding, exept we were soaking wet!! The only exeption was we fast passed Peter Pan because it had a 20 min. wait. That area of the magic kingdom tends to get a little congested sometimes, especially right around lunch time.

Just my 2 cents!

 

[Peylog]

Thank you so much for your info on WDW in Feb.



hhender102,

We always go in late April early May, I debated on it again next year but we have another trip planned in Arkansas for June and I didn't want to plan them to close together.

Thats neat that will be there at the same time. Where are you staying? We are going to try out the Polynesian, I think discount codes will come out again around this time. Either way Poly it is.
Peylog

 

[hhender102]

Peylog, we are booked at WL, but I initially was looking at Poly. Boy, everytime I read a trip report, I really second guess my decision, but we are getting 2 rooms b/c we have 3 kiddies and I don't want to cram all of us in one room -- even if it means being able to stay at Poly. This is our first trip onsite -- only second time to WDW, so we will hopefully work our way up to Poly next time Plus, my kids are all animal fanatics and we'll have to do the petting zoo and horseback riding at FW, so the closer to that the better. I am sure we will love WL, but Poly looks divine...ahhh, so many resorts, so little time (and $$)! I am with you -- I think we should have a code (oh, please, pretty please) during our trip. If it's really good, maybe we will switch. I decided on the resort on my own -- kids thought they both looked great and SO is not quite ready to talk about resorts again since we "just got back" (yes, I am trying to convert him into an obsessed WDW fan); maybe once I get the family involved and the trip gets closer -- well, who knows!

 

[KSgirl]

My mother and I went this past February....first week of. Weather was cool in the mornings (we started off with jackets), but usually warmed up by noontime. It was very nice during most of the days. When the sun set, it was time for the jackets again. Be prepared for a cool front, as one of our days, we were shivering all day long. I wore gloves and jacket the entire day. Best to dress in layers...you can always take something off We did not brave the pools. Have a great trip. The crowds (or lack of) are awesome!

 

[mariamouse]

The weather can vary, although it is always more chilly than I prefer--while you can swim in the pools b/c they are heated, getting out is always the problem. While I have been able to wear shorts at this time before, I generally found that pants were more comfortable--even coming from much cooler CT. Definitely pack a couple sweaters and long-sleeve shirts and prepare for anything! Despite the cooler temperatures this past February, I always find it an enjoyable time to visit--be prepared for President's Day crowds as well, however... I strongly recommend getting into the parks early in the morning and using fastpasses, as we found we could not achieve much if we did not get into the park before the rest of the crowds. While I prefered the weather on my trip this past late April, you will have a wonderful time no matter what--no matter what the temperatures are, you will be in Walt Disney World! Have a great trip...

mariamouse

 

[100AcreMom]

Be prepared to layer and you should be fine. The small crowds make up for any temperature changes, unless you hit Pres. Weekend. Then you can just work around the crowds.

Hey KSgirl - we have the same wedding day! We'll be spending our 15th in New Orleans, but I'll be wishing I was at WDW!

 

[KSgirl]

100AcreMom~

Happy Anniversary to you too! We'll think of you during WISHES 'cause we'll know you "wish" you could be there too. I don't know if I'm more excited to go to Disney for our anniversary or that we are getting away from the children for 5 days...ha! I DO know that the weather will be much warmer than in February.

 

[antmaril]

We were there in February of this year - President's Week. I thought the weather was great. It was a little cool - especially in the morning - but I will take that ANY DAY over the heat and humidity of the summer. We thought it was perfect and hope to do it again next year at the same time.

 

[PamNC]

this Feb and I must say - NEVER AGAIN. I'm probably in the minority, but when I go to Florida, I want to be hot. I want sunny, bright skys and I want to be so hot that I have to jump into the pool to cool off. I can't help myself. We went 2/9 - 2/14 (we usually go in May too) and first of all - it was cloudy 90% of the time. Hardly saw the sun. We had one day warm enough to enjoy the pool - I think it was upper 70's. The rest of the time it was cloudy, cool (60's for a high) and just downright depressing. Never, ever, ever will we do it again.

In fact, we're going back in one week to enjoy the hot, Florida sunshine to make up for the yucky February weather we encountered. Well, any excuse to go to WDW, right?

I say if you're a warm weather person like myself - DON'T DO IT! If not, you'll probably be fine. I would go earlier than you stated in your post - the Northern schools have a winter break and it's so very crowded. I think the break is President's week. We were there the week prior and it was great, as far as crowds go. But, that weekend of President's Day - the gates opened up and everyone who lives North of the Dixie line came flooding into WDW.

Insanity!

PamNC

 

[hhender102]

PamNC, you mention that we should consider switching our week. I book us for the week before President's Day (I think it's the 21st). We are going Feb. 12 -19, do you think that will be okay crowd-wise? The crowds for PD will be there the week OF President's Day, right? We live in WI, and my kids do not have off school that week! They have an "early release" (get out at 1:00) on Fri. the 18th, and that is it. So unfortunately, we will have to pull them out of school.

I am sorry to hear that the weather was so lousy when you went. We were there Feb 27 - March 5 and it was PERFECT. Warm, not hot, and sunny -- absolutely NO rain! I know we were very lucky! The crowds were low (at least in my opinion -- that was our 1st trip to WDW). We were looking at that same week, but we are staying onsite and I couldn't justify the peak rates for a one or two week difference. But I also know that the night we flew into MCO it was downright COLD! I think it was colder in Orlando than it was in Milwaukee (at least at the point we left Milwaukee in the morning--yes, it was as if a "heat" wave had hit WI -- 50s in Feb. -- woo hoo!). Boy, were we surprised! But the next day was wonderful. A little chilly in the AM, but it warmed up quick and the rest of the week was great! Sounds kind of hit or miss

I will be doing the dance on the plane on our way down

Thanks for the info!!

 

[Disney Fool]

I agree with PamNC!!! I was there this year in Feb and it was COLD. Much colder than I thought it would be. One night in particular, everyone in the MK ran for the shops to purchase sweatshirts and sweatpants; we were freezing. MK did a great business that day! Cash registers were singing. The other days it was cloudy, cloudy, cloudy. In 11 days, we had one sunny day that lasted half a day. Evenings were chilly. the kids braved the pool at the Poly, but as someone already said, getting out of the pool was the problem. A lot of shivering lips, and blue fingertips.
Give me the sunshine, blue skys, the heat, ice cream dripping down my shirt, all of it. After a terrible winter in Massachusetts, I was looking forward to some heat! Didn't get it.

 

[PamNC]

Hi there Hhender102 - We were there the week prior to President's Week - and the crowds were very very low. It wasn't until the Friday evening before Presidents Day (Monday) that we saw a change. And, Saturday - ohmygosh - the gates opened up. So, as far as crowds we only had it tough for 2 days. The week prior is fine.

Weather wise I hated it. Apparently it can vary quite a bit in February and it's hit or miss so you never know. You might have fine weather. I just know I won't risk it again. Maybe late Feb/early March is better than early Feb. Remember, we went 2/9 - 2/15 so it was still farily early.

Everyone's different - I want HOT! I mean 90+. I want to be so hot that I have to get in the pool and I have to go to the Tambu Lounge at the Poly and grab a Lapu Lapu just to cool off. Then I want to sit on the balcony and look at the tropical landscaping while I sip my cool drink..............and I want sunshine. Don't mind the afternoon thunderstorms in fact I think they are kind of fun. I want to wake up every morning to the blue skies and birds singing - not cloudy, cool, misty mornings. Not to the point where I'm cold during Illuminations...and to the point where I have to pack a darn sweatshirt. If I wanted that - I'd stay in NC. And you live in WI, oh my! You've got a different guage on cold...so you might think it's fine.

Pam

 

[jpd3]

I was there for President's Week this year, 15-21 Feb. The crowds were really heavy on Monday, President's Day, but started slacking off as the week went on.

The weather started off that week fairly cold but warmed up nicely as the week progressed. But the weather is generally hit or miss during that time of year anyways. The week prior to our trip the weather forecasts were showing rain for every day. Once there we only had one day of light rain that lasted for about three hours. In any event, layers are the key to handling the weather. We rented a locker at the front of the park and would drop stuff off as the day heated up.

Have fun! It's Disney!!

 

[Peylog]

I am a hot weather person to, so I am starting to question early Feb, What about early march? Does 1 month make that much of a difference? Also are spring break crowds going to hit me, lets say March 4th - 12th, Isn't easter next year in March? Well what do you guys think. I do know it will not be value season, it will be peak season ( boo hoo) but weather wise and crowd wise, how will it be? TIA Peylog

 

[Peylog]

I just found out! WDW black out dates are March 19- April 1st 2005 with Easter falling on March 27th, 2005.