What is WDW like in February?

[barbeml]

Since we got APs for the first time, we want to get three visits out of them. We are going for 9 days with BIL in November, and hope to go in February 2005, as well as October 2005 (with family members) for our traditional fall trip.

We are thinking of February 12-18 at Wilderness Lodge, just DH and me.

Any comments or advice about weather, crowds and WL would be most welcome!

Thanks,

Barbe

 

[kbkids]

February is my most favorite time of the year to go. The weather is awesome - it is cold at night, but we've worn shorts many times during the day. The only thing that will hurt you though is without looking at a calendar, that's probably President's Day weekend. It is packed!! Made that mistake once and won't do it again. The crowds start showing up the Friday before, and Saturday through Monday, it's packed - like summer time packed! A friend of mine went this past February and said the lines were unreal - over an hour stand-by waits, fast passes were all gone pretty quickly - she said that she overheard someone say they had stood in line 30 minutes for an ice cream bar.

The first week of February is awesome though!! Very little crowds, weather is nice - again, it's cold at night, so be prepared for that.

 

[DisneyDuo]

I agree with kbkids - we often go in February because the weather is nice and the crowds are relatively low. But yes, we were also accidently there on Presidents weekend and it was mobbed! Definitely a time to avoid!

Also just a warning on the weather, it could still get cool, so you need to bring appropriate clothes!

And watch out for the cheerleaders! We were there in early Feb this year and there were cheerleading competitions going on - nothing like being trapped on Tower of Terror with a bunch of screaming teenage girls ;-(

Lin

 

[barbeml]

According to my calendar we would be heading home on Prez weekend.

The cheerleaders would definitely keep me away. I have a friend involved in that--I will have to check with him! Thanks for the heads up.

 

[kellydizfan]

Originally posted by kbkids
February is my most favorite time of the year to go. The weather is awesome - it is cold at night, but we've worn shorts many times during the day. The only thing that will hurt you though is without looking at a calendar, that's probably President's Day weekend. It is packed!! Made that mistake once and won't do it again. The crowds start showing up the Friday before, and Saturday through Monday, it's packed - like summer time packed! A friend of mine went this past February and said the lines were unreal - over an hour stand-by waits, fast passes were all gone pretty quickly - she said that she overheard someone say they had stood in line 30 minutes for an ice cream bar.

The first week of February is awesome though!! Very little crowds, weather is nice - again, it's cold at night, so be prepared for that.

I agree 1st week in February is great - no lines and it was 60-70's during the day with it being cool at night. Great time to go.
I have heard the same about the middle of February - I would definetly go before Presidents Day weekend

 

[Taratink]

We went the first week of Feb last year and we will do the same for 2005. Cool in the morning and night but great during the day. We dressed in layers and we were fine. We are used to Boston's frigid weather so high 60's and low 70's are great. It was foggy and there always seemed to be a slight mist in the air.
Tara

 

[luvmarypoppins]

We have done feb. once, I think I would only do it again if it was a bad snowy winter here and we wanted to get away. We went that exact time of the presidents week, which by the way also coincides with ny metro mid winter vacation time. The poly was like sold out, I am so glad we made our ps ahead of time, we heard 2 mgm cms mumbling to themselves that they never saw it so crowded, weather wise it was nice during the day, could wear shorts, I had our ds bring zip off pants. At night you definetely needed long pants and jackets with a short sleeved shirt underneath. Also it was really too cold to swim at night. 2 of our ds got sick walking back to the room from the volcano pool. Definetely have sweats and a hooded sweatshirt for out of the pool, not just a towel. Also alot of germs around. One of our ds got a stomach virus and we were suppose to meet another family except they spent the day at centra care as their dd had a bad ear infection etc. Good luck and plan well and you should not have a problem.

 

[jcemom]

We went this year February 3-12th and it was great. The weather was good for the most part, with a couple of warmer-than-normal days and a couple of cooler-than-normal days, but all were better than they would have been here at home, LOL. Crowds were very light but we could tell a difference in the last day or two before we left (the Thursday before Pres Day weekend).

I have a question for all you February veterans though. I'm looking at a similar timeframe for next year's trip and was wondering how Mardi Gras affects crowds, if at all. It's early this year, the 7th or 8th, I think. The Superbowl is also right around that time, the 6th, maybe? Do you think those things will make a difference?

 

[jimmiej]

Originally posted by jcemom
The Superbowl is also right around that time, the 6th, maybe? Do you think those things will make a difference?

The Superbowl is on Sunday the 6th. I just looked it up on nfl.com. DW & I will be there Feb. 5-9. We've never been in Feb. Looking forward to some cool weather.

 

[jcemom]

Originally posted by jimmiej
The Superbowl is on Sunday the 6th. I just looked it up on nfl.com. DW & I will be there Feb. 5-9. We've never been in Feb. Looking forward to some cool weather.

Thanks, I didn't have a calendar handy, and though I knew it was on Sunday, I didn't know what Sunday's date was, LOL. We LOVED the weather this past February and I also am looking forward to more of the same...let's hope it's as good next February!

 

[kbkids]

I don't think the Superbowl or Mardi Gras would have any effect to be honest. I think President's Day is such a huge crowd because it's a three-day weekend, the weather's great, and people just don't realize that the rest of the country is thinking the same thing. The first week of February is still my all time favorite time to go. This coming February will be my first year we've missed it in a while - but building a new house, so money is getting tight. This past February we actually went twice - once the first week of February, and then hubby and I took an adult weekend towards the end of February.

 

[disneyvacalover]

WE'VE ALSO GONE IN FEBRUARY BEFORE AND LOVED IT. WE ARE PLANNING TO GO AGAIN THIS FEB. BUT HAVED TO GO PRESIDENT'S WEEK AS MY CHILDREN ARE GETTING TO OLD TO TAKE OUT OF SCHOOL FOR A WHOLE WEEK. I HAVE READ MANY POSTS STATING HOW CROWDED IT IS THAT WEEKEND. IS IT CROWDED ALL WEEK TOO OR JUST THE WEEKEND. I'D LOVE TO MENTALLY PREPARE FOR IT. ANY FEEDBACK WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

 

[kbkids]

Usually the Thursday before starts picking up - not too noticeable though. Friday is pretty crowded. Saturday-Monday are packed!!!! And I can't say beyond that because I've never been the week of President's Day. I'd guess that it probably starts slowing down and is back to normal February crowds around Wednesday or Thursday.


If that's your only option - I would highly suggest doing another park besides Magic Kingdom on that Saturday.

 

[firenurse]

Was wondering if there is any Mardi Gras parades? Heard there is usually a parade or something at Pleasure Island. Is it usually a night time thing and are kids allowed. We will there the week of Mardi Gras. Thanks.

 

[kbkids]

Originally posted by firenurse
Was wondering if there is any Mardi Gras parades? Heard there is usually a parade or something at Pleasure Island. Is it usually a night time thing and are kids allowed. We will there the week of Mardi Gras. Thanks.

Nothing in the parks - but can't tell you for sure about Pleasure Island. If there is something there, I would feel pretty certain kids would be allowed.

 

[antmaril]

We were there during Presidents' Week this year. We arrived in Orlando on Presidents' Day. We stayed at the Royal Pacific at Universal and visited WDW on Wednesday and Thursday of Presidents' Week. We were able to do a lot. Of course, we've been to Disney many times, so we hit the highlights. You can really do so much because the weather is cool. You don't get worn out from the heat and humidity. In four days, we did Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, Downtown Disney, Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and MGM Studios. We also found time to go to the Mall at Millenia because I wanted to eat at the Cheesecake Factory. We even had breakfast at the Crystal Palace! It was a great trip and I will take the moderate temperatures of February any day over the heat and humidity of the summer.

Next year my son's break is the week before Presidents' Week. We are taking a Disney Cruise! Our last big trip before he graduates from high school!

Enjoy Feb!

 

[raysnkaysmom]

I was glad to read this thread... I too plan on going...but I think it's the week BEFORE Pres Day. I'll be there the 13-16 probably!
We all need to say hi when wer're enjoying the 'lesser crowds'!!

 

[gardendame]

What about the waterparks (daytime, of course)? Or the resort pools? Did you see people swimming that time of year? I heard the pools are all heated, but didn't know if this was true or not.

 

[PamNC]

We went this February - never been during that time before. I think we were there 2/9-2/15. The crowds were light UNTIL the weekend Preisdent's week. Then, the gates opened up and it was more crowded than any Fourth of July I can remember. Also - the weather can be iffy. When we were there the weather wasn't good. It was cloudy 90% of the time. There was one day that it reached 80. The rest of the time was 60's. The pools are heated very well but when you step out - you'll freeze to death.

We went again in July and had a much better time. We really like May/early June and the fall.

PamNC

 

[jcemom]

Well, it looks as if my plans are changing...again. My Mom and sister may be going with me and if so, then they want warmer weather, LOL. I think I'll be moving to late April or early May.