What's February like?

[DisdreamerUK]

Not in the UK obviously, we all know its cold, wet and miserable.

Itching to start planning for 2007 but just wondered if anyone had any
pro's/con's of going in February. I know it won't be hot but what are the queues like, are the water parks open, is it too chilly for swimming etc, etc...

It's so much cheaper than going in peak season, and the school won't notice if I sneak my two out for a week will they??!!!

Cheers, Jen

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Never been in February but have always thought crowds were pretty light, especially the first couple of weeks.

The weather however is less predictable, we went early March last year and it was changeable to say the least, sunny days/rainy days and pretty cool days (especially in the morning).

We are restricted to August holidays now, when it is very hot obviously.

Personally if we could go any time of the year I would not choose February, mainly because nice weather is not guaranteed.
However, it's better than being in freezing cold Britain I am sure.

 

[Soprano]

Feb was great for us in '04!

Cool mornings/evenings sometimes. Days were good, often hot, always t-shirt/shorts. And VERY dry. Often could have for a swim back at the hotel at the evenings. Maybe we got lucky with the weather.

Crowds are VERY light. We didn't wait for many rides. NEVER more than 20 minutes. For example, HULK in IoA is a very busy ride, but I walked on. Same with many attractions.

I would consider going back during February anytime

 

[disneyholic family]

Not in the UK obviously, we all know its cold, wet and miserable.

Itching to start planning for 2007 but just wondered if anyone had any
pro's/con's of going in February. I know it won't be hot but what are the queues like, are the water parks open, is it too chilly for swimming etc, etc...

It's so much cheaper than going in peak season, and the school won't notice if I sneak my two out for a week will they??!!!

Cheers, Jen

be careful of when you go in February as you don't want to run into Presidents' week, when many Americans have off from school...
I think that if you stick to the first two weeks of February, you'll be safe..

 

[jtlover]

We are going next week and have been in February before - it is great as it is lovely and warm usually but chilly first thing.

It is also a cheap time to go as flights are pretty reasonable.

We booked it all ourselves £776 flights (for 3 DH, DD13 and me) for all of us all in! £580 AKL for 5 nights £452 GF for 2 nights. £300 dining plan for 5 days and £477 for 7 days disney pass.

If we had booked this with a travel agent it would have cost us a lot more!

 

[thegirlyarwood]

we are due to fly out next week. We have chosen february due to the steady climate, and also the temp will be warm enough for shorts etc without having to look for shade every 20 mins for the kids. I will let you all know what it is like when we get back

 

[vicky1bfc]

We had lovely febs in 04.05.Once or twice it rained quite late in an evening but it didn't last long.We have swam every day without being cold.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Maybe we were just unlucky last March, we were watching the temperatures most days beforehand, it was struggling to reach 60 most mornings and we found this also when we arrived.

Many people were buying sweaters and coats at the parks.

We had nice days as I said earlier but also a lot of bad one's too and the water was freezing at Discovery Cove following a 2 hour delay because of a thunderstorm.

Personally if I could choose when to go it would not be February or March, but that's just based on our holiday last year.
We have to go August now so have no choice really.

 

[disneyholic family]

Maybe we were just unlucky last March, we were watching the temperatures most days beforehand, it was struggling to reach 60 most mornings and we found this also when we arrived.

Many people were buying sweaters and coats at the parks.

We had nice days as I said earlier but also a lot of bad one's too and the water was freezing at Discovery Cove following a 2 hour delay because of a thunderstorm.

Personally if I could choose when to go it would not be February or March, but that's just based on our holiday last year.
We have to go August now so have no choice really.

we've had similar experiences with winter weather...some years really nice, other years downright cold (for us anyway)...
since i like my weather hot, I prefer September to the winter.....

however, if price is an issue, it's worth it to go during the winter....
actually, it's great to go to WDW any time of year....

 

[DisdreamerUK]

Cheers everyone.....

Just in the early planning stages at the mo but am looking at all options.
In 2004 we went last week May/1st week June - beautiful weather and only started raining during the end of the 2nd week in the late afternoon.

My youngest DD will be in Year 6 so can't take her out of school in May coz of the SATs.

So its either February 1 week half term plus a week off school, or last 2 weeks of August. But is August horrendously busy??

Decisions....................Decisions..................it would be sooooo much easier if we didn't have to take the kids, we could go ANYTIME!!!!!!

Jen

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Cheers everyone.....

Just in the early planning stages at the mo but am looking at all options.
In 2004 we went last week May/1st week June - beautiful weather and only started raining during the end of the 2nd week in the late afternoon.

My youngest DD will be in Year 6 so can't take her out of school in May coz of the SATs.

So its either February 1 week half term plus a week off school, or last 2 weeks of August. But is August horrendously busy??

Decisions....................Decisions..................it would be sooooo much easier if we didn't have to take the kids, we could go ANYTIME!!!!!!

Jen

Hi Jen,

We go late August also - no the last 2 weeks are not that busy , most of the US schools have gone back by then.

However, fly-drive prices are very high indeed plus the weather is very hot also, in the 90s most days.

Getting to the theme parks early and returning in the evening you do avoid the worst of the heat, and if you plan plenty of rest days it's not a bad time to go at all - it's the inflated flight prices that's the main issue. That's why we go for longer.

 

[DisdreamerUK]

Thanks Johnny

What about the weather in August? ie, hurricanes etc?

I've been looking at the 2006 August prices, and it is so much more expensive than when we went May 2004, so might still consider Feb if we can save a load of dosh!!

I see you're staying in Indian Creek this year, that's where our villa was in 2004.

Jen

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Thanks Johnny

What about the weather in August? ie, hurricanes etc?

I've been looking at the 2006 August prices, and it is so much more expensive than when we went May 2004, so might still consider Feb if we can save a load of dosh!!

I see you're staying in Indian Creek this year, that's where our villa was in 2004.

Jen

Yes we like Indian Creek, the location is ideal.

The weather is very hot and oppressive, it does take a couple of days to adjust, just have to try and visit the parks at cooler times of the day, take plenty of rest and do things at a leisurely pace. Must admit we couldn't stay at any park all day, no chance.
Staying in a villa is an advantage because you can relax a bit more with the extra room and private pool etc
Hurricane's are always a worry yes, last year there were more than ever I believe.
Central areas are less vulnerable, and whilst you cannot ignore them it would not put us off going in August, we have never had any problems so far anyway (touch wood).

You will save money going in February that's for sure, it's just when we went last March the weather was very unpredictable (as I said earlier).

To be honest if we could choose the ideal time to go it would be late April through early May , or October through early November - for a good balance between nice weather and low(ish) crowds.
We have to go August so make the best of it.