when to go... feb. or april???

[poohfriend77]

I was all set to book our family's first WDW trip for April 2008, but after doing a little math, I realized that going in Feb. 2008 would save us about $500. The hotel is cheaper, plus our younger DD turns 3 in March, so tickets and some meals would be free for her in Feb., but not April.

DH and I still aren't sure what to do. I'd love to hear some advice/pros/cons comparing the two months! We're trying to take into account crowd size, weather, park hours, and wonder what else we should think about. Any comments are appreciated!

 

[ZoZo]

Seems like in April, you're much more likely to have big crowds because of spring break. That, to me, would be the tie-breaker - I'd definitely go in February.

 

[poohfriend77]

Thanks, Zozo! I think I'm leaning toward Feb. -- mostly because it's sooner! My only hang-up is the weather. I'm not sure it will be warm enough to swim, plus we're coming from IL, so one big midwest blizzard could wipe out our whole vacation. Small crowds would be a big payoff, though!

 

[nettii]

We have gone beg. of Feb and end of April. We Loved the Jan- Feb trip NO crowds walked on every thing! It wasnt hot, it was even cold a few nights but days were warm enough for short sleeves and shorts. We swam a bit too.But Ive head that presidents weekend is horrable with crowds!

April was hot hot hot and tons of people we didnt get to do half as much as we did in the winter.

Id pick Feb.

 

[NJtoATL]

Your question about going to WDW in Feb or April seems like a no brainer to me. I think you meant to write February and April.

Whatever you decide, have a great time.

 

[shashy69]

I Love to go in February! its loads cooler! (plus its my birthday month) it does get warmish in April! There are always people swimming at my hotel, no matter what time of the year (even in cold weather!) but that seems crazy to me! If you stay at Wilderness Lodge, they have jacuzzis!

 

[poohfriend77]

Shashy-- Thanks for your input! Were there parades and fireworks when you were there in Feb.?

I checked the WDW site calendar yesterday, and it listed hours, parade times, fireworks, fantasmic, etc. for each day in Feb. Now this morning, every day in the first two weeks of Feb. says: "hours unavailable" and "no parades or fireworks scheduled." I wasn't sure if the schedule is just not set, or if there really are no shows...

We've decided to go in Feb., thanks to the advice I got here, and thought park hours could help us narrow down which days to go (definitely before Valentine's Day).

 

[poohfriend77]

Hmmm... I think I just answered my own question. The WDW site must be messed up, because there are "no parades or fireworks scheduled," even for the rest of August. I know that's not true! I guess I'll just have to wait patiently for my answers about Feb.

 

[sdickison]

April is a very busy time to go to Disney. From right after New Years Day right up until Presidents Day week in February there are very low crowds. Crowds pick up in Feb. Another great time to go is from the week after labor day weekend up until the week of Thanksgiving. You can go to WDW's website and they have posted which is the busiest times.

 

[partyplannermom]

The Disney website has been a little erratic. This is not unusual as they just added 2008 prices and schedules. Feb. 2008 will be our 2nd Feb trip to WDW, yes, it can be cooler, but no crowds! I'd much rather put on a sweatshirt than wait in line under a firey sun!

 

[poohfriend77]

I'd much rather put on a sweatshirt than wait in line under a firey sun!

DH definitely agrees with you on that one! When are you going? We're definitely looking at Feb. 2008 dates now. I chose Feb. 3-9, then found out DH has a business conference 3-6. So it'll have to be the week before, which only gives him one day to recover and repack before his trip. Or, if we go as soon as he gets back, we'll have to add a day to the trip (our small regional airport only has flights four days a week). Darn it! It would be awful to spend an extra day at WDW!

 

[winniethepoohsmom]

We've never been to disney in Feb. but we have been there in April in 2005. It was one of our best trips. The week started out cool and ended up hot. The parks and hotel were'nt crowded Easter fell in March that year and many schools already had their spring break as well as the colleges, we are considering another trip for April 2008 because once again Easter is in March and we have a week off school at the end of April. We like to take mid-day breaks at the hotel for a swim and go to the waterpark for the day and a ride out to the beach for the day (if we have enough time) but we would'nt be able to do that in Feb. The hotel rates and airfare tends to be higher in the spring. We have gone in Nov. and had some days in the 70's which was nice when walking around the parks so I could see that being a nice thing in Feb. and it would be nice to get away from the cold winter weather I understand the nervousness about flying in the winter my neighbors 2 years in a row went away in the winter once they left a day early to beat the incoming storm and the next trip they got stuck in Fla. 2 extra days but that I can live with as long as I'm not sitting in an airport. We are flying down at the end of aug. during hurricane season since we are saving money with the free ddp so I can see why you would want to go in Feb. and save some money. Linda

 

[partyplannermom]

When are you going?

We will be there from Feb. 2-9. We are driving down from Indiana, so we won't arrive on Saturday until late. We are staying at POFQ. When we were there in Feb 2006, we wore sweatshirts the first 2 days, but by mid-week we were swimming and wearing shorts and t-shirts. Going at this time definatly requires you to pack and wear things you can layer. On the plus side, we were able to ride Goofy's Barnstormer subsequent times without getting off, never had long wait times for our ADR's, and had lots of extra attention from characters!

 

[DisneyBarlans]

If I were you, I would go in February. If you look on www.mousesavers.com the new 2008 rates are posted for each resort with seasons. It is value season until Feb. 13th, so if you can go before then you would save, and it won't be near as crowded as April with spring break and all.

 

[dunbarfamily]

I'd go in Feb. Less crowds, better temps, better prices.

 

[poohfriend77]

Thanks for all the input! I posted the same question in two places, with the majority here voting for Feb., but the other board voting for April. I think we have it narrowed down to Jan. 27-Feb. 2 or Feb. 7-14 (gotta get out of there before the prices go WAY up on the 14th!) Hopefully we'll decide tonight, so I can make reservations and try for Cindy's breakfast ADRs. Wish me luck!

 

[poohfriend77]

I just booked our trip for Feb. 7-14, 2008! We're staying at ASMu Family Suites, and I talked DH into an extra day, since Feb. was so much cheaper than April. I also got our ADRs for Cindy's breakfast, Crystal Palace lunch, and Chef Mickey dinner (not all on the same day, of course! )

I'm so excited, and I'm dying to tell DD4 and DD2, but I think we're going to wait until Christmas to tell them. I want to wrap up some Disney-themed gifts, maybe autograph books, and a countdown chain. If I can hold out, that is!

I just wanted to thank everyone for the good advice! Dis-ers are the best!