When to go? Feb or March??

[DisneyTiger]

Please help me decide when to plan our next WDW family vacation... We would like to be there for DS's 3rd birthday which is on March 19 BUT I'm so worried that the crowds are going to be really bad. We are VERY spoiled and only go during off seasons (Sept, early Dec, Oct...) and I just don't do lines Sooooo, we are trying to decide between going Mid February and celebrating his Bday a month early, or suck it up and go for March. I would love feedback from anyone who has been at either of these times. Thanks so much!!

 

[Brancaneve]

I have only been in February and can say that the weather is absolutely perfect at that time of year. However, the parks are not empty because it seems that South Americans travel to WDW from beginning to mid February. There is also the president's holiday to consider. I think if you go towards the end of February you should be just fine. But ultimately, the waits were never too long and there was no humidity, just wonderful sunshine!

 

[QVCshopper]

We went this March and loved it. Not too crowded--I am also an off season person. I think it was around 3/4-3/11, a week before my son turned 3. The crowds really depend on when the holidays fall. Check the calendar; this year Easter was really late and no where near President's Day.

 

[dougsmom98]

If you go in February, you will want to avoid President's Week, which is the week of the 13-20. We have to go that week because we are teachers in the Northeast, but it is a busy time of year. The week prior to that or right after that would probably be perfect. We love going in February because the weather is not too hot and we can tour the parks without taking a break.

 

[beccasmom]

Easter is April 4 next year. But it is not just the holiday; spring breaks can occur anytime between late February through early April.

Early February is really quite nice. It may be a little too chilly to swim (although there were folks doing just that when we there ), but it is great for touring the parks or shopping. It seems that the parks start to get busy from the President's Day weekend onward. The crowds were minimal to moderate in our experience.

We visited in March one time and it was crazy busy. I was glad it was not our first trip! The weather was fine, but the crowds were just unbelievable. We still had a good time, but if you don't like lines, you might have a problem visiting at that time.

You might want to check out touringplans.com to see how the weeks you are considering stack up with regards to crowds. It is an excellent resource.

 

[PrincessMom4]

We went March 16-22, 2009 and it was our first March break experience...NEVER again. We want to go down when its nice so we were thinking May 2010, any thoughts on May??

 

[JKSWonder]

We went from March 26th to April 3rd this past year and it was lovely. Not as crowded as you would think....Easter started the following week.

I thought Easter was earlier this year...like end of March?. You may want to keep that in mind when making plans. February has President's Week...schools are out so I know it can be a crazy time.

 

[Mommy2Jameson]

I say definitely February! The weather is great then! We were able to swim and everything. Just needed a sweatshirt a few nights when we were out and about late and it had cooled off.

March will be awful with spring breakers unless you go very, every early in the month...like the first week.

 

[LadyShea]

Yep, I would say February before President's Day week (which is also Mardi Gras this year, a time when many Gulf Coasters go). So the first or second week

 

[MiniGirl]

Hands down... February. Just avoid Presiden't Day weekend if you can. Even if you can't though, it'll still be better than going during Spring Break.

 

[DisneyTiger]

We went March 16-22, 2009 and it was our first March break experience...NEVER again. We want to go down when its nice so we were thinking May 2010, any thoughts on May??

I've actually been twice in May. Once at the middle of the month and the crowds were perfect. It was a bit hot but bearable. We also just went this past May at the end of the month. The crowds were definitely heavier than in the middle of the month due to the fact that some schools get out at the end of May (ours got out on May 21st) but it was still ok. The best time I've ever gone is end of Sept and early Oct and the beginning of Dec

 

[DisneyTiger]

Ok, now I'm severly confused I can't decide!!! So President's Day is Feb 15th (had no idea this was such a busy time) We were considering this time because it's also Mardi Gras (I live in South Louisiana) but maybe that's out. And Easter is early on April 4th. My DS's Bday is March 19. Maybe we could go the week before his birthday and come home on the 20th??? Uhhhhh, I don't know what to do?? Spring Break is just too early! My DH is giving me a hard time because I just can't make up my mind but I just want this trip to be perfect for DS. We took my DD last year in Sept for her 3rd Bday and it was great. We want to have the same experience for him. Guess we should have planned better when I got pregnant for him Imagine that, planning a pregnancy around Disney's peak seasons! LOL