When to go February vacation 2012 or April vacation 2012

[ccgirl]

Hi Everyone,

We do not want to take my DD8 out of school for our WDW trip next year. So, we are looking at either February vacation (Week of Feb 20th) or April vacation (Week of April 17th) as choices. We are coming from the Northeast. Will crowds be lighter during the April break? For those that travel from the Northeast what kind of airfares have you paid?

Thanks!

 

[PrincesCJM]

I can't speak for February vacation but I will be going during April vacation this year. When DH and I decided to go, I bought airfare early. The major airlines release flights 330 days in advance. The discount carriers release flights in 3-6 month chunks at a time. I bought my flights on Delta at the beginning of June. I found a price that I liked and jumped on it. You will also find that flights are a little cheaper if you leave a day or two before vacation actually starts. I'm flying out Wednesday night and taking two personal days from my school. Flights now are at least twice what I paid. The only thing with Delta is that flights do change, as they do with many carriers. My flight times and plane types have changed several times. As long as you periodically check the flights, you will be aware of these changes before Delta notifies you and can make any necessary changes ahead of time.

Part of the reason why I choose April vacation instead of February vacation is the weather. Since Easter will not be near April vacation next year, the crowds should be less than this year but it will still be crowded. Nearly all of the northeast is on vacation during the same week.

 

[quagmire0]

My in-laws got back from Florida last week. They spent a few days at Disney World before heading out on a cruise. They said the biggest complaint was that it was COLD. Obviously, not bitter cold, but probably low 60's - not what you come to expect from Orlando. So if you could do the April trip, that would probably be better weather-wise. Plus, you never know what weather you'll have at home in February (assuming you're in a cold weather state).

Pricewise though, Februrary may be the cheaper option.

 

[ccgirl]

I can't speak for February vacation but I will be going during April vacation this year. When DH and I decided to go, I bought airfare early. The major airlines release flights 330 days in advance. The discount carriers release flights in 3-6 month chunks at a time. I bought my flights on Delta at the beginning of June. I found a price that I liked and jumped on it. You will also find that flights are a little cheaper if you leave a day or two before vacation actually starts. I'm flying out Wednesday night and taking two personal days from my school. Flights now are at least twice what I paid. The only thing with Delta is that flights do change, as they do with many carriers. My flight times and plane types have changed several times. As long as you periodically check the flights, you will be aware of these changes before Delta notifies you and can make any necessary changes ahead of time.

Part of the reason why I choose April vacation instead of February vacation is the weather. Since Easter will not be near April vacation next year, the crowds should be less than this year but it will still be crowded. Nearly all of the northeast is on vacation during the same week.

Good point. I will keep an eye on flights. I know we're not going to get our usual $200 RT flights. I think i will be happy with $300. Luckily, we have timshare so accommodations are all set. My DH and myself will have APs so we only need park tickets for DD8 and DS3. Guess that way I can justify the higher airfare.

My in-laws got back from Florida last week. They spent a few days at Disney World before heading out on a cruise. They said the biggest complaint was that it was COLD. Obviously, not bitter cold, but probably low 60's - not what you come to expect from Orlando. So if you could do the April trip, that would probably be better weather-wise. Plus, you never know what weather you'll have at home in February (assuming you're in a cold weather state).

Pricewise though, Februrary may be the cheaper option.

Good point. We may get snowed in during February. Would hate for the flight to be cancelled and our trip ruined. Have to add that to the equation. We were at WDW during December and it was record cold! Don't really care to do that again!

 

[amwhitaker]

We went April 17-21, 2010 and it was spring breakers all week. Very crowded. It rained alot that week.

We just went February 13-20, 2011 and there were so many tour groups that it was crazy. The weather was perfect during the day and a couple of nights it was cold. On Saturday, the President's Day crowd came in and AK was body to body.

 

[beccasmom]

Kind of hard to say....

February is great early in the month with regards to prices, but not necessarily weather (although we lucked out on a February trip a few years back). From Presidents' Day onward, Spring Break pretty much reigns.

SWA has some terrific fares right now (we booked for May because of the fares - $154/round trip!) - but of course no such guarantees that will happen next year.

I will say that Spring Break crowds can be overwhelming. On a visit some years back, we waited many hours in a VERY crowded CR lobby for our room long past the normal check-in time. We had a wonderful trip, but the crowds really were tremendous.

Because Easter is in early April next year, I think that is your better bet. You will avoid most of the Break/holiday crowds. The weather will almost certainly be warmer....fingers crossed! . I think you'd have a more enjoyable trip. And you may be more apt to find a great air fare!

 

[wdwislife]

We are February vacation veterans in my family, in fact we will be there next year at that time as well!

I don't have much experience first-hand with Spring Break crowds, but from what I've read here on the DISboards they are much more heavy than those in February. As PP's have said it can get a bit chilly, but we've never experienced any kind of cold in February like the kind we had in December 2010! When it comes to dressing for the weather, layers are your best friend!

I may be biased, but i vote for February

 

[homedad]

President week is ONE week, spring break is more sread out, I would never go Pres week or Easter week, but if you have a spring break then i'd give it a shot

 

[DreamSweetsLove]

When we used to live there it would get quite cold sometimes in February so I would recommend April.

 

[ccgirl]

Thanks for your suggestions everyone! We have decided on April vacation. The uncertainty of the weather in the Northeast and the chance of cancelled flights just made me too nervous. We were in WDW in December and had to run out and spend $75 on hats, gloves etc because we were unprepared. Just wasn't the same when we couldn't swim. Our April vacation is always the third week in April (April 16th next year). Easter happens to coincide with it this year but next year Easter is April 8th, the week before our vacation, so maybe that will help to thin the crowds?? Now we just have to hope we get lucky with our RCI trade again!