When to go

[Bennettsmommy]

Have been to WDW once, last December! It was amazing and I thought we wouldn't go back for a long time. Of course now that I have been I can't wait to go again. My husband said we can go for my 30th birthday which is February 9th 2016. The thought of going in February doesn't seem that exciting to me. Probably because we were there when it was decked out for Christmas. Is early February an okay time to go? Is the weather decent, can we swim? Should I be there on my actual birthday or wait a couple months and go end of April/early may. My husband thinks that's cheating! Thanks for any advice.

 

[Dan Murphy]

These may be of help.

http://**************.net/2013/12/08/2015-weeks-to-visit-walt-disney-world-ranked-in-order/

http://**************.net/planning-...to-go/next-best-dates/weather-and-when-to-go/

I would go in April/May. Flower and Garden is in Epcot, weather is great.

Cheating? YOu can celebrate any time you want at WDW.

 

[snow white 95]

The best times to go are Feb and Nov. These are slightly colder, more rain. but on the whole a great time. It is a lot quieter in these months and in November you can either catch the end of Halloween or the beginning of Christmas.

 

[ErinsMommy]

If it wasn't for the risk of our flight being snow delayed or canceled we would go to Disney every time in February. Weather and crowds were perfect.

 

[lam0037]

My birthday is February 17 and we went on a last minute trip a couple years ago. The weather was nice (not too hot and a little chilly in the evenings/mornings) and crowds weren't a problem at all! We were able to reserve a CRT dinner like two weeks from arrival date with ease! While there wasn't a whole lot of excitement like Flower and Garden or Christmas, it was really enjoyable and would go then again if not for school.

Like PP said, November is also great, with the end of Halloween or beginning of Christmas, as well as the tail end of Food & Wine in the beginning of the month.

 

[HiHoWeGo]

The best times to go are Feb and Nov.

Whew, glad this is finally settled!

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Feb has low crowds, but the weather is a crap shoot. You might get awesome weather, or you might get cold weather. Cold and windy make for a miserable day if you are outside - even in WDW.

If warm weather and water parks/swimming are important to you, plan your trip for a warmer month.

As for the birthday - it can still be a celebratory trip months after your birthday. No reason to tie it to a specific date. You are celebrating your 30th year on the planet - not your actual birth.

 

[Happy2BGoofy]

I've been at WDW couple of times in February and I think is the best time to go. As some previous posts have mentioned the weather is great and the crowds are more manageable. Just make sure is in the earlier part of the month before President's week. You can still go to the pool and the water park although it will be a little cooler than normal.

I've never been during April or May (although is already in the works) and from all the DIS'ers community is one of the best times to go due to the weather and the fact that you can enjoy EPCOT's Flower festival.

Whenever you decide to go it will certainly will be a magical vacation, after all is WDW!!!!

PS: My DGF's birthday is in October but we are celebrating it in November. I don't consider ourselves cheaters! Just saying

 

[disney meema]

These may be of help. http://**************.net/2013/12/08/2015-weeks-to-visit-walt-disney-world-ranked-in-order/ http://**************.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/when-to-go/next-best-dates/weather-and-when-to-go/ I would go in April/May. Flower and Garden is in Epcot, weather is great. Cheating? YOu can celebrate any time you want at WDW.

Thanks for the links, great info : )

 

[Corsetopia]

I think we're planning on going in September of next year, but we're curious about February now. We were trying to focus everything around when they offer the free disney dining plan, not sure if they typically have been offering it in February.

Last time we were in WDW, we decided to deal with the crowds because my husband just HAD to experience Star Wars weekends. Was it worth the crowds in my opinion? Nope! The crowds in August were insane!! Never again!! (Never = until my 5 month old son gets older)

 

[karly05]

For the past 3 years (2012, 2013, 2014) I've made a solo trip in February, leaving before the weekend of Presidents Day. (I do believe I have been there on your birthday all 3 times!) For next year, I've flirted with April, but honestly I will probably end up doing February again.

As far as I'm concerned, there are only 2 negatives about February: Splash Mountain will probably be closed, and I always worry about winter weather at my home airport.

On the plus side: February before Pres Day weekend has had about the lowest rates of the year, and I think there are usually at least some discounts going on (I had a great Disney discount on BC in 2012, used AAA discounts on POFQ because Disney doesn't discount that one much). Crowds have been very manageable, even with Mardi Gras falling during my trip in 2013.

Weather can be hit or miss, but I've always had at least a couple of nice days (and have seen plenty of people in the pools). 2012 had two super-cold mornings, but the sun was out and the afternoons warmed up, then the rest was beautiful. 2013 was perfect first-to-last. 2014 had two cool days that dripped rain off and on, but the rest was beautiful. As long as you're going to be there more than 2 or 3 days, you should catch at least some pleasant weather.

That's just my experience, but take it for what it's worth.

 

[ZoZo]

After several October trips, I did my first February trip earlier this year. We went the last week of February, and I loved it!

We did have several days where it was warm enough to swim - we even did one water park day! And it was so nice to go during a time when it wasn't "hot and sweaty," after so many October trips. Most days in February, I was comfortable in shorts or capris, with a light sweater for the cooler evenings and mornings.

We did have one cool, very rainy afternoon one of our days - that's always a possibility even when it's not rainy season!!

And the crowds (at least the week we went) were great! I'd just try to avoid President's Day week - that tends to be pretty busy. But if you stick to the early part of the month, or the last week, you'll have a great time!

 

[Mome Rath]

May is my pick; Flower and Garden and a better chance at not having to wear a winter coat at the parks. I'm from a more northern state and I was definitely not expecting to be freezing in Orlando in February several years ago, but there I was. It wound up being warmer at home than away. lol