Which weekend to go, 2/15-16 or 3/14-15

[Jperiod]

I know both of these weekends will be busy, but after comparing DLR this summer running at full capacity and DLR during the usual "off-season" times we go, "crowded" doesn't seem so bad! If Disney is expecting and equipped to handle the crowds, lines should be decent, right? So which weekend do you expect the best as far as lines? I don't mind crowds, but 60+ minute lines everywhere, including the women's restrooms make us the most cranky.

 

[dieumeye]

There’s no way to reliably predict crowds on any given date. The regulars here are often surprised and even Disney doesn’t seem to always know what to expect.

The only way to combat crowds for sure is to spend more time at the park. So go at whatever time will allow you to spend the most time in the parks. Combine time with some research, planning, and understand FP/MP, the app, MM/EMH if applicable, Single Rider, Rider Swap, Mobile Order, DAS if applicable... and you’ll do great even on crowded days.

The Feb dates could be crowded because of Valentine’s Day, plus RotR will have recently opened (in theory, anyway) so that could have some effect. The March dates start to get into Spring Break time which will increase crowds. Both dates are subject to refurb closures and potential rain. You should also check convention dates to see if there’s any big conventions around any of those dates.

I’d say there’s probably not a huge crowd level difference in those dates, but if I had to pick one I’d pick February because I don’t care for Spring Break crowds.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

February keeps being kind of a hot mess of renovations and people thinking “February will be slow” and then it isn’t. So I am kind of sour on February as a good time for a major visit. I just seem to encounter so many unhappy tourists every February!

Having said that, as @dieumeye said, there’s absolutely no way to predict which days will be better. All sorts of unpredictable factors go into crowds, and there’s no way of knowing the refurb schedule, especially with ROTR opening in January... so just go with what works best for you!

 

[Jperiod]

Ok, so I'm actually helping to plan a group trip (for 10-20 families). The families going will not know anything near that we do on these boards, nor will bother with research. So line length will be the biggest influence for everyone. I've researched every which way and having a hard time recommending one over the other, so I was curious what others' best guess might be.

 

[dieumeye]

Ok, so I'm actually helping to plan a group trip (for 10-20 families). The families going will not know anything near that we do on these boards, nor will bother with research. So line length will be the biggest influence for everyone. I've researched every which way and having a hard time recommending one over the other, so I was curious what others' best guess might be.

10-20 families!? Yikes! Honestly, if no one is going to bother with planning or research, then it doesn’t matter at all when they go.

I mean, you might want to mention to these families that “I’m not going to do any research or planning” and “I don’t want to wait in long lines” are two statements that don’t go together. Unless we’re talking about groups who would be interested in paying for VIP tours, which is your best bet if you don’t want to wait or plan anything yourself.

No matter when they go, do not expect low crowds. What @Skyegirl1999 said is totally true... people who go in Feb tend to expect an empty park and then get upset when rides are closed (it’s refurb season), the park is lightly staffed (which means you won’t necessarily feel like the crowds are lower even if they are), shows don’t run as often or at all, and it might even be raining!

For your purposes, I don’t think one date over the other will have any guarantee of lower crowds, so pick one and feel good about it. Just try to get those folks to do some planning in advance so they have a chance to combat those long lines they don’t want to wait in!!!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Agree with the above posters. 6 of one, half dozen of the other. But given only those two choices, I'd go with March only because, as Skyegirl pointed out, February has not been good for many trip planners due to shorter hours, more refurbs, and weird weather. When the crowds are technically lower, but you wait twice as long for food because the staffing is also lower, that's not really what people think of as a low crowd time. If the March dates cover some of Spring Break, that might bring longer hours and more staffing.

 

[Cal-Pie]

No one has mentioned that your Feb dates fall on President's Day weekend, I'd definitely avoid that.

 

[Geemo]

No one has mentioned that your Feb dates fall on President's Day weekend, I'd definitely avoid that.

Plus Feb. 14th the Friday is Valentine's Day....

Pick the March weekend.