I believe Feb 18th will put you in PEAK season, one of the more expensive times to go. If you moved your trip up a few days you will be checking in during VALUE season, the cheapest time to go. If at all possible you might want to crunch the numbers. If you check in during value season your entire stay will be value season. This is a big difference. JMHO.
Unfortunately I can't go any earlier. I would love to last year I went the week before and it was great. But I'm going with my sister and her University only has that week off.