Originally Posted By AZDisneyDan My wife and I are planning a trip to Disneyworld in February, over President's Day weekend for 10 days. We heard that this is one of the most crowded weeks of the year. Any advice on if it;s better to go the week before? Or will the parks close too early? Any advice on the best way to save money and get the most out of the parks while it's not too crowded. We were at Disneyland over the 4th of July and Labor Day and the crowds were crazy-is WDW anything like this over President's Day?
Originally Posted By Labuda If you're spending 10 days there, I don't think you'll need to worry much about crowds. My DH & I honeymooned at WDW for 10 days in July & August - sure, there were crowds, but we worked the system, had a plan, and got to do pretty much all we wanted (including a few repeats of favorite things) in those 10 days. This was in spite of all the Brazilian tour groups we encountered the first half of the trip.
Originally Posted By AZDisneyDan Is there anybody out there?? We need help and thought we would tap into the vast knowledge of LP posters. Please comment if you have any opinions on whether February is a good time to go. We got realy scared when we noticed that the hotel rates go from Value to High season rates overnight (from the 15th to the 16th) with no period in the regular season rates so it appears the crowds go from dead to busier that the summer as most of the summer falls into the regular season rates. Please help, what should we do?? We want to enjoy the parks being open late as they are all special after dark, but we don't want to get stuck with millions of people!! Thanks.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Sorry, in all the times I've been there- February has not been one of them. One thing I will say however as I read more people asking for when times will be busy or not -- as crowds increase seemingly each year again -- it gets harder to spend a time there without some crowds -- especially if you are around 'any ' school holidays - work holidays -- I think you have to expect crowds -- January probably one of the freest times I have ever been there - right after New years crowds leave. February - Presidents day March - Spring Breaks April - still some Spring breaks June - July - August - Schools out September - Labor day weekend Thanksgiving & Christmas thru New Years - always very busy that sure doesn't leave much time -- If there is bad weather in mid sept or early Oct - some vacations get moved back -- I think except for locals that can gauge on a daily basis - weather and trends - it is hard to pre plan much time when it isn;t crowded
Originally Posted By stitchcrazy I've been in February, only it was earlier than President's Day. I went in February of 2004 on my honeymoon, the 9th-15th. The parks were VERY empty the 9th-13th. We made the gigantic mistake of trying to do one last day at MK on the 14th since it was our last day and it was amazing the difference a day makes. Between being Valentine's Day and a Saturday the place was about 4 times busier than any other day of our trip. Otherwise the weather was great (but coming from Wisconsin it wasn't going to take much to improve as far as weather goes!) and we really enjoyed the low attendance crowd-wise every day except the 14th.
Originally Posted By stitchcrazy We also went for our first anniversary February of 2005. Similar crowds but the weather was cooler than our honeymoon week the year before. But I would agree with vbdad that crowds in general are hard to plan ahead for. You have to pretty much except that there will be lots of people anytime you go just because its WDW. Having just returned from our first June trip that was definitely busier than all my previous trips which were all "off season" winter trips but we expected that. And I would guess everyone's definition of busy is pretty different too! Hope your trip is a good one!
Originally Posted By Labuda "Thanksgiving & Christmas thru New Years - always very busy" Not quite 100% accurate, Dave. While the actual holidays are crowded and round about the 20th of Dec on is bad, the first week of December is a LOVELY time to be at WDW! VERY low crowds - it's great! I'm really looking forward to my trip to WDW at the end of next November/beginning of December.
Originally Posted By MinnieSummer I've been there in February and haven't found it to be too bad. The actual holiday is bad because people take three day weekends but the rest of the time is actually great. You should have no problem if you will be there for 10 days.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I have been to WDW in late February early March. Its packed! Prime season. Nice weather... the parks are great.
Originally Posted By Crazy4WDW We were at WDW in mid-February last year. Crowds were quite managable. Just stay away from MK on Saturdays. Most locals visit that day. Your weather should be nice. Pack for cool evenings. Being there 10-day should make things much easier for you.
Originally Posted By finallygoing Went last year the week before Presidents' Week with the family. Took the kids out of school becuase I didn't want to deal with the crowds. Monday through Thursday were great. Using the Fast Pass system we hardly waited at all for even the more popular attractions. Friday on, the crowds really increased. If you keep this in mind you can plan your trip accordingly....go to the more popular parks and attractions the beginning of the week. We really lucked out with the weather that week. It actually got up to 80 one day. My kids were able to go swimming in an outdoor pool almost everyday. Hope you find the ssme luck.
Originally Posted By WDWBoundAgain We visited Disney World for 10 days last February whiched included the weekend prior to Presidents Day. On our arrival day around 10am the weather was a little cool and breezy. Other days we wore shorts during the day and I only recall wearing a light jacket and pants two evenings and one dreary morning. We actually reached temps into the 90 degrees. Three days were spent by the pool. Now as far as crowds. It was great until the second weekend (weekend prior to Presidents Day) but we only have the summer months to compare it to. The wait time was very minimum. Most were walk on or you walked to the pre-show (not sure how most of you refer to that). Our longest waits were about 20 minutes and that was for about 4 rides between all the parks. I recall ToT and Space Mountain as two of them. Now the second weekend there was a different story. Crowds were horrible and as I recall the same as summer months if not even more crowded. I visited Epcot during the second weekend. My child and husband by-passed Test Track and took a fast pass for Mission Space. The wait for Test Track was 140 minutes and the single rider line was about 60. No fast passes left for the entire day for the ride either. Not to mention it was hot hot hot that day. My opinion advoid the parks the weekend prior to Pres Day and take the time to relax. If you are there for 10 days then I would not worry if the park hours are little shorter during your stay. Plan your most favorite activities prior to the holiday. As far as our Valentines day there it was nice and crowds low. My son really enjoyed it since it was his birthday. We trying to plan another trip again this February but move it back a few days to advoid the crowds like last year. I hope to be carrying a new addition to family in my belly by then so I want to go early as possible . Hope you enjoy the trip!!!!
Originally Posted By WDWBoundAgain Oh now I feel dumb for a word a did not spell right....Avoid reading it...lol.
Originally Posted By Brian Noble Went during Presidents' Week in '05. Very manageable if you (a) have a plan, (b) get to the parks when they open, or even a bit before, and (c) get out of dodge during the most crowded part of the day--the midafternoon. In seven days we did all of our "must-dos" and most of our "it-would-be-nice-ifs". In ten days, you should have no problem, plus you can count on some late nights for atmosphere around Presidents' day itself. We're going the week after P-week this year, and while I hear that crowds drop off significantly then, the parks also close much earlier, so there won't be as much evening time. Ah well---good with the bad, really.
Originally Posted By weeblip I'm going from 4th - 18th Feb and almost had a heart attack when I heard that President's Day is in Feb...very relieved to find out it's not until the 20th. I've been to WDW just after Christmas right through the New Year....I can tell you it's not very pleasant when it comes to crowds.
