Disney World in February

[shanendoah]

Who wants to join us?

Our daughter has a whole week off in mid-Feb. (Because apparently, after 2 weeks off at Christmas, and before a full week off in April, they need another full week off. Because summer vacation doesn't need to start before the end of June, right?) I am really suffering from SAD this year (which normally doesn't bother me at all). And so, we have planned a trip somewhere sunny for that week in Feb - Disney World!

We considered not doing it because Pop Tart's behavior at Disneyland this last year was abominable, so it almost feels like we're rewarding her. At the same time, I would like HAPPY Disney memories with her. Plus, my mom will join us for the last 3 days (we're going to be in Orlando for 5 days) so she can have some Grandma time, too.

Not certain yet if we'll go to parks on 3 or 4 days. Our timeshare location is a full on resort that includes a water park.

Yes, the plan is easily affordable. Our non-stop flights to Orlando on Delta are less than 2x what we paid for our one stop flights to LA. Our timeshare is "free". We have a Disney credit card which gets us discounts on park tickets and 10% off in park purchases.

And simply planning the trip, knowing I get to go somewhere sunny and warm in a couple of months, has helped my mood considerably.

So, since I know a lot of you are east coasters and Disney fans, who wants to have a meet up?

[MJ2.0]

Dec 2, 2015 14:20:31 GMT -5 shanendoah said:

Who wants to join us?

Our daughter has a whole week off in mid-Feb. (Because apparently, after 2 weeks off at Christmas, and before a full week off in April, they need another full week off. Because summer vacation doesn't need to start before the end of June, right?) I am really suffering from SAD this year (which normally doesn't bother me at all). And so, we have planned a trip somewhere sunny for that week in Feb - Disney World!

We considered not doing it because Pop Tart's behavior at Disneyland this last year was abominable, so it almost feels like we're rewarding her. At the same time, I would like HAPPY Disney memories with her. Plus, my mom will join us for the last 3 days (we're going to be in Orlando for 5 days) so she can have some Grandma time, too.

Not certain yet if we'll go to parks on 3 or 4 days. Our timeshare location is a full on resort that includes a water park.

Yes, the plan is easily affordable. Our non-stop flights to Orlando on Delta are less than 2x what we paid for our one stop flights to LA. Our timeshare is "free". We have a Disney credit card which gets us discounts on park tickets and 10% off in park purchases.

And simply planning the trip, knowing I get to go somewhere sunny and warm in a couple of months, has helped my mood considerably.

So, since I know a lot of you are east coasters and Disney fans, who wants to have a meet up?

maybe me! 

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Schools in the Northeast have February vacations as a rule.

I can assure you that you will NOT be alone at Disney World in February. ;-)

[wvugurl26]

Dec 2, 2015 15:50:39 GMT -5 GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl said:

Schools in the Northeast have February vacations as a rule.

I can assure you that you will NOT be alone at Disney World in February. ;-)

I never ever got a February vacation. We got Christmas and spring break in April if we didn't have too many snow days. Of course we were also done in early June so maybe that's part of it.

[NancysSummerSip]

<<Runs and hides and cries at the thought of Disney anything>>

I'm about 2 1/2 hours south, but I'm a Disney hater. As in, I don't want to go anywhere near the park, ever. I know, I'm such a meanie.

I can take a look at the race schedule, though. If there is anything I can do in that area, it's possible. I already have a triathlon on Feb. 21, so the weekend of the 20-21 is out. Valentine's Day weekend is still open, though.

[justme]

Cross your fingers that winter doesn't decide to come on Feb! Then again you may be miserable in the 80 degree heat we have right now.

If a group is going I'm down for meeting up. Might even be able to talk my friend into getting me into the parks if everyone is doing that.

Don't forget the 30 window for fast passes scheduling!

[shanendoah]

NancysSummerSip - You are allowed to hide. We will arrive EARLY morning on Valentines Day and leave the following Friday.

GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl - In no way was I expecting to be alone at DW. I first looked at Disneyland and all of our timeshare locations were booked for that week. My guess is they just opened up the location we're going to for the timeshare members (as it is a hotel resort owned by the same parent company) and that is why it had such great availability. Either that, or it is RIDICULOUSLY huge- which is always a possibility. But I get a 3 bedroom apartment with a full kitchen for a reasonable amount of points for my 5 days, so I'm not complaining.

justme - I am certain we will download a line ap for DW, just like we did for DL this last year. Turned out, we really only needed fast passes for two things - the big evening show and Radiator Springs. We'll see if this year is different.

As things stand, we will for certain get a 3 day pass, no park hopping. We'll spend one day in Animal Kingdom (probably the first day), one in Magic Kingdom and one in Epcot. If we get a 4 day pass, we'll consider Hollywood, or going to one of the other parks a second day.

[Value Buy]

How cold is it in Orlando in February?
We were there in January one year, it was cold, and I think the park has shorter hours, closing down around maybe 6pm.

Of course, that was years ago, so park hours might be longer these days.

[Abby Normal]

Dec 2, 2015 14:20:31 GMT -5 shanendoah said:

Our daughter has a whole week off in mid-Feb. (Because apparently, after 2 weeks off at Christmas, and before a full week off in April, they need another full week off. Because summer vacation doesn't need to start before the end of June, right?) I am really suffering from SAD this year (which normally doesn't bother me at all). And so, we have planned a trip somewhere sunny for that week in Feb - Disney World!

I hope you have a ball.

 Regarding SAD,  being in the NW where the winter weather is usually crappy- I struggled with it for many years.  Spring seemed so far away.  Then I realized I did not have to make it to spring.  I only had to make it to December 21st- because after that the days started getting longer.  It shortened the tunnel, and put me closer to the light. Sounds strange- but it changed my perspective and since I started thinking of it that way- the winters are much easier to get through. 

Now I just keep myself busy with Christmas prep- and I'm past 12/21 before I can dwell on it. 

[justme]

Dec 2, 2015 19:24:14 GMT -5 Value Buy said:

How cold is it in Orlando in February?
We were there in January one year, it was cold, and I think the park has shorter hours, closing down around maybe 6pm.

Of course, that was years ago, so park hours might be longer these days.

It depends. It could be close to 90 or damn close to freezing. The last few days it's been in 80 the last few days but a week or so ago it went from 80 one day till low 60s the next. I'd say low 70s is probably the average.

[justme]

Animal kingdom only gets long lines for Everest, the safari, and the rapids. In Feb they'll prob be an hour or less. The lines get short during the parade but it's hard to get around the park during it.

Epcot gets long lines for soarin and test track. Soarin is the same as the California one if you rode it. Test could probably top an hour.

Magic kingdom. The seven dwarves ride still has an hour plus line last I heard. Meeting Elsa and Anna would still be way over a hour then most likely. Peter pan and winny the pooh usually have consistently long lines. The rest of the rides you can probably catch short waits if you watch the app and are ok with back tracking. The parade is worth seeing.

[zibazinski]

I'd think on it. I'm a bit over an hour away. Animal kingdom and Epcot. I did my Disney duty years ago.

[Ryan]

I was at Disney in late Jan/early Feb last year.  I subscribed to the TouringPlans website which helped with the trip planning and the days were rated (on a scale of 1-10) to be a "1" on the first day we were there and then pretty much 3-4's the rest of the trip.  The scale is relative and Disney is busy and getting busier by the month it seems.  I think parents have figured out the low times (and disney offers low season specials) so I think crowds are even busy in Feb these days.  

We had a great trip, but I was surprised at my kids lack of stamina.  We had strollers for them and we took long breaks in the middle of the day, but they were definitely wiped out.  I personally like the schedule of getting there very early in the morning, taking a break around noon, and then coming back in the evening.  If I had to do it all over again, I would limit the amount of sit-down meals we did and just did quick service the whole time, although it's kinda part of the experience.

We are planning on doing DL next year because I think the smaller park size will be better for our kids.  You spend so much time schlepping around the parks.

[shanendoah]

Abby Normal - My birthday is Dec 21. One of my normal "announcements" at my birthday party is "I am the Sun Bringer".

Here's the thing - I grew up in MT. I am used to long nights and short days. And usually, the grey skies don't bother me either. I LOVE rain. I prefer the cooler weather. The sun and I are not exactly friends. However, as our social worker reminded me the other day, I had major surgery this summer. I had major surgery that has resulted in me completely losing the natural source of a major hormone - one that has a significant effect on mood. So that's probably a significant part of the reason I am suffering from SAD this year. (Just like having a Beagle decide to lie on my arm is a major reason it has taken me 5 minutes to type these last two sentences correctly)

[suesinfl]

Keep us updated. I'm about 1 1/2-2 hours north, so I might be able to meet up. I've lived 2-2/12 hours away my entire life and I've been 3 times, 1 of which happened because friends of a friend were visiting from NY. One time was because of my daughters Girl Scout troop. They first time was with friends when we were in high school.

[Value Buy]

Dec 2, 2015 21:36:22 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

I'd think on it. I'm a bit over an hour away. Animal kingdom and Epcot. I did my Disney duty years ago.

I think you need Disney Magic Kingdom and Hollywood parks.
Space Mountain and rock and roll roller coaster. A day combining the two coasters, would chase the blues away.

[steph08]

We were planning Disney in February but probably not now. With possible layoffs.

Presidents day weekend is busy and also Princess Half Marathon weekend so be aware for that.

We went in January 2013 and it was 90 degrees the whole time. I have also been in early March and also shorts weather the whole time. But we are from PA so anything above 20 in the January - March time frame feels like summer.

Be aware that DHS and AK are both under construction.

[973beachbum]

We went in Feb years ago.  It was closer to 40 degrees than 80.  We still had a good time.  It was warm enough to be comfortable in a heavy sweatshirt and jeans while not being too hot.  I guess between being in a sweatshirt and comfy vs being hot even in a shirt and shorts I would pick the sweatshirt. 

Our area hasn't ever had a vacation in Feb.  Mostly it is by Easter so this year in mid March.  But from what I remember the lines were almost totally absent in Feb.  There might have been one but thruthfully I can only remember one line in our entire 5 days there and it was for the French bakery in Epcot.

I will say though that my memory of Feb at WDW is mostly old people.  There may have been a few younger people but mostly we were 40ish years younger than everyone else it seemed,

It still sounds fun to me though!

[Abby Normal]

shanendoah-  Mine is June 21st.  "I am the Sun Eliminator"