Presidents Day Crowds

[bigbahamadada]

DS is enrolling in a school that has its winter break next February 16-20. Such a schedule is extremely unusual for a Houston (and as I appreciate it, any Texas) based school. We took that the break occurred while vast majority of peers were in school as a unintended blessing of school. A chance to travel while the crowds are a little lighter. And have made reservations for AKV next Feb.

Looking at Touringplans last night, however, I see that those days -- which for next year is President's day weekend -- are categorized as being among the most crowded days of the year. Digging a little further into the web, it looks like this a traditional break time for schools in the Northeast.

We did a January trip for the first time this year and it was perfect. Low crowds, cool weather. I was hoping for a repeat of that experience and really have no desire to get caught up in a school break for our Northeastern friends, as they see the sun for the first time in several months.

Anybody been to WDW over the week of Presidents Day? How bad are the crowds?

[Carol]

Lots of schools in the Midwest and NE have that entire week off. We used to travel then, but haven't for several years (no kids left in school, YEA).

Think "stroller gridlock" for the MK at least on the PD weekend & the Holiday itself.

You can still have a good time, but it does take more planning, a willingness to park hop when things get too crowed at your initial park choice for the day and more patience than January trips! Weather is still pretty iffy, but we always seemed to have at least a few that were suitable for swimming.

[glypnirsgirl]

I have gone during PDW - only the three days of the weekend are bad. The rest of the time the crowds are small.

If you plan to go then, if I were you, I would sign up for Tour Guide Mike and do touring plans for the trip.

I have now gotten so spoiled by TGM, that I may never make another trip without his advice.

Elaine

[bigbahamadada]

Thanks for the input.

I'm definitely going to cancel the weekend and president's day reservation. Hate to give up the 2BR value AKV reservation, but I don't like the weekend crowds generally, let alone a holiday weekend.

I may keep the Tuesday - Saturday following the holiday. But am more likely to rebook the whole thing for late January / early February.

[Tink22]

I think you'll be happier not being there over that weekend. I have been there and it is very crowded. The time around the weekend is totally different. You should be fine crowd-wise if you just avoid that weekend. We often travel in early Feb. or late Feb. early March and it is the least crowded earlier. I'm sure Jan. is great. We love to get away from the snow that time of year and if we went in Jan. we would have far too long to wait before spring arrives!

[TinkWink]

January is indeed great except for the New Years and MLK holidays. Early February is also very nice.....warm enough to swim for some of us! :rolleyes:....and lovely with regards to touring weather and crowds. For those of us in the Northeast, seeing green grass and colorful flowers in February is a huge treat! We actually had our pick of rooms when we visited in February and met a number of folks who take extended trips at that time. Lots of Canadians seem to visit then too. Personally, we try to avoid the busiest times - although we are leaving for our next trip in 6 days!!!:D - if we can. This year we have too many other things going on. But we always manage to fit our WDW trip in no matter what! :lovestruc

[bigbahamadada]

Based on the advice above and Touringplans, I indeed did rebook the trip for the last week of January 2009. We were there for the same time in 2008 and there simply were no crowds. Walk on to pretty much everything. As for the weather, I'd rather carry a light jacket than be drenched in sweat.

No sense fighting the crowds when you don't need to.

Very glad to have figured out that week was a busy one - I never would have guessed that many NE and Midwest schools get that entire week off.

[JimP]

Anybody been to WDW over the week of Presidents Day? How bad are the crowds?

I have found it relatively rare for Presidents to visit WDW... but when they do... they seldom travel alone, and the secret service folks really gum up the works. :)

/Jim

[dgaston]

Sad you changed! DH teaches HS in CT and we are veterans of many President's week vacations. This year we are planning to give Vero Beach a try, not due to WDW crowds but the timing of buying new APs!

[tomandrobin]

President's Day week is the first big week for Disney of the year. Its not as bad Easter or Thanksgiving.