February or May?

[TARDIS]

Im debating on my next trip dates. I normally go the last week of May/ first week of June each year. But I'm wondering if maybe Febuary might be a nice change. The weather and atmosphere may be totally different from my typical busy hot summer trips. But with no festivals going on is it worth it? I'm hoping for less crowds and a break from my cold Arkansas weather. Anybody go in February and prefer it?

 

[Chernaboggles]

Im debating on my next trip dates. I normally go the last week of May/ first week of June each year. But I'm wondering if maybe Febuary might be a nice change. The weather and atmosphere may be totally different from my typical busy hot summer trips. But with no festivals going on is it worth it? I'm hoping for less crowds and a break from my cold Arkansas weather. Anybody go in February and prefer it?

We do! We only go in the cooler months, and February is our favorite! Except for that one week around President's Day, February crowds have been great the last couple years. The downside is that the temperature can be a bit unpredictable and the parks close earlier some evenings (8 or 9pm) but I think the lighter crowds and lack of swelter make up for that. My favorite week is the very last week of February, the weather is extra nice and the Flower and Garden displays start going up at Epcot. It opens in early March, so no official stuff, but the flowers and topiary start to appear a week or two in advance.

 

[KikoKea]

We've gone many times in Feb and loved it. The weather is chilly (compared to Hawaii, at least) and the crowds are much less (if you avoid the holidays). Whether or not it is worth missing the F&G Festival is up to you. I love the flower festival, but the grounds are pretty anyway, so it is not like there's no flowers at all.

 

[Susan Savia]

Never been in May, but absolutely love February. Comfortable temperatures and lower crowd levels make it a nice time to visit.

 

[disneyfirstLJ]

We have been twice in February at the end of the month. The first trip (2014) was awesome with low crowds and great weather. The second trip (2016) had high crowds and it was chilly for Florida. We had a great time both trips but this shows that crowd level and weather is always unpredictable.

 

[Kristamouse]

If you choose Feb each the weather , we went the last week of January into Feburary. It was chilly at night. I packed gloves and hats/ear warmers. We were very comfortable with those and just our hoodies. The walking keeps your core warm but the extremities were cold.

 

[SMS55]

February will certainly be cooler and May will certainly be hot and humid. In February you will have smaller crowds than in May but you'll have more rides down for refurbishment too.

 

[PoppinsFan]

This past year we went the end of February into the beginning of March. The first few days of our trip were chilly (even though we were traveling from Wisconsin)but by the end it was 80 degrees. We also usually go in May because we enjoy the Flower and Garden festival, by going late February we were still able to enjoy the Festival the end of our trip. I was surprised by how busy it was, but it wasn't unmanageable. One of the things we enjoyed was that it got darker much earlier, the parks are so pretty at night.

 

[zurgandfriend]

We have been in late May/early June and February. Some things to consider are first where are you coming from and returning to? We live in New England and weather e.g. snow is always an issue. Our flights have been effected and I have had to shovel snow before we could get into our driveway when returning home. Also February is school vacation in many parts of the country and baseball spring training is beginning so the parks and the airports can be crowded. The good part is after 8 or 9 weeks of winter, a week in the Florida sunshine is wonderful. As for late May early June many schools is the south are out of session for the summer so we have encountered high volumes then as well but weather isn’t usually a problem, we did however hit and early hurricane one June. All that said see what fit your plans best. Enjoy!

 

[JIMINYCR]

Both times of year are great times to go. Our Feb trips have been great mostly because it breaks up the winter doldrums and we feel like winter has been shortened. Not having to deal with winter storms or cleaning up after them at least for a short time lifts the morale. Just the feel of the FL sun on your face after a chilly Dec and Jan at home helps. Returning after a Feb trip gives you hope that spring is closer to hitting.
zurgandfriend is so right, the bad part is watching the weather prior to departing and praying theres no winter delays that will spoil your getting there.

 

[LAKid53]

February. May is hot, humid, rainy and crowded. Yes, some rides are down and one of the water parks is usually closed, but I will take cooler weather over a few closed rides any day.

 

[bee]

February, with a great travel insurance policy so if a winter storm delays my flight(s) I am not expensively stranded. I fly from NJ/NY and I did get stuck in Orlando once for an extra three days due to weather.