January vs. February

[Lucille]

We're thinking about planning a trip for early 2012.

Our previous trip dates =

January 24th - 30th, 2008
January 20th - 27th, 2010

We like to avoid MLK weekend, for sure. We love this time of year of lower crowds and nice weather.

This time, we're trying to decide if we want to go in late January again or early February.

In 2010, we encountered a LOT of tour groups so that was kind of a pain at times. Does anyone know if there are typically less tour groups in early February compared to late January? Or would it be about the same?

Also, I know that certain times of the year, there are large groups of cheerleaders. What month does that happen?

The three possible chunks of days we're currently thinking about are these =
January 18th - 25th
February 1st - 8th
February 8th - 15th

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

(Oops...if a Mod sees this, can you please move it to the trip planning section instead? Thanks!)

 

[Jerm]

I have to say Jan is always my fav, but I like to go very early in the month right after the Christmas crowds die down.

 

[majorrfb]

Jan. is better!

I have to say Jan is always my fav, but I like to go very early in the month right after the Christmas crowds die down.

I totally agree with the above statement. I'd would vote for Jan. 18 week to avoid tour groups. Weather is decent, crowds small to moderate at best, and tour groups haven't arrived in force. Pop Warner is over, so things are good. Feb. brings on the groups, Northeast public school vacation (3rd full week in Feb). Things get busy during Feb, go January! :wave:

 

[Lucille]

Crazy. I had read that January was the big month for the tour groups (and based on my experiences, I'd agree!) Not February. Brazil's academic school year starts the first week of February, I believe. So I imagine as far as Brazilian groups go, it would die down a bit. Is that not correct?

 

[Nemo14]

Crazy. I had read that January was the big month for the tour groups (and based on my experiences, I'd agree!) Not February. Brazil's academic school year starts the first week of February, I believe. So I imagine as far as Brazilian groups go, it would die down a bit. Is that not correct?

You are correct about January at least. I'm not really sure about February. We were at WL from 1/21 to 1/24 this year and we actually did not even go into the parks, but everyone we met at the resorts, restaurants and DTD complained of 60 to 90 minute waits for rides due to the crowds, basically the tour groups.

 

[Lucille]

Another question - Anyone know where I can see historical park hours for February 2010 and 2011?