January vs. February?

[Lucille]

(I asked this in general discussion but thought maybe I'd get more opinions here instead.)

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!

 

[disneygirl76]

(I asked this in general discussion but thought maybe I'd get more opinions here instead.)

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!

I would go at the beginning of Feb. MLK is the 17th next year some might have that time off and extend there vacation into that week. So I would choose either the 1st - 8th or 8th - 15th. If it was me, I would choose the first week. Of course, being at WDW for Valentine's Day might be nice.

 

[Lucille]

I would go at the beginning of Feb. MLK is the 17th next year some might have that time off and extend there vacation into that week. So I would choose either the 1st - 8th or 8th - 15th. If it was me, I would choose the first week. Of course, being at WDW for Valentine's Day might be nice.

I read that the parks could be more crowded on Valentine's Day so that kind of makes me think the week earlier would be better.

It's hard because both times we went in January there were crowded days and not-so-crowded days. The tour groups only bothered us on the last trip though.

 

[aurorawest]

I was there twice in January this year (including MLK weekend) and once in February. Lots of tour groups in both months (January seemed to be more South American groups, February was more cheerleaders). The early February trip definitely had lower crowds.

 

[WDWLOYAL1971]

I just went to WDW this passed January. It was full of Brazilian tour groups which were loud, inconsiderate and rude. I've also experienced the cheerleaders and I personally rather have the cheerleaders than the tour groups. At least they are fun.

 

[aurorawest]

I just went to WDW this passed January. It was full of Brazilian tour groups which were loud, inconsiderate and rude. I've also experienced the cheerleaders and I personally rather have the cheerleaders than the tour groups. At least they are fun.

I actually had the exact opposite experience! The Brazilian groups didn't bother me...though they did have a tendency to lie down in shops when they apparently got too exhausted to continue on. I encountered some extremely rude cheerleaders (trying to cut in line and then cursing myself and my family out when told that they'd have to wait like everyone else).

 

[bmarkelon]

I don't know how much better the weather is in February but I've experience late January and will never do it again. It was actually my first trip at 21 with my now DH and though it's obviously when I fell in love with the world and the obsession started it was so cold! We actually bought matching Mickey winter hats while we were down there. There was frost on the ground each morning. The one thing I can say is that the parks were almost dead, honestly no waits on almost anything. The DH convinced me to go on Kali River Rapids a 2nd time in a row...we hadn't gotten wet at all the first trip and we were able to hop right back on. BAD IDEA, I of course was in the soaker seat the 2nd time....had to stand in front of the heat blowers they had set up for a little bit and then head back to the hotel to change. So I would suggest researching February dates and weather to pick the best time.

 

[Lucille]

I was there twice in January this year (including MLK weekend) and once in February. Lots of tour groups in both months (January seemed to be more South American groups, February was more cheerleaders). The early February trip definitely had lower crowds.

When do the cheerleading groups typically show up?

I just went to WDW this passed January. It was full of Brazilian tour groups which were loud, inconsiderate and rude. I've also experienced the cheerleaders and I personally rather have the cheerleaders than the tour groups. At least they are fun.

When did you see the cheerleaders?

I don't know how much better the weather is in February but I've experience late January and will never do it again. It was actually my first trip at 21 with my now DH and though it's obviously when I fell in love with the world and the obsession started it was so cold! We actually bought matching Mickey winter hats while we were down there. There was frost on the ground each morning. The one thing I can say is that the parks were almost dead, honestly no waits on almost anything. The DH convinced me to go on Kali River Rapids a 2nd time in a row...we hadn't gotten wet at all the first trip and we were able to hop right back on. BAD IDEA, I of course was in the soaker seat the 2nd time....had to stand in front of the heat blowers they had set up for a little bit and then head back to the hotel to change. So I would suggest researching February dates and weather to pick the best time.

See....for me, cold = GOOD! I hate hot weather. I prefer cold. Especially when at a theme park. We went in late January 2008 and it was lovely. I wore a sweatshirt and jacket most days/night. In January 2010 it was actually a bit too warm for me and I actually had to wear shorts. No thanks. I prefer the cooler temps and wearing jackets and stuff.

 

[aurorawest]

When do the cheerleading groups typically show up?

There were cheerleading groups there the last weekend of January and the second week of February. I don't know when their meets or whatever they're there for begin or end.

See....for me, cold = GOOD! I hate hot weather. I prefer cold. Especially when at a theme park. We went in late January 2008 and it was lovely. I wore a sweatshirt and jacket most days/night. In January 2010 it was actually a bit too warm for me and I actually had to wear shorts. No thanks. I prefer the cooler temps and wearing jackets and stuff.

One of the days in February that we were there topped out at about 54 degrees, plus it was overcast and rainy, and the predicted weather (from the day before!) was 71 and sunny. Even on that morning, I was still seeing predictions of 65 degrees. I would think that kind of poor meteorology would happen in January as well, though.

 

[bmarkelon]

See....for me, cold = GOOD! I hate hot weather. I prefer cold. Especially when at a theme park. We went in late January 2008 and it was lovely. I wore a sweatshirt and jacket most days/night. In January 2010 it was actually a bit too warm for me and I actually had to wear shorts. No thanks. I prefer the cooler temps and wearing jackets and stuff.

Then you should be happy with either month. I definitely don't like it too hot (freaking out about our first August trip) but part of a Disney vacation for me is enjoying some warmer weather. We like to escape our New England winters. And it would not be complete with pool time everyday.