Late February or early March?

[Dizknee_Phreek]

I'm planning a short (or rather long weekend) trip for me, my husband, my best friend and her boyfriend. We're going to do a couple days in Universal and one day in Epcot. But my dilemma is when to go. None of us have kids and our work schedules are flexible, so that's not an issue. It's between late February or early March. I know in terms of Epcot we could go during the Festival of the Arts or the Flower and Garden Festival depending on which one we go with. Flower and Garden is one of my absolute favorite times to visit...but I'd love to check out Festival of the Arts as well... especially since me, my best friend and her bf graduated college together with art degrees.
SO, this is where I need your all's opinion! I know F&G is obviously a more established festival than FotA and has more fans...but what do you all suggest? Also the festivals aren't the only deciding factor. Crowds and temperatures play a part too. So give me your thoughts!

 

[TARDIS]

I visited festival of arts last year and loved it(going back for next years). Walking around looking at the artwork in all the booths was a ton of fun. Now it's not "as pretty" as the flower and garden festival I will say that. Weather is a toss up could be chilly or hot or both for the weekend. If you prefer warmer weather go in March.
Check the dates for the Princess marathon in February that may make it a bit more crowded.

 

[Dizknee_Phreek]

All very good to know, Raveney! Thank you! We went in September last year and it was tge most humid, miserable temperatures I've ever experienced there. I have to imagine even a hot day in February/March can't be as bad as that!
I keep checking for dates for the Art fest. I imagine it will at least be about the same as this year's, but wish they'd go ahead and post the schedule so I'd know for sure.

 

[TDGMedley]

Im goingin Feb 21- Mar 2. 2018 I hear the weather is much nicer. I also went in Sep. last year and was way to hot. Not sure if it matters to you but the Princess 1/2 is near the end of Feb. I looked at crowed calendars and its at highest for that weekend and drops to low as soon as its over. The Dates for Princess are Feb 22-25.

 

[TARDIS]

All very good to know, Raveney! Thank you! We went in September last year and it was tge most humid, miserable temperatures I've ever experienced there. I have to imagine even a hot day in February/March can't be as bad as that!
I keep checking for dates for the Art fest. I imagine it will at least be about the same as this year's, but wish they'd go ahead and post the schedule so I'd know for sure.

I know I keep waiting too!I picked the same dates as last year because I loved the festival so much just hope it in my dates. Weather in September is horrid! Early February last year we had 75-89 degree days and one 60 day. It was cool in the morning but warm for shorts and tanks after 11. Hope that helps!

 

[Disneyfreak Jen]

I've done both the Festival of Arts and Flower &a Garden, and I prefer Flower & Garden. Should be a nice time of year to go, I just advise on checking on when Easter is...make sure it's not early March, otherwise crowds, airfare, etc. will be higher.

 

[Dizknee_Phreek]

Thank you all so much for the input! I would have never even thought to check about marathons. I knew we had President's Day and Valentine's Day to look out for, but not sure how bad the crowds get around that time. And Easter is on April 1, so we'll be good there. I've been there on Easter before a long time ago and I'm not anxious to do that again When we went last year I knew it would be hot...but I kept telling my husband "yeah Florida's hot, but it's not the same type of humid, muggy heat we have here in Kentucky." And, wouldn't you know it, the whole week it was humid, muggy, take-your-breath-away-as-soon-as-you-opened-the-door kind of heat. I was hoping at least the evenings would cool down and be pleasant...but no. And then the threat of hurricanes on top of that? I think it's safe to say I'll never go back during that time of year. The crowds weren't even as slim as I was hoping they'd be.
Anyway! You all have certainly given me some things to keep in mind! Thank you! My biggest concern is snow, as it can be rather unpredicatable here in KY. Sometimes we get it, sometimes we don't...sometimes all we get for the season is a bit of a dusting...sometimes we'll get nothing and then all of a sudden we'll get a foot in March. I'll just keep my fingers crossed that it won't mess up flights for us.

 

[Rogue3]

Another quick item to know; this year the week of Feb 19-23 is also winter break for most of the New England and northern states and Florida is a popular destination! The following week is also a winter break week, but only for a couple smaller (population) states so it's usually a lot less crowded.

 

[Dizknee_Phreek]

Another quick item to know; this year the week of Feb 19-23 is also winter break for most of the New England and northern states and Florida is a popular destination! The following week is also a winter break week, but only for a couple smaller (population) states so it's usually a lot less crowded.

Definitely good to keep in mind, Rouge3! Thank you! I think we're leaning more toward early March for next year. But my husband has started throwing around the idea of a quick Epcot trip in early 2019 to catch the Festival of the Arts, so I'll have to keep an eye on winter breaks for the NE area for then.

 

[Vic23]

Late February you should miss school vacation weeks. Early March you are going to start to get into Spring Break time and could end up with a bit higher crowds, just my two cents.

 

[DisAl]

In addition to checking the offers that were just released 10/3 go to the WDW web pages and check the "View Rate Calendar" pages for the room type you choose to see what the prices are for each day you are considering. There can be quite a difference in the room prices depending on which days or weekend you choose. One of the highest rates for the whole year is the weekend close to Valentine's Day.

 

[DisneyFreak]

We've been there at both times and February seems a bit less crowded. I don't believe any spring breaks have started yet and the weather is usually very mild.