**Official February 2024 Thread**

[Bama Mom]

I've started working on my packing list. I was planning to be a minimalist packer this trip but I don't know if that will happen or not. Plus needing sweatshirts and tees make packing a bit more bulky. I have to bring some long sleeves I can wear because I get cold easily but I also need to be able to remove them in the middle of the day when it's warmer. I plan to just bring leggings because those are my most comfortable pants and I like to be comfy. I will probably throw in a single pair of jeans just in case but may just bring a pair of my "dressy" leggings ... AKA not athletic ones. I have picked up a few essentials, like the epsom salt foot gel. We love that stuff as well as travel containers for meds and my eczema ointment. Not sure what else I will need to purchase. I need to pull out my travel personal hygiene bag and see what needs to be restocked.

 

[jcemom]

When we used to go at this time of year I called it the "pack everything but the kitchen sink" weather. It might be near freezing, or in the 80s. It might be sunny or rainy. It might be all of those in the same day lol. We've gotten sunburned at a water park one day and then needed coats and mittens the next. But sometimes it's absolutely beautiful, sunny and mid 70s. Considering how crummy our weather is here right now, I'm happy to take a chance. It can't be worse. It does make packing somewhat tricky though.

I also think I'm going the leggings route. I like dresses but not if it means I'll be shivering. I'm thinking leggings with sleeveless or short sleeved tops, then either lightweight cardigans or hoodies over that, so when it warms up midday I can remove a layer. I'll pack a coat, hat and mittens, hoping I don't need them. I'll wear a lighter weight water resistant jacket on the plane. Hopefully that covers all possible weather conditions. I think layers are the key, since it's typically chilly when leaving the room in the morning and late in the evenings, but quite warm midday.

ETA: I added on to the trip so I'll now be there 1/29-2/5, and my daughter has decided to join me so it's no longer a solo trip.

 

[Wood Nymph]

We have traveled to WDW in early February for several years now. We like the last four nights of the cheap value season, which this year is Feb 4-8. Our experience with the weather has been that it tends to be on the cool side. Sometimes it is downright cold. Other times it can be pleasantly warm, and all in the same day. So, layers are the key.

You can't really know what the weather will be until you are really close to departure date, and then the predictions can be wrong. We come from Chicago, so we wear our warm clothes on the plane, and we'll have them with us if it gets cold in Florida. I have found that a fleece plus a lightweight, waterproof jacket will be warm enough for most cold weather situations. I always need gloves, too.

I made a mistake when we were in WDW in December. We had two days of cold weather, and I thought I would be warm enough with a hooded sweatshirt and the lightweight jacket. I was wrong. The fleece would have been much warmer. I'll bring it this year if it looks like the weather will be cold.

 

[Bama Mom]

Yeah, when we went in February in 2022 it was comfortable for me in leggings and a tee with a sweatshirt in the morning and evenings. Hubby wore shorts most of the time but on our final night even he got cold. We didn't have time to go back to the room for him to change into his jeans so he bought a tinkerbelle blanket to cover up with during the fireworks. He still uses that blanket at the house and we tease him about his tinkerbelle blanket. I will bring my down jacket because it rolls up small and goes into a bag so it doesn't take up much room and will have my beanie and gloves. I have raynaud's syndrome so my fingers and toes lose circulation easily and turn white or blue. So I will have those in my park bag (whether I have my backpack or crossbody waist bag) since they don't take up much room. I can just tie my sweatshirt around my waist when I don't need it on.

 

[Bama Mom]

ETA: I added on to the trip so I'll now be there 1/29-2/5, and my daughter has decided to join me so it's no longer a solo trip.

Got the dates updated. You're trip is coming up fast!

 

[Lsdolphin]

I will be going to the After Hours event at MK by myself on 2/1 and than going to the After Hours at EPCOT on 2/2 with my brother and sister-in-law hoping it won’t be freezing. I have an AP and event ticket but they will only have the After Hours ticket so won’t be able to enter until 7:00 pm. Does anyone know if “Festival of the Arts” booths actually stay open until 9:00 pm or do they close prior to park closing? I’m have no idea what crowds will be like in Epcot on that Friday for the After Hours and it will be the first one at EPCOT so no advance reports.

 

[Bama Mom]

I will be going to the After Hours event at MK by myself on 2/1 and than going to the After Hours at EPCOT on 2/2 with my brother and sister-in-law hoping it won’t be freezing. I have an AP and event ticket but they will only have the After Hours ticket so won’t be able to enter until 7:00 pm. Does anyone know if “Festival of the Arts” booths actually stay open until 9:00 pm or do they close prior to park closing? I’m have no idea what crowds will be like in Epcot on that Friday for the After Hours and it will be the first one at EPCOT so no advance reports.

I'm not 100% sure but I think they stay open until regular park closing time (unless they run out of stuff). But I'm not sure so hopefully someone else will know for sure.

 

[TwinMomEsq]

I’m also going to go the tee and leggings route for the most part with a light cardigan or hoodie for morning/evening. Our last trip was also around the same time (albeit three years ago) so I’ve been looking through our old pictures to see what we wore and gather inspiration from there.

I can’t believe it’s close enough to start working on the packing list. I am started to get really freaked out about braving the crowds of Presidents Day week. We got all the ADRs and other tickets we wanted. And I have my LL plan more or less worked out. I know that there isn’t much more we can do but I am just getting really nervous that we won’t be able to even walk around with all the crowds. I wish we could have picked a different time but we are still at the mercy of the school calendar.

 

[Ohiostatefan606]

I’m also going to go the tee and leggings route for the most part with a light cardigan or hoodie for morning/evening. Our last trip was also around the same time (albeit three years ago) so I’ve been looking through our old pictures to see what we wore and gather inspiration from there.

I can’t believe it’s close enough to start working on the packing list. I am started to get really freaked out about braving the crowds of Presidents Day week. We got all the ADRs and other tickets we wanted. And I have my LL plan more or less worked out. I know that there isn’t much more we can do but I am just getting really nervous that we won’t be able to even walk around with all the crowds. I wish we could have picked a different time but we are still at the mercy of the school calendar.

The school calendar rules it all! We are in the same boat.

 

[Bama Mom]

I’m also going to go the tee and leggings route for the most part with a light cardigan or hoodie for morning/evening. Our last trip was also around the same time (albeit three years ago) so I’ve been looking through our old pictures to see what we wore and gather inspiration from there.

I can’t believe it’s close enough to start working on the packing list. I am started to get really freaked out about braving the crowds of Presidents Day week. We got all the ADRs and other tickets we wanted. And I have my LL plan more or less worked out. I know that there isn’t much more we can do but I am just getting really nervous that we won’t be able to even walk around with all the crowds. I wish we could have picked a different time but we are still at the mercy of the school calendar.

Yeah I am there the week between the dance comps and cheer comps. A couple years ago we were there the first week in February instead of the second week and I really wish we could have done that week again this time. But because hubby can only take off 2 1/2 days without an excuse (or losing pay) this week works best for us because of a new semester starting at his college. I am worrying about the cheer crowds. Them being cheerleaders don't bother me at all (my daughter was a cheerleader from the age of 3 all through high school) but I am more worried about the crowds being worse this week than the week before. But I'm sure it will all be okay in the end because it is just two of us so it should be manageable. Plus we didn't plan to be more relaxing this trip since hubby just had his meniscus surgery a couple weeks ago.

 

[Bama Mom]

Y'all, I am an Alabama girl and I do love snow because we don't get it often. We got almost 5 inches this week which shuts everything down around us because we live in the country. This first picture is from my front porch and you can't tell where our yard ends, the road begins and then where the neighbor's yard starts. I took this one yesterday morning. The second picture is my watch this morning. I am not made for this negative 2 degree weather. I'm already cold all the time if it's in the low 60's HaHa. I know this is nothing for y'all in the north (I was born in Illinois so remember those 2 foot snowfalls) or other cold countries but my body isn't used to this anymore. Only three more weeks until I'll be in Disney! Now I need hubby to be able to get back to work so we won't be tired of each other when we go! Between his 2 weeks off at Christmas, the extra week off from Meniscus surgery he only went to work one week before having this week off due to the snow/weather. Him being home throws me off because I work from home and he interrupts my normal schedule I have set for myself. Just kidding, I do enjoy him being home most of the time. But it's too cold to go down in the workshop to work on handrails (we own an ornamental iron business as well) for customers so I just work around him in the house.

 

[Wood Nymph]

'all, I am an Alabama girl and I do love snow because we don't get it often. We got almost 5 inches this week which shuts everything down around us because we live in the country.

Five inches is a lot of snow for anyone, let alone an Alabama girl. It looks very pretty, though, and I bet the kids are having fun with it.

 

[Pam :)]

Hi all, we are going Presidents week, I think I remember from past Presidents week trips that Park hours often get extended for this crowded time. Is this still the case? if so when does Disney usual post this?

TIA

 

[Ohiostatefan606]

Hi all, we are going Presidents week, I think I remember from past Presidents week trips that Park hours often get extended for this crowded time. Is this still the case? if so when does Disney usual post this?

TIA

Just keep watching the website. They already changed the Early Entry for AK for that weekend. From past experience I've seen them change usually about 10 days out. But not sure they have a set day.

Right now, AK has been adjusted Feb 14 - 18. We leave on the 18th, so I haven't been tracking hours beyond that date.

 

[TwinMomEsq]

Well also be there Presidents Day week. I’ve been stalking the hours constantly for changes. So far the only change is AK opening at 8am every day for the whole week. I’d be shocked if we don’t see some later hours added especially for the holiday weekend.

 

[MommaKetch]

Hi all! I'm coming in late to the thread after booking a last-minute (and first-time) solo stay, February 6-9. Please add me to the list.

I am most looking forward to going at my own pace, which most of my family cannot keep up with, haha! Also, the Festival of the Arts!

I'm using DVC points for the stay and am all over the place. I will continue to stalk, tweak, and update Resort(s) once I'm settled. I was able to use a flight coupon for AA, so it only cost me $33.20. Could not pass this up!

This trip is a reward for myself for losing 100lbs and getting healthy.

That is a mighty goal to hit!! Way to go, and congratulations on your well-earned trip.

we have one of the new resort rooms in the big pine key building.

If I had to choose for a DVC studio stay at GF, I'd prefer to be in BPK as it's closer to the restaurants, boat launch, and lobby. The refurbished rooms look so pretty!

Y'all, I am an Alabama girl and I do love snow because we don't get it often. We got almost 5 inches this week

My relatives live in Arkansas, and I've been watching the temps. It's crazy! Hope it's warming up. It'll be so nice to be in Florida after that.

My favorite Uncle is going with his family for his birthday he is a major Star Wars nerd & this will be his first trip ever. My cousin & I worked it out for me to surprise him on his birthday at DHS.

This is fantastic! I hope you all have a wonderful time!

I was able to book a bounce back reservation today for the Wilderness Lodge - Feb 4 - 8th. I was happy to get the 35% discount for this resort.

We have traveled to WDW in early February for several years now. We like the last four nights of the cheap value season, which this year is Feb 4-8. Our experience with the weather has been that it tends to be on the cool side. Sometimes it is downright cold. Other times it can be pleasantly warm, and all in the same day. So, layers are the key.

Woo-hoo on the 35% off! Currently, we overlap a night at WL on Feb 6th. Would love to say hello if plans and time allow! Good to know about the Feb weather at Disney. I lived in FL many years ago, and my time frame for cold weather has faded from memory, ha! Plus, my body is now adjusted to PA weather and winters!

Doing a first ever solo trip

Awesome! Me too! I am a little nervous, but I hope it will be more relaxing.

Hi! I've booked a solo trip for January 31-February 5

I'll be doing a solo trip, too! We'll be ships passing at the airport as I arrive and you depart. Let us know how it goes!

When we used to go at this time of year I called it the "pack everything but the kitchen sink" weather.

I’ve been looking through our old pictures to see what we wore and gather inspiration from there.

Me too! We went to WDW in Feb '17, and pics show I was wearing short sleeves. But I'll keep an eye on the weather and pack layers.

 

[Bama Mom]

Hi all! I'm coming in late to the thread after booking a last-minute (and first-time) solo stay, February 6-9. Please add me to the list.

I am most looking forward to going at my own pace, which most of my family cannot keep up with, haha! Also, the Festival of the Arts!

I'm using DVC points for the stay and am all over the place. I will continue to stalk, tweak, and update Resort(s) once I'm settled. I was able to use a flight coupon for AA, so it only cost me $33.20. Could not pass this up!

Got you added to the first list. Will add to the resort one once it's finalized. We used DVC points too (rented them). I am hoping to take my first solo trip later this year or early next year if I can't make it work this year.

 

[Bama Mom]

Animal Kingdom hours have changed for my week too. Early entry at 7:30 with regular opening at 8:00.

 

[Juventus]

First solo trip Feb 7-11. Starting off with a bang on the 8th: I plan on DHS-MK-Epcot after hours. As previous poster said looking forward to going at my own (fast)pace.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Animal Kingdom hours have changed for my week too. Early entry at 7:30 with regular opening at 8:00.

I hate the early opening hour at AK. It was 7:30am when we were there last month and the safari didn't have very many animals on exhibit early in the morning. The animals don't get a change in their release hours when the park opens early. We've seen giraffes released at 8:30am.

We are skipping AK on this trip. It is only a four-night trip and my sister-in-law is buying a three-park ticket.