Everything you need to know about visiting Disney World in February

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Walt Disney World in February—along with every other month of the year—is magical. After all, it is the happiest place on Earth. What to look out for with crowds, prepare foe the weather and what’s on!

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Over the years, I’ve visited Disney World countless times, and each season has its own pros and cons, which could really make all the difference to your trip. With my experience, I’ve come to the conclusion that the easy part of a Walt Disney World trip is deciding to go. The hard part, however, is deciding when. 

If this is your first time planning a trip to Disney World, then know that there are so many factors to think about. From the weather and crowds to attraction refurbishments and special events, the time of year you visit the parks can really alter your experience entirely.

For example, Disney World in Autumn, while it’s decorated for Halloween, is extremely different to Disney World in Spring.

With all that being said, February is an amazing time to head to Orlando, and there are a few reasons why that I’d like to share with you. 

The average temperature in Orlando in February

The average temperature in Orlando in February ranges from highs of 24°C (75°F) to lows of 12°C (54°F). For the most part, the weather in Orlando in February is great for families with young children—especially if you’re from the UK.

My family have found the temperatures throughout the daytime in February to be manageable, and you’ll often be greeted with blue skies and sunshine from the minute you enter the parks. 

Come the evening time, however, temperatures will drop, and you will need to throw on a few layers. But that gives you every excuse to purchase Disney World-themed jumpers and jackets.

So really, it’s true what they say, every cloud has a silver lining. 

How busy is Disney World in February?

During the first few weeks of February, Disney World is relatively quiet, however, the last week or so can see larger crowds due to a few different events that take place. 

No matter which month you choose to visit Disney World, it’s always best to avoid school holidays, public holidays, and events that draw in crowds to the parks. In February, there are three events that will spike Disney visitor numbers, with the first being the National High School Cheerleading Championship, followed by President’s Day Weekend and the Princess Half Marathon weekend. 

Mardi Gras—if it were to fall in February—is another holiday that can bring more people into Orlando and Disney, so that’s something else to consider when booking your trip. 

If you do have leniency in your holiday or vacation, then I highly recommend planning your Disney days around these events to get the quietest and most productive days in the parks. 

Special events at Disney World in February

The special events that take place in Disney are what can really transform your Disney experience as they make one trip entirely different from the next. My kids and I love witnessing all the events, festivals, and parades that change throughout the year, so we’re never left feeling like we’ve seen all there is to see. 

Extended Evening Hours

Disney deluxe resort guests get the luxury of extra hours in both EPCOT and Magic Kingdom on select nights throughout the month of February. While checking into your hotel, ask reception which days during your stay you can make use of these hours, and plan accordingly. 

Usually, with these extra hours, you can get onto some of the park’s busiest rides in less than 10 minutes—that sure beats waiting over an hour for Frozen Ever After, Remi’s Ratatouille Adventure, or The Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train. Right? 

Early Entry

In addition to extended hours for deluxe resort guests, all guests staying on Disney property get the chance to enter the parks 30 to 60 minutes earlier than the regular ticketed public. When we visit Disney, we make full use of these extra minutes in the park.

During these times, we have experienced some of the most popular rides, taken photos in front of the castle with no one else in the background, and got the pleasure of enjoying the parks while they were at their quietest.  

EPCOT Festival of the Arts

January in Disney World, as well as the majority of February, sees the Festival of the Arts in EPCOT. And although it is one of the smaller festivals of the year, I believe it’s underrated.

The Festival of the Arts completely transforms EPCOT and celebrates the visual arts through exhibits, performances, decorations, and limited edition treats. 

One of the highlights of the festival is the Disney on Broadway show that features songs from award-winning Disney musicals—it’s truly a spectacular performance that I highly recommend watching if you’re lucky enough to be at EPCOT during February. 

Ride and Pool Refurbishments

As the first few months of the year are some of Disney’s quietest, they do tend to schedule ride and resort pool refurbishments. If there are rides that you’re desperate to experience, it may be worth checking if they’re expected to be refurbished so you don’t miss out during your trip. View the Disney calendars here to see the schedule.

What to wear to Disney World in February

Temperatures in February—compared to January—begin to warm up, however, I still suggest packing extra layers as it can get chilly towards the evening.

The highs of 24°C are more than warm enough for T-shirts and shorts, but there is nothing worse than being cold (especially if it’s your little ones who are cold), so it’s best to pack some jumpers and trousers to ensure you’re prepared for all conditions. 

And in terms of footwear, I can’t stress enough how important comfortable shoes are. Yes, your new sandals are gorgeous, but you can easily clock 20,000 steps a day walking around the parks at Disney World, so do your feet a favour and throw on your most comfortable walking shoes. 

What should I pack for Disney in February?

One of my favourite parts of Disney World planning is packing, and I’ve become somewhat of an expert over the years. When you’re packing for your Disney World February vacation, you should pack both cool and warm weather clothing, as although you will experience warm weather, there are certain times of the day when you’ll be thankful for a cosy jumper or jacket.  Don’t forget these Disney Packing Essentials either!

On top of standard clothing items, your Disney World packing list should include: 

• Comfortable shoes
• A sunhat
• Sunglasses
• Socks and underwear
• Flip flops for days in the water parks or around the pool
• Swimwear
• A poncho or a raincoat
• Towel
• Backpack

Tips for visiting Disney World in February

If this is your first Disney World trip, then you may be entirely clueless as to how everything works—trust me, we’ve all been there. Throughout my time visiting the parks with my kids, I’ve learnt a lot of useful tips and tricks that have helped our days run more smoothly. 

To help you and your planning process along, below are some of my must-know tips for Disney World, including stroller rentals and snacks to Disney Genie+ and the Disney World app. 

Check for Discounts

Similar to January, ticket prices for Disney World are some of the lowest of the year. I know how quickly a Disney holiday can add up, especially when you have a large family or if your kids are over the age of three.

Being able to get tickets at a discounted price can really bring your total costs down, meaning you can spend more money on merchandise, a nicer resort, or other activities outside of the parks. 

If you do want to venture out of the Disney property, then check out this article on non-Disney-related fun things to do with kids in Orlando.

Pack layers

As I mentioned before, you may experience some cooler temperatures in February, so pack layers and remember to take them to the parks with you. I also like to pack a blanket or two for my kids so I can tuck them up in the stroller of an evening. 

Make use of the extra park hours

I’ve gotten so many big rides done in the extra park hours, meaning the 70+ minutes I would usually have to wait, I can spend strolling through the parks, meeting my favourite characters, or riding other rides on my Disney bucket list. 

For those staying in Disney Resorts, use up all your extra hours! Even just having a coffee in front of Cinderella’s castle is so much more enjoyable when there are very few people in the parks.

Set your alarm, put your Minnie ears on, and be there as soon as the parks open. 

Pack your own snacks and water

Did you know a single bottle of water in Disney is around $3.50? After a long day—especially a warmer day—and five bottles of water later, those prices soon add up, and before you know it, you’ve spent hundreds of dollars on water alone.

A great hack I learned very early on is to head to Target or Walmart and pick up a pack of 24 bottles of water for the exact same price as one bottle in Disney. You can take snacks and drinks into the parks, making you incredible savings, and you also get the adventure of visiting an American Target, which, trust me, is amazing.

And an even better hack is to pack reusable water bottles and fill them up at the water bottle refill stations dotted around the park. That way, you spend $0 on water, and you’re helping the environment, which is a win-win in my books. 

Download the Disney World App

The Disney World App has everything you need in one place. On the app, you can make use of the interactive map that gives you live directions to the park’s attractions.

You can view show times, ride wait times, and the opening hours of each park. And you can even book virtual queues, lightning lanes, and mobile food orders to cut down your wait times substantially.

Before you even step foot on the plane, download the app, make an account, and navigate the app so you’re ready and know how to use the app before you even reach Orlando. 

Rent a stroller

Even if your kids say they’re too old for a stroller, I can promise you within a few hours, they’ll be complaining their legs are tired and they want to sit down. This reason, and this reason alone—aside from the fact strollers make excellent merchandise carriers, of course—is why we always rent or take our own strollers whenever we’re visiting the Disney World parks. 

Disney rents out hard shell plastic strollers for a fee of $18 for a single and $36 for a double plus tax, and if you’re planning to be at the parks all day, then renting a stroller should be at the top of your priority list. 

Alternatively, you can take your own stroller into the parks with you as long as they’re smaller than 31” (79 cm) in width and 52” (132cm) in length.

Lightning Lane and Disney Genie+

Lightning Lane and Disney Genie+ are two different services that allow you to join a much shorter queue to some of the park’s busiest rides. Depending on which dates in February you head to the parks, you may find that both lightning lanes and Disney Genie+ aren’t necessary.

But you can always make that decision when you’re there if you feel like the additional fee is worth not waiting in line. 

Plan, Plan, and Plan

I’m a planner. I always have been, and I always will be. 

Before heading to Orlando, whether it’s your first or fiftieth time, plan your trip. Get the entire family together and write a list of all the attractions, character meet and greets, and restaurants you want to visit so that way you have a brief idea of what your Disney day will look like. 

With Disney sit-down restaurants, you can book reservations up to 60 days in advance, and if you’re planning to go to some of the most popular restaurants like Be Our Guest, Cinderella’s Royal Table, and Space 220, you’ll need to be ready as soon as the reservations come available or you’ll miss your chance to dine there. 

Disney World in February FAQs 

How busy is Orlando in February? 

Orlando in February is relatively quiet, aside from President’s Day weekend, which happens before the third Monday of February. Luckily for those visiting Orlando in February, there aren’t many school breaks so crowds are at their lowest, making it an ideal time to visit. 

What to wear to Walt Disney World in February? 

As Walt Disney World in February sees both warm and cool temperatures, you’ll want to take layers that you can throw on over shorts and T-shirts. 

Are Disney parks busy in February?

February is one of the quieter months for Disney, with the exception of the National High School Cheerleading Championship, President’s Day Weekend and the Princess Half Marathon weekend that occur in the last few weeks of the month. 

Is Disney World worth it in February?

Disney World in February is worth it for many reasons. Firstly, the temperatures are ideal for young families.

Secondly, ticket prices are some of the lowest they’ll be all year. And thirdly, the parks are usually fairly quiet.

One of the only downfalls of a February Disney World trip is occasionally, some of the rides and resort pools are closed for refurbishment, so it’s best to check scheduled refurbs before booking your trip.