Are you planning to visit Disney World in February?

Well, there are a lot of things you’ve probably already thought about. You probably know which hotel you’re staying at. You’ve probably already made many of your advance dining reservations. You’ve probably decided to get the Disney Dining Plan — or not. But there are some other things you need to be aware of if you’re visiting Disney World in February.

It’s okay, though, we’re going to remind you of those things you may NOT be thinking about if you plan on visiting Disney World in February. Here are the mistakes you need to avoid in February.

Visiting during special events

Several special events happen in Disney World in February and those events can bring in some serious crowds. For example, runDisney’s Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend runs from February 22nd through 26th. Not only will that event create crowds in the parks, but it will also affect traffic around Disney World.

You should also check to make sure you’re visiting when there are no cheer or dance competitions. These bring crowds to Disney World, too, particularly at the All-Star Resorts. There are also ESPN events during this time, including kid’s soccer tournaments. You can visit the ESPN Wide World of Sports events calendar online to check out what might be happening during your stay. You’ll want to look for ANYTHING like that going on in the parks so you can avoid the crowds they bring.

The Unexpected Reason To AVOID Disney World in February

Underestimating how cold it can get

Don’t let Florida’s usual sunny weather fool you — it can get downright cold in the winter, especially if you’re out in it traipsing around the parks. Yep, Elsa even makes occasional visits to Florida. Make sure you check the weather forecast BEFORE you leave, so you can pack accordingly.

Also, don’t forget a raincoat. If it’s Florida, it’s going to rain — trust us on that. Plus, if it’s cold AND rainy, and you’re not wearing the right gear, you’ll be miserable.

The Cold Weather Problem You’re NOT Thinking About in Disney World

Not making Valentine’s Day dining reservations early

If you haven’t made your Valentine’s Day dining reservations already, you might just be out of luck. You should do that as early as you can because a LOT of restaurants are going to be fully booked for that special evening. If you’re wanting a romantic dinner in Disney World, Casey’s Corner is just not going to cut it, no matter how much you and your significant other love that plastic cheese.

So if you haven’t done this already, get on it right now. We could recommend some great places — and some of these may even have reservations open for February 14th. There’s California Grill, where you can have a quiet romantic evening, complete with Magic Kingdom fireworks. In EPCOT, you’ve got Monsieur Paul for elevated French dining. We particularly like Jiko at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge if you want to try more adventurous fare.

All the Valentine’s Day snacks coming to Disney World

Not checking for closures

You’ll need to know if closures at Disney World are going to affect your plans. Hotel pools are notorious for being closed during the winter months. For February 2024, we’ve got a few pool closures: The Fuentes del Morro Pool at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. will be closed through March, while the Doubloon Lagoon at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter will be closed through April. The Fantasia pool at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort is also closed through April.

But those aren’t the only closures. Country Bear Jamboree in Magic Kingdom will be closing for a refurbishment at the end of January. Kali River Rapids is also closed in Disney’s Animal Kingdom through mid-March. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is currently closed for a lengthy refurbishment.

4 SUPER LONG Ride Closures Will Affect Disney World This Year

Not planning where to watch the Super Bowl

The Super Bowl is on February 11th, and if you’re a fan, you’ll want to watch it, even if you’re in Disney World. Plus you might even get to indulge in a few Super Bowl-themed snacks! But you’ll want to know where to go to watch it. Sure, you can just sit around in your Disney World hotel room, but there are bars and lounges in Disney World that might make for a better experience, like Rix Sports Bar & Grill at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, City Works in Disney Springs, and more.

So be sure to plan in advance for February 11th so you know where you’ll be when the big game day happens!

We Found the Perfect Disney World Hangout for Super Bowl Sunday in 2022

Not planning for President’s Day weekend crowds

February 19th is President’s Day and you may not think much about it, but that’s a very popular weekend in Disney World. Kids are out of school and many folks are off work, so that means Disney World could be crowded that weekend.

So you might want to avoid that weekend if you’re averse to more crowds in the parks.

Not Planning for the EPCOT Festival of the Arts

The EPCOT Festival of the Arts runs through February 19th, so if you’re visiting EPCOT during that time, you need to plan in advance. If you don’t plan, you could feel very overwhelmed by all there is to see, do, and eat. Don’t worry, though — we’ve got your back! We’ve got loads of posts about the festival PLUS a guide to help you make sense of it all.

We also suggest NOT skipping out on the festival — it’s one of our favorites of the year. Where else can you celebrate ALL the arts, performing, painting, drawing, cooking, and more?

The Best Use of Your Disney Dining Plan Snack Credits at the EPCOT Festival of the Arts

You can check out AJ’s video on the BEST things to eat at the festival right here!

Not planning for the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival

If you happen to miss the EPCOT Festival of the Arts, the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival starts on February 28th and runs through May 27th. You’ll need to do some planning for this festival, too. But again, we’ll be there helping you along the way. You can even pre-order our EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival guide RIGHT NOW so you’re ready.

The EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival is all about celebrating spring, and this is another festival you do NOT want to miss.

2024 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival Booth Menus and Food Photos

So if you’re visiting in February, be sure to pay attention to these things and plan around them accordingly. We’ll do our best to help you out with our best tips and tricks, so stay tuned to DFB for more.

Don’t Say We Didn’t Warn Ya! You NEED These 8 Items to Survive Disney World Now

What’s your best tip for visiting Disney World in February? Tell us all about it in the comments!

The post The Disney World Mistake You’ll Make in February first appeared on the disney food blog.