DISNEY WORLD PRESIDENTS DAY CROWDS
Based on the comments I get on this site, year after year one of the things that most surprises people is how crowded the week of Presidents Day is at Walt Disney World.
Most schools just have one day off–the Monday holiday.
However, even so lots of other school kids have a four day weekend (Friday-Monday or Saturday-Tuesday).
Even more have the whole week that includes Presidents Day off. Most of the latter are from the Northeast, and really, really need a break from the snow and cold…and thus the massive crowds that week at Disney World!
See the right side of chart, which shows the weighted proportion of the 12.4 million kids in my 2015-2016 school year calendar database with more than a three day weekend over President’s Day:
In 2016 Presidents Day is February 15th, shown in red.
Breaks begin the Friday before, continue at high levels through Tuesday, then stay at medium-high levels the rest of the week. As a result, crowds peak through Tuesday but are at high levels through Saturday the 20th.
In my 2016 crowd calendar I have the week that includes Presidents Day rated as 10/higher crowds. By day, expect 11/highest crowds Saturday through Tuesday, and 9/high crowds the rest of the week.
MARDI GRAS CROWDS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD
Mardi Gras, on the left side of the chart, is the opposite. My comments worried about it tend to come from the few southeastern areas that have a multi-day holiday around it. But hardly anyone else does.
So Mardi Gras has little effect on February crowds unless it falls (as it did in 2015) the day after Presidents Day, in which case it makes a lousy week even more horrible.
In my 2016 crowd calendar I have the week that includes Mardi Gras rated as 5/moderate minus. This rating combines low crowds early in the week and high crowds later. Expect lower crowds through Wednesday the 10th, building crowds Thursday, and highest crowds Friday and over the weekend.
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Sorry, I was looking back through my photos to verify dates. It was Leap Day that was not crowded at all. That was our 2nd day at MK and the day I got the fantastic photo in front of Cinderella Castle. I think more people started to come at night to take advantage of the 24hr park hrs, but during the day and into the evening it was great. I still wear my glow in the dark t-shirt from that event and I get comments from the Cast Members who were working that night when I wear it to MK.
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Thanks, Paul!!
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Bummer. That was a great time of the year to go. The crowds that day weren’t terrible (in my opinion) and our second day at MK was even better. After lunch at Cinderella’s Table, we were able to get a photo of my daughter in her princess gown directly in front of the castle with absolutely no one else in the background without having to wait for crowds to pass by. Just a great trip and I am hoping to do it again.
Keeping my fingers crossed!
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Paul, which day?
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Dave, as always, wonderful site!
Last Leap Day, 4 years ago obviously, the MK stayed open 24 hrs. We were there, and even though we didn’t make it the whole night, had a great time. Has Disney given any indication they plan to host another 24 hr event?
Sorry if I’ve missed this somewhere else.
Thanks!
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Hey Paul and thanks!! Nope, no indication!
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