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Booked a Disney World Trip for February? Here’s What You Need to Know

castle-mickey-disney-world

Let the countdown commence!

So, you’ve booked your hotel, your flight, your all-important Disney tickets, and those Disney Park reservations? Get ready for the magic to begin on your February Disney vacation!

Walt Disney World is getting some major changes next month, alongside major events and some returning experiences.

So, before you head off to the Walt Disney World Resort, here are some details that might help you plan your days in the theme parks and beyond.

Minnie Mouse 50th

Credit: Disney

Events

Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations are still ongoing, with the milestone celebration expected to end in March 2023. February would be a great time to get those last photos, treats, and merchandise items before the 50th celebration ends!

Bear in mind that there is a holiday on February 20 – President’s Day. This falls during the weekend of February 17 through February 21, and crowds can get busy during this time. Military members get a four-day weekend too, so expect military families to be using their Military Salute discount tickets during this time.

February 20 will also be the last day of the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, so snag those Figment Popcorn Buckets while you can!

festival-of-arts-disney-world

Credit: ITM

The runDisney: Princess Half Marathon Weekend starts on February 23 and runs through February 26, 2023, and will take place throughout Walt Disney World. Each day has a different race, and this event can impact crowds, Disney Resort Hotel availability, dining reservations, and transportation throughout Walt Disney World.

Attraction Closures

February is usually a time with multiple refurbishments in place at Walt Disney World theme parks, preparing rides for the busy summer months.

While no Guest wishes for attraction downtime during their visit to Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom, refurbs are necessary to keep Disney Park rides safely maintained and looking magical.

Of course, right now there is a lot of construction happening at the Walt Disney World Resort, with EPCOT having numerous walls up for its big update, as well as the new TRON: Lightcycle Run area of Tomorrowland still not open. January 22, 2023, also saw the closure of the iconic Splash Mountain, which is now being transformed into a Princess and the Frog (2009) ride with an opening in 2024.

The iconic Frontierland attraction closed to make way for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and many fans were not happy to see the end of Br’er Rabbit, Br’er Fox, and Br’er Bear from the controversial movie Song of the South (1946).

Splash Mountain WDW

Credit: Disney

Magic Kingdom

  • Enchanted Tales with Belle – reopening February 19, 2023
  • Splash Mountain – permanently closed
  • TRON: Lightcycle Run – opening April 4, 2023

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

  • Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith – closing February 20, 2023, through summer 2023

EPCOT

There are no current refurbishments planned for EPCOT in February 2023. EPCOT is, however, undergoing a massive transformation that has introduced the development of four new “neighborhoods.” While World Showcase will keep its name, the former Future World is being split into World Celebration, World Nature, and World Discovery. Despite several construction walls and alternate walkways still present, the four “World” neighbors seem to be well underway.

Moana is also getting her own Disney attraction in Fall 2023, with the “Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana” area. Disney recently welcomed a 16-foot-tall Te Fiti to the World Nature neighborhood of EPCOT in Journey of Water.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

  • Kali River Rapids – closed through mid-March 2023
  • Maharajah Jungle Trek – aviary is closed with no current reopening date
roller coaster aerosmith

Credit: Disney Tips

Returning Experiences

It’s wild to think that there are some experiences we’re still missing at Walt Disney World after the pandemic.

Of course, character hugs have safely returned to meet and greets in the Parks, and most character favorites like Mickey Mouse and Ariel’s Grotto have seen a comeback.

Character dinners have also returned to Chef Mickey’s, Crystal Palace, and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. And in February, Cinderella’s Royal Table will get Disney Princesses back! That’s right, on February 28, this iconic character dining experience will return unmodified to Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World.

That’s not all. Starting on February 19, Enchanted Tales with Belle will be back for Guests young and old to enjoy. In this interactive meet and greet, Guests are invited to help Lumiere retell the story of Belle and the Beast by playing different roles.

enchanted tales with belle

Credit: Disney

Water Parks

Disney’s water parks typically alternate their closures each winter, so there’s always one water park available for Guests who just can’t get enough pool time. On November 13, 2022, Typhoon Lagoon closed for its usual maintenance, and Blizzard Beach reopened.

Blizzard Beach is usually open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. depending on weather factors. When Blizzard Beach reopened, Guests found new thematic details inspired by Frozen (2013), bringing enhanced “flurries of fun” to this favorite Disney water park.

Frozen at Blizzard Beach

Credit: Disney

Weather

It may be a warm treat for those escaping the snow and frigid temperatures in their home state or country, but December through February is the colder season at Walt Disney World in Florida. The average February high is 74F (23C) and the average low is 51F (11C).

While Orlando’s weather can be all over the place (we just visited in January and it was in the chilly 30s!), and it certainly isn’t always hot and sunny, it’s actually quite pleasant this time of year.

Rain is relatively rare in this season, with only around six days of rain in the month (comparable to the rest of the year, outside summer). Hurricane season is not at all something to worry about, either.

Along with your sunscreen, it’s a good idea to be prepared for occasional showers. And while the temperature is rising, you can still get some cool days, and mornings and evenings can be surprisingly chilly. Layers and jackets (and a poncho) are necessary for those deceptively colder evenings walking around the theme parks once the sun has gone down.

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Credit: Disney Tips

So, seems like February is a good time to visit Walt Disney World and its theme parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom), and Disney Springs. Remember to bring those layers, some comfy shoes, and those all-important Park reservations.

Later months will see a new table service restaurant – Roundup Rodeo BBQ – in Toy Story Land, revealed to be opening on March 23, 2023. This new Disney dining location will immerse Guests in a western theme with Buzz, Woody, Jessie, and the Pixar gang, and will serve Guests family-style offerings of BBQ staples.

Walt Disney World will also see the end of nighttime spectaculars Harmonious in EPCOT and Disney Enchantment in Magic Kingdom. EPCOT Forever and Happily Ever After will make their grand returns on April 3, 2023.

April 4, 2023 will bring us the long-awaited opening day of TRON Lightcycle  / Run, Magic Kingdom’s new roller coaster, so expect crowds to increase dramatically in April!

About Melissa Cannioto

Melissa is an author, adventurer, and chatterbox, who has worked at Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris, and Adventures by Disney! A British native, she has traveled the world seeking new experiences, and now resides in Florida with her husband, an Air Force pilot. Find her children's book at @bear.hug.book