surfmom

here's another recommendation for tourguidemike.com. I've used his advice for a number of years now -- and paid every time for it. I find it is incredibly worth it!

His theory is that the majority of people 'zig', so you want to 'zag' to avoid the crowds. There are less crowded times (Sept, May, etc.) that his advice is less valuable since the crowds are more manageable. Having said that, his advice is spot on during crowded times. But still be ready for big crowds.

The problem with postponing your trip is that Spring Breaks occur all throughout April. The best times to go are just before or after school has started or will let out. For example, Sept. is a great time since kids have just started the school year and many are hesitant to have their kid miss the first/second week of school. Another great time is early May -- spring break is completed, but school is still in session - again, people don't want their child to miss the last few weeks, etc. I would think that would be a great time to go !

So... if you can postpone 'til May with a small penalty, it would probably be worth it from a crowd management perspective.

fyi - Disney also prices hotels based on peak times -- so whenever smaller attendance (historically) occurs, it is also cheaper to stay...

kdd

Hi All,

Thanks so much for your input. After agonizing over this for a couple of weeks, I finally decided that postponing the trip was the thing to do. Peak time crowds impact everything including lines at restrooms, food etc. and it is sure to stress me out. So I moved the trip by a week. Turns out that the prices are cheaper so it covered the penalty so I came not no worse off. Feeling quite relieved now!

lxrytravlr73

when you re-schedule i would wait until after April 1st and here is why:

Disney has seasonal annual passes for Florida residents. It basically means we can go year round with a small back out window for a fixed cost.

The black out windows are the week before and after christmas, mid-june to mid-august for summer and end of march/early april for spring break.

The blackout dates are chosen because that is what disney defines as their peak times. If you go after the blackout dates have passed you should be fine. The blackout date ends 03/28 but that is a friday and you do not want to go that weekend because everyone with a pass has been waiting plus all the spring breakers have not left yet. Go the following week.

Pildredge

OMG, this thread is making me a bit...well, like I am already.

The wife wants to go to Disney in the last week of April. I of course, am looking for a good (any) reason to not go. Would you people offer an opinion as to the potential during that week for excessive crowding (more than around 79 people is a crowd btw).

In all seriousness, I would be grateful for your opinions about this during the last week in April, Thx.

lxrytravlr73

Last week in april should be fine. Weekends always have some crowds, but much less than last week in March.

If you can, try to include a Tuesday-Wednesday in your trip.

highflyer

Just back from a Presidents week trip; see my report for details.
It was not as busy as we expected it to be in the Magic Kingdom.
Use Fast Passes and go early.

Last week of April should be fine!

vsd

You should look at this program called RideMax - that is the only way I will go to Disney World or Disneyland - you can go and not have the lines:
http://www.ridemax.com/

bbvb

we went during the same time frame a few years ago and I absolutley hated it!

I'm not sure you could pay my way to go back during spring break!

LostinChina

kdd,
I think you made a wise choice to reschedule. Glad it worked out for you. We, too, had scheduled during spring break and I also rescheduled to June. It will be a lot hotter then, but we needed more time.

I agree that anytime is crowded at Disney. However, you are playing the numbers game. Surely would be disappointing if you were locked out of the parks due to crowds.

I, too, recommend the Unofficial Guide. It does have a lot of handy tips. Simple things that can help you out. Crowds are a part of Disney, but using a bit of finesse on your part can really pay off in time!!

Also your weather will be more predictable in April. We have gone many times in March before and sometimes it is downright cold!!

Have fun!

Ilka

Funny thing, but 'busy' is different for everyone. We went over Presidents weekend and thought it was crazy busy, whereas highflyer thought it was not too bad. The trick is to be at the park about 10 minutes before it opens and then do the rides that have no Fast Pass, like the Haunted House. It seems that Fantasy Land is always the busiest so I would go there after the Haunted House. The Fast Passes work great and you can avoid many hours of standing in line. We also noticed the lines would shrink whenever there was a parade or show.

highflyer

Ilka, we were in Magic Kingdom on Tuesday of President's week so we missed the busy weekend. The weather cooled a little and staff in the park said it was quiet compared with Christmas week.

On the Monday and Wednesday we went to Sea World which is a lot less busy generally and we found it reasonably quiet on both days

MarshallEV

Hi, My family and I went over Easter and it was GREAT!!! We stayed on the property, in the Polynesian Resort, so we got to go in early and stay late to different parks. We make sure when it was the hottest parts of the days to be in a show or a pool. And for Easter, they have the Easter Egg Hunts for different ages, try to get the Golden Egg, when we were there it was worthan all expense paid trip for a family of four. It was very crowded, but it did not matter {to us} and it was a ball. So yes, go at Easter. For our next trip, we wanna go at Christmas, and I know it will be crowded, but we do not care. After all, how mnay people can say they spebt a holiday at Disney?

Marshall

kforema

I know many have weighed in on your question already, but I wanted to share our great experience at Disney at spring break. We had no problems with crowds or lines, because Disney is a master at crowd control. They keep the lines moving so you aren't just standing there with whining restless kids.

Don't be apprehensive. If you decide to go, relax and enjoy time with the family!

janisj

>>Don't be apprehensive. If you decide to go, relax and enjoy time with the family!eight years ago . . .

doug_stallings

The only thing useful I can add is that you need to make good use of your privileges of staying at the Polynesian. Go to the Extra Magic Hours and plan everything in advance on the Disney app that you can, including your restaurant reservations, etc. Even your ride reservations. All this stuff now books up months in advance. That doesn't mean that you won't be able to get a last-minute reservation for dinner, but the more you can do as far in advance as possible the better. Now is the time for April.

cmm6797

We have been there several times over the Easter break and we hate crowds (go figure). Yes it's crazy busy. However, having been there in Feb and Nov, it was also busy then. As other posters have said, you MUST arrive early in the morning and have a plan for what to see first. You can print out a map of the park and figure out which rides you'll want to go on.
By arriving early I mean getting to Magic Kingdom about a half hour before it opens. Not when it opens. Then we usually go directly to Fantasyland and do the rides there, then go to Buzz Lightyear and anything else around that section. Use the train around the perimeter of the park to take you to the other side - it saves time, gives you a few moments to rest and you'll avoid crowds. Honestly, we've never waited in a line for very long (more than 20 mins) as long as we got there early.
Epcot is a bit more relaxing because there aren't as many rides, but book fastpass in advance if you want Soarin or the race car ride.
Sleeping in and having a leisurely morning is nice on vacation but it will literally backfire at Disney! Get up early and then relax in the afternoon. Enjoy.

jamie99

OLD THREAD

Hobbert

Does it matter that it's an old thread? The information being offered is helpful.

Shandy1977

I think it really depends on the cost and difficulty to postpone it.

I went on spring break a couple years ago. The vast majority of the country has school vacation those two weeks while in MA we have one week in February and one in April. We experienced massive crowds at Disney and long, long waits for any ride. At Animal Kingdom we were literally elbow to elbow with people in a huge crowd at times. And that was spring break without Easter.

That being said, it was still a nice trip. We had fun. It was just more challenging and stressful being packed in with so many people. We went in August last year and it was a far better experience.

It won't be much of an issue for us as our daughter grows because she is in school for those two weeks of US spring break, but even if I had the option I would not go to Disney again during that time. No matter what, however, I think you will still have a great trip.

janisj

>>Does it matter that it's an old thread? >I think you will still have a great trip.