Spring Break Survival Thread

[aroundtheriverbend]

Hi all, wondering if anyone would want to join in on a Spring Break survival thread! We usually try to avoid crowds like the plague, but this spring it worked out where the only time we can make it happen is Easter week. Would love to share stragies/war stories for survival. I'd be happy to track trips for folks too. Looking forward to it!

aussiechic - 3/4-3/18, HoJo
Gingerandcloves - 3/11-3/13
denluvsdisney - 3/12-3/16
E&Cmom - 3/14-3/21, HoJo
SweetAlex - 3/17-3/22
carlilekids - 3/18-3/22
heathsf - 3/21-?, Ramada Maingate
Mimimomto4 - 3/22-3/26, Paradise Pier/Fairfield
oceanrose - 3/22-3/31
Mackie Mouse - 3/24-3/28, HoJo
jonahsmommy - 3/25-3/29
PixiDustDears - 3/25-3/30
StarGirl11 - 3/25-3/30
theworldneedscolor - 3/26-3/28
Mom-2greatkids - 3/26-3/30
KFJames - 3/26-4/3, GCH
jenok0426 - 3/27-4/1, PPH
beejai - 3/28-4/6, Hyatt Regency
mommy2mrb - 3/29-4/3
hjgaus - 3/30-4/2, VGC
aroundtheriverbend - 3/30-4/5, VGC
Shegardens - 3/30-4/6, Tropicana
damiel - 3/31-4/3
pnwsurfer - 4/1-4/5, Fairfield Inn
EmmersIsTheMommy - 4/1-4/5
EGHopeful - 4/1-4/5
Rentayenta - 4/2-4/5
nickymaria - 4/2-4/7, Residence Inn Maingate
WendyWhy - 4/4-4/5
road2disney - 4/4-4/5
T0rrent - 4/6-4/11
elphie101 - 4/10-4/15, Fairfield Inn
smiles33 - 4/11-4/14, HoJo
mysteriouspnai - 4/12-4/14
Chereya - 4/14-4/19, VGC
bmccorquodale - 4/14-4/19
Sophies*mom - 4/15-4/18 Castle Inn & Suites
BryANDJessMom - 4/15-4/19
Julie711 - 4/16-4/19, Fairfield
tbgmom - 4/16-4/21, Fairfield
Daydreamer64 - 4/18-4/25, DLH
MommyMissy - 4/21-4/23
Aurora06 - 4/21-4/26, Fairfield

 

[Shegardens]

We have only ever gone during slow times, this time, we will be there March 31-April 6, a bit leary about the crowds but Disney is so worth it! Let's hope the kids like the surprise despite the crazy crowds

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

Sounds like we'll be there at the same time!

I've done some searching, but haven't found anything special for Easter like an egg hunt or brunch. Hoping something pops up. We check in the night before, we're going to go to Legoland before heading to DLR.

 

[T0rrent]

Oye, it didn't dawn on the wife that when we booked our trip for 4-6 to 4-11 it would be right in the middle of spring break. Luckily crowds don't faze us too much, so shouldn't be too bad. Just have to make sure we are at the park for rope drop.

 

[Shegardens]

Lost me already, what is rope drop?

We actually fly in the night before as well, what hotel are you at aroundtheriverbend?
From the sounds of it no big easter egg hunts or anything like that. I think there is a brunch somewhere, since there is nothing grand we are going to take in the character dining for Easter breakfast.

 

[damiel]

We too will be there for Easter. We check in on the 31st and depart on the 3rd. I heard that Storytellers has an Easter Brunch.

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

Lost me already, what is rope drop?

We actually fly in the night before as well, what hotel are you at aroundtheriverbend?
From the sounds of it no big easter egg hunts or anything like that. I think there is a brunch somewhere, since there is nothing grand we are going to take in the character dining for Easter breakfast.

We're in the Villas at Grand Californian - we belong to the Disney Vacation Club.

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

Lost me already, what is rope drop?

We actually fly in the night before as well, what hotel are you at aroundtheriverbend?
From the sounds of it no big easter egg hunts or anything like that. I think there is a brunch somewhere, since there is nothing grand we are going to take in the character dining for Easter breakfast.

Rope drop is crowd control right before the park opens - I can only compare to WDW, but some of the parks let you into the park but hold you back from going to the attractions until official opening time (usually with a long rope, which they then pull to the side). People then trample eachother on their way to their destination.

 

[Mackie Mouse]

We'll be there from March 24-28 - any and all survival strategies welcomed! Would be happy to share our itinerary if others want to comment (I started a thread on it last week that got a few replies, but not many).

 

[Shegardens]

Yikes i have never heard of something like that. What am i getting into going at a busy time

So i am going in blind, clearly, and have no tips or tricks....right now thinking a leash for my 8 and 11 year old would be good

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

We'll be there from March 24-28 - any and all survival strategies welcomed! Would be happy to share our itinerary if others want to comment (I started a thread on it last week that got a few replies, but not many).

Sounds good! I'm still trying to nail down our dining, I'd love people's comments too!

 

[Shegardens]

Sounds good! I'm still trying to nail down our dining, I'd love people's comments too!

So you prebook your whole trip for meals? You don't just take it as it comes?

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

So you prebook your whole trip for meals? You don't just take it as it comes?

Well, I'm probably too trained by WDW, where you can't even get a sit down meal if you don't reserve in advance. From what I've read on here, if we want Blue Bayou or something like that in a busy time, we need a reservation. I'll probably make 3-4 so we can experience some of it since I don't know when we'll be back to CA. Trying not to over plan though.

 

[radiatorsprings]

My boyfriend's niece is performing with her high school band (from Northern CA) in Disneyland in April. They said that their trip is April 2 - 6. I am not sure of their schedule, where they're performing, or how many high school bands will be there but I just thought I'd give you guys a heads up. Hopefully it won't make things too crazy in addition to Spring Break crowds.

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

My boyfriend's niece is performing with her high school band (from Northern CA) in Disneyland in April. They said that their trip is April 2 - 6. I am not sure of their schedule, where they're performing, or how many high school bands will be there but I just thought I'd give you guys a heads up. Hopefully it won't make things too crazy in addition to Spring Break crowds.

Hey, at least we'll have some good musical entertainment (or at least enthusiastic ).

Here's the advice I can glean so far from all the threads I've combed (yes, I'm an uberplanner LOL. Vacations are my obsession).

• Get to the parks as early as possible. Take advantage of any early morning hours, as something like 70% of all DLR guests are locals and LA traffic apparently keeps most of them from being able to get there early. By 11 am, sounds like it'll be a crowd train wreck until post 7 pm.
  
• If you are staying close by, leave after lunch - swim or nap - and come back after dinner.

Anyone have any other tips to share? How about Easter day itself, is it emptier than a usual day in the morning due to church/brunch etc. delays? Does the fact that most APs are blacked out around Easter help with the crowds at all?

Thanks!

 

[oceanrose]

We are going 3-22 - 3-31. I am hoping the link of the trip offsets the crowd levels! And planning on making some reservations, pacing ourselves, and just relaxing and enjoying the experience.

 

[Julie711]

We pushed our trip back a week and our now going April 16-19, first time to DL do you think this time will less crowded? I'm not even sure how busy is busy at DL, but we are WDW pros, we're just there twice in 2012, and have never been bothered by the crowds there, but not sure how comparable it will be.

 

[BryANDJessMom]

Our school district (northern California ) the week of April 16...but it looks like alot of the breaks are scattered over a few weeks this year. (We will be there with a group of 25 moms and kids!!) I am hoping it won't be too crowded!

 

[KFJames]

we'll be there from 26 march - 3 april, staying GCH using our DVC points . I know its going to be busy but its disney. We are actually taking a tour of LA on easter sunday, but may pop to the parks in the evening.

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

Welcome all, hope you early goers can have it all figured out by the time the rest of us get there - joking

KFJames - are you in the hotel or the DVC suites? We've never been to the suites there yet, so excited! I LOVE my DVC!!!