1st time going in April (Spring Break)! Little nervous, crowds? codes at this time?

[donnamerry]

Since my son is off school for Spring Break April 5-9 thinking of going next year 4/3-8. I know this is peak time and also thinking of getting an AP to get discount on room. May change our yearly trip from July to April every year - not as hot!
Thanks for any info!

 

[cboudre1]

The only discount we have ever been able to get for Spring break was the teacher discount at the Dolphin. April is my favorite time to go to Florida even without a discount. We always get up early, go back to the hotel in the middle of the day, then go to a different park around dinnertime. Some years it has been crowded but the weather has always been beautiful. Our biggest problem has always been the flight to Florida. The earlier you book the better.

 

[Sammie]

Annual Pass rates are never a guarantee, so I would not buy the pass until you are sure of your rate.

Many times holiday periods are blacked out and no discounts offered.

 

[Grumpy37]

We love Easter at WDW (going again this year). The only discounts we've been able to get was an AAA rate. These aren't really abundant, so you'll want to book early (costs you one night stay "up front").

 

[Blondie]

Going over Spring Break (Easter) is peak season. The only real discounts you'll find are AAA as previously mentioned, and the discounts at the Swan and Dolphin if you qualify for a nurses/gov't./teacher's discount. There may be a few other discounts here or there, but nothing really substantial. Who knows, maybe Disney will cut us all some slack and offer up some discount codes, but I'm not betting on it!

I was shocked at just how crowded it was during our April 2001 trip. Yes, the weather is beautiful, but it is standing room only! You really need to take advantage of the Extra Magic Hour (formerly called Early Entry) and Fass Pass. I remember during that April trip getting a Fast Pass for Test Track. No kidding, we waited in a line for 15 minutes just to get the Fast Passes!

I said we'd never go again during that time of year...but you know the old adage; never say never! We just may be returning during Easter break in 2004! It's gotten to the point that we really can't pull our boys out of school anymore because it's just too hard for them to catch back up when we return.

So, it's either during spring break, winter break, or the heat of the summer months.

 

[Belle1962]

That seems to be a big week for Spring Breaks, check here:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=3937450#post3937450

 

[Gette88]

I'd definitely try AAA.

 

[travellady]

I booked a King Jr. Suite, AAA rate, at the Swan for 4/10 - 4/16. The rate is half price off rack - I'm paying 222.00 per night. I couldn't touch a WDW onsite deluxe at this price - even with AAA so think it's a pretty good deal. I heard the AAA rates go quickly this time of year, the sooner you book the better.

 

[Donnainnj]

Somehow I got a good rate in April 2001, we finished our trip on Easter Sunday. We were originally staying at AllStars Mo for $104 a night, and ended up at CSR for $94 a night. I thought it was an upsell, but that doesn't make sense, I think it was a postcard rate. This Easter we went, stayed at Swan for 5 nights at $167.50 AAA rate, and then went to upsell rate at CSR for $119 a night, had originally asked about ASmovies, which I knew was close to sold out, and they offered me the upsell. Tried to get it for the entire trip, but could only get it for the last 3 days.

 

[*Fantasia*]

We were there this year for Easter and to celebrate my birthday. It was crowded...very. What we did was to skip the Spectromagic and the Fireworks. WOW!! That was great! Aladdin ride..no wait. Pirates of Caribbean..no wait (rode it 3X!) Jungle Cruise..15 minute wait. Dumbo ride..10 minute wait. Buzzlightyear...15.

It was great!! The parks are open late. I belive it was open til midnight. We started walking back to the exit in the middle of the fireworks to avoid the existing crowds. We didn't want to be in a loooong line for the bus to get back to our resort.

I am thinking of going for Easter again next year. I just love that extended hours! And every night they have Spectro and the Fireworks. They also had fireworks at the IOA too!

 

[snyderla]

My DS's High School Band and Choir is going to WDW the week of april 4 -april 9, 2004. They are performing at EPCOT. So it's not just parents taking the kids during break that makes those crowds! It's even schools taking students! We are going down on our own (DH & I. the kids are staying off site...I just can't do that! LOL!!! Also, who wants to chaperone when you can just go down, see the performance, and do what ever you want the rest of the time!!! I'm just so selfish. )

I've never been there during Easter Week. I have been there NYE, though, so I can kind of imagine what it will be like. People shoulder to shoulder. But I like the idea of skipping the fireworks and parades to avoid crowds, when you've already seen them a few times it probaly won't seem like that big of a deal.