1st week of April weather/crowds???

[dis4me]

OK Dh just came home and told me he has a business trip in Anaheim the week our kids are on Spring Break( How convenient). Anyway. We will be flying into LAX and I am thinking of going to either DL or CA on that Sunday which is the weekend before Easter. DO the crowds get as crazy as Easter in WDW? What is the weather like at this time. I have only been there in June/July and November?
Is anything new there since July 2003?
Thanks for any help.

 

[JennHales]

I would expect very large crowds, Because of spring breaks. And Sundays are usually the most busy day, because that's when the locals come out.
the weather should be in the 70's. Probably noting new since last year.
Jen

 

[MATTERHORN]

I don't believe there is anything new and TOT opens a month after you leave. As Jen said, Sunday will be the busiest day. Can you change it to the weekdays, I noticed you said you'd be there all week. That would probably be better, although that whole week will be very crowded if my memory serves correctly. Also, in late March / early April, we find it pretty chilly in the morning, and then somedays it warms up considerably, some only a little. But we usually go in May, and we still go back then to slip on a sweatshirt at night! Granted, we come from Las Vegas, so our version of cold may not be the same as yours!! Congrats on your surprise trip, you'll have fun no matter what!

Andrea

 

[dis4me]

I was hoping CA school were off the week after we are. Almost everyone here is off the week after Easter but we are off the week leading up to Easter. The reason I picked Sunday is then dh could go with us. The other days I will be alone with the kids.

 

[MATTERHORN]

Well I can't comment much on the CA schools, but in Vegas we are off the week before and the week after, and I think the breaks are somewhat scattered throughout the month over here. Either way you will have fun, and just make the best use of the fastpass system and make some P.S.'s for where you would like to eat and I think you'll be fine. Where are you staying? Within walking distance or on-site? There is no real early entry anymore, but being there so that you get in at opening will be your best shot to get a few big rides in before huge lines form. Also maybe you and the kids can go and then you DH can meet you there after he is done for the day! I know that's what I would be doing, although depends on the ages of your kids and if you feel comfortable doing that. Good luck!

Andrea

 

[dis4me]

Hi Andrea
How nice that your kids have 2 weeks off. Is it year round school? We stil have summers off so we only get one week for each break .
Anyway we are not sure where we are staying Not th DL hotels though because ths is a business trip. Last time we went for business w sayed at the Residence Inn and walked to DL everyday. This time someone told us about a brand new residence inn in Garden Grove so we may try that. Not sure yet but we really like having the suite so we don't have to eat out 3 meals a day.
I have a 9 ,8 and almost 2 year old with me.
Do you have any reccommendations?

 

[MATTERHORN]

Yes Vegas is mostly year round schools with a few 9 month thrown in so I think that's why it's so scattered here. My kids are not in school yet, as I have a DD 3.5 and DD 9 months, so I have one more year till that starts. But as far as hotels go, we really like the Westcoast Anaheim, but if you are looking for a suite, next time we are trying the family suite at the Marriott Suites, which is a little under a mile, so not walkable, but they have there own shuttle instead of the ART a lot of the hotels there use now. So it all depends on if you want to walk or if you don't mind the shuttle. We prefer walking just for the fact that we hate folding up the double stroller and carrying everything, but you won't have that problem. Although I do strongly recommend bringing you own stroller for the baby. The rental ones are not that comfy, and it can be a long walk to the shuttle areas for small kids leaving the park and then you have ot for Downtown Disney which is fun also. Also the Baby care centers are great for diaper changes because they are so clean, although if your stroller reclines, then that's what I do. Also, don't forget about 2nd parent pass / baby swap which will work great for you guys. Sorry I don't have much info on suite hotels as we are fine in a standard room. I have tried to do the whole eat in the room thing, and it never ends up happening! But we also do not take midday breaks, but my kids nap fine in the stroller. Are you getting park hoppers for the entire time? Also don't forget P.S.'s if you want to do the character meals, because of crowds, I would definitely make them. We had a lot of fun at the Storyteller's cafe breakfast. Let me know if you have any other questions. Wish I was going next month!!

 

[dis4me]

Enjoy it while the kids are ntin school yet. Our district has a abscence policy they just instated to stop vacationing. It is so ridiculous but after too many abscences without dr ntes they get DYFS involved.
Where is the Marriott Suites? How do I tell if they use their own shutle or the ART? When we stayed at he last RI they had their own shuttle but we only took it once. I agree with you about the carriae. ALthugh ours is a single we load it up ad it is a pain to unload to get on the shuttle.
We usually only eat breakfst at the hotel because it is free. However this time since I wll be alone most of the time I will probably buy frozen pizza and some deli meat for the kids.
Thanks for yur help

 

[MATTERHORN]

http://marriott.com/property/propertyPage.mi?marshaCode=SNAAS

Here is some info, they have their own shuttle every 30 minutes.

Also check out:

http://www.getawaytoday.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.PackageDisplay&propertyID=81

This one says that there is free continental buffet breakfast, but may only be with a package deal, but this shows you a room view!

Hope it will work for you!

Andrea

 

[mobetsy]

Many So Cal schools have the week before Easter off, but it's hardly a universal policy; if you go anytime between mid-March and mid-April, you'll hit some spring break crowds.

As for weather, do be prepared for the possibility of rain. I am reminded of this because of a discussion with a friend who has had her son's b'day party at the beginning of April rained out the last two years. If it did rain, it would be cool during the day (high 50's-mid 60's) but not freezing; you'd simply want to make sure you bring raincoats or ponchos.

 

[dis4me]

Andrea thanks for the links.
Mobetsy Thanksfor the rain warning I will make sure I have my ponchos.

Does anyone know if typically it is warm enough to swim?

 

[MATTERHORN]

It might be in the very middle of the day, definitely not the morning as it is almost always overcast at first, and at night too chilly at least for me, but you may get a really nice day while there. I would also say it depends whether the pool is heated or not. If not, I couldn't at that time of year!

Andrea

 

[Carlen T]

Sorry...going in the middle of March..

 

[dis4me]

Carlen I would love to know how the weather is when you go and also about your hotel.