2005....Easter or August?

[kazzie]

In 2005 I have to choose between Easter and school summer holidays.After previously seeing many posters saying they wouldn't go in August again,I thought it was more likely we'd go at Easster.But many DISers are also saying this about Easter

So although if I could chose I wouldn't go at either time (but I now work as a classroom assistant so can't go my usual October!)

Which is the lesser of the two evils.....Easter or August??

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

I've not been at Easter so I can't offer any direct comparision, but I have been in August several times and I don't agree with those who say they wouldn't go in August again. Yes, it is hot and humid but with a bit of discipline (get to the parks early, take an afternoon break, drink lots, have lots of stops in the air con) it is not unbearable. Yes, there can be afternoon storms but these usually don't last that long, and in the 9 weeks we have been at WDW during August we have never been seriously inconvenienced by the rain).

On the positive side, the last two weeks of August are relatively quiet as many US schools have started the academic year. Despite this you still get reasonably extended opening hours at the parks, with a nearly full parade and firework roster. Attendance at this time of year will certainly be quieter than Easter. Also, Disney's hotel rates drop to the 'value' season around 18th August, so on-site DIY bookings can provide good deals.

Finally, I dislike taking my main holiday during Easter (like we did this year) because it is such a long time until Christmas, the next major holiday season in our house. August is good because it nicely splits the year in half, so you're never more than 6 months from a decent holiday.

So, if you are obliged to take your vacation during school holidays I think the last two weeks of August are a good a time as any.

Regards

Rob

 

[Mike Jones]

Hiya. I've had the opposite experience to Rob, with all our disney hols taken at Easter. The weather has been near perfect, with hot (uk summer+) days and little rain. The crowds are manageable if you plan well and get early starts, making use of Fastpass and UE where appropriate... we generally did 2-3 hours early at the parks and nearly always achieved what we wanted before quitting for the pool!

 

[SEVANS2208]

I can't comment on Easter but we've just come back from Orlando (22/8 - 5/9) and the crowds were bearable. The second week was quieter but generally the queues weren't more that 15 minutes for a ride anyway. The more popular rides were sometimes 30-40 minutes but we had waits of this length when we went in June before. Even the restaurants didn't seem too busy, though we had made several priority seatings beforehand which always helps.

It is rainy but we didn't have rain every day & when we did it only lasted an hour or so. Temperature was over 100 most days but again it was bearable as you're not out in it much (only walking between rides!).

As always, get to the parks early - it's amazing how much you can get done in the first couple of hours before it gets too busy.

 

[kazzie]

Thanks for your advice.I was hoping it would be a unaminous decision as I am indecisive

I think August will win out mainly for the reason that my son is now at a special needs school and would have longer to get over jet-lag and his change of routine.

Cheers

Any more thoughts??

 

[spm23]

I have been at Easter and August.

Easter is far busier with larger queues as its when everyone in the states gets holiday as well. In August, Orlando children are back at school by the 11th (this year) and others go back the week after.

We have just come back from 3 weeks, bad weather in the afternoons most days compared with less than 2 hours rain during the whole of Easter a few years ago.

That said, my preference is August, use the extra hour in the mornings and get on the busy rides straight away, then use fast passes for those you don't get on.
Then later on, take it easy, have lunch, watch a parade or go back to your resort and get up early again the next day.

People on the plane said that the weather was the worst it has been this year, but when it was hot, it was pretty unbearable, especially if carrying the odd additional pound from those buffet breakfasts like myself. But before 12, it was o.k.

Final reason for August is that people's holidays are spread over 6-10 weeks for the summer (Scotland break in June for their school hols), so more chance of missing them. People like yourself and I can only go the same two weeks at Easter, and that is the same for millions of UK and US people. In addition, hotels had vacancies in August, but didn't when we went at Easter.

 

[suei]

We were in Orlando at Easter 2003 for 2 weeks just before the Easter weekend. The crowds got heavier the closer we got to Good Friday, but the weather was lovely throughout.
We've just come home last week having been in Orlando for the last week of August (this was when I'd read on here that the parks were quieter as most US schools had gone back).
The longest we queued anywhere was about 35 minutes for Shrek 4D at IOA, and that was because we wanted to go late one afternoon. Incidentally, we were told that if we joined the queue before the park closing time of 7pm, we'd definitely get in to see it and we did; as did the following group even though the park was closed by the time our group came out.
We actually stayed on some rides mid-morning for a 2nd (or 3rd!) ride as the parks were so quiet! Definitely quieter than at Easter.
The weather was hotter, certainly, but not unbearable-we just drank lots, went on wet rides to cool down, made use of the chilled mister/blowers, and the mid-afternoon rain was usually a blessing!
We'd go again in August-expect it to be hot, and try not to do too much each day-although we seemed to manage to do everything we'd wanted to do!

 

[kazzie]

It is difficult to decide as there are pros and cons to both

I will now retire to my chamber and ponder all the advice

Thanks

 

[juliebro]

We had the same dilemma for next year. We have been in the 2 weeks before Easter, but due to DS school holidays changing, we had to choose between the 2 weeks around Easter or else July/August.

We too asked for advice on the boards and, as you have, got very differing views. So in the end we decided to work out the prices. Easter won on price - so that clinched it!

Julie

 

[Disney owl]

Haven't been at Easter so I can't comment but just got back this August & it wasn't half as bad as i'd imagined. It was hot & humid but not unbearable. W e did the recommended thing, parks in morning, back to villa in afternoon & then park again in the evening.

Only draw back was the rain but that was late afternoon to tea-time & the only thing it stopped us doing was the waterpark in the afternoon. We changed our plan slightly & went there first in the morning.

The crowds were much lighter than expected, the most we queued was 30 mins max.

I'm a special needs assistant in school & like you can only go school hols, it was nice being at home before we went. Last time we went I finished work & we drove to the airport. packing was easier, this time.

I am lucky though , our authority gives primary schools 2 weeks at spring bank, so tahts our preffered choice.

 

[kazzie]

Thanks for alll your thoughts.

It WILL be August,I will be book this as soon as I can I know there is rain in the afternoons and can plan accordingly for doing parks in the mornings mainly.I'll go for a bit longer about two and a half weeks, to give us longer to do everything

 

[Hilary]

I'll go for a bit longer about two and a half weeks, to give us longer to do everything

What a great idea! I was about to chip in with my pro-Easter experience (hevan't been in August, so can't comment) when I read this - no contest!
I like your way of thinking

 

[TracyK]

I think you've made the right choice. I have been several times at Easter and also in August. I am also a classroom assistant so I have to go in the school holidays. It is humid in August but I would rather put up with the humidity and higher cost in August, than battle through the huge crowds at Easter. I would say that the crowds at Easter are probably double that of the crowds in the second part of August.
Tracy

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

It's also worth bearing in mind that no matter what time of year you go to Orlando you are bound to have a great time. Easter or August is not the "lesser of two evils" but the "better of two delights"!

Regards

Rob

 

[kazzie]

Here Here

As I am not going at all in 2004 I will have missed Orlando so much I will be just so happy to go at all in 2005