A question for frequent april vaca/WDW travelers

[yasuern]

We are thinking of going to WDW and staying in a 1bdrm at any DVC resort during the kids April Vacation leaving on 4/20/02 and returning on 4/26/02. Our ?s are
1. How bad are the crowds?
2. We are flying any tips on getting a cheap airfare?
3. What are the chances of getting into BCV or BWV since we have not stayed at these resorts yet?
4. Are we nuts to go during April Vacation?

Thanks for any/all advice

 

[Pa@okw95]

It is crowded but you are not nuts to go. I have been going there for every April for the last 10 years or so. The weather is great. I don't care whether I go on too many attractions so that end of the deal does not matter to me. When it is cold and raining in MA in March and early April you will have something to look forward to end the winter blues in MA, I am from CT almost as bad the weather that is in CT. I don't think you will have much luck trying to transfer your reservation to the other DVC resorts but it does not hurt to try.

 

[lodgelady]

You are going to love the weather in April! We have been in WDW last year and 2000 in April. The 2000 year was nuts because of the millenium celebration and it was the week before easter. Last year we went the week after easter and it was better.
My opinion is don't wait for a deal on airfare. The airlines are all overbooked going out of new england for that week. We bought a less expensive airfare last year through a web only travel service instead of directly from the airline and we were bumped off our flights going down AND coming home.
Go, Enjoy. Just plan ahead and use fastpass. You CAN stay one step ahead of the crowd.

 

[mmmcq]

We went two consecutive April vacations in 99 and 00. Whichever was after Easter was definitively better with respect to the crowds. The crowds are some of the largest during the year, but the parks are also open later (MK was open till 12am during one week we were there during and "E" night). We would go early, go back to the room to swim at midday and then go to the same or a different park at night. We also spent a day at Sea World and a day at a water park. The weather both years was good - not too warm, but not a lot of rain either.

We were supposed to be there this past April ('02), but it was a group trip and it had to be cancelled after 9/11. We couldn't redo the airfares at the same rates, so we put the trip off until this past August. We were dreading the heat, but we survived and the crowds were much lighter than we were used to so it was fun. But we missed the late nights at the parks. This trip we spent swimming most nights till 12am instead!

You won't know about availability at BWV or BCV until you call! Go for it.

 

[mmmcq]

Forgot to mention that we sometimes can find cheaper air fares out of Providence or Hartford and sometimes more direct flights. Last year we flew out of Providence to DC and CA. But for that April vacation week, it's going to be hard to find a cheap airfare anywhere. The fares direct from the airlines are generally more expensive than on the travel sites like expedia.com or travelocity.com. You might look thru this board at the discounts on travel (dissavers?) and see if there's anything good. Cheapest I've been able to find for that week at ranges from $283-$328-$455pp....a lot more expensive than the $136pp we paid this summer. We could always hope for a sale!

 

[mmmcq]

Okay, I'm a little scattered today..... (my 2 year old got stung by a bee at daycare today and it's been downhill eversince).

I forgot to add that Southwest Airlines sometimes has the best flights and fares out of Providence. Right now online at least they are only booking through March, but the fare is $197. You could call them or a travel agent to see what the fare is off line.....but they typically have the best rates online.

Just a thought.

 

[EROS]

We're already booked at BWV from April 20-27, 2003. We have gone to WDW over the last 2 years during April vacation. The crowds this year were lighter than during '01 due to 9-11. Weather was superb. I would agree about flights. They're often booked up as soon as they are opened in the Spring for the following year.

Have a great trip,

 

[Jillpie]

We are booked for 11 days April 16-26, POR and BCV's. I got my flights last May for this April!! Was lucky enough to get the lowest airfare (Delta) because I got on the phone at the appointed time at midnight. This is an extremely expensive week for flights...at least for Delta. Right now they are up to 294.00 one way from Boston. But I'm not sure about the other airlines? Good luck.