Any advice on going to Disney during Easter week?

[Disneykim]

I hear its quite busy during Easter week. If anyone has gone during this time, I would love to hear about your experience and maybe some tips! Is it really over crowded and are some parks seem less crowded than others? Unfortunately with 4 kids in school and sports, this is about the only time our family can go.

 

[kilee]

Welcome to the DIS!! You found the best place for all the Disney planning info you'll need.

In 2002 we went at Easter. Mind you travel was still down quite a bit, but we found it to still be rather crowded. MK closed for awhile on, I wanna say, 3 different days.

If you know it's going to be busy, and plan for it to be busy, you'll do fine. Use FP to the best advantage you can. If you're staying onsite use EMH (both morning and evening) to your advantage. If you're not staying onsite, then by all means try to avoid an EMH park on any given day if you can. Also, try to get to the parks as close to opening as possible. Then try to knock at least 1-2 major attractions off your list right away.

Make sure you have a few PS's. Walk-up's are hard and sometimes impossible to come by at the holiday's. This way you are guaranteed a few sit-down meals, and some "down time".

Last remember, things like parades and Fantasmic you'll need to get there early as they will fill up quick.

Have a GREAT trip!!

 

[Evil Queen]

The most I can say is we went March 20th thru March 25th in 2004. Crowds were "do-able" but a bit much for my liking (but seems now no time is a good time). Was "warm" but not Fl HOT. Still was fun, anytime in Disney is.

Longest wait approx. 90 minutes for rides (passed on Peter Pan in MK) too tired to wait AGAIN. Yes, we did do FP on some rides. Totally missed Safari in AK, that I was upset over-go figure!!

Still we "didn't have to do it all" and was not disappointed. Stayed on-site and the AS S was enough to fill my little one's void for the day's end.

 

[cbsunfish]

As a kid, we pretty much only went the week before or after Easter, so honestly (and sadly) when I think of Disney, this is the kind of crowds I think of. And while it is definitely crowded, I can never remember a time when I felt like there was something I missed. The lines for the popular rides are long, but Fastpasses are great.

I recommend, if you can do it and are staying on property, to get up for the early hours, then park hop pretty early in the day. If you don't get up for them, then avoid that park that day. The park with the EMH seems to get the most crowded.

Also, if you want to do any sit-down dinners, make sure to decide ahead of time where you want to go and get priority seating. ESPECIALLY with a party of 6. Otherwise, you will have to wait a really long time to get into a sit-down place at any sort of normal eating hour.

My fiance and I are going the week before Easter. We sat down and looked at which parks were open early what days, and since we're not early risers, we avoided them. We gave ourselves a rough schedule of what park we're going to when, and then picked restaurants near/in those parks for those days and got priority seating. That's all the planning we're doing, and I'm not worried about it.

Be prepared to wait in line, but it's still a great time

 

[Evil Queen]

As for waiting in line...we have made a game of it (with willing parts.)

If you could find out 20 things about a famous person what would you ask them??? ( Don't get too off base or personal). Ok, go ask the family in front or back of you the same questrion (make it a conversation...not a quiz) or ask both if your wait is that long. Where are you from? Where are staying? (Much like questions asked here),

I limit my question to a basic rule: IF I ask this person a certain question, would I answer it for a stranger???

Remember, some folks don't like to talk, but most do. What a great way to make possible friends, learn not to get irate at others in the same spot as you (if you are freindly-less ill feelings if lines are long), PASS SOME TIME and show your child(ren) or fellow party members, that we can get along even in the worse of times. *No Disney is not the worst of times-but many folks get IRATE at the parks*.

 

[DisneyMim]

We've been there, done that!! Yes it is crowded, but don't let that worry you one little bit!! I would stay away from the MK on Easter Sunday, Epcot is always a good alternative. If you go with the right attitude you will be fine. The weather is usually great at that time. I know exactly what you mean about kids, sports, etc. My husband is a teacher so throw that into the mixture too!! We've always had to go during busy times and we have ALWAYS had a wonderful time. Just a little note from my experience, they tend to raise prices for Easter meals, so be aware of that. Also many locals like to eat out for Easter dinner at WDW so it is very crowded, and IMHO somewhat rushed. I would not pick a restaurant that you really really want to enjoy for that day, go another day during your trip, I think you will enjoy it much more.

Have a Great Trip!!!

 

[Disney On A Dime!]

We have been for the last four Spring Breaks (week after Easter.)
Love the weather!
Planning is essential and getting to the park at opening always worked best for us. Like most of the previous posts before said - just plan your days out. You don't have to be exact with the plan, but know what you would like to accomplish for the day. We always got in the rides that we wanted to do! Have a great trip!
Wish we were going this Spring Break!!!

 

[buckeye]

My huband and I are both teachers, so we have only gone at Spring Break or during the summer. It's very do-able. The weather is usually great! Coolish in the morning, but great for swimming in the afternoon.

My advice is to try to be at the park gates 45 minutes before opening. Bring some poptarts or something to eat while you wait for opening. When the gates open, have a plan for what you will do first, next, etc... When lines start getting a bit long, grab a Fast Pass. By 11:00 am some mornings, we would feel like the crowd was too big, so we'd eat lunch, then leave and go back to the resort to swim. You can get a lot done by 11:00 am!!

Eat your meals EARLY. Always try to be among the first, whether it's for a meal or for park openings. Make some Priority Seatings. I don't know if you are going this year at Spring Break, but a lot of PS's are already hard to get, so call now!!

You'll have a BLAST!!!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

This past easter was our first trip at this time of year. We have been to disney each year with our 3 ds so we know what to expect. We stayed on site too. My ds were amazed that there were actual lines just to get a fastpass and the fastpass return time was 6 hours later, fine if you are staying in that park, impossible if you want to hop to another park. I made all our ps well ahead of time so we had a good sit down meal each day. If you do counter service, get there, say like by 11;30 for lunch and 4:45 for dinner. People were stalking around for empty tables and it was really crowded. We stood at least 4 deep for parades etc. So get there early and camp out for your space. Buses were mostly standing room only no matter where we went at busier times. DD was a long wait too. The water parks were not too bad. All week I only saw them take 1 walk up family and that was because I heard the manager say they were dvc members. Every good restraunt had no openings. We too avoided the mk on easter day. We spent the day at epcot and hopped over to mgm. With good planning you will have a great time. If you are staying on site your resort will have easter day activities for kids. Good luck and enjoy your trip.

 

[Disneykim]

Wow I love this board! All are great tips.......takes a little bit of the anxiety out of the trip! Thanks!

 

[pennyplanner]

Easter is very early this year. What about crowds when the holiday is later in April? --Like the 2nd or third week in April.

Does the week stay consistently crowded or does it calm down even just a little bit after Easter weekend?

It is a lovely time of year in FLA especially after a long winter in New England! Who can blame anyone for wanting to be there!!!

--penny