April 11 - 17, 2014 - tips?

[lmazzafe]

We will be there April 11 -17 (coming hiome the day before Good Friday), staying at Pop. How insane will the parks be? Anyone know the weather that time of year? Any time saving tips? Thanks!

 

[Tallent]

We will be there the same time (staying at csr though and now giving thought to off site...) and are looking forward to it. We were there the same time frame 2 years ago and had a blast. The closer it got to Easter the more crowded it got but we never had any really bad crowds or lines. Weather then was great--hoping for the same this trip!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Easter is April 20 so expect high crowd levels. Not all schools have Easter break starting on Good Friday some start the week before Easter especially colleges so there will an increase in the crowd levels. So that also means the parks will be crowded which forces Disney to stop allowing people to enter the parks. Last year they reach peak levels as early as 10:00 a.m And with the open of the Mine Ride the crowds this year will also be high. I would get to the park very early and plan to stay there all day. Once you leave you may not get back in.

 

[DCbride]

We go every Easter week (starting on Good Friday). Even though people have different breaks, it will be crowded. Just get to the parks early, have a plan, make your ADRs and enjoy your trip. If you are used to going at any peak time, Easter isn't that much different.

 

[tina.tina]

We went during this time in April in 2011. It was gorgeous weather- in the 90s every day but the humidity wasn't bad. It rained for 10 minutes when we had lunch one day and you couldn't even tell it when we went back outside. The crowd levels were 8s and 9s when we went but we were able to do a ton of stuff first thing in the morning- especially at MK. DH & DD were able to ride BTMRR repeatedly during the night parade. Another DISer told me once that she likes to shut down the parks because crowds are thinner at night. My kids don't deal well with schedule changes so I tried to get them up early just like school days. So, whatever strategy you decide (late nights or early mornings), just research tips for that type of plan and then go with the flow. Pick your must dos and let the rest go for next time.

 

[Marlismouse]

Did this last year. It is definitely one of the busiest times but still fun, good weather and not August

 

[Andrea1973]

Went last year at the same time. Loved it. It was busy but not unbearable. Weather was really good, minor rain but there is not any other time I would go. I recommend it.

 

[lmazzafe]

Weather in the 90s? I had no idea that it may be that hot! We have some ADRs, but not for every day. I'm thinking of cancelling the dining plan because I think we will save money without it (last time I went, tips were included - makes a big difference), and if the parks are that busy, I'd rather not waste too much time with table service places. Able to make FPP selections in Feb, but getting nervous about that. We basically have one day at each park, one day at Legoland, and an extra day the day we arrive (landing at 11 am - should be able to have at least 1/2 day in a park). Just afraid that's not going to be enough time - have never cut it that short before!

 

[tina.tina]

I went back to try to find my pictures of the chalkboard they put up at Pop at the pool with daily info like temperatures. The only one I found said 86. I looked at historical weather data and that was the lowest high while we were there April 7-16 in 2011. I remember tormenting my coworkers who were stuck at home with pictures of the boards saying the high was 92 that day. 92 or 93 was the highest temperature while we were there. It only rained one time for about 10 minutes while we ate lunch one day. I think that because the humidity was low it wasn't as bad as when I went in June (but that was a long time ago).

When we went, Easter was April 24th and we left on the 16th but crowd levels were 8s & 9s for most of that time. I think it might be a good idea to keep ADRs because the CS restaurants might be packed.

 

[dsnymomof4]

Agree with others - it will probably be pretty crowded. Try to do rope drops and you can do a lot before it gets too bad. The 2 times we've been there in April over Easter break, the weather has been absolutely gorgeous - 70s/80s, low humidity! Some of the best weather we've had at Disney.,

 

[lmazzafe]

Thanks everyone! Definitely keeping the ADRs, just not the dining plan itself. Not worth the money for what we'd normally eat.

 

[brie182]

It might be crowded. My daughter has spring vacation that week, not sure how many other schools have the week before Easter like she does and how many have the week after.