april-may

[nutty4wdw]

would the end of april, beginning of may be avoiding spring breaks and such. figured schools will be back preparing for finals and such.

 

[PictureJumpr]

I go every year during the last week of April or the first week of May (this year it's April 28-May 4) and have never had problems with crowds, waiting times, or weather.

There will be a couple of nights where the MK will close early (Friday and Saturday, this year it's 4/30 & 5/1 and then the following Fri & Sat) for grad nights, but if you can work around that then you'll have no noticeable effects on your trip from school groups.

 

[HdnMickeyGrl]

No, this is a terrible time to go. Best to change your plans to a week before or after that. One family down, roughly 39,999 families to go......

J/K That's exactly when we're going April 30-May8. LOL I agree with the PP, May is a great time to go. And late April is fine becuase you'll have missed that weird Patriot Day weeklong holiday celebrated up in New England.

 

[SignMeUp]

Beware that Easter is on April 24th in 2011, so take that into account if you're planning for next year.

 

[jngwright]

It is a perfect time-we have done it the last 2 years and all aspects were wonderful!!!

 

[mlittig]

So happy to hear all those super reports as we are going from 4/23 to 5/2 And I cannot wait ~ 48 days and counting

 

[eeyoregon]

would the end of april, beginning of may be avoiding spring breaks and such. figured schools will be back preparing for finals and such.

It's an amazing time to go. Crowds are very light and weather is perfect!!

 

[jenniferkeala808]

yay! I'm so glad to hear things are not that bad during this time! hdnmickeygrl ...you are too funny! I started reading your post and was like oh no!! haha!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have been there most weeks in May, all have been great. This year, I will be there the third week of April, 4/21-4/27, piggy-backing off a business seminar I am attending in Miami a few days prior. I am expecting the crowds to be just fine and a bit cooler even than May, which was always nice.

 

[jwfla422]

Last year we were there the last week of April, the year before the last few days of April, first few days of May and in previous years mostly within the first 2 weeks of May.

We enjoy going to WDW this time of year because of the lower crowds and the weather is still bearable. Begins to heat up but not like the summer months-still a little more comfortable as far as the stickiness scale is concerned. Although we have had some years where it rained a lot and even one year where it was REALLY hot but still lower humidity.

The spring break crowds are definitely gone as long as Easter falls earlier in the month. The only thing to keep in mind is grad nights. Over recent years we have been seeing more grads mixing in a few days before and after the actual events. They also stay at the resorts on property and sometimes hang in groups during the day in the pool areas.

Also if you are staying in a resort near MK expect to hear fireworks at midnight. If you're staying at WL or CR you'll definitely hear them or even see them if you like (from your room/resort).

Last year I didn't realize they moved the events to HS and we stayed at the BCV. The first night we went to bed early and the fireworks woke us all up because they were very close to the Epcot resorts. We could see some of it which was cool but it would have been nice if it was just a bit earlier. Plus you may hear the grads walking thru the halls during late hrs/early am hours if they're at your resort. Even though many of the kids are bused in, many stay at the resorts too.

Still the pluses of going this time of year outweigh any of the inconveniences. We'll be there the end of next month too.

 

[nutty4wdw]

thanks everyone for the input. glad to hear it's a good time. first time going.

mickeygrl you had me going for a second lol. keep it up and maybe we'll be the only two families there

thanks again

 

[Kat&Dom]

I am glad you asked this question because we will be there April 24-May 2. I am so happy seeing all the answers saying what a great time to be there.

 

[winterman]

And late April is fine becuase you'll have missed that weird Patriot Day weeklong holiday celebrated up in New England.

FYI Patriot's Day is ONE day that recognizes the first battle of the war that won us our independence from England. It is a legal holiday only in Mass. and Maine. It just happens to fall at a time that is appropriate for many schools to take their Spring break.

 

[wdw71]

We went at this time a couple years ago and were surprised that there were actually still spring break crowds from the north east. Despite that, the crowds were very manageable. As long you avoid Easter its a great time of year to go, great weather.

 

[MinnieVanMom]

Looks like there are several of us that will be there last of April, early May.

We have never been at this time before but wanted to go after spring break but before the heat comes on.

Will the grad nite kids have any effect on Beach Club pool do you think? Or do they stay elsewhere?

 

[sandym718]

We've gone this time frame our past 2 trips (2007 and 2009) and it's been great!! Planning again for 2011 and I'm a little nervous b/c Easter is so late. I think we'll be OK, though, b/c our first park day will be the Sunday after Easter ( a little concerned about rates for that Sat. night though).

For the above poster, re: grad nights - they should not affect the Disney resorts/pools at all. The kids are bused in to the park after it closes and bused out when they're done. Some groups do stay in offsite hotels, and the pools/atmosphere there CAN be affected. That happened to us in 2007 - stayed our (later) arrival night offsite to save $$ and hotel was overbooked and overrun with teenagers. Couldn't wait to check into the Poly in the AM I don't think any of the Grad Night groups stay anywhere onsite though.