April School Vacation?

[suzydisney971]

Hi everyone!!

So DH and I have decided we definitely want to do Disney next year but not sure when. How crowded is April school vacation week (4/19-4/27 Sunday to Monday)? We have gone twice in the summer (first time it was so hot we said never again, never say never because we went last year in the summer and it wasn't as unbearable) and have gone in the fall. However, we have 6 yr old that we don't want to pull out of school. We live in the Northeast if that makes a difference. Any thoughts?

 

[wdw4rfam]

It all depends on when Easter falls. We've gone in April many times and it's never horribly crowded, but we never go within a week or 2 of Easter. Usually later is better, and Easter is the 5th, so I'd say you would be fine. Probably lower crowds than summer, and not as hot too.

 

[BMC423]

It would depend on when other schools were off for break. As the pp mentioned Easter is early next year. Here in NYC our spring break is very early in April next year because its scheduled around religious holidays. So there is a very high possibility it won't be as crowded when you go.

 

[mm1971]

Hi everyone!!

So DH and I have decided we definitely want to do Disney next year but not sure when. How crowded is April school vacation week (4/19-4/27 Sunday to Monday)? We have gone twice in the summer (first time it was so hot we said never again, never say never because we went last year in the summer and it wasn't as unbearable) and have gone in the fall. However, we have 6 yr old that we don't want to pull out of school. We live in the Northeast if that makes a difference. Any thoughts?

While I agree that is depends on Easter and it's proximity to your vacation, we have always found school vacation weeks to be busy. We live in the northeast as well. I have never seen a vacation week lower than an 8 crowd level (not including summer vacation) as a lot of people do not pull the kids out to go at off times.

With knowing it will be anywhere from very busy to insanity, you can still have a great time. Go in with the right expectations and make sure to be at the parks early in the morning and you should be fine. You can get a lot done in the first couple of hours before the crowds build. Take a break if needed. Use FP+ to book attractions at the busiest times and ride standby when not as busy. Good luck.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

We were at WDW for our Easter Break this past April. We were there April 12 to 21. I've already checked our next school year calendar and our Easter Break falls April 3 to 13. I will say it was very crowded but not the worst I've ever seen. Easter Breaks seems to vary greatly for everyone. We also don't take our daughter out of school for vacations, so we're always traveling the busiest times. And I agree with you, I will never go to WDW in the hot summer months. Did it once, will never do it again. It was so hot it was hard to have a good time even at WDW.

 

[suzydisney971]

Thanks everyone. I'm really leaning towards April vacation. Less time I have to wait to go We went 2 years ago, first week of August and it wasn't as unbearably hot as the first time we went. So it's the luck of the draw, I guess. Plus I would love to see the Flower & Garden festival. Now I just have to wait for the rates to come and figure out where I want to stay. Decisions, decisions

 

[monorailsilver]

I am in CT. We have vacation starting on Good Friday and the week after that.

My sister is also in CT and they have it the week after us.

 

[islandtimect]

Our school in CT is off the third week of April, a great time to travel with reasonable crowds and nice weather. I quoted a client for this period next year and the rate was much better than the first10 days of April.

 

[kohlby]

The schools near me in SC/GA are off in March or the first full week of April, so that would mean crowds wouldn't be as crazy later on. Schools in the southeast generally get out earlier than schools in the northeast, making our breaks earlier too. Do you have a Feb break too? (I grew up on the MA/RI border and everyone I knew had a Feb and April break then). I'd suggest looking at crowd calendars and seeing which week looks better for crowds.

 

[suzydisney971]

We do have a February break but we are looking to use the pool so the weather might not be as nice as it is in April. Plus President's Day is that week so I'm thinking it would be busier than April. My son's birthday is in May so I'm thinking we can celebrate it at Disney.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Easter in 2015 is April 5. In fact, I'm curious why you have a school break basically 3 weeks after Easter. In any case, I don't think it would be that crowded since it's after Easter. Mostly you have to worry about the normal Spring Break times, which is late March through Easter.

 

[AuthorAndrea]

I'm in CT also and our break is the 13-17; my daughters' birthdays are the 16th and 20th, so if we can afford a trip, I will keep them out of school for the few extra days.

 

[SmallWorld71]

We do have a February break but we are looking to use the pool so the weather might not be as nice as it is in April. Plus President's Day is that week so I'm thinking it would be busier than April. My son's birthday is in May so I'm thinking we can celebrate it at Disney.

As a teacher, I only travel on school vacations and it sounds like we follow the same school schedule with President's Week and then April vacation the week of Patriot's Day (Marathon Monday.)
Overall, I find April vacation to be the better choice. The weather is MUCH more consistent (I've had anything from the 30's to the 80's in Feb.), you have the Flower and Garden Festival and rides are less likely to be down for refurb. And, it is usually less crowded.
There are 2 important things that can have a huge impact on the crowds. One is Easter, as mentioned. The other is Mardi Gras. Easter does NOT coincide with April vacation next year which is a big help. Mardi Gras DOES coincide with President's Week next year which will drive the crowds up even more.
April is the clear winner, IMO.

 

[suzydisney971]

As a teacher, I only travel on school vacations and it sounds like we follow the same school schedule with President's Week and then April vacation the week of Patriot's Day (Marathon Monday.)
Overall, I find April vacation to be the better choice. The weather is MUCH more consistent (I've had anything from the 30's to the 80's in Feb.), you have the Flower and Garden Festival and rides are less likely to be down for refurb. And, it is usually less crowded.
There are 2 important things that can have a huge impact on the crowds. One is Easter, as mentioned. The other is Mardi Gras. Easter does NOT coincide with April vacation next year which is a big help. Mardi Gras DOES coincide with President's Week next year which will drive the crowds up even more.
April is the clear winner, IMO.

"Easter in 2015 is April 5. In fact, I'm curious why you have a school break basically 3 weeks after Easter. In any case, I don't think it would be that crowded since it's after Easter. Mostly you have to worry about the normal Spring Break times, which is late March through Easter."


This is exactly what I wanted to hear I live in RI so we probably do have the same schedule. I checked the school calendar for next year and that is the week they have scheduled for April vacation. It doesn't always coincide with Easter. For some reason, I always remember vacation being the 3rd week of April every year. Hopefully airfare and rates will be reasonable

 

[lucyem]

We just moved from NH. Our April vacation was always the 3rd week of April. Normally the perfect time to go. Good weather, low crowds. The only issue is when Easter falls really late like this past April. Then you contend with schools that give spring breaks the week before or after Easter. Sadly we now fall into that category and are stuck with those crowds

 

[SmallWorld71]

Easter in 2015 is April 5. In fact, I'm curious why you have a school break basically 3 weeks after Easter. In any case, I don't think it would be that crowded since it's after Easter. Mostly you have to worry about the normal Spring Break times, which is late March through Easter.

Our vacation isn't linked to Easter. It's actually linked to Patriot's Day, also known as Marathon Monday.

OP- I went in April 2013 when Easter was at the end of March and the crowds weren't bad at all, about a 6 or 7, IMO. Not dead by any means, but very manageable.

 

[staceyrhood]

That would probably be a good week to go... Nice weather and lower crowds since its a couple weeks after Easter. Our spring break here in the Disney area is the last week of March next year.

 

[Grendalynn]

It all depends on when Easter falls. We've gone in April many times and it's never horribly crowded, but we never go within a week or 2 of Easter. Usually later is better, and Easter is the 5th, so I'd say you would be fine. Probably lower crowds than summer, and not as hot too.

I very much agree with this statement above... We never really realized that Easter dictated when some schools had their spring break... However, we learned very quickly to look at the holiday calendar when planning a spring trip to Disney. When we went in 08 our NH April vacation fell the same week at Easter. I thnink all of the USA was at Disney that week. It was so NOT enjoyable. Crowds were at capacity and the lines were off the wall. I will NEVR go again during this "perfect storm". I love Disney but that was not enjoyable!

Our vacation week in NH also falls the thrid week of April t his coming school year. The crowds will still be there a bit (not like when we went in November), but not peak of the peak season. We are also considerring going in April! See you there! AND - after a tough New England winter and sitting in hockey rinks since October - I want good, warm, sunny weather - and typically the weather is great at the end of April!!

Easter in 2015 is April 5. In fact, I'm curious why you have a school break basically 3 weeks after Easter. In any case, I don't think it would be that crowded since it's after Easter. Mostly you have to worry about the normal Spring Break times, which is late March through Easter.

The North East/New England does not typically follow the Easter Holiday...

 

[Abow75]

We are going for our second trip April 4-10th with Easter falling on the 5th. My kids will be 12, 9, and 3. Our first trip was 7 years ago, also during Easter week. I remember it being a little maddening, some because I was a newbie, but the crowds seemed to die down a little after Easter Monday. I live in a Delaware and our spring break is aligned with Easter. No break at all before. I'm a teacher also, so I can only travel during school breaks. I also teach summer school and I don't think my family would love the heat. So, I'm hoping for a tolerable Easter week so we can enjoy our second trip. Please tell me it will be okay