Are the parks as crowded when Easter is in April?

[JESW]

I keep hearing how crowded it is during Easter time. Well, next year our spring break starts on good friday and then we have the next week off. WIll it be as bad as when Easter is in march and a lot of other states have spring break? We were down there last April and will be there again this april. Florida was full of New Englanders but it wasn't REAL bad... Just wondering if we should book for next year when our break will also be at Easter time..????

Jill

 

[sunking]

We were in the "World" for Easter several years ago and it was absolutely mobbed. I would avoid the Easter week if at all possible. If you can't and you go with the understanding that it will be crowded and that the lines will be long, you can still have a great time.

Good Luck!!!!
Sunking

 

[MrsJ Henry]

Easter is always one of the most crowded times.

 

[Blondie]

I guess it all depends on your opinion of "crowded."

We went April 16th - 22nd in 2001 (Easter fell on April 15th) and it was so crowded we almost checked out of the Swan early to head back home.

One morning at Epcot it took us almost 15 minutes of standing in line just to get a Fast Pass for Test Track. Yes...it was crowded!

In April 1998 Easter fell on April 12th and we went the week of April 20th and it wasn't nearly as crowded as our 2001 trip.

Good luck, maybe it won't be that bad.

 

[JESW]

BUT...did you go when Easter was in March...or in April?? I am wondering if there is a difference??

Jill

 

[Blondie]

I would have to say I doubt that it makes a difference. Most people take advantage of when their kids are off, regardless of whether easter falls in March or April.

 

[Dismom63]

We are usually there for Easter but this year our Spring vacation is not hooked to Easter (we only have good friday off). Most Northeast schools will have vacation later this year so maybe it will not be quite as bad
That said, I would be preapred for crowds!

 

[drusba]

Done Easter 13 times. Always hugely crowded; about the only difference between having Easter end of March instead of mid-April is that when it was end of March we actually had some park-is-completely-full days at MK. That happens more often at Christmas even though the Christmas crowds are about the same -- what usually saves Easter from that fate is that the waterparks are open and it is warm enough for everyone to use them, and they fill thus keeping the park crowd from reaching max. That New Englander week when it is not Easter week has a crowd level that is only about 40% of what it is the two Easter weeks. One way to describe it: It is noon, you have just entered MK and are at the base of Main Street. You look down Main Street toward the castle, and you see no street, no sidewalk, just bobbing heads packed next to each other.

 

[kat6994]

My first two years I've gone to WDW we went in April. We usually go during Spring break (Chicago School Schedule), but since their Spring Break is the week of his birthday his Dad won't allow us to go (spoiled brat). I've always felt that I don't get to do a lot of the attractions/rides as I think I would. I'm also a late sleeper so early mornings and I don't get along. This year we're going in June (it's not going to be April with out Disney).
Hints for late nights in April:
Bring a sweater !!! If you're going to Illuminations or Fantasmic, it will be chilly. Chilly, Chilly, Chilly. You're teeth will chatter (at least mine did).
Also, pack a couple pair of pants. Jeans or sweats...last year was a very wet year and chilly time to go. Not fun when the DS has a broken arm.

Just remember to use the fast pass. If you can get the parks twice, (e.g. Epcot for Illuminations or MGM for fantasmic) alternate the Shows and the rides. If you see Illuminations on 1 day, do the attractions the 2nd day. I've been there twice and I still haven't gone the majority of the rides.

Hope this helps.