before or after Easter?

[Justicegang]

I know that it is very crowded during Easter vacation, and I have read the Easter break posts. However, I would like to know from your personal experience; is the week before Easter or the week after Easter the most crowded? We have to go when school is out, so our options are limited.
Thank you for your response.
Sandy

 

[Disneydenise]

The week after Easter is pretty crowded IMO. We went last year 2 weeks after Easter and it was wonderful. Thecrowds were not bad at all. TT was never more than a 45 min. wait in standby line. The weather was wonderful but Easter was earlier last year. I think you will be getting close to the end of April.

 

[pooh2001]

We'll be there Holy Thursday till the Saturday after
Easter - when Catholic schools are out.
It's our only time to go - other than summer.
The school principle (a Sister) - frowns upon taking
vacations during the school year. I do not want a
Sister mad at me.

So, line or no lines, we go Easter 2003

That's what WDW made fast-passes for.

So go to the park of your choice - get a fast pass
and then find a shorter line till your fast pass
time comes

Sometimes crowds can be fun - you never know
who you will strike up a conversation with while
standing in line.

enjoy

 

[jennymouse]

I took my DGD(then6) during her Spring Break in 2001. It was the week before Easter Sunday. It was crowded, but we got to the parks early & used FastPass and we managed very well. When we were leaving on Good Friday, it seemed like droves of people were just getting there. ASMu checkin line was huge! I'd say go the week before Easter if you can. But don't worry, just plan and you'll be okay. EARLY, EARLY, EARLY......AFTERNOON BREAK.....THEN GO BACK & FASTPASS!! RIDE DURING PARADES!

 

[Neeter]

We went the week after Easter in 2001. Yes, it was crowded but if you plan well and use Fast Pass it is not so bad that you won't enjoy yourself. Also, take a break in the afternoon and go back to your resort and rest. We did this every day and it really helped us. We were refreshed and ready to go back out in the evening!

We actually arrived on the Saturday before Easter and went to the Magic Kingdom that afternoon. It wasn't bad. Plus in 2001 the Magic Kingdom stayed open until MIDNIGHT every night. So even if it was crowded during the day, we always went back there every night and stayed til Midnight. It was great! Just don't make the mistake of going to the Kingdom on Easter Sunday. We chose to do Epcot that day and it was great. We heard horror stories of how bad MK was that day!

I have been to Disney World many times and I must say that our Easter 2001 trip was by far the best ever! We enjoyed the weather and the longer park hours so much we were never bothered by the crowds at all. We didn't even hestitate in booking our Easter 2003 trip!

 

[Winniemouse]

Hi everyone! We'll be down there too! Don't forget your lime green ribbons.
Winnie

 

[mickey12810]

We will be there the week after Easter. Probably a stupid question but, Winniemouse what are the lime green ribbons for?

 

[cindy_k]

Lime Green ribbons show that you are Dis Board member.
I always tie one on my backpack.

We are working on booking an Easter 2003 trip. This will be our first time going in Easter, not our first time to Disney, so I am not to concerned about the crowds.

I spoke with CRO this morning and there are still plenty of rooms left. Which is good because I really want to wait until after our October trip to book.

CRO also told me that they haven't published any discounts for that time period yet, and to check back in a month.

Cindy in NY

Next Trip: Oct 2003 DCL Wonder/VWL
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Next Next Trip: April 2003 Easter (ASp, VWL, AKL) tentitively

 

[jody]

We are planning a trip for the week before Easter 2003. I would like to book the room (CBR) soon. What is the phone number for CRO? How far ahead should I book airfaire? Does anybody buy trip cancellation insurance?

 

[SandraC]

In 2001 and 2002, we went 3 weeks after Easter. The season goes from Peak to Regular around that time. The weather is wonderful and the crowds aren't too bad at all! Easter is REALLY late in 2003! S

 

[cindy_k]

CRO is 407-WDISNEY

We have trip insurance for our October Trip because we are going on the Disney Cruise which is very expensive.

We don't normally purchase trip insurance though.
Whether that's a good thing or not? *shrug* It's cheaper upfront.

Airfare for the week I'm going is pretty high. I recommend checking Orbitz.com for prices. Lowest fare I found was $215 round trip from JFK to MCO on JetBlue.
Next lowest price was $320.

Have Fun!

Cindy

 

[goofyandmore]

Neeter you mentioned park hours, we went the week before Easter up until the Wednesday before and the park was also open until midnight. I really liked that and thought of going this upcoming Easter for this reason and the fact that the kids are out of school.

Does anyone know if in 2002, in the weeks around Easter, if the parks was open late? Does anyone have any idea about this year?

Also, for the original poster, when we went it was before Easter and as we were leaving we also noticed alot of people checking in. If given a choice, I think going before might be better.

Thanks, Carolyn

 

[Neeter]

Goofy, we were there until the Thursday AFTER Easter and the MK was open until Midnight then too! It was soo great! It was a huge blessing because the Kingdom did tend to be more crowded earlier in the day than the other parks. We were only at the MK one time during the day, we just went back every night! LOL!

As far as hours in 2002... they weren't as nice as they were in 2001. After September 11th, park hours were cut and they didn't change them that much for Easter 2002. I know the Kingdom wasn't open till Midnight like it was in 2001. They haven't announced hours for Easter 2003 yet.

Seeing how busy Easter 2002 ended up being I'm really hopeful they will return to the Peak hours that we had in 2001!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

This past Easter, Disney was caught off guard. We planned that the week leading up to Easter would be crowded, and then things would taper off... Whoops! The week after Easter was even MORE crowded than before. Park hours were extended at the last minute, in efforts to make everyone happy. I beleive MK was midnight, Studios was pretty late as well. Even DAK was open until 8:00. The Tree of Life looks real nice all lit up at night.