BWV or HH Easter Week 2008- Need Help, Please

[DJmommy]

Hi all,

Haven't even closed on our resale purchase but I am already trying to plan our very first DVC Vacation. I am starting a new job this year so I am limited to taking vacation during Easter Week next March. I have never been to DW during Easter Spring Break but I am assuming the crowds are a problem. Just how busy is it? If we didn't do the parks much, are the DVC resorts crazy busy too, like the pools, community center, etc?

We are buying BWV points and I was planning on booking right at the 11 month window for a studio. It will me myself, DH and two kids, ages 8 and 4. Am I crazy to consider going to WDW at Easter for our first DVC trip. I really want to make sure it is special, since it took some convincing to get my DH to commit to DVC to begin with.

Other idea would be to take a laid back approach for Easter and book a studio at HH. However since it is not my home resort I wouldn't be able to book until the 7 month window and what would my chances be there? . But wondering if there is enough to do in HH in late March and whether it could be warm enough to swim in the pools then.

What would you do if you were me? I would love to hear from anyone who has vacationed during Easter Week at WDW or HH for their experiences.

TIA

Jacqueline

 

[CarolMN]

My advice is to book BWV at 11 months and if at all possible, book a 1 bedroom. That will be best for the "laid back" approach and more likely to impress your DH. If you call day by day at 11 months, you could get a standard view or a Boardwalk view. If you go with the studio, do try to get the Boardwalk view.

Weather could be "iffy" in either place, but chances of being able to swim at that time are much greater at the BWV than HH.

Easter week will be busy at WDW, but with planning, you will still be able to have a good time!

 

[dis-happy]

I so agree with Carol---book the 1 b/r at BWV. At 11 months out you'll be able to book the standard view points category. Then, even if the parks are crowded you guys will still have a place to relax, wind down and enjoy the resort.

What are the dates for Easter, 2008? Just wondering..... Agree that weather in HH in March/early April can be iffy.

 

[drusba]

Easter is March 23, 2008. That is an ideal time in Hilton Head if you are a golfer but not if you are a beach person -- can get some warm days but far more likely looking at highs at best in low 70's.

As to WDW, it is usually quite warm enough for water activities that time of year (80's) though you can sometimes get a cool day. As to crowds:

Week before and week of Easter are comparable to Christmas Week which is the most crowded of the year. It is only slightly less in the parks but that is simply because both water parks are open and are usually warm enough to use, taking some of the crowd away from the parks, unlike Christmas. Also, in 2008 that will be a double whammy week -- that week in March is the usual spring break week for majority of colleges. Popular rides have lines of two hours or more (Test Track goes to three) and that is often from 9:30 to closing. You generally get more park hours, with MK going to midnight and often they just open all the parks early to everyone. You can literally have wall to wall pedestrian traffic in MK most of the afternoon hours. Even the low level attractions get hour or longer lines. Fastpasses run out for the day before noon. PS for dinner must be made well in advance because the option is you don't eat; even the counter service places get 30 to 40 minute lines during usual eating times. Water parks stop letting people in due to capacity usually by 11:30. MK can hit capacity. Pools at hotels are generally crowded (although quiet pools are not so bad). If you must go then some hints:

Early morning you can hit some things quickly without much trouble. You can also get some shorter lines during parades. Between 4 and 8 at MK, the lines for some become shorter (not things like the mountains). After 8 huge crowds return again. A lot in Epcot can be done after 3 (except Soaring, Test Track and Mission Space), e.g., Spaceship Earth can get hour or longer line in the morning because that is what everyone sees first when they enter and after 3 it is often a walk-on. Same applies to MGM but the most popular attractions will still have huge lines.AK lines lighten somewhat after 4. There are two Fantasmics at night, for first you need to get in line about an hour early to assure getting a seat, for second you can walk in any time because it never fills. Likewise two nightly parades at MK and second has lighter crowd than first. As to daily MK parade, people actually start sitting in prime viewing areas beginning about 90 minutes to two hours before it begins, best to just get some elevated area when it starts.

Though it may seem contrary to sense, the lightest days for MGM, Epcot, and AK are usually the day before Easter and Easter. MK on Easter is ungodly -- huge numbers go there on Easter under impression that something special must occur there that day that does not occur other days of the week, but absolutely nothing occurs there on Easter that you cannot see other days of the week. Also, unlike Christmas, Disney does not overdo Easter, some hardly noticeable decorations, some of the hotel restaurants on Easter have brunches and an Easter Egg hunt and a few have the bunny. That is about it for special events.

 

[DJmommy]

Whoa!!! Easter Break sounds scary. Not sure that we should even attempt this. Maybe we should stick with HH. We were not planning on hanging out on the beach and we are not golfers either. We would most likely do a few day trips and relax around the resort.

Do I have a chance booking it at 7 months, though?

We have banked points from 2006 year that must be used by July 31, 2008 or we will lose them....anybody have any other suggestions.

 

[starbox]

Whoa!!! Easter Break sounds scary. Not sure that we should even attempt this. Maybe we should stick with HH. We were not planning on hanging out on the beach and we are not golfers either. We would most likely do a few day trips and relax around the resort.

Do I have a chance booking it at 7 months, though?

I booked HH this Easter week as soon as the window opened at 7 months, there was a flurry of people reporting that they got reservation that week. March and April are not beach weather in HHI, but I am still looking forward to it.

(Edited to say - I did get a studio without a waitlist at 7 months, and I did not call day-by-day, but I did call at 9am)

 

[Disneyaholic]

Booking a studio at HH for Easter at 7 mos may be tricky. There are only 21 studios and 21 1BRs at the resort and Easter does tend to sell out there.

The fact that Easter is a little earlier may work in your favor, but you may need to wait list.

If it were me, and I absolutely HAD to go somewhere at that time, I think I'd book WDW at 11 months and see if I can switch over to HH at 7 months if you're worried about the crowds; if the wait list comes through, you can decide where you'd rather go.

BTW, I totally agree with the other posters about a 1BR vs. a studio.