Codes/packages For April/may 2009

[GoofyFairie]

DH and I will hopefully be there this week for his mid-tour leave if all goes as planned with the Army...yeah...right! Ha!

Regardless, I did check out the crowd calendar, and it shows the crowds getting smaller as the week goes on. We'll see if they're right!

How far into the week do you have to go to get smaller crowds? Does it swell again on the weekend? TIA!

 

[BrokeforDisney]

Well, we found that crowds toned down on Sunday, (we arrived on Saturday and it was PRETTY busy) Monday through Thursday of that week, things were low keyed, busy but LOW keyed. We left on Friday, but the parking lots were MUCH fuller that mid morning, than any other days we had seen. After we returned, our travel agent discussed the week with us for future clients questions. As we could tell, we hit the perfect week for March thru summer.... As far as it all went, like the travel agent said, we caught the end of all spring breaks, and just before the REAL crowds settled in for peak season from her experiences. This is exactly why we are going again that particular week. I've been in the summer (and hated the crowds) and just after Christmas...(AND REALLY HATED the crowds ) The week we picked so far as we can tell just matches our needs as best as any week could. We ran into only 1 refurbishment,(Swiss Family Treehouse) and we at least had 1 day there before it was closed for a few months.

 

[GoofyFairie]

Well, we found that crowds toned down on Sunday, (we arrived on Saturday and it was PRETTY busy) Monday through Thursday of that week, things were low keyed, busy but LOW keyed. We left on Friday, but the parking lots were MUCH fuller that mid morning, than any other days we had seen. After we returned, our travel agent discussed the week with us for future clients questions. As we could tell, we hit the perfect week for March thru summer.... As far as it all went, like the travel agent said, we caught the end of all spring breaks, and just before the REAL crowds settled in for peak season from her experiences. This is exactly why we are going again that particular week. I've been in the summer (and hated the crowds) and just after Christmas...(AND REALLY HATED the crowds ) The week we picked so far as we can tell just matches our needs as best as any week could. We ran into only 1 refurbishment,(Swiss Family Treehouse) and we at least had 1 day there before it was closed for a few months.

Thanks for the info. It is helpful. I'm not sure when we will make a decision about when we will go, IF we get to go in 09. I'd love to take the kids again while they still believe in all the magic that Disney has for little ones ( and all of us grown ones!). The crowds are one thing that I am concerned about traveling in April.

 

[miprender]

I am thinking about April 19th - 26. Can anyone give me an idea of crowd levels and weather this time of year? It would be the week after easter break so I am thinking that crowds would be low- right?

We live in RI so school vacation week is the week before, but in Mass they have their vacation week. So like another poster stated pretty much all of April will be busy. This will be our first time in April, but from what I understand the weather is nice. (No heat/humidity)

 

[GoofyFairie]

We live in RI so school vacation week is the week before, but in Mass they have their vacation week. So like another poster stated pretty much all of April will be busy. This will be our first time in April, but from what I understand the weather is nice. (No heat/humidity)

The whole state shuts down the public schools at the same time? I have never heard of that. We don't get a whole week off at any point except for Christmas. Our school district doesn't even like to issue delays for bad driving conditions let alone closing school all together!

 

[disneyfanfamily]

I guess I will join....not sure if we will be going yet. My DH and boys may be going on a Navy ship for a week in April, so if they do, DD and I may head off to Disney during that week. Not sure which week yet, but it will be in April.

We are also planning a family trip in July/August of next year, so DD and I may buy AP's because that would be better (since our long family vacation is usually around 11 days).

 

[LVSWL]

Smart move on the APs! We always buy them because we usually have more than 7-8 days in a 12 month period. Plus, you might be lucky enough to get an AP rate! Also, consider the DDE card if you get your AP. 20% off at most of the table service and some counter service restaurants can really add up to a nice savings. Have a great trip, whenever you go.

 

[brentalex]

The whole state shuts down the public schools at the same time? I have never heard of that. We don't get a whole week off at any point except for Christmas. Our school district doesn't even like to issue delays for bad driving conditions let alone closing school all together!

Yes, pretty much all of the public schools in MA and Maine and NH will shut down that week. It is a holiday called Patriots Day celebrating the first battle of the revolution ( not the football team ). It is celebrated the third Monday in April and that is when the schools have their spring break. Because of that, it is when we go to Disney. So, there will be crowds. But the weather is wonderful and with planning you can still have a great time.

 

[GoofyFairie]

Thank you so much for the info brentalex! It amazes me how different all the public schools run in this country. I will definately be able to plan better knowing that information. It is going to be a few weeks before we can make a decision about when or if we can go in 09. Do they usually run a code promotion during that time?

 

[BrokeforDisney]

We were offered (though numerous travel agents disagree with the fact of this to be truthful) 1 extra day in the parks, AND FREE dining for our entire stay.

Our travel agent took care of it all, and we didn't even know about it until we got our paperwork a few days before we left. It was such a cool surprise! However we have been told by numerous sources, (of course even Disney themselves who didn't believe me, I have the paperwork to PROVE IT lol) that we should not expect anything but a few dollars off the room at best this time.... We'll just have to wait and see what is offered. I'm assuming SOMETHING will take shape, and I have been told around October we should know a little better.

 

[miprender]

The whole state shuts down the public schools at the same time? I have never heard of that. We don't get a whole week off at any point except for Christmas. Our school district doesn't even like to issue delays for bad driving conditions let alone closing school all together!

All of RI usually has that same week except maybe some private schools. I believe CT too has that week or at least my SiL, who teaches in CT has it off. For MA I believe all the public schools have the following week off to coincide with their Patriot Holiday.

 

[moonvxn]

hi there! I don't mean to jump in on this post....but goodness gracious...a day free and free dining? how did that happen? I've been trying to book for the third week of january, and the packages still haven't been released yet? I'm getting antsy.. how did you get such a great deal?? ) I can't wait to get there..we just flew through orlando on the way home the other day and I was so sad that wasn't our destination. lol

 

[GoofyFairie]

All of RI usually has that same week except maybe some private schools. I believe CT too has that week or at least my SiL, who teaches in CT has it off. For MA I believe all the public schools have the following week off to coincide with their Patriot Holiday.

Good to know. I guess it will be busy that week. I thought for sure it being the week after Easter that it would be slow. Can anyone tell what the crowd level numbers are for April 19th - 26th?

 

[lucky978]

Good to know. I guess it will be busy that week. I thought for sure it being the week after Easter that it would be slow. Can anyone tell what the crowd level numbers are for April 19th - 26th?

Sent you a PM

 

[bluechic03]

Hi all I booked through AAA for right now, if I call AAA can they apply a code or do I have to make a seperate ressie and then cancel the original??
thanks

 

[lucky978]

I believe you would have a make a separate reservation, but I'm not 100% sure.

 

[xoktenox]

already booked Pop for April 2009 the week after Easter, waiting for codes too! based on anyone's experience were there codes other than the AAA discount for this week last year?

 

[GoofyFairie]

already booked Pop for April 2009 the week after Easter, waiting for codes too! based on anyone's experience were there codes other than the AAA discount for this week last year?

Good question! I'd like to know that too!

 

[cruellababy]

We're also booked for April 19th-26th. Can't wait! That week is our Easter/Spring break too.

 

[brentalex]

already booked Pop for April 2009 the week after Easter, waiting for codes too! based on anyone's experience were there codes other than the AAA discount for this week last year?

We did not go last year, but the third week in April is our usual week, since it is the kids spring break week. In 2004 we got a great discount from the disney visa, it was a new card at the time and offered a 40% discount. But other than that, all we have ever gotten is the AAA discount. Now some of those years the week was also Easter and other years it was not. Last year easter was very early so by the third week in April they were well into the regular season. I believe that if you go to mousesavers.com there is a page there with historic discounts. You may be able to find out if there was a discount.