Crowds April 14-20, 2018

[Poohbear03]

Hi everyone! We had to cancel our September trip this year and we are trying again for the week of April 14-20. I know Easter is the 1st so hopefully the Easter crowds will be gone. I was reading and the Star Wars Marathon is the weekend of April 19-22, how will that affect the crowds that week leading up to it? We had thought about 1st week in May but then realized the Cheer and Dance competitions start April 25 and run through May 13. We are hoping for great weather and moderate crowds. I realize crowds won't low.....Thank you.

 

[MDIME]

Hey there! That week is April vacation week for Maine public schools. I *think* it is for most in New England as well, but I'm not 100% sure of that. Will it affect crowds? Your guess is as good as mine

 

[Counselor99]

Hey there! That week is April vacation week for Maine public schools. I *think* it is for most in New England as well, but I'm not 100% sure of that. Will it affect crowds? Your guess is as good as mine

Vermont is off the following week I believe. We have always have crowds but not overwhelming crowds when we go around that time. We will be there again in 2018, hopefully, the same will hold true.

 

[Poohbear03]

I guess we will have to choose between Northern spring breaks or wait and go when the cheerleaders are there?? I would think the crowds would be moderate? Anyone know? It is a couple of weeks after Easter.

 

[anniemae]

Nobody knows, crowds have been wildly unpredictable these days. It's why EasyWDW stopped doing calendars. Just go when it's convenient. Plan for huge crowds and be happy with anything less. It's always crowded.

 

[kniquy]

I am going the same week because of school vacation. The marathon usually only draws bigger crowds from thursday to sunday as many of those people only come in for the marathon weekend. It will be far after Easter so that crowd shouldn't be a factor. I have looked at touring plans and typically most days that week the parks are ~5-6 - so busy but not holiday busy. I think it is a reasonable time to go but keep in mind the thur-sunday issue. It is flower and garden so a beautiful time to be at Epcot.

I went this past year right after Easter (arrived on Tuesday) is was busy but i thought it was manageable. Just try and do as many rope drops and use FP wisely and i think you will have a great time.

 

[Micca]

About the second week of March until the last week of April is spring break season. It's gonna be busy through that whole period.

 

[Amanda999]

That's Massachusetts public school vacation week too (as well as Maine). 3rd Monday in April is our Patriots Day state holiday, so we always have that week off.

There's no slow time any longer. Just go when you want to. (Well, I'd still avoid Xmas, Easter and thanksgiving).

 

[mggeary]

We've gone this weeks many times, when NE school break/patriot day week falls at least a week apart from Easter. Expect moderate 6-7/10 crowds. Also 4/19-4/22 sees a further bump do to Star Wars Dark Side marathon events.

 

[julieFitz]

It will be crowded. Northeast spring breaks that week. As long as you have a plan, get reservations and FP you'll be fine. Be prepared for crowds though

 

[cel_disney]

We live in MA and it is our spring break. We will be there the 17-24 this year (we are participating in Star Wars race too).

We made this trip in 2016 as well and I would recommend it as a good time. Good weather and moderate crowds plus Flower and Garden. The Race really impacts the roads and likely DHS (Star Wars activities) most.

 

[Poohbear03]

Thanks for all the replies! It was either this week or the weeks that the cheer competitions are there and we are trying to pick which would be best. The cheer groups really stretch almost over 4 weeks starting April 25 - May 13 and I have always heard you don't want to go during that time, not sure if that is true??

 

[Tattylou]

Just to echo the others, that is Massachusetts spring break. There will be crowds, but not Easter level crowds. I've gone over Massachusetts April vacation for most of my trips. It's totally doable.

 

[NH-to-FL]

Yes, the Easter crowds will be gone.

We usually make a few visits to the parks around that week to get our Disney fix before heading back north for the season. I remember busy but not crazy. But then it always seems to be busy these days. Moderate is probably a good assessment.
Wishing you a visit!

 

[wdw4rfam]

That week will be a bit busier. Star Wars marathon is that week and a lot of spring breaks. We were going to go that week but moved ours.

 

[anniemae]

Thanks for all the replies! It was either this week or the weeks that the cheer competitions are there and we are trying to pick which would be best. The cheer groups really stretch almost over 4 weeks starting April 25 - May 13 and I have always heard you don't want to go during that time, not sure if that is true??

We have gone when cheer groups are there and have never found them to be a problem. I have never understood the negativity towards them. They are competing a good number of the days they are there, and when they are in the parks they can get a little excited, but nothing bad. We were behind a group of them once in line for POC and they all chatted with my dd and were wonderful. Sometimes, they may cheer a bit or pose for group photos, but I never witnessed anything beyond that. We were at a resort with them and aside from them sitting a tables together in a group at the food court, we didn't notice them.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

It might be my imagination, but I've never felt that the races had much of an impact on crowds. We've done... ... how many... ... at least 6 race weekends.

 

[cel_disney]

It might be my imagination, but I've never felt that the races had much of an impact on crowds. We've done... ... how many... ... at least 6 race weekends.

We have also done several race weekends and find the impact minimal - there is sometimes a party like MNSSHP that completely sold out near ToT 10k weekend when they had that but never a major change in park attendance. Resorts are more full of racers than other guests and the Star Wars racers seem to like to visit DHS with their medals (atleast the first year when we were there!), but nothing unbearable as an onsite guest...I can't speak to the impact of road closures - I avoided them.

 

[SomDayMyPrnceWillCom]

We have always gone Memorial Day weekend/week, however this year we are planning to go Easter weekend through Wednesday fully aware that it will be very busy. I wanted to use my annual pass that I purchased for our last trip in May/June however before it expired. Crowded or not, we plan to have a good time still.

 

[HaveKidsWillTravel]

We live in central NY and our beak is the week after (23-27).