Crowds in late March?

[kwirtanen]

Hi all,
Wondering if you have opinions on how busy the parks may be in late March? Our family will be near Orlando visiting family and would love to spend a week at WDW but we are a bit timid since it is close to spring breaks. We have a 4 and 6 year old who aren't used to standing in lines.
Looking forward to your advice.
Karen from Alberta, Canada

 

[Belle1962]

Most elem/middle/high schools look like they are having their breaks the two weeks around Easter BUT there are several listed that are having them in the end of March. (see: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=415026&perpage=15&pagenumber=1


That said, the weather should be nice and with good planning you can avoid most of the longer lines and crowds.

For example:

If staying offsite: avoid the early entry/magic hour park
If doing early entry/extra magic hour: LEAVE that park and hop to another one when the corwds to start to build (a lot of people like the day after plan--tour a park the day AFTER it was the extra magic hour park).

FASTPASS FASTPASS FASTPASS

EARLY EARLY EARLY--you can do twice as much in the first few hours a park is open then you can during the middle of the day and later afternoon.

Eat at off times

Check out the touring plans in the Unofficial Guide to WDW by Sehlinger--they really work. This book is available in most stores.

 

[KarenC]

Our spring break is always the last full week of March. We've been to Disney World several times during this time. When it coincides with Easter, it is madness. When it doesn't, I've found the crowds manageable. I find that Disney staffs up to manage the spring break crowds which keeps things moving.

We just returned from a short trip between Christmas and New Years and the crowds were even worse than Easter week. Unless we have a compelling reason, we will not go back during this time again. We had a good time, we just didn't get to do as many things as we usually do..

I agree that taking advantage of early entry and fast past will reduce the amount of time you spend in line.

 

[Disneylovers]

Like KarenC, our spring break is the last week of March also. Our first trip, my older DD was 6, (younger DD was an infant). This coming trip, we'll have a 16 and a 10 year old! We managed with eating at off times, taking a break to go back to the hotel (or if staying off sight, an indoor show to sit and relax, and cool down!). We found that the weather is just about perfect, hardly any rain, temps in the low 80s, low humidity. And since they offer Fastpass, it's definitly the way to go! I think you can do it, and have fun!

 

[minniegirl101]

we went late march 2002
and the crowds all depended on where we went
but the crowds that we did run in to were pretty manageble

 

[kwirtanen]

Thank you all, you have settled my doubts I think. I have been pouring over the Unofficial Guide so I think we can go very prepared.

I noticed that you, Disneylovers, have stayed at many of the moderate resorts. I have a tentative booking at the Carribean Beach resort but wondered if I really should be going to Port Oleans or Coronado. Personally, I think I would like the beach at Carribean although we won't take a preffered room so I know it could be far to walk. I have requested Aruba or Jamaica in hopes that we can just scoot across the bridge to the main pool. CS looks close to Animal Kingdom and I wondered if bus transportation was better/quicker. Anyway, any thoughts for a family with young kids?

Thanks again!
KarenW

 

[Disneylovers]

Personally, I think the bus transportation from CS is better than CBR. We waited for quite a while to leave Epcot and Downtown Disney on our last trip. We only had one time when the bus service was "rough" when we stayed at CS. The beach is nice at CBR, if you want to lay by the beach. The walk to the food court is long no matter which resort you stay at. We've stayed in Barbados both times we were at CBR, which is a hike to the main pool and food court. The food court at CS is nicer than the other resorts, if you'll be eating at the food courts alot (and with young children, the portions are pretty large, so you can share a lot of meals!)
Pat