Crowds Now?

[dlaushey]

Our Spring Break starts this Friday. We will be leaving early Saturday (4/1) morning and staying off site. After reading the no EP thread and the noted long lines I've become a bit concerned with the wait times. Is anyone down there now who can give an update to the wait times and crowd levels?

No matter what, a crowded day at the parks will be better than a day at work.

 

[phamton]

April 1st will be crowded. Not only are a lot of people on Spring Break but Mardi Gras is also on Saturday.

 

[dlaushey]

Thanks Phamton!

I'm going to be there through Wednesday. Do you think it will be packed the entire time or just Saturday? Also, what days would you suggest for each park? I was thinking IOA on Sat arrive around 1:00p, then US on Sun, IOA on Mon, US on Tue and then whatever we missed on Wed before we drive home. We have AP's so we can hop if necessary. We arrive at opening and usually only stay until 5 or 6.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Again, we are staying offsite so no FOTL for us.

 

[phamton]

Saturday the 1st will be packed at both IOA and Universal. The weekdays won't be as bad but by the following weekend (April 8th-14th ) it will be extremely crowded. Since you have several days, you can skip the attractions when the lines are too long and catch them later.

 

[Robinrs]

Our Spring Break starts this Friday. We will be leaving early Saturday (4/1) morning and staying off site. After reading the no EP thread and the noted long lines I've become a bit concerned with the wait times. Is anyone down there now who can give an update to the wait times and crowd levels?

No matter what, a crowded day at the parks will be better than a day at work.

LOL, I think half of Atlanta will be in Orlando that week! See ya there!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Saturday the 1st will be packed at both IOA and Universal. The weekdays won't be as bad but by the following weekend (April 8th-14th ) it will be extremely crowded. Since you have several days, you can skip the attractions when the lines are too long and catch them later.

OK Bev, are you trying to scare me off I will be up from the 8th - 12th & staying offsite but I do plan on getting there first thing in the am, doing everything possible that I can by 11 am. I know the week before Christmas I did that & ended up getting everything in that I wanted to. My plan is to take a mid day break (shop around Universal/CityWalk & maybe even venture to the outlets), then head back to the attractions about 4ish...

 

[phamton]

Yes, but you are a pro at touring the parks. You will be able to avoid the lines. The parks will be open until 10:00 PM on the days you are there.

 

[MsDisney]

No matter what, a crowded day at the parks will be better than a day at work.

THIS is your first step to enjoying yourself! Your attitude going in! Seriously, some people go on vacation and get to the parks and are so bent on having fun that they are unable to have fun! I know alot of money is spent and all..but it always amazes me what people will allow to get to them, and also what they DEMAND of the parks - as if they can control the weather, too!

That being said, getting to the parks at opening is definitely key...since you have AP's I'm wondering if you've ever been to Mardi Gras because it really is a very fun atmosphere so that would be my suggestion...to spend the afternoon at IOA, and hop over to Universal Studios for Mardi...you have plenty of days and as Phamton said, both parks will be crowded anyway...

Just my thoughts...since ya asked!

Karen / MsDis

 

[dlaushey]

Thanks for the Mardi Gras reminder. I forgot that we would be there then. We will definitely head over to US for that on Saturday. Any tips/suggestions for Mardi Gras? Parade times/viewing spots etc.

 

[dlaushey]

LOL, I think half of Atlanta will be in Orlando that week! See ya there!

I agree, at least Half of Atlanta will be in Orlando that week maybe more! We are planning on leaving around 5:00am on Saturday to try and avoid some traffic getting out of town. You can forget leaving on Friday - it will be a total nightmare!

Have a safe trip and a great time in Orlando! See ya there.

 

[minniebeth]

When do the Orlando area schools have spring break?
What are the crowds like the week AFTER Easter?
Thanks for anyone's help!

 

[phamton]

Orlando had their Spring Break a couple of weeks ago.

Considering that parks will be open until 10 every night the week after Easter is a pretty good indication that it will be very crowded.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Yes, but you are a pro at touring the parks. You will be able to avoid the lines. The parks will be open until 10:00 PM on the days you are there.

I was wondering about the times. I hadn't checked yet. Thanks... I feel like I am going thru withdrawl here. I haven't been to Orlando since December. By now I usually have gone up for a weekend in Jan, Feb, March.. Each month something came up.. or I should say, my DD (Kiley) has been sick with Mono.. she is finally starting to feel better, but not 100%. That is another reason for a mid-day break, she will not be able to do a full day at the park. She may even have to take a nap due to the tiredness from the mono. She is looking forward to going, but is wondering how she will do...
I will brave the crowds & do what I must to ride MIB & Mummy
then over to DD, Spiderman, Hulk & Doom
Thank goodness for single-riders!!!!!

 

[phamton]

I've heard rumors of fireworks that week also. Don't know if it is definite yet or not though.

 

[minniebeth]

I'm assuming that if they did have fireworks, that would be posted in the maps/timetables, etc.? Do you know how far in advanced they publicize that?
Fireworks would be GREAT!

 

[goofie4goofy]

Yes, but you are a pro at touring the parks. You will be able to avoid the lines. The parks will be open until 10:00 PM on the days you are there.

I was just on the USO site and the parks are open IOA till 9 and US till 8 on Sat 4/1 then closing at 7pm after that.

 

[phamton]

I was just on the USO site and the parks are open IOA till 9 and US till 8 on Sat 4/1 then closing at 7pm after that.

I was referring to when Mickeyfan was going on the 8th through the 12th. The parks will be open until 10 that week.

 

[goofie4goofy]

I was referring to when Mickeyfan was going on the 8th through the 12th. The parks will be open until 10 that week.

I'm sorry...... I thought you were referring to the OP......I got

 

[Eirian Thomas]

Hi, We are going to Universal etc (5 park flexticket) between the dates of 13 - 27 of April, I know we shall be there over easter but anybody got any idea of crowds after that weekend? I was also glad to see that the parks would be open until 10pm, any idea if this extends to around the 27th?
Have booked the sea screamer round the gulf of mexico for the 19th, really looking forward to that, need to book a night for the dixie stampede too and also planning to go to the local rodeo on a friday night, silver spurs haven't got an event when we are there.
Be very greatful of any feedback. Thanks.

 

[goofie4goofy]

Hi, We are going to Universal etc (5 park flexticket) between the dates of 13 - 27 of April, I know we shall be there over easter but anybody got any idea of crowds after that weekend? I was also glad to see that the parks would be open until 10pm, any idea if this extends to around the 27th?
Have booked the sea screamer round the gulf of mexico for the 19th, really looking forward to that, need to book a night for the dixie stampede too and also planning to go to the local rodeo on a friday night, silver spurs haven't got an event when we are there.
Be very greatful of any feedback. Thanks.

In my experience Orlando will be most crowded the week before Easter, and will be slightly less crowded the week after as I think some schools Easter recess starts the week before and some start the week after. Once you get to the 24th you will see a dramatic decline in the crowd levels as all recess will be over by then. Schools in my neck of the woods are on Easter Break from April 17 (monday) and they return to school April 24th (monday). So you will have a 2 week peroid of heavier crowds.

You can go to www.universalorlando.com and check the calander for the park hours. When the parks close early, that is due to smaller crowds. They stay open late to accommodate higher crowd levels.