Crowds/Weather - First week of March

[hswillia07]

Hi everyone!

Can you please let me know what your experience has been weather-wise and crowd-wise the first week of March? Are we going to run into March Break folks or will we beat them?

Thanks so much!

 

[cindyfan]

It's not just spring breaks that affect the crowds in March but also Easter. For 2018 Easter is April 1st. This will affect more the dates after March 15th.
I've gone the first week of March several times and crowds are lower. You will be between Presidents Day and Easter! But watch the dates "according to WDW"! Rates will be slightly lower Fed 25-March 8, but just for those dates. Then you have "Spring" rates, then into "Easter" which are high!
The weather..... plan for anything! I had one year it was 80 degrees on the first day and only up to 46 degrees the last day I was there! Last year was absolutely beautiful my entire time.... right around 70 and sunny. But I was prepared for anything!
I think March 1-9 is a perfect time to go!

 

[hes122]

I was there March 4-11 this year. The crowd levels were not bad at all. Friday 3/10 was the most crowded day of the entire trip (at MK that day). We were able to get FPs for everything we wanted (except Splash as a 4th on 3/10 because of the temps- hottest day of the trip).

Weather wise- we wore shorts or capri pants every day. Once the sun went down it got chilly, we we took sweatshirts/sweaters with us after that first night. It was in the 70s most of the trip. I believe it got into the low 80s by the end of the week (hence why we were unable to get Splash as a 4th on the 10th; in hindsight we should've tried to do that on our other MK day).

The wait times were not unreasonable. I think the longest we waited for anything was probably 40-45 minutes. Some rides (like Splash on 3/10) had longer wait times but we chose not to ride them because we weren't interested in waiting that long. Test Track also had consistent longer waits and since our time in Epcot was somewhat limited (arrival and departure days) with our Tier 1 FPs we didn't bother to wait in the line.

 

[pitpat]

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Because of when Easter and most Spring Breaks fall, it should be a great time to go.

 

[hswillia07]

Thanks so much everyone! We went this past May and the crowd levels were awesome, but it was SOOO hot. I would go in May again, but that first week of March is my only availability. Sounds like it'll work out just fine

 

[Pdollar88]

This is also when I'm going, so I'm very encouraged to hear everyone's thoughts and experiences!

 

[MermaidMommy]

The first week is usually a fantastic week to go. The spring break crowds won't start hitting until the weekend of the 10th, so if you're gone by then, you should have low-moderate crowds. And, you'll get to enjoy Epcot during Flower and Garden.

Weather-wise, as PP's have said, just make sure you're prepared for a range of temperatures. It's usually pretty warm, but it can get chilly, especially at night, so bring clothing both warm and cool weather.

 

[OhioMom]

We will be there March 2-8 and I can't wait! I'm hoping for cooler weather and lower crowds!

 

[Haley R]

We went last year and this year during that first week of March. The only thing we noticed this year was the Contest of Champions. It was considerably more busy at MK when we went on Friday. The dancers were in large groups so they took up a lot of the sidewalk. We also had to wait for 3 buses going back to POR because there was such a large group of dancers waiting to get on. I looked at their website and it says they will be there at the same time again next year. We are still going because we won't let them ruin our trip! We like to go that first week of March and it has been the only time we have gone. I will say during the week before that contest started, we had absolutely no problems with crowds at the hotel or in the parks. I'm very excited to try POP this year! We will be there February 27-March 4.

As far as weather, DH and I wore light jackets and shorts to the parks and one morning I couldn't stop shivering, but by early afternoon I had taken my jacket off and it was hot in the late afternoon. Not humid-hot, but a nice warm-hot (if that makes any sense?). Both years we stayed for a week and experienced no rain. I hope I don't jinx myself for next year. Hopefully this helps! Let me know if you have any more questions.

 

[hswillia07]

Thanks so much everyone! I am very encouraged by the responses Don't love the Contest of Champions lol, but it could be worse! We're coming from Canada, so just fine with the cooler temps. Will likely still feel warm for us! Thanks again

 

[stinkpickle]

It's been a few years since we visited late February/early March, but the weather was nearly perfect.

 

[Haley R]

It's pretty awesome coming from Iowa in February to sunny Florida and being able to swim.

 

[hswillia07]

It's pretty awesome coming from Iowa in February to sunny Florida and being able to swim.

I know, right?? so nice

 

[Haley R]

I know, right?? so nice

Are you from Iowa? Or somewhere cold also?

 

[Lovetherodent]

Another Iowan hitting the parks first week of March. My last trip was also during that first week. Florida was having a bit of a warm spell--80's every day. I thought it was hot, but then we were comfortable sitting by the pool on our afternoon breaks.

 

[Haley R]

Another Iowan hitting the parks first week of March. My last trip was also during that first week. Florida was having a bit of a warm spell--80's every day. I thought it was hot, but then we were comfortable sitting by the pool on our afternoon breaks.

Hah that's awesome! We might see you there then! We were there this year during that time and are going next year too. Sounds like we have similar plans.

 

[Marbel]

I was there March 6-12, 2016. It was cold. The weeks before and the weeks after were hot but my week was cold. I couldn't wear capris, nevermind shorts. I wore jeans and a polar fleece jacket. I had gloves and a scarf too since it was snowy when I left home and they came in handy in the mornings when I could see my breath (!). There were lots of folks in shorts and tank tops obviously freezing and I felt so bad for them.

 

[hswillia07]

Are you from Iowa? Or somewhere cold also?

From Ontario Canada. In the dead of winter, we're usually looking at about -20 to -30 degrees Celsius, so any escape to warmer climates is amazing

 

[cgattis]

The one year we visited that week, we were "lucky" enough to catch a record high--93 I believe it was!! Ugh. Going from winter to 93 was brutal. Also, beware--you are LILY white in March. DD got a bad sunburn on her nose. Don't forget that sunscreen. Crowds and weather in general were great though, and we'd do that week again if we get the chance.

 

[Haley R]

The one year we visited that week, we were "lucky" enough to catch a record high--93 I believe it was!! Ugh. Going from winter to 93 was brutal. Also, beware--you are LILY white in March. DD got a bad sunburn on her nose. Don't forget that sunscreen. Crowds and weather in general were great though, and we'd do that week again if we get the chance.

DH also got sun burnt when we went the first week of March this year. It was much hotter than we thought it was going to be. Even with a hat, his neck still burnt.