Crowds week before Easter. Unwise?

[BrittyRo]

Hello all!! Last year we skipped Disney for my birthday and instead went in February for the new Festival of the Arts/Valentine's Day! This year I think we want to go for my birthday again but unfortunately my birthday is March 26. We picked March 22-30, but then I realized that Easter is April 1 How terrible are the crowds going to be? Should I move the trip?

 

[lovethesun12]

We go every Easter and yes, the crowds are at their highest levels during that time.

Clearly it doesn't stop me You can work around it with a good touring plan if that's when you prefer to go. If I had the flexibility I would go at another time, but that is more due to cost than crowds. The price we pay for a moderate over Easter would get us a deluxe at another time of year!

 

[sharonabe]

Hello all!! Last year we skipped Disney for my birthday and instead went in February for the new Festival of the Arts/Valentine's Day! This year I think we want to go for my birthday again but unfortunately my birthday is March 26. We picked March 22-30, but then I realized that Easter is April 1 How terrible are the crowds going to be? Should I move the trip?

The week before is generally a little better than the week after, but it's still probably the 4th or 5th busiest week of the year. As PP said, if you can choose a different week, I would.

 

[FastPasser.]

IMO, the three or four weeks preceding Easter will be very busy in 2018. It wouldn't surprise me if they are even busier than Easter week.

 

[BrittyRo]

That's what I was afraid of. When do the crowds/prices start to die down? What would be a better week to change to (before or after)?

 

[FastPasser.]

What would be a better week to change to (before or after)?

After

 

[lovethesun12]

That's what I was afraid of. When do the crowds/prices start to die down? What would be a better week to change to (before or after)?

Agree with previous poster - after. The further away from March break the better.

 

[sharonabe]

That's what I was afraid of. When do the crowds/prices start to die down? What would be a better week to change to (before or after)?

You could probably do the week after the week of Easter (April 8 and following) and be fine. Spring breaks would be done by then.

 

[BrittyRo]

Thanks all!! Would Tokyo Disney have the same problem regarding crowds for that week?

 

[JennyDrake]

You could probably do the week after the week of Easter (April 8 and following) and be fine. Spring breaks would be done by then.

NO they aren't. There are many spring breaks, including most in our state and KY which are NOT in accordance with Easter, but rather fall 'x' number of weeks into the semester. April is quite crowded (BTDT) but seems to improve as the month goes on. Is there any way you can hold out until the first of May?

 

[hllb]

We went the first week of May before and crowds were very low (though this was about 7 or 8 years ago!). It was insanely hot though. Every time we go they have record breaking high temperatures - it was over 100 some days.

So, I fully expect January 27 to February 3, 2018 to be much hotter than normal

 

[Shanti]

We went this past Easter weekend and crowds were manageable. This year had a mid-April Easter, though, which is easier than a March or early April Easter. During any year, mid-to-late March will be packed due to it being the most prevalent time for schools to take spring break, but late March crowds are even worse when Easter is in late March or early April, as some schools plan spring break around Easter regardless of which month it's in. Expect WDW to be crammed during the dates you listed.

 

[TinkSassy]

Just FYI for the first time I can remember the school breaks in our state coincide with Easter week. We are going (family works for the schools so it is crowds or nothing). Expecting very heavy crowds and am planning in accordance with that. If you are worried about crowds and school calendars are not an issue I'd hold until May or wait until September. If school calendars are an issue - it is what it is, just plan to move a little slower and be earlier for parades/shows, etc.

 

[alliecat523]

We think the week before is busy but manageable. You can definitely see the ramp up in attendance as you get to Friday.