Disney World in March - How Bad is it?

[Frozen2014]

Tell me just how bad Disney World is in March? We'll be returning but it won't be for a few years (big trip already planned in the spring but it's not Disney). As our DS is getting older (currently grade 5), we're getting to the point where we don't want to take him out of school. This means options are Christmas, end of the summer (which sounds great except for the weather...too hot and too wet), or March Break.

I think March would be better than Christmas since everyone shares the same Christmas break whereas March Break is at least spread out among a few weeks. Also I would also think the weather in March would be nice...but of course, it the downsides are huge crowds and it would be more $$$ that time of year.

So just how bad are the crowds? Are we talking 2hr wait on everything you don't have a FP for? Or is it manageable if you follow the crowd calendars ? We're not the type to come to the park, go back to the hotel and return to the park. Once we're there, we stay there for the day...but have no issues coming first thing in the morning. Also, if it makes a difference, we could plan our trip to be Mon - Fri (i.e. if weekends are the worst days).

 

[MermaidMommy]

What are your March dates? Spring break generally starts the second week in March, so if you're lucky enough to be out the first week, it won't be bad at all. After that, it will get progressively busier, until you get to the week before Easter, which will be one of the busiest weeks of the year.

When DD got into Jr. High, we started going over spring break, which is always the second week of March for us, and while it does get crowded, it's manageable. Outside of the weeks right before and right after Easter, it's generally summer-level crowds, so nothing like Christmas. We use easyWDW's crowd calendars to pick our parks and formulate a touring strategy, and we've done great. If you rope drop, the early hours will be your best bet for efficient touring. Depending on when you go in March, MK might have 8:00am openings, and those days are the least crowded I've seen the parks in years.

The weather in March is usually really nice, but make sure you pack for warm and cool weather, as it's very changeable that time of year.

 

[Frozen2014]

Sorry, meant to write...we'll be coming in a couple years, but as an idea in 2016 it's March 14 - 18th. So generally it's mid month.

 

[Praying Colonel]

We went the last week of March 2014 and it was a great trip. It was after spring break but well before Easter, which was in April, so crowds were fine, weather was great and we enjoyed Flower & Garden a lot more than we expected.

 

[loves to dive]

I'll be going the 2nd week in March myself this year, I usually go the first week in April or mid-May for F&W. My son is in college and his spring break is the week of March 6-12 so that is when we are going. I'm not worried about crowds so much as weather. I'm a hot weather gal, I get cold when it's below 80 so I'm guessing it will be long sleeves for me.

 

[MermaidMommy]

Sorry, meant to write...we'll be coming in a couple years, but as an idea in 2016 it's March 14 - 18th. So generally it's mid month.

That week typically gets 7-8 on easyWDW's calendars, so busy, but manageable. Are you in Texas? That's usually right around most of Texas' spring break.

I'll be going the 2nd week in March myself this year, I usually go the first week in April or mid-May for F&W. My son is in college and his spring break is the week of March 6-12 so that is when we are going. I'm not worried about crowds so much as weather. I'm a hot weather gal, I get cold when it's below 80 so I'm guessing it will be long sleeves for me.

Last year, we were there over those dates, and it was pretty warm most of the week -- highs in upper 80's for several days. I think there was only one day that we needed long sleeves during the daytime. Of course, that can vary year to year, but you might not be as cold as you think.

 

[PSUGuy]

We used to hit WDW the first week in March, my school breaks then but other schools take off all different times. We found the crowds to be moderate at worst and the weather almost rain free and from the mid 70s to mid 80s mostly, in 80 or more park days over the years we had maybe 5 days in the 60s, no worse, and all the rest as above. We'd still be going then but we like Food&Wine too much so we switched to Oct. We have an AP and if we sneak one in it will be then.

Bill From PA

 

[kwdw]

I was there March 10-16 last year - and I didn't think it was exceptionally bad. Weather was beautiful! Spring Breaks vary too much to really worry about it.

So - here's my philosophy at this point. Disney is doing an excellent marketing job - filling the parks and resorts MOST OF THE YEAR now. I think the number of weeks each year that are "quieter" weeks have shrunk - even if you just look over the past five years. Sure - there are few weeks each year that are definitely "peaks" - Christmas, Easter - but quiet times now? What's left? Maybe early Sept?

You gotta plan your trip for when it works in your life. And make a touring plan and set your expectations. Folks with the right attitude have a great time in the parks on Christmas when the parks are filled.

Sure - I'd PREFER there were fewer people there. But sadly, I recognize Disney wants to make money - and maximize the number of people in the parks - and that means crowds are only likely to grow not shrink. And if I still want to go to Disney - I have to adjust. And if it gets to the point I don't - then I take my money elsewhere. Disney won't care.

 

[PSUGuy]

Sure - I'd PREFER there were fewer people there.

My 2 cents here. In 2005 we were there from New Year's Day 'til the 10th. By the 3rd the leftover holiday crowds were gone and the place was as empty as I've seen it in 15 years of visits starting in 1999.I One evening we were at PI and while in the Adventurer's Club I actually wished there were more people there. I wouldn't care for a 'Griswald Day' to have the place all to our family alone, there's a minimum crowd level necessary for a good time, at least to us.

Bill From PA

 

[ZoZo]

Each school district is different across the country when it comes to when they have spring break. So the term "spring break" as it applies to WDW pretty much spreads out over the space of five weeks or so, starting the second week of March and going through mid-to-late April. Some schools tie their spring break to Easter, and some schools always have their break the same week each year (say, the first week of April), not tying it to Easter at all.

That makes it nice, because it tends to spread the crowds out somewhat. Compare it to Christmas break, when most schools across the country are out at the same time, the last two weekd of December - Christmas is definitely the busiest time of year at WDW.

As long as you know what to expect, and plan as much as you can (FP+, rope drop, etc.), I bet you'll have a great time.

 

[alliecat523]

We tend to go in March most years just due to school and work schedules. It's crowded and without a FP you'll wait for the big rides but it is manageable. I think this year our waits were about 40-50 minutes on average in MK. Soarin' in Epcot is almost always 2 hours and Test Track can run close to that, but they do have single rider lines. So I would get FP for your must do rides and the rest is manageable. We also don't do RD. We go later and spend all day.

 

[epcotty]

It depends, especially if it's during the most common Spring Break week.

 

[Frozen2014]

That week typically gets 7-8 on easyWDW's calendars, so busy, but manageable. Are you in Texas? That's usually right around most of Texas' spring break.

Nope...from Ontario , Canada

(which is why end of the summer....meaning labor day timeframe.... would be a great option if it wasn't so hot with daily downpours)

 

[soniam]

We were there at that time this year and might be there at that time next year. I loved March. The weather was great, and the Flower & Garden Expo was cool. It was a little bit more crowded than when we have gone in the summer (not July 4th). However, they opened the parks earlier and had early AM EMH, which allowed us to get a ton done. I would definitely go back at the time. The only problem is that it limits the vacation to DS school break; whereas, during summer, we can have a longer vacation.

 

[Frozen2014]

Thanks for the replies. For the fun of it (and for future research), I am going to watch the wait times during various times of the day for our March break week this year and note them. For a few concerns/categories:

Crowds
Yes, I'm looking and I do see crowds of 6s and 7s, which doesn't seem too bad. Guess we just need to go in knowing we'll be waiting. My concern was if we pay $$$ for our Disney trip (since it always costs lots) and then barely getting on any rides.
Funny enough, I noticed that DW has hotel and hotel/park/meal plan deals during that time, so perhaps its to increase crowds. Was surprised to see that in March.

FP+
I suppose another issue of coming a busier time is getting the FP+ that you want. When we came last Oct , Anna & Elsa and 7DMT were the "impossible" ones...even at midnight the day they opened up. By the time we come, my DD will probably be out of princesses and hopefully 7DMT will have died down. Who knows though if Star Wars is opened by then what FP+ will be like for them.

Flights and Cost
Another concern for us are flights as that raises the price. Looking on one of the sites that shows you prices over days, it's dramatically cheaper to fly out the Monday and return Friday or weekend. So although our DW days may just be Tues - Fri or Saturday, it's better than nothing as the savings is substantial.

Weather
Sounds like it's a hit and miss. But surely beats the end of Aug / start of Sept heat and downpours. And I would imagine it's warmer than Dec.

 

[RustManFan]

Not all schools have any break in March. Our district has a week starting April 11th

 

[Frozen2014]

Each school district is different across the country when it comes to when they have spring break. So the term "spring break" as it applies to WDW pretty much spreads out over the space of five weeks or so, starting the second week of March and going through mid-to-late April. Some schools tie their spring break to Easter, and some schools always have their break the same week each year (say, the first week of April), not tying it to Easter at all.

That makes it nice, because it tends to spread the crowds out somewhat. Compare it to Christmas break, when most schools across the country are out at the same time, the last two weekd of December - Christmas is definitely the busiest time of year at WDW.

As long as you know what to expect, and plan as much as you can (FP+, rope drop, etc.), I bet you'll have a great time.

and

Not all schools have any break in March. Our district has a week starting April 11th

Exactly my thoughts (hopes). We would never go Christmas break unless we were off from the actual break (e.g. go right before...or stay a few days once it ends). I remember seeing posts last year that they actually had to turn people away from the parks. That's crazy. It looked like wall to wall people.

And so hopefully March break is "ok" since breaks will be spread out.
Last year we went in Oct which was great....perfect weather and only time it was crowded was MK on a Monday. (We knew this was a no-no, but it was the only way we could catch the Electrical Parade). If we went in March, we'd follow the crowd calendar suggestions.