Disneyland during Spring Break??

[jacobandcoopersmommy]

We were planning a trip to Disneyland in late October. However, I was just looking at the website and noticed they are offering Kids Fly Free over my son's spring break. It would mean we would save over $500.00 if we went earlier. His spring break is the last week of March and the first week of April. Is this just a horrible time to go? Would it be much worse than going the last week of October/first part of November?

Thanks for your help!!

 

[Rapunsel]

Either time can be busy. But I would say the October would be a lot less busy than at Spring Break. Also they Halloween Decoarations are up and they have a Halloween Party at DCA.

The weather is great both times of year..

 

[poconoboatniks]

Mommy,

Did you say that an airline was offering kids fly free? If so, which airline? I've been looking for some cheap airfare to Calif from the east coast.

Pocono

 

[jacobandcoopersmommy]

On the Disneyland website under specials, there is a new one for Kids Fly Free. It seems like the adult tickets may be a tad more expensive, but in the long run it would save us a lot. I think you have to travel before June in order to take advantage of the specials.

Back on the topic of Spring Break... does anyone know when California schools will be on Spring Break???

 

[molarman]

Here is a link to one website that gives So Cal school schedules. Because they follow so many different models, there seems to always be some school on a break. Enjoy your trip!

http://www.lausd.net/pdf/0607calendar.pdf

 

[disneyochem]

Your trip in late March/early April will involve a lot more crowds! You may hit a couple of crowded days in October (DO NOT book around Columbus Day) but nothing like what you will hit during Spring Break! DLR is doable during this time--just take your time and realize that the parks will be crowded.

Our spring break is the two weeks before Easter (northern CA)--I know of at least ten families who are heading down to Anaheim during this time. My family is heading to Monterey instead cool1: ) and going to DLR on April 28!

 

[disneedee]

the crowds will definitely be better in oct. there are also some special events for halloween. i'd pick right after nov 1. if avoiding crowds is your goal.

on the kids fly free. i have been trying to help a friend book for that time period and getting cheaper rates with the airlines not doing the kids fly free. than the one with it.

 

[cats mom]

Just want to caution that you have to be careful about crowd predictions.

Granted it was during the 50th celebration, so may have been a bit of an anomaly, but the last time we went to DL in Oct it was absolutely packed. (no, it was not over Columbus Day)

In addition to year round schedules, I think a lot of schools have gone to modified year round, which generally provides a week off in Oct. The Halloween party at DCL is probably bringing in more people that time of year than was typical in the past as well.

Of course you can hit crowds over Spring Break as well, it's just tough to know in advance which weeks will be the busiest. We were there one year in March and apparently DL was not ready for really big crowds to hit quite so early. They had already planned for extended hours the next week, but ended up scrambling and keeping the parks open later than scheduled almost every night the week we were there because they were slammed with so many people.

I think you just have to pick the time that works best for your family and then have a crowd plan in case it's really busy.

 

[HeatherAnn23]

We were there the last week of March 2006 for my son's (and my!) Spring Break. I thought the crouds would be much worse than it was. We stayed at the GCH, and it was completely booked - that has to be a bad sign right!? Well, it rained almost the whole week. I mean POURING rain! It really thinned the crouds. We had a good laugh one particularly rainy morning, when we noticed everyone around us was wearing Oregon duck/beaver sweatshirts or windbreakers! The rain doesn't bother us Oregonians! I think weather would have a big effect on the crouds.

 

[TwingleMum]

Keep in mind that, that is also Easter break so expect big crowds.

 

[kristenhh]

I don't recommend going then -- the crowds can be so bad that you can't even move. In my opinion if you are going to go the big expense of going to Disney, you really need to enjoy it and not be stifled by crowds. I hate spending that much money and only being able to do a few rides and standing in line all day.

 

[jacobandcoopersmommy]

the crowds will definitely be better in oct. there are also some special events for halloween. i'd pick right after nov 1. if avoiding crowds is your goal.

on the kids fly free. i have been trying to help a friend book for that time period and getting cheaper rates with the airlines not doing the kids fly free. than the one with it.

Just curious... where did you find rates that are cheaper? I am finding them to be much more expensive other places. Thanks!!

 

[disneedee]

i was on the disneyland website

it was still a horrible amount. i was blaming it on spring break week

 

[OregonDisneyFanatic]

Have you tried the Alaskaair.com site? They are running kids fly free to DL until June something and you can get the adult tickets at kids prices until April 26th. You have to purchase package deals though. That is where I am booking our trip through and it is about 120.00 cheaper than the DL site.

 

[thevirgens]

As a recap... We are going March 22-26. Is this a bad time to go.. Whats the weather like??

We just booked our trip through Costco, got KIDS FLY FREE PROMO AND ADULTS AT KIDS PRICES!!!!!!!!!!!! We even got extra perks though Costco...

For our airfair (Alaska Airlines) for 7 people $1400. From Seattle to LAX... (Maybe I am kidding myself, I think this is a good deal )

What are your thoughts...

We are also staying at the Best Western Raffles... Has anyone stayed there?

 

[melmacd]

We are flying from Canada to Seattle to LA via Alaska Air (April 12-19) and DD is flying free (we only have to pay the taxes for her). We managed to get a good deal on our entire pkg -- we have booked at a better hotel and are are going at a much busier time of year than our trip in 2005. Our total price from our previous trip (first week of Dec '05) and our upcoming trip worked out to be the same.

When we went in early Dec, it was pretty quiet. I think the longest we waited was 15min in a lineup and only had to use Fastpass twice. This time, I know, will be different. I went before during Spring Break (before Fastpass was introduced) but still managed to see everything without difficulty.

~mel

 

[NAOMIPPB]

We Went Last Year During Californias Spring Break And It Was Insainly Busy. It Was Very Stressful. Oct. Would Be Better I Think.
I Will Never Go At That Time Again.

 

[cats mom]

As a recap... We are going March 22-26. Is this a bad time to go.. Whats the weather like??

We just booked our trip through Costco, got KIDS FLY FREE PROMO AND ADULTS AT KIDS PRICES!!!!!!!!!!!! We even got extra perks though Costco...

For our airfair (Alaska Airlines) for 7 people $1400. From Seattle to LAX... (Maybe I am kidding myself, I think this is a good deal )

What are your thoughts...

We are also staying at the Best Western Raffles... Has anyone stayed there?

Well, there is a dance/cheer/drill competition at the convention center March 23-25
The competition in Anaheim is not nearly as big as the one in Orlando, but still something to be aware of.


I think March is a good time to go weather wise. Probably 60's during the day, although we always dress in layers because it can be chilly mornings and evenings. I'd be sure to bring along rain gear as well since there's always the chance of a spring shower (or occasional torential downpour) The up side if it rains is that the crowds will definitely thin out.

 

[faindrops27]

when is spring break over. I will be going to Disneyland April20th and 21st? Will crowds be horrendous?