Do you spend more time at your resort during spring break?

[bjck99]

Long story short, we had to reschedule our March trip this year to August, and now with everything still up in the air, I may just reschedule until March 2021 during spring break time. This year, I had booked Pop because it was a last minute trip and we were trying to keep costs down. However, I’m considering upgrading to a deluxe resort (Boardwalk or Yacht club). My daughter has more sense and says it’s not worth the upgrade cost because we’re park people.
My question is this, do you find you spend more time at your resort during spring break because of crowd levels and you need time to unwind during the day during peak wait times? We’ve never been during this time, and I know historically it’s a very busy time and who knows what crowd levels will be like this next year. I chose Pop because of the added transportation option of the skyliner.

 

[Llama mama]

We love YachtClub and the Epcot resorts. The ability to walk to two parks is priceless to us. You can also boat if you don’t want to walk. Yacht Club pool is fantastic and a great way to breakup the day. We usually start early head to a park. Spend the afternoon at the pool and walk to either Epcot or HS and finish our night there.

 

[dmband]

Just the opposite for us. Busy times we spend far less time at the resort because you can’t get as much accomplished during the park time so we spend more time there doing what we want.

 

[loves to dive]

It really just depends on the weather and our mood and my hips (cause I'm old and they don't lie). If it's warm to hot, we tend to spend at least a hour just about every day at the pool, but for me that is about 30 min. in the hot tub with a refreshing adult beverage,so the values don't work. If it's cooler (70s) we tend to spend more time in the parks. If it's cold (last Jan. was brutal) we tend to go back to the room for me to rest the hips cause that cold just soaks right into the bones. We always have PHs so if a park is too crowded we just hop to another and we aren't really ride centric so riding rides isn't a big deal.

 

[WEDWDW]

I would stick with POP-EVERYONE needs to experience the AWESOMENESS of staying at a Skyliner Resort at least once!

The fun and convenience it brings have to be experienced to really be understd!

 

[kylenne]

Long story short, we had to reschedule our March trip this year to August, and now with everything still up in the air, I may just reschedule until March 2021 during spring break time. This year, I had booked Pop because it was a last minute trip and we were trying to keep costs down. However, I’m considering upgrading to a deluxe resort (Boardwalk or Yacht club). My daughter has more sense and says it’s not worth the upgrade cost because we’re park people.
My question is this, do you find you spend more time at your resort during spring break because of crowd levels and you need time to unwind during the day during peak wait times? We’ve never been during this time, and I know historically it’s a very busy time and who knows what crowd levels will be like this next year. I chose Pop because of the added transportation option of the skyliner.

I chose Beach Club for my solo Veterans Day weekend trip last year because I was going for Food & Wine and I knew crowds would be bonkers and I wanted to minimize travel time. I spent more time there than you might imagine on a 4 day trip, and it was definitely worth it to me. When World Showcase crowds started getting insane late Saturday morning, I was back in my room in less than 10 minutes, most of which was spent navigating the BC hallways. That night was pretty chaotic after Epcot Forever too because the Skyliner had been down most of the night and masses of frazzled/upset Skyliner resort guests were being directed to get buses at Boardwalk. I found myself incredibly thankful that I could just walk home.

I would imagine Pop has similar convenience because of the Skyliner, and I don't think you could go wrong with it, but nothing beats the convenience of your own feet imo, and Pop doesn't exactly scream "place to unwind" to me. The adults only hot tub at SAB, otoh...

 

[Disney Bubble Lover]

Have you considered a moderate resort? Our experience at moderates has been very laid back and quiet which was a nice escape from the park crowds if needed. The cost is significantly less than a deluxe so if you do end up spending most of your time in the park you wouldn’t feel as bad about the cost. None of them have the location convenience of Yacht Club but Caribbean Beach does have the skyliner. A standard room at Coronado Springs is often not too much more expensive than Pop. Just something else to consider

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would stick with POP-EVERYONE needs to experience the AWESOMENESS of staying at a Skyliner Resort at least once!

The fun and convenience it brings have to be experienced to really be understd!

Totally agree! But I would posit that YC and BWI are Skyliner resorts as well!

OP, I would think about your typical touring style and your tolerance for crowds. For my family, the answer would be yes, during spring break, we typically find ourselves going to the parks early and taking a mid-afternoon break (typically after lunch), to get out of the crowds and go back to the resort to relax. However, if you are mega park touring types, you may find you just want to stick it out in the parks, do as much as you can there and also do some needed breaks inside the parks. We absolutely love the EP resorts and walking to EP (and DHS) and using the Skyliner is SO convenient. If it doesn't completely blow your budget, I would definitely consider YC and BWI.

 

[Gehrig1B]

We almost always choose deluxe over moderate. We have APs and hop a lot so rarely stay at the morning park after 1:00. If you think you will go back to the resort to avoid heat and crowds for a few hours, proximity is a big plus as well as the advantages of restaurants and lounges. Yacht Club for me all day every day.

 

[soniam]

March is tough. It has been cold 2 of the 4 trips we have been. Well, cold for Texans. We did go back to the hotel, but we ended spending more time at the park, because no one wanted to hang out in the pool much.

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

The adults only hot tub at SAB, otoh...

Stormalong Bay actually doesn't have an adults-only hot tub. Children are free to use the hot tubs, although kids under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

 

[nkereina]

The park hours are longer during that time of year, so if you're starting early and plan to break mid-day when the crowds are at their heaviest, you'd still have time to return in the evening. PP is correct that you get less done because of it, but we go in understanding that and would rather get less done than lose our sanity amidst the crowds. If you upgrade to BWI or Yacht Club, it wouldn't take up much time to head back to the resort mid-day from at least two of the parks, so that's an advantage as well.

All that said, I also agree that March weather can be dicey. It may be too cold to go back to the resort and use the pool, so you may want to consider some other activities at the resort or a plan to rest instead. Or, if crowds are tolerable, plan to skip the break and stay in the park. But if you upgrade your resort, you'd have to be ok with exercising that option too. Flexibility is most important to us, so I wouldn't want to feel like we need to get the biggest bang for our buck by spending time at the resort when we may want to stay in the park instead.

 

[Disneyfan754321]

We go every year in march. This last march we stayed at ASM. We prefer a less expensive room. This last march... Hollwood studios left the room at 6:15 am returned to the room 12-3 in that time we had lunch a little tv time it was already starting to get warm and the AC time was nice. Did not return till 9pm or so the other days were much the same way but one of the days i took the kids to the pool after lunch and there dad rested at the hotel. I thought the water at the pool was cold... kids did not care. The splash pad was turned off still. The temps were in the 80s so it was warm enough to sit in the sun. We had the same discussion when we were booking hotels. The $150-300 that the bigger rooms were going to cost us a day paid for our food. We ended up downgrading to ASM from pop to save money... as the skyliner would have been nice midday it was not worth the extra expense for us. ASM was awesome. Our trip was cut short so we are trying to go back as soon as we can.

 

[bjck99]

Thanks to all that have responded. Our original plan for spring break was to go into it with the understanding that we just might not get it all in and that’s ok. I always purchase park hoppers just for the option that we can go to another park if the park we‘re at is too crowded. We are also rope droppers so the park hopping option typically always comes into play. As much as I would love the convenience of walking to two parks, I think I just don’t want to feel like I need to get back to the resort to take advantage of all the extra amenities. Our last visit we stayed at WL, and although I absolutely loved it, I remember thinking we were never in our room except to sleep and we never used the pool. I guess only time will tell what the situation will be at the parks, but I appreciate everyone’s input.

 

[sponica]

My rule of thumb is when park hours are longer, I'm more willing to stay at a value.

It's when parks close early that I want a more elevated experience...

 

[bclittle]

Given your experience at WL, I think you should determine whether you want to spend the extra money for the upgrade and whether it will be worth it. I try to plan for more resort time when I am spending more on a deluxe, but if you are never in the room except to sleep, it may be ideal to save money for something else. In March you are taking a chance with the weather, so you may not be able to take full advantage of the deluxe pools, etc.

 

[ScubaCat]

Stormalong Bay actually doesn't have an adults-only hot tub. Children are free to use the hot tubs, although kids under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Often the left one (or right if you're coming up the stairs from the pool) has an "18 and over only" sandwich board sign set up in front of it.