Easter at DVC

[mbw12]

We are thinking of booking for Easter next year....the week before actually into leaving on Easter Sunday. I know that no one can tell me exactly how crowded everything will be....but we have never been during a holiday time period and really just are wondering if it is totally unbearable? are the parks jam packed that it would not be enjoyable? And what about the DVC resorts?

 

[jx3smom]

We've gone for Easter the last 3 years, and leaving tomorrow for another Easter trip. It is very crowded but take advantage of the extra morning and evening hours and you should be fine.

 

[beachblanket]

Individual tolerance to massive crowd periods varies, which is why this question gets a range of answers on the DIS. IMHO, Easter isn't the best value relative to DVC use, since the point charges and mob scene levels are at their absolute highest, right up there with Xmas - but without the same level of special decorations and events.

But again, that's just my opinion. I suspect there are others who will say that if you don't mind "paying top dollar" and go in with proper expectations -- ergo, be at parks at least 45 minutes before opening, commit to getting out of them by noon and making the trip overall dining/resort (as opposed to park) intensive -- Easter can be manageble.

 

[Starr W.]

Some of us from the Midwest will put up with the "premier" points used and the crowds just to get some warm weather at Easter. Especially after this winter!

No I am not going this year, heading down in early May.

 

[dtheboys]

Ok, we have little or no choice....
My wife is a teacher, and our winter break is Easter each year...so to get OUT of Michigan we have to travel at EASTER...
IT IS CROWDED, the parks are at capacity, the pool is cut throat....GET UP real early if you want a chair NEAR the pool....Wait times is LLLOOOOONNNNGGGG at dinner time, etc., etc.

OH!!! I would rather travel at Easter, then not travel at all....WE LOVE Disney, and our DVC!!!

 

[boymom2]

We too are looking into booking for Easter next year (the Friday before through the Friday after. Wondering if I should call to book all at once or use the day-by-day technique. In other words, is it a super high demand time for DVC???

 

[bababear_50]

Easter and the Canadian Spring Break maybe combined for next year,,not to sure about the US Spring Break.

 

[beachblanket]

We too are looking into booking for Easter next year (the Friday before through the Friday after. Wondering if I should call to book all at once or use the day-by-day technique. In other words, is it a super high demand time for DVC???

Any major holiday period and even some secondary ones are heavily booked at the WDW DVC properties. In order from "most to less" jammed, I'd guess:

1. Xmas
2. Easter
3. Most of the fall Epcot F&WF period at the Epcot area resorts
4. 4th of July
5. President's Day week
6. Memorial Day
7. The MLK weekend in January
8. Labor Day

Note: the range of just how much in demand these periods are varies. The the ones I listed as 1 through 5 are definitely "sell outs" requiring not just day by day but dialing MS to get them right at 9am opening, whereas the dates in the 6 and below range are "busier than normal" but not as insane as 1-5.

Whatever, to be safe, I'd recommend always doing a day by day ressie when booking any holiday period.

 

[drusba]

Been Easter a number of times. Next year, it is March 23 which also puts it in the heart of other usual set spring break weeks. Week before and week of Easter are traditionally two of the three most crowded weeks of the year (Christmas week is the other) and next year will be a double whammy because of its date. Reactions to Easter vary according to how tolerant you are of crowds, but here are some observations I have learned from past experience that you can use to judge:

1. Average standby line time for the three mountains at MK: 2 hours

2. Average standby line time for Peter Pan: 1 1/2 hours

3. Average standby line time for Test Track: 2.5 hours

4. Average standby line time for Soarin: 2.5 hours

5. Average standby line time for Tower of Terror: 1.6 hours

6. Usual time daily by which all fastpasses for all popular rides are gone for the day: 11:30 a.m.

7. Time you need to show up for first Fantasmic in the evening to have a chance of getting a seat: at least one hour before the show.

8. Time people start grabbing the ideal viewing places for the afternoon parade at MK: two hours before it occurs.

9. Sit-down restaurant at any of the parks you can eat dinner at without a ressie: none.

10. Average wait time in line for food at the counter service restaurants at MK during prime lunch or dinner times: 40 minutes.

11. Usual time by which the waterparks start rejecting any further entries: 11:30 a.m. Time by which you have to arrive at a waterpark to have any hope of getting a seat in the shade or with an umbrella: within five minutes of when it opens.

12. What you see at noon at MK if you stand at the base of Main Street after you enter and look down the street toward the castle: bobbing heads all next to each other moving en masse. What you don't see: the street or the sidewalks.

 

[WDWorld2003]

Just returned yesterday and everything drusba said is true.

We did enjoy leaving the weather in Minnesota so it was worth it but be prepared for the crowds and go to the late shows at the parks. They added a late Illuminations at 11:30 p.m. and it was wonderful. We didn't even have to get a seat early. We also walked right into the late Fantasmic and went to the late Spectro and only grabbed our seats about 10 minutes before the parade - it really saved our sanity.

Try to go to the parks early, do a few things and grab Fast Passes for a later return, go back to your resort and swim or hang out. Return later for the Fast Passes and late shows.

 

[LoveToDisney]

Many midwest schools normally have Spring Break in March and since Easter is early in 2008, it is going to coincide much more with March Spring Break time than normal, so I'm wondering if it will be a madhouse in 2008.

 

[starbox]

Most public schools in GA time Spring Break to mesh with the Master's Golf Tournament and not with holy week. This year, the two matched up - but next year, GA's spring break is 3 weeks after Easter week - which may help with crowds in 08 a little bit.

 

[Starr W.]

Many midwest schools normally have Spring Break in March and since Easter is early in 2008, it is going to coincide much more with March Spring Break time than normal, so I'm wondering if it will be a madhouse in 2008.

Northwest Ohio schools do Spring Break either the week before Easter(yep we are finishing up, boys back to school Monday). My accountant's kids and my niece(different districts) just started their breaks. Next year we start on Good Friday, but we are going to go to VB.