Easter? or First week of summer?

[keenercam]

Okay, here is the dilemma. We have a 1BR at BCV for Easter week for 200 points, but I have heard that the crowds at Easter are horrible. We could get a 1BR the first week of summer for 150 points. BUT, points aren't the biggest issue. It seems like Easter week may be the 3rd or 4th busiest week of the year at WDW. We are limited to vacationing when school is out--DD14 and DS9. Would it be terribly hot in June? Is there any reason to favor Easter over mid-June? Which would you suggest?

 

[Richyams]

Sorry, but there are two things I avoid like the plague at WDW. One is heat, I would never, ever, ever go in June. The heat is so oppresive that I couldn't enjoy anything at all.

The other is crowds. Crowds make WDW very difficult and unenjoyable.

We decided a long time ago that our vacations were more important than school. We take the kid out for two weeks every year.

Of your two choices, both are going to be hot, both are going to be crowded. Since June is slightly less crowded than Easter, I guess I would pick June.

 

[Candace]

Rich is right about the heat in June. Early June is not as bad as July or August, but it's still hot. Easter weather will be much more pleasant, even though warm. For me, crowds are easier to take if I am not "burning up". Tough choice, but I would probably choose Easter and just "plan, plan plan". Also, make sure you make PS for your meals out, because restaurants are very crowded too.

 

[Scoootch]

It is quite a toss up for the 2 different times to go that you are asking about

You really need to decide which is worse -- major crowds? or Fla.Heat?

Personally, I agree with the previous poster who said they take their kids out of school and come down during the less crowded months (I've only lived here in FLa. for a year and a half) - that's what we used to do. But I also know that that's not always possible for everyone.

If I had to choose and those 2 times of the year were my only choice though, I think I'd pick June. To me Disney just isn't much fun if you have to stand on line for an hour or more for rides that last just a few minutes. It may be hot in June, but it makes enjoying the pools at the resorts and the water parks more fun and the parks are more enjoyable when you can walk without being shoulder to shoulder with so many people and actually get to get on a decent amount of rides for what you spend on park tickets.

By the way, I had some family come down to visit last year and we went for 2 days during Easter and it was awful! Not only was it crowded (you get spring break crowds along with the Easter people) but it was in the high 80's and hot. We didn't end up getting very many rides in and ended up back at the pool at the resort.

Bottom line is if you plan to spend alot of time in the parks, Easter week is probably the worse week of the year to go.

Sorry I couldn't be more encouraging.
Good luck with your decision and have a great trip!

 

[GrammieMame]

I absolutely hate the heat, and there's no way I would go in June. We had two back-to-back weeks during Easter 2002, and rarely waited in line. We were at the gates at opening, used
fast pass, did the most popular attractions first, and left the parks around 1:00 when it was starting to really get crowded. We spent the afternoons at the pool, and usually went back in the evening for fireworks or a PS. I guess it was crowded, but I never felt like it was. The weather was very pleasant, had to wear sweaters in the early morning, but still comfortable for swimming when it got warmer in the afternoon.

 

[ErinC]

I don't know if this helps, but here in Alabama our Spring Breaks do not correspond with Easter this year. I'm not sure about other states, but it is possible that other states will be this way too. Maybe this would mean that Easter week would not be so bad this year. We did the cruise, and then 4 days at WDW over Memorial Day Weekend last year. We were lucky that it had not gotten that hot yet,but the Memorial Day crowds reminded me why I hate to go during the busier times. I guess it's a choice that you'll have to decide which is best for your family, and what kind of touring you had planned on to begin with.

 

[lodgelady]

We have done the first week in June which IS hot, but then Disney is built for hot weather. Just take a break from lunchtime to 3pm and It will be very enjoyable.
We have also been there a couple of times at Easter. 2000 was TOO crowded and was tiring because even walking around took extra concentration so you wouldn't step on anyone! Sheesh! But the good news is that it WILL NOT be that crowded this Easter unless Bush sends everyone $2,000 in the mail!
Last Easter week(2002) was almost as hot as it was on our June visit. The crowds were not bad enough to ruin our good time or keep us from doing what we wanted to do.
Either way, June or April, the key to overcoming these problems is to plan, use fastpass and refuse to stand in a line that is projected to be more than 15 minutes-we never had to!

 

[gracelrm]

We generally visit the parks during the second week of June. And yes, it's hot, but we really plan our days carefully and it works for us. We are both teachers and have two kids in school - so this is our only time to go. We have taken advantage of early entry (the times it has been available) and fast passes. We also come back to the villa around 1:00 or so, let the baby nap and the older kids swim. This works well and then we head back to the parks around 5:00 or so. By this time, we've cooled down, changed clothes and adjusted our attitudes and are ready to go at it again. My husband is great at planning our day to make the most of the parks in the time we are there. Also, keep in mind during June there are frequent showers. Often, we'll stay through a particularly long storm and once it stops, the crowds are gone and we can just walk on many rides. I've never been around Easter, so I can't compare the two, but we don't find June to be too bad. I will say that the Animal Kingdom park seems a great deal hotter and more humid than the other parks. I don't really enjoy that park in the June heat!

 

[Ludwig Von Drake]

My kids are about the same age. Taking them out of school for more than a couple of days is no longer an option for us. We are not DVC members but are renting points. We have been to WDW over Easter break and managed to have a good time despite the crowds. But the extra $$$ for points coupled with the HIGH AIRFARE from New England during Easter break has forced us to book June instead. We figure the extra money we save on these two items will allow us to take a longer visit. We are AP holders, so hope to truely "vacation" this time, and enjoy afternoons lounging and exploring at a more leisurely pace. Hope we don't melt in the process!

 

[keenercam]

still undecided. lots to consider. I really appreciate hearing your viewpoints. Keep them coming.

 

[Pinnie]

I am a teacher, too, and have done both June and Easter. I already have my reservations at the Beach Club Villas for Easter 2003. We were down there last Easter (weekend of and the days following) it was crowded, but we have been there in June when it has been just as crowded. In June we had to deal with the heat, also

This past Easter, we found the largest crowds at the MK. (Think gridlock in Fantasyland.) But the rest of the parks were doable. Making use of FastPass and your hotel pool in the afternoon makes a lot of sense. We had a great time, despite the crowds.
And BTW, it was HOT this past Easter week while we were there! I am sure you will, too!!!!

pin
remember the magic
DVC/BCV 2002

 

[travelbug]

If I were choosing between those 2 times, I'd choose Easter. I have very little tolerance for hot, sticky weather. In fact, I'm embarrassed to say that I become a cranky, crabby person in extreme heat. While Eastertime can be hot too, the chances for milder weather are better at Easter compared to June.

I've been to WDW numerous times over Easter week. I agree totally with GrammieMame. We found that by using early entry, fast passes, afternoon breaks at the pool when park crowds are heavier, and then returning to the parks at 6 PM or so, we dealt with the crowds just fine. We were able to see and do everything we wanted, in some cases more than once.

Not everyone's likes and dislikes are the same, of course. But Easter would be my choice.

Let us know what you decide. Good luck!

 

[keenercam]

Thanks, everyone, for your observations and advice. I have decided that I am not even going to broach the subject with my husband about postponing our vacation 2 months, for many reasons:
1. I prefer crowds over heat, I think. I agree that there are ways to avoid crowds, but little choice about the heat. And I also agree that by using fastpass and early entry and leaving the parks midday for swimming, we will alleviate a lot of the "crowd" issues.
2. We already have the april reservation and are close to the 7 month window for June when non-home guests will be making their reservations, so it might not be that easy to get a June reservation for a 1BR.
3. We are going to see some friends who retired to Florida, and I really don't want to put that off until June
4. For that matter, the thought of putting off going to BCV until June is just unbearable.
So, we will stick with our April reservation.
Thanks again for all your help and advice! YIPPPEE