Easter Week 2008 vs. late August trip...Need help

[DJmommy]

Trying to plan a first DVC trip. Our use year is August so our points will be available this August. We are trying to decide which would be a better time since we are tied to the kids school schedule so we need to go when school is out.

Having only been once in July ages ago, all I can remember was that it was hot and crowded. I have never been during Easter Week but I can imagine that the crowds are heavy.

Looking for the pros and cons for each time of year and any first hand experiences to help us decide. We have two kids, 7 and 3. Not real crazy about going in the heat of the summer, but the crowds at Easter might be worse. Help!

I realize that August is not too far off, but we are not too set on one resort over the other. Will there be availability if we call mid April (still waiting to close on our resale contract). If we decide to go Easter I was planning on calling right at the 11 month mark for BWV, so I am sure we could get something there for March 2008.

Thanks in advance.

Jacqueline

 

[buzz5985]

Easter is probably the busiest time of year, besides Christmas. I haven't been at Easter in many, many years and that was before I learned the in's and out's of visiting efficiently. LOL But all I remember is taking a full 4 days to get through the Magic Kingdom. Yikes.

I have gone a couple of times at the end of August. We enjoy it. The crowds aren't that bad - and we plan our days so that we are at the pools midday.

 

[drusba]

If you are looking at last two weeks of August, the crowds are heavy but not overwhelming. Very hot. And it stays very warm at night (you can sweat standing still outside at midnight), usually some thunderstorms daily, mostly in afternoon to evening. Overall usually not a bad time to go if you can withstand the heat. Likely, you can find availability, at least at OKW or SSR if you reserve in April.

Easter usually has good weather, 80s, sometimes into 90s, more pleasant evenings, storms happen mostly while you are sleeping. However, it is extremely crowded. I have gone Easter a number of times and have gone mid and late July. The July crowd is very heavy and people who go then believe it extreme. Well, the Easter crowd makes that look like off-season and that will be particularly true when Easter falls toward the end of March like next year -- you get the crowd that always has spring break during Easter week and the large number of schools that always have spring break the last week of March. Think as follows: its 11:30, you are standing at the base of Main Street in the town square in MK looking at the castle; you don't see the street; you don't see the sidewalks; all you see is bobbing heads moving en masse next to each other. You have a real risk of MK filling to capacity for several hours during the day. Waterparks close to new entrants by 11:30; fastpasses for popular rides are gone for the day by that same time daily; even the low level attractions get 60 to 90 minute lines; popular ones have sustained lines of 2 hours or more (Test Track goes to three). If you go at that time, you do learn one of the best things about Easter: when you then go any other time of year (other than Christmas which is the same and days around July 4 which approach the Easter crowd level) you no longer believe the crowds are huge.

 

[jakenjess]

Between those two times, I think I'd go with late August. We've never been Easter week, but I've heard the crowds are very heavy. We've been twice in late August, and the crowds weren't bad at all, but it was very hot and humid. Even though it's hot, we had a great time by going early to the parks, taking a long afternoon break with a swim and a nap, and going back to the parks later in the day when it's cooler. It's also a great time for the waterparks.

 

[LSchrow]

last week of august has been our fav time to go: gorgeous weather ~ i love the heat tho , daily thunderstorm that cools things down a bit.
parks aren't wall-to-wall-people (like easter week ).

there has been a definate increase in crowds since free DDP (we used to literally walk on many rides), restaurants are jam-packed (& we intentionally made ressies as late as possible, earlier times had crowds of patrons waiting outside). consider that there is a very real possibillity free DDP will be offered at the end of august, & just try to plan your days carefully (e.g., avoid EMH parks, ESPECIALLY restaurants there).
ohhhhh & btw, if you do get BWV (or even if not), go to Spoodles for dinner

hth

 

[DJmommy]

Thanks for all your insight and experiences shared. We are leaning towards the end of August now, unless I start a new job.

A few more questions about August:

Does it really cool down in the evening...if anyone could give me an idea of the differences between early mornings, mid-afternoon and evenings re tempuratures I would appreciate that. We live in Southern NJ and usually have temps in the 90's with 70-80% humidity so I hope it will not be too much worse than that. We would probably expect to take it fairly easy with a lot of rest during the days. (This is what I promised my DH when we bought in- he doesn't like the commando pace that we did during the last two trips.)

Concerned about getting a room in August... we would prefer a studio but would take a 1 BR , preferably at BWV or OKW. If we had to switch and do 4 days at one resort and 4-5 days at another we would do that, too. I just don't want to move twice. Ideally we would do the studio room first and stay through the weekend, then switch to the 1 BR for Sunday - Wed. or Thurs. What do you think my chances are for this plan???


Thanks again for all your help.

 

[drusba]

You get mid-90s with high humidity in the day and mid to high-70s with high humidity at night, so it really does not cool down much (my comment above about being able to sweat standing still outside at midnight is actually true). Nevertheless, early morning and late evening are not too bad. 11 to 5 is the hottest time in the parks. Worst is AK because of its design of having many walking areas under the sun with trees and other foliage along the sides thus preventing any breeze at all.

You may be able to get a studio or 1BR at BWV but that would most likely be higher points "preferred" non-boardwalk view.

 

[jennypenny]

We love mid-late August (go every year). If you're from south jersey, unless you live ON the water then Florida won't be much different than home (we live near Philly). The crowds are lowest during the middle two weeks of the month. And I think you should book something now and waitlist for the resort you really want--we've always gotten exactly what we want for august, even BCV.

It will rain every day, and you should plan on swimming every day, and you might get a hurricane pass by BUT, the crowds are much less than easter, especially if you go early and use the touring tips on the boards. And you'll never need a coat--once on an easter trip we had to wear our winter coats every night!

Also, you have fewer flight problems if you go in august. Just remember to fly in the morning--there are always thunderstorms in orlando in the afternoon in august that could bugger you up. Check out spirit--we really prefer that airport to philly now.

Jenny

 

[YoMickey]

We went for the first time during Easter week 2006..
Yes, it was crowded but not as bad as I thought if you plan your trip efficiently.
We (DH, DS-5, DD-3, adn DS-8mth) took advantage of the extra magic hours in the morning. We got to the parks about 30 minutes before they opened and were able to do much of what we wanted to do before the crowds got too crazy. Then we would take advantage of Fast Passes and Baby Swaps. By 1 or 2:00 we did everything we wanted to do and headed back to the pool for the afternoon.
Example:
Easter Sunday morning we went to Magic Kingdom (arriving for extra magic hours) We did all of Fantasyland (Dumbo twice, Its a Small World twice), Toontown, and Tomorrowland (Space Mountain twice), then left for 10:30 mass at the Contemp.
We returned to the park, grabbed lunch while we sat and waited for the afternoon parade. Walked through the park doing some more rides but no pressure to do much more because we had accomplished so much.
We did the evening parade and fireworks on a different day.

I would not be afraid to go Easter week again (You can avoid the crowds and the heat of the summer by just getting up early).

 

[beachblanket]

If you are looking at last two weeks of August, the crowds are heavy but not overwhelming.

Heavy? My experience with crowds levels at that time has been very different.

We have been at WDW twice during late August (once in 2000, again in 2005). Both times I would rate the overall crowds (on a scale where 1 is tiny and 10 is absolutely horrible) as about a 5 to at most a 5.5.

If you carefully plan your itinerary to avoid the beaten path (ergo, stay away from the Magic Kingdom on Monday, Epcot on Tuesday, etc). and enter the parks at opening, you just don't wait in lines in late August, period. And if often got even better - as example, we walked onto the Tower of Terror at MGM at 1pm on a Friday during late August.

Bottom line: if you can deal with the heat (e.g., yes, you have to take those mid day pool breaks), in terms of overall vacation value late August completely blows Easter away. Easter is right up there with Christmas as the most expensive time (in terms of points) to use DVC at WDW. In comparison, late August falls two levels lower on the point cost schedule (in "Dream" season). When you also factor in lower airfares, the OP will get significantly more bang for their buck going in late August than at Easter.

Real downsides of late August? Well, the parks aren't open quite as late and yes, it is hot.

However, as a "transitional period" between high and lower seasons, those late August downsides offer some subtle benefits. Unlike most "off season" periods, the entertainment schedules are still full and all attractions are up and running (Disney starts shutting things down for work right after Labor Day). As for the heat, yes, that does force you into an "in-at-opening-and-out-by-1pm" park strategy (especially with young children), those mid day pool breaks are critical. But by 5:00 or so you can go back into the parks if you want; by then the mid day heat has burned out all the non-planning neophytes who shuffled in at 11am.

 

[dianeschlicht]

It depends on if you are more bothered by crowds or heat. Easter is the earliest it can be next year (March 24), so the weather should be spectacular. August is hot, humid, can be rainy etc. If crowds bother you and heat doesn't, go in August. If heat is a bigger issue than crowds for you, then go in March.

 

[jpolak]

We have done both trips.

Easter week in a word is nuts. I have never seen so many people in one place in my life. When we were walking in the MK you had to go with the flow of the crowd. I would never (ok maybe never is too strong)do an Easter week trip again.

August in a word hot! I mean sweat while in the pool hot. We plannned for it though. Do the parks early, leave by lunch time, drink plenty of water, and be prepared for the afternoon/evening thunderstorm. The crowds were very manageable.

So it depends on what you rather have. Nice weather and crazy crowds or crazy weather and nice crowds. IMO I'll take the heat and light crowds everytime. Good luck.

 

[Cruelladeville]

August is HOT! 69 at night and 92 during the day, and yes, the humidity can get into the 90's, I have been there when it happens. Don't go in August if you have hot flashes, there is no place that's cold enough for that! I often go during school vacations, as a teacher. Easter is more comfortable, temperature-wise, but next year the crowds will be horrendous, since Easter is early. Last time it happened(about 6 years ago), Tennessee's expressways turned into one huge parking lot, and we got out of our cars to talk to the other "travellers". It was awful! The date for Easter next year is March 23(not the 24th), which is DD's birthday. In 30 years, it's never been quite that early(DD is 30). I wouldn't go to Florida next year at Easter. Go on a year when it's later in the year, that way you avoid the midwest, which tends toward a fixed spring break. Personally, I'd go at Christmas....

 

[DJmommy]

Thank you for all your responses.

I think we will give it a try this August and see how we do. I am terrified of those Easter crowds and since DH doesn't care for crowds especially I think we should avoid it, at least at first. Thank you for all those that pointed out the timing of Easter next year will make it significantly worse.

The kids love pools so a trip with lots of swim time will be really enjoyed by them. Since we have been to Disney the last two years and will be going, now that we are almost DVC members, either annually or 2 out of every 3 years, there won't be as much pressure to do and see everything on each trip. There will always be next year.

To Jenny: We live about 15 minutes from the AC airport and always use Spirit since it is so convenient to us.

To beachblanket: So agree with you about getting more for our points in August. We will probably go for 9 - 10 nights in August, which should make for a nice, long time in the World. The longest we've ever stayed is 7 nights so this will be great. Plus no worries about school work or making up anything.

Thank you so much to all of you for your wisdom and helpfulness. I have used the DisBoards for planning our last two trips and they were both Magical.

Jacqueline

 

[llp479]

Easter 2008 is going to be a nightmare! Schools in north suburban Chicago usually take the last week in March as Spring Break. Just confirmed yesterday that is the case again for 2008, so our break will be Easter. Don't forget the points for that week are at a premium as well.

 

[Anewman]

Our kids high school sports get a break in mid Aug. so the last two years that was the only time of year we could vacation.

AUG 2005 WDW we had one day of almost unbearable heat, the rest of the week was really hot.

AUG 2006 WDW the weather was not bad at all.


Crowds both years were very doable, longest lines were about 30-45 minutes(splash mountain, RnRoller coaster, etc...). We avoided EMH parks.

 

[NYMomof4]

I've done both, though the last time we tried Easter Break was in 1996 and I vowed never to go back at that time. The crowds were just too much for me and the kids. We love August though and this will be our 4th year in a row for the last few weeks of Aug.

I have pool loving kids too and August is perfect for lots of pool time. We do either early or later for the parks and pace ourselves. Our AUgust trips feel much more like a vacation, since we slow the pace down and relax more. You can always retreat to the air conditioned room, or plan your park visits with stops to AC attractions indoors.

We may see you there Have fun planning