Easter Week Suggestion

[MossMan]

I have a friend who is taking his family to the Parks over Easter weekend and he wanted some advice. I told him I'd be happy to help, but would need a day or two to think about it first. Of course I don't have a clue. So I figured maybe some of you could help me preserve my reputation as an insufferable but occasionally helpful know-it-all.

He will be arriving March 21 and leaving March 31 - giving him the 22 thru 30 to spend in the parks. Easter weekend itself runs from Mar 25 - 28. He has decided to buy the 4 day park hopper plus passes. On days he doesn't go to Disney he wants to hang out at the hotel pool or maybe take some drives down to the coast.

In any case, he has 4 park days and 1 plus day to plan. Given the above dates, on what days should he plan what activities?

Thanks

 

[dvcgirl]

Well, for one, as a friend prepare him for the tremdenous crowds he'll experience and then try to change his mind about going that week...lol. No seriously, it will be *packed*. So I would suggest doing a park for an entire day, and then a day off...to preserve their sanity. The one thing in their favor is that the parks are open very late those days and so I'd suggest going early and doing as much as they can. Take a nice break in the afternoon and then regroup and head back around dinner time. As for which days to do what parks, I really haven't a clue. I live down here now, but only visited *once* during that time. We arrived the Tuesday after Easter and it was just insane. 60-90 minutes was the norm for all the big attractions. We were told by people that the week before Easter was actually worse..which I couldn't even phathom. So I think a day at a park is a good strategy. On the off days they could relax, shop at DTD, that kind of thing.

 

[DisneyMim]

I have been during Easter. The best advice I can give anybody is to go with a good attitude. Realize that you will not see everything. This is probably not the best time for a "casual" guest to go, that is someone who does not go often. You really need to go with the flow and be prepared to park hop if one park is too crowded. I would certainly avoid MK on Easter day. Also be aware that DD can get crowded at night with the local crowd on any given week-end and this is especially so during Easter week-end. Also the restaurants get very crowded and we found (and this is just MY OPINION so no flames) that they raise the prices and the service is not the best, they tend to rush you especially on Easter Sunday so I would be careful picking a restaurant for that day. We've done some in Epcot and found them to be better than the ones in the resorts. It appeared that a lot of locals tend to go the buffets at some of the resorts, makes sense, I guess I might consider this too if I lived there, nice festive lunch or dinner. I think your friend will be fine, really the weather is usually good, and if they go with the right attitude they will have a blast. Hey they will be in Disney and any day is a good one there!!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Well this was our first easter trip, we usually go in august. Our 3 ds are teens with the youngest 13. You really didnt say the kids ages or if they are staying on site or not. All I can say was it was crowded really crowded. Nothing like we were used to before. All I know is I am glad I made all our ps before we left and had my whole week planned. There were actual lines to get a fastpass and for the popular rides, if you requested a fp at say 11 am, if there were any left, the return time was 6 pm. Counter service lines were practically out the door, busses were usually standing room only no matter what time you went etc. We decided to stay out of the magic kingdom easter day. We stayed at the swan and our plan was a special character breakfast at yacht and beach and spent the day at epcot. They were really pushing the alice in wonderland tea party there. (I think it was free but you had to sign up) I think it was in england. If your friends are staying on site see what activities their resort is offering, we had dinner at mgm and couldnt even get the fantasmic pkg. I had called like 60 days out for this several times. It stormed and we went back to the room early anyway. With a well planned trip they could do well. Besides spending time at the hotel pool, if they still want disney feel but not use park passes, they could consider character meals at different resorts etc. For the plus I would definetely do a water park. You are a great friend to help them out.

 

[MossMan]

I had heard that Easter was busy, I didn't know it got that busy though.

Sounds like he needs to do some planning in any case. He has a 9 year old boy and two girls aged 5 and 6. I have filled him in on what the parks have to offer, but I really don't think he understands just how large the choice is and how much they will want to do when they get there. I'll try to point him to some character meals - I think that makes a lot of sense.

Should I tell him to avoid hitting the parks Friday thru Monday and concentrate on the time before and after the weekends. Or will this make any difference at all?

 

[disneydiz]

MGM and MK are open quite late at that time. There will be two showings of Fantasmic, Spectromagic, etc. Tell your friend to be sure to go to the second showing of any show! People stake out their spots 1.5 hours before Illuminations. The waterparks fill up by 11:00 am. He should just plan everything out. Hopefully, they are staying on-site.