End of March crowds?

[mjc2003]

What could we expect end of March? My wife has a trip for work, so we might add to it and stay for a week. Looking around 3/26 until April 1st or second, I'm seeing decent DVC availability but will the crowds overall be rough? It's sort of after winter breaks and before Easter so I'm hoping not too crazy?

 

[drusba]

For DVC reservations it is average to low demand time. For Disney reservations and park crowds it is high demand time. That week is not "after winter breaks." For US grade, middle, and high schools that have a set week per year for spring break, rather than following the Easter weeks, the last week of March or first week of April are the the spring break weeks most have. You should expect large crowds in the parks and stand-by lines of 90 minurtes or more for popular rides. Moreover, if you want restaurant reservations, particularly for any popular restaurants in the parks or for character meals, you frankly should have already made them for that time of year.

 

[massmickeypal]

It is historically busy. One way I check is to go to Disney reservations and see what is available for a family of four. Nearly every resort has space available for 4 adults. Only Poly, GF, Dolphin and Swan are booked. That suggests moderate to even low crowds. When I tried to book the last week of February to first week in March it was much more difficult. Good luck.

 

[nolanboys]

We are going that time frame. We went a few years back as well and were prepared for the worst. We found the crowds quite manageable. Most days that week are considered an 8/10 on touring plans.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

Lots of schools in FLorida are in vacation that week (a march 23). We had vacation the 2nd week of March last year......so it will be crowded.

Next year they are thinking the week before Easter.....yikes!! It will be miserable for everyone as who travels during school vacation, but great for everyone else.

 

[disfanforlife]

No idea, never traveled in March before. But, we are going March 15-21. I expect it to busy but still plan to have a great time!

 

[myxdvz]

We'll be there (March 30-April 6) as it is our Spring Break. Touring plans suggests 6-7 crowd levels this week.

We'd be prepared for high crowds anyway, use FP+ for what we really want and have already booked our ADRs.

 

[disfanforlife]

We'll be there (March 30-April 6) as it is our Spring Break. Touring plans suggests 6-7 crowd levels this week.

We'd be prepared for high crowds anyway, use FP+ for what we really want and have already booked our ADRs.

Any idea what Touring plans says for crowd level when we are there? I don't have access to their site.

 

[mrsgoose8]

I don't use touring plans but check our easywdw.com for a crowd calendar

 

[disfanforlife]

I don't use touring plans but check our easywdw.com for a crowd calendar

Thanks!

 

[ldo]

this is a good year for you to go 3/26. Spring breaks are very spread out--many schools have fixed weeks in late March/early April, while others usually have before/after Easter. This year Easter is mid April, so you just cut your crowds down significantly for late March, b/c a lot will be mid-April. Crowds won't be light, but they won't be awful.

 

[bksomody]

No idea, never traveled in March before. But, we are going March 15-21. I expect it to busy but still plan to have a great time!

Touring Plans has that time as all 6's and one 7 but they often change it as you get closer to the date.

 

[tidefan]

Our Spring Break here in Alabama is 3/24-3/28.

 

[disfanforlife]

Touring Plans has that time as all 6's and one 7 but they often change it as you get closer to the date.

That doesn't sound so bad to me. I was thinking it would be more like 8 or 9.

 

[AirGoofy]

What could we expect end of March? My wife has a trip for work, so we might add to it and stay for a week. Looking around 3/26 until April 1st or second, I'm seeing decent DVC availability but will the crowds overall be rough? It's sort of after winter breaks and before Easter so I'm hoping not too crazy?

We're going this year the week after that, but did go one year that week. I think the crowd levels are ok that time of year, as long as it isn't Easter week.

 

[nolanboys]

Touring Plans has that time as all 6's and one 7 but they often change it as you get closer to the date.

That is a recent change. I am a planner and make a chart...I know.anyways, they've downgraded three of the days from 8's to 6's and 7's. Hope they're right!

 

[disfanforlife]

That is a recent change. I am a planner and make a chart...I know.anyways, they've downgraded three of the days from 8's to 6's and 7's. Hope they're right!

I didn't even want to think of how busy it would be. I know it will be busier than when we usually go in November so even a 7 will seem busy to us, but I am just happy it won't be as much as I thought. Maybe because spring. Is so spread out and easter is later this year.

 

[mjc2003]

So it looks like we are going to be there from 3/26-4/2. Wednesday to Wednesday. I'm confused, b/c easyWDW has the crowd calendar at a lot of 8's, tapering to 7's during the second week. However, Touring Plans has a lot of 5's and 6's, with even some 4's during the second week.

I know these things are ultimately highly unpredictable, and we are not expecting it to be quiet, but how do we reconcile such different predictions?

 

[tidefan]

So it looks like we are going to be there from 3/26-4/2. Wednesday to Wednesday. I'm confused, b/c easyWDW has the crowd calendar at a lot of 8's, tapering to 7's during the second week. However, Touring Plans has a lot of 5's and 6's, with even some 4's during the second week.

I know these things are ultimately highly unpredictable, and we are not expecting it to be quiet, but how do we reconcile such different predictions?

A number of southern states have their spring break the week of March 24-28...

 

[mjc2003]

A number of southern states have their spring break the week of March 24-28...

So I guess it'll be busier the first few days we are there. We are set to leave on Wednesday, April 2nd, but maybe staying til the 3rd would give us an extra day with less crowds.

I'm particularly surprised at the restaurant availability. There's tons.