GAC and crowd levels

[LisaBi]

I've been to WDW in May/June 1999 & 2008, June 2004, Nov. 2004 (Jersy week), and Sept 2005. Have always gotten GAC for DS (age 12, Down Syndrome). Always needed it, except the September trip (only used in once the whole week).

Well, we are going again end of April (26th to 30th). (A surprise B-Day trip for him if I can keep my mouth shut!)

For those of you who have more experience with different times of the year: How do you think April will be crowd wise, thus requiring GAC more or less, compared to Nov. and Sept.?

I REALLY liked not using it.

Thanks,
LisaB

 

[flynnmnstr]

We really try to not use the GAC unless really necessary. We always use it in shows because DS needs to be seated in his stroller because of the lights and sounds. But we fast pass and baby swap with our little one anyway so the only time we need it is if the line is dark or noisy (Big Thunder Mnt.- the line was only about 10 mins so we tried to have him walk through last year and he completely freaked out).

We are going the very end of April beginning of May (never been there that time of year); and were wondering how the crowds would be?

 

[SueM in MN]

We also only use DD's when it's absolutely necessary and have been able to get by without using it at all when it's not busy. During busy times, we have avoided using it more than a few times a day by using Fast Pass and knowing when the parks are busiest - for example, AK is busier earlier in the day. If you go there mid to late afternoon, you can walk right on even normally busy things like Dinosaur, Kali River Rapids and the Safari. (We've been to WDW the last 7 or 8 years during Spring break and have been there over Easter several times.)
I believe Easter is April 14 this year, so you will be there quite a bit after Easter. The thing we have noticed about that time of year is that the parks get noticeably busier the closer you are to Easter. Once Easter is over, they start to get noticeably smaller. So, I think you should be OK. Not as quiet as September, but not really, really busy. If you've been there in early May, the crowds should be similar.

 

[thumpersfriend]

After Easter is Patriots Day and alot of Eastern states have vacation then but we have been then and it is not too bad. Our hardest time was Grad nights and the MK is closed only to them in the evenings on Friday and Sat. It is the last week-end of April and lst week-end in May. The first time we went we had no idea about grad nights and were going to go the MK those days and evenings and we were really dissappointed. Just plan ahead and you will have a great time. The weather is beautiful that month too. In 5 times we have been there at that time, it only rained a short time and was on the day we were coming home.