Going before or after Easter crowds?

[Jozel27]

I was just wondering if anyone knew if going before Easter verses after is more or less crowded?


Thanks

Jozel

 

[berly1657]

I don't think there is a difference. A lot of schools schedule spring breaks around Good Friday and Easter the week before/after.

Luckily our school schedules it for the first full week of April every year. So we can be out of there before the masses arrive - we hope at least. Last year Easter was early so when our spring break started we had only 1 day (Monday) of heavy crowds - we are used to going in late January... This year we are lucky again b/c Easter is late and our annual passes expire April 4. We are going a week before our Spring break and then during our spring break week we head over to Vero Beach. We probably won't be so lucky in our scheduling in the future and plan on taking a break from WDW - if we can and head out west for some trips.

If you can avoid those 2 weeks, I would!

 

[AshClan]

I suppose it depends on the year (last year was weird because Easter was so early), but I would think that normally, after would be better. This is because March and early April is when most colleges are on spring break, as well as several states' public schools. In MA, it all revolves around Patriot's Day, but it seems that most places are off sometime in the last two weeks of March/first two weeks of April.

Of course, this is all guesswork on my part, and I could be completely wrong.

Bottom line, as long as you plan well, and avoid the ACTUAL week of Easter, it can be managed pretty well. We went during the 3rd week of April last year, and although it was busy, we never waited for anything longer than 15-20 minutes, and managed to take breaks every day by 2:30 or so.

 

[OhMari]

My sister and her family went last year the week after Easter. They were 1st timers and the only advice I gave her was to take documentation along from her Pediatrician because her oldest son is Autistic. They had the best time with no waiting at all because they got the medical badge for their son. Even my die-hard brotherin-law said it was awesome and he kept referring to the place as "Fake World" to his boys before they left.

They said the crowds were not bad at all.

 

[minnie29uk]

Last year we went in May and it was brilliant.The queues were greatly reduced and we got our moneys worth - going on everything as many times as we wanted!!!

Have a great holiday,

Lynn

 

[Mermaid4me]

Last year we went 2 weeks after Easter and had the time of our life. We didn't wait too long for any ride. W got there early and use fastpass to our best advantage. We took breaks in the afternoon to rest up for evenings. This worked great!!! This year we are going 2 weeks after Easter as well. I am hoping for the same types of crowds!! Good luck

Mermaid4me

ASMO Apr/May 2006
CR 2005
ASMO 1999
Offsite 1986
CR 1979

 

[JESW]

This year will be tough since our spring break here in the NE is the week after Easter. We will be down there on the 18th (tuesday after Easter) until the 25th. I booked airfare last June and paid just under $175./pp/rt for tues. to tues. flights. If we had booked sat. to sat. it would have been $1200. more for the 4 of us. (Of course those same tickets to book NOW cost just over $1000./pp/rt!)

I called yesterday (finally) and was able to get all my dining reservations except Chef Mickey's for the first night. We know it will be crowded but we will deal with it. The weather has always been SO NICE during our april trips. We have a trip booked for august also and that is the HOT and HUMID trip but still fun.

Jill

 

[corinascot]

We went the week after Easter last year. It ws VERY crowded. MK closed to nonresort/AP guests at 11:30 AM on Tues. By Friday, it wasn't nearly as crowded. We had a great time, though. We'd get to the park early. MK was open every day at 7am for WDW resort guests and closed at midnight.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I think it doesn't matter whether you go before or after , crowds were fairly before Easter when we were last year, if there is a busier time I would say after is slightly more crowded.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

A good indicator is the park hours listed on the WDW website. They tend to extend hours when they know larger crowds will be there. Of course, in our case, we will be going the first week of April and the first time I checked a month or so ago it was very close to normal operating times...now everytime I check it, they've changed it to either opening earlier or closing later (not a good sign!).