Has anybody ever gone on March Break?

[pouls]

I am trying to get a feeling for how busy it will be this March Break. I currently have reservations for Wilderness Lodge from March 12-18 2006 for myself, DH, DS 6, and DD 4 (1.5 yr old will be staying home with grandparents) Am I being crazy for booking a deluxe resort when I could save 1200 with value or 600 for moderate. If I go with a cheaper room we can really spoil the kids with gifts and treats. The reason why we chose WL is location. I figure we will be at MK for 3-4 days and transportation seems to be excellent from lodge to MK. I keep reading about problems with transportation. Any feedback would be wonderful.

Lisa

 

[abbyndrewmom]

I was there two years ago at March Break, it was less busy then June but busier then September. It really wasn't that bad especially with fast passes and early morning entry. I personally would save the money and stay at a moderate (not a value) hotel. I guess it depends on how much time you are planning on staying at the hotel. With young children most of our time is spent at the park so I can not justify the added cost for the deluxe hotel. I personally would rent a car and stay at a moderate and you will still have some extra money left for souveniers.

Allison

 

[MECH8T7]

We went during March Break 2005. It was very crowded because our March Break coincided with the week before Easter...the week before and the week after Easter are the busiest weeks at WDW after the week between Christmas and New Years.

It was busy but WDW opened their parks about an hour earlier (8:00 am) than usual (9:00 am) and the Magic Kingdom was open one hour earlier (7 am) for Extra Magic Hour (i.e., WDW resort guests only) every day of that week. They also did the Spectromagic Parade twice a night at the Magic Kingdom and there were three Fantasmic shows a night (at MGM studios). We took advantage of Extra Magic Hour quite a bit at the Magic Kingdom, so we weren't too upset about the line-ups later in the morning and afternoon. We were usually out of the park by early afternoon and went back to our resort (Poly) to relax and swim with our kids (DS6 and DD4). We'd either go back to MK or another park for the evening.

It was great to be on the monorail with the little ones and we also sometimes took the small boat that goes between MK, GF and the Poly. We had a rental car and we didn't mind using it when we went to MGM and AK. But with the MK, it seems like such a long way to park your rental car, hop on a tram to the TTC and then take the monorail or ferry over to the MK. Of course, you could use the Disney buses if you were at a moderate but I think it would discourage us from leaving the park to go back to the resort to ensure that the kids had a midday rest.

We are going again during March Break 2006 -- same week as your's -- but are anticipating that it will not be as busy as last year because it does not coincide with Easter holidays.

 

[Bonnie40]

For the last number of years we have also traveled during March Break. It is busy, but as suggested already, make sure you hit the parks as early as possible, leave around lunch or shortly after, and then head back in late in the day. The break is much needed, especially if you get warm weather! We've never stayed in a deluxe - only value and moderate - but didn't find the transportation a problem. You really don't spead much time at the resort! But I understand your concern about convenience at WL. Tough call though...

Whatever you decide...you're going to have a blast!

 

[hockey mom]

We went last year. It was busy but nothing we couldn't handle. If this is your first trip I would stay at All Star Movies. With the ages of your kids and the amount you will actually be in your room it would be the perfect fit. My kids loved the huge icons at this resort.

 

[murcor]

I have one of the different opinions. Considering how busy March break generally is, I would spring for the WL. You may end up spending more time at your resort than you think. The resort and what it offers is just as much part of our vacation as the parks. With small children we tend to relax more in our rooms in the evenings, so the lager size of a deluxe would give you alittle extra space.

On the other hand I can see my kids loving the huge icons at the All Stars

Good Luck deciding

Angela

 

[VAN]

With Easter being mid-April in 2006, I think you will be fine re crowds in March. Rides WON'T be a walk-on but using fast pass, EMH, etc you should have no problem enjoying all the rides and attractions with minimal waits.

We camp at Ft. Wilderness when we go, and it is indeed easy to visit the MK via the ferry (same as WL); however, if you are planning to spend most of your time in the parks, I would save the extra $$$ and stay at a moderate (POR is nice).

Our family tries to economize where we can without compromising the vacation ... personally, I'd save the extra $$$ for a future trip instead of spending more on souveniers that will just end up on the floor. We have been able to visit WDW almost every year following this method. Nobody misses the "stuff" from the giftshops.

 

[wee-haggis]

Does our March break dates line up with any of the USA's Spring breaks? (or are they all late Mar early April?)

 

[abbyndrewmom]

I think the Texas schools have there break the same time as we do regardless of Easter. My dh is a teacher so we always travel at MB and it seems whether it is a cruise or WDW there are always people for Texas as this is the week they are off as well.
When I was at UNLV we had our Spring Break the same week as MB here as I would usually meet my parents in FL. I think alot of universities take this week for a break.

Last year was a particular busy year as Easter was so close to our MB this year should be a lot better.

 

[maryliz]

I think you'll really love the WL ! And since you've already budgeted for it, I say go for it. As someone already said, you may be going back and forth between MK and your resort a fair bit! On the flip side, we love the AllStars, and your kids would have a blast there. The only downside I see to them is if you aren't taking your own car, and relying solely on bus transportation. We almost always drive, and my last 2 trips we flew ... while I certainly didn't mind the buses (only a couple of real problems with wait times), I did miss my vehicle. If you have your own car and drive to the parks, it doesn't matter where you stay.

I've done all levels of Disney resorts, and I have to say that I'm not overly fussy on the mods. I don't think they provide enough "extra" to justify them over a value. Just MHO.

Have a great time whatever you decide. haven't been on March break in a long time, but friends who have gone the last 2 years say it really wasn't bad, if you know how to use your fastpasses effectively!

MaryLiz

 

[highland3]

We were there for March Break 2005... in the week leading up to Easter. The crowds were really very good, but the best advice ever is get there early... especially for MK.

We stayed at POR and had no issues with transportation. The buses were crowded at peak times, but nothing unreasonable. We did have to wait one night when leaving MK, but... what the heck.

We went for a visit to Wilderness Lodge and it was beautiful, but worth the extra $$$... I don't know. I was happy with POR and there was lots of room for DW, DD (8) and DS (5).

 

[SplashMom]

We have gone on March break in 2005 and 2004. This past year was definitely busier because of Easter but 2004 was quite manageable. As others mentioned, as long as you arrive early and plan an afternoon break, there shouldn't be any problem. I would love to stay at a deluxe but I have a difficult time justifying the extra cost. We don't spend too much time at the resort, but our kids are teenagers. We rented a car in 2005 and found the convenience saved us lots of time and gave us much more flexibility. I wouldn't go without renting a car now. I would rather stay at a mod or value and rent a vehicle. Of course, rather than a mid afternoon nap, our kids want to hit the outlet shopping!!

 

[mom_rules]

We also gone the last couple of years and would like to go again if the prices come down some.
The crowds were okay-nothing we couldn't handle. We went back and spent the afternoons doing alternate activities or sitting by the pool.

Only place that was crazy-nuts was Typhoon Lagoon-the pool and the decks were literally packed in like sardines!

 

[MazdaUK]

We were there for two weeks this year - we flew home Easter Sunday. The first week the parks were manageable, but by the end of the second week it was certainly busier. You do need to get there early and make use of FastPass wherever possible. We found US/IOA very busy on Good Friday. Epcot was not too bad on the Easter Saturday - possibly because its so big everyone is spread out! On our last day we had a Chef Mickey breakfast and spent the rest of the day resort hopping - we hadn't used the monorail all vacation so it was our final opportunity! The crowds going into MK were crazy - we definitely made the best decision to avoid the parks!

We were originally going to book a deluxe but in the end opted for a moderate (CSR) - we got the best of all worlds that way, a bit more money and a bit more space! If the weather is good its nice to have a good pool available to save having to leave the site when its busy - but it poured down when we were there so we didn't really get the value out of it

 

[jaysue]

It is a busy time of year - I would say "active" - it is a great time to go - mid to high 70's by day and high 50's by night - we love going at March break (go pretty much every year)

The transportation is generally very good - there is always a chance with any public transportation that there will be a delay or issue and these boards tend to magnify these problems beyond their usual frequency of occurence

Where the transportation gets sticky in my mind, is if you try and go between resorts or start trying to squeeze too many different destinations in one day especially if your kids get wired or tired

I would recommend moving to a moderate, saving the money (not spend it on gifts and trinkets), and then you have some funds set aside for the next time you go (your kids will probably want to go again and geez, you have to include the youngest next time - )

With that time of year, consider getting to the parks early and with the ages of the kids, consider leaving late morning just before lunch - retreat to the hotel, have a meal, enjoy the resort (CSR has a really nice pool and POR has a nice ambience), maybe do some swimming and water activities, have a nap/reading/quite time then (assuming you have park hoppers) head out to a different destination mid-to late afternoon.

That time of year, the park hours will be extended (the MK might be open as late as 11pm for regular hours) and you will have EMH opportunities.

Have a great time and maybe we will see you there!



cheers
jaysue

 

[jtdl]

Does anyone know how to find out when March break will be in 2007? That's when we're going for two weeks but need to decide whether to take the week before and week of or week of and week after. I suppose I could call the school board?