have you been at Spring Break? (Week before Easter?)

[Lees3rwe]

I'm scared!!

But I really, really, really would love to spend that week at Disney because it is also my 16th Wedding Anniversary!!!

We are super early risers (make rope drop every day) and we also go out late for night time EMH's... (we nap in the afternoon).

We have been to Disney 3 times before, so we know our way around and know how to plan.

What would you do?

(We usually travel in the 2nd week of June)

 

[danceintherain]

I haven't been over Spring Break in a long time, but I have been the week after Christmas.

I think if you go in knowing it will be more crowded than usual, and thus the number of attractions you'll be able to accomplish will be reduced, then it can still be quite enjoyable.
You also need to be prepared for the extra expense.

Personally, I probably would just plan on celebrating at a different time, but we have small kid(s) so we can't do the late nights.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Yes - I really thought that my love for WDW would overcome my problems with huge crowds. I was wrong.

It wasn't the lines - it was the crowds. Crazy, shoulder to shoulder. Never again.

 

[Lees3rwe]

Thanks for the honesty...

I don't want to turn our happy place into a frustrating place. We have had amazing luck every other trip.

 

[GovieMom]

It wasn't the lines - it was the crowds. Crazy, shoulder to shoulder. Never again.

Yep.

 

[droycro]

We were there in 2013 during spring break. MK closed each due to heavy crowds (I think is was a phase 3 closure). Anyway, we got to each of the parks as close to rope drop as possible and had great success. We usually had lunch in the park, maybe rode a few more rides or saw a show, then headed back to the room. It's the same strategy that's always recommended, and it does work. Going back to the parks in the evening was nice too, even if it was only for a few hours. We never did evening EMH, because that was too hard with getting to parks at rope drop.

Of course we didn't have FP+ for that trip, but with it in full swing now, scheduling a few rides for the afternoon or evening seems like a good idea during the heavy spring break crowds.

OP - I just noticed that you usually travel in June. I must say, the weather will be much nicer during spring break. We visited last year during an odd cold snap, but it was still nicer than Florida in June.

 

[MyKidzMick]

We were there Spring 2012. It was crowded but we didn't think it was that bad. We are used to Disneyland when it is shoulder-to-shoulder and this wasn't even close to being that bad or as bad as New Year's Day 2013 in DHS.

We had a wedding reception at GF the Monday before Easter and the self-parking lot was only half full. The Concierge told the guests to leave their cars there and use Disney transport for the rest of the day even though no one was staying at an onsite resort.

We went to Fantasia Gardens late one evening and were one of only a few groups on the course.

I think you will be okay as long as you have a plan in mind.

 

[Lees3rwe]

Nice!!! Maybe I will talk it over with my hubby and son.

I don't mind the heat in June so much... we live in NC, so we are used to the heat and humidity.

Another question... if you make a room only reservation, can you add the tickets and dining when you get there? I have always booked everything at once, but i'm hoping to see free dining come out.

 

[MyKidzMick]

Nice!!! Maybe I will talk it over with my hubby and son.

I don't mind the heat in June so much... we live in NC, so we are used to the heat and humidity.

Another question... if you make a room only reservation, can you add the tickets and dining when you get there? I have always booked everything at once, but i'm hoping to see free dining come out.

I'm not sure about dining but you should purchase tickets before your arrival. You can then link them to your account and schedule Fp+. It really will be necessary for you to schedule Fp+ in advance due to it being Spring Break.

 

[danceteachermom]

We have been spring break and enjoyed it. Be at parks for rope drop...tour until any time between 12 and 2 and then leave. We tried to go back one night for Wishes and I was scared at the crowds...hated it. It was absolutely crazy...you could not even move. We did not try late night EMH.

 

[Lees3rwe]

I am scared of the whole magic band thing too... I don't know anything about it.


We may just do summer and go with what we know. I would hate to waste that time and money and not be able to enjoy ourselves.

 

[disneydentist]

We went last year, and will be going again this year, the week before Easter. Don't plan on any discounts.

If you're talking about this year, the crowds aren't expected to be AS bad as usual for Easter since it's so late. It will still be VERY crowded but there's quite a bit of dining availability given that it's already less than 90 days
out.

 

[Lees3rwe]

That is interesting.

I need to check this pin that I got for a room discount to see if it is applicable.

 

[GAGirlInVA]

Nice!!! Maybe I will talk it over with my hubby and son.

I don't mind the heat in June so much... we live in NC, so we are used to the heat and humidity.

Another question... if you make a room only reservation, can you add the tickets and dining when you get there? I have always booked everything at once, but i'm hoping to see free dining come out.

You cannot add the dining plan once you get there.

If you book now, you can change it if a dining deal comes out but I wouldn't expect one. There is a Spring Discount now that might work for your dates.

I think because Spring Break varies throughout the country (back home it's the first full week of April for the golf tournament, here it is in March) it keeps the crowds down a bit. We love going for the Flower and Garden Festival (and our anniversary is in April too!)

 

[MyKidzMick]

The MagicBand is exactly like the KTTW card but is worn on your wrist.

By using your My Disney Experience account, you pre-select your three Fp rides per day. That's the only thing that is new... instead of pulling paper Fp you have your rides booked before you even enter the park. Most people plan on afternoon Fp+ and do as many walk-on rides in the morning before the crowds hit. You should be fine!

 

[dc1969]

Easter is at the end of April this year. Is it still spring break for some places?? Ours is in March up in Canada.

 

[J and R's mom]

You guys will be FINE! Will it be crowded...yes. But your touring strategy is spot-on, so no worries.

And I say this just coming off a mid-December trip (12/9-12/15) that left a really bad taste in my mouth due to CROWDS. Just navigating through the parks (even AK in the afternoons) was nuts compared to our previous mid-Dec trips. We don't like to do rope-drops-and really don't thick like crowds-so we try to go off-season. Off-season's just not what it used to be AT ALL. But that's .

My guess is crowds will be similar to your June trips (slightly more crowded as Easter approaches) but you'll have much nicer weather...which makes for nicer people being around you.

....Another question... if you make a room only reservation, can you add the tickets and dining when you get there? I have always booked everything at once, but i'm hoping to see free dining come out.

My understanding is that you MUST book the dining plan 72 hours prior to arrival. You cannot book once you are there. I'd call and check, though. The park tickets you can purchase anytime.

You'll have a great trip.

 

[Lees3rwe]

Thanks, everyone!

It's looking more possible and I can be with my Prince Charming on our anniversary at our favorite place!!!

 

[WorldWacky]

We were there in 2013 during spring break. MK closed each due to heavy crowds (I think is was a phase 3 closure). Anyway, we got to each of the parks as close to rope drop as possible and had great success. We usually had lunch in the park, maybe rode a few more rides or saw a show, then headed back to the room. It's the same strategy that's always recommended, and it does work. Going back to the parks in the evening was nice too, even if it was only for a few hours. We never did evening EMH, because that was too hard with getting to parks at rope drop.

Of course we didn't have FP+ for that trip, but with it iin full swing now, scheduling a few rides for the afternoon or evening seems like a good idea during the heavy spring break crowds.

OP - I just noticed that you usually travel in June. I must say, the weather will be much nicer during spring break. We visited last year during an odd cold snap, but it was still nicer than Florida in June.

We were right there with you! It WAS really crowded, BUT since Easter was early, a lot of colleges were also out on Spring Break. Also a cold front pushed those on beach vacations to the parks during that week. A Perfect Disney Storm, if you will. The Flower and Garden Festival will be going on at that time and Epcot is beautiful, not to mention the food booths that have been added.

We went back over Thanksgiving and FP+ was in effect. I LOVED having our FPs already planned. No more running around for mom!

With your strategy, OP, you'll be fine. We got so much done over Easter break despite the crowds because we rope dropped every morning and left at noon when the crowds really started to get crazy. Have a great trip!

 

[Lees3rwe]

Wow... just priced and it is $500.00 more during the April week than June!
That might be the decision maker for us.

Keep the ideas and suggestions coming!