Having second thoughts... Booked at Vero for Easter, but missing WDW

[thisismyusername]

We go to Disney several times a year (usually short trips), so we booked VB with the intention of doing something different for a change, but now that our trip is getting closer, we have been second guessing ourselves and realizing that we might really miss being at Disney since our next family trip isn't until the summer. Another concern of mine is that if the weather isn't fabulous pool/beach weather (which is a real possibility at the end of March), we're going to be super bored out of our minds.

But I am also really scared of going to Disney at Easter since I know the crowds will be crazy; however, we are also such frequent travelers that I'm not sure that it matters that much to us if we don't do much more than our three fast passes and wander around the park and then hit the resort pool or the water park.

We are booked for 5 nights; is it even feasible to consider a split stay so we can hit Disney for two days and then hit VB for three nights?

WWYD?

 

[drusba]

You do have some risk at VB of weather being cooler than needed for using the ocean or pool, although it is often warm enough. Assuming any availability at WDW (questionable but possible -- I have not checked -- for OKW or SSR if seeking more than 1 day), you can cancel beginning or end dates of your VB reservation without having to first cancel the entire reservation. As far as crowds go, the fastpass system alleviates the crowd situation to at least allow three rides. However, you are already past the 60 day period for most of Easter time for getting your fastpasses and that likely means you should not assume you will be able to get meet and greet with Anna and Elsa, Seven Dwarfs Mine ride,and possibly some others, and you are not going to get any popular rides via the stand-by line unless willing to wait in line an enormous amount of time, e.g., for something like Test Track, 2 1/2 hours.

Moreover, you are long into the restaruarant reservation period for Easter time and you may be blocked out from making reservations for any popular restaurants for dinner or Character meals and you should have no expectation of getting one of those as a walk up (during Easter time I was once at Crystal Palace on the Friday before Easter at 5:30 when somone walked up and asked for "next available time" without having a prior reservation and the answser given was "next Thursday at 8:30 p.m.") Do not know if you have been Easter time before. If not, and you also have not gone at Christmas, then you will see crowds that you have never seen before. What is very noticeable is how thick the street crowds can become, as the time to walk from one end of MK to the other can increase by 20 minutes or more over anything you may have experienced before. Also be aware that when days are warm enough, the water parks fill to capacity before 11, although usually open up again a few hours later, and you should not expect to get decent sitting places unless you are there first thing in the morning.

 

[Anal Annie]

Personally we felt 3 nights at VB was enough, even in the middle of the summer. The pool there is sort of protected from the beach tho so you might be able to hang out there. But if you go to WDW THAT often and have another trip planned for summer you may find skipping it for a change over spring break will make you appreciate it more when you go back. When we buy AP's we usually have a year with at least 3 trips and then we "lay off" for a year with no trips. It does make us feel like we're ready to go again - like withdraw symptoms after a year. Easter week at WDW is extremely busy and MK usually gets on my nerves by about 10:00 or 10:30 am (about the time it reaches capacity). I'm sure availability at WDW is slim if any so you'd have to be willing to take whatever was available. I'm not sure it's worth changing now at this point tho... I would probably just stick with what I have booked.

 

[quinnc19]

I find it hard not to visit WDW when I am near there, so I probably would do a split stay. Even if you spent 1 night, you could go to the parks 2 days. I recommend you hit the RAT before you get too far in your deliberations.

 

[thisismyusername]

Well, we pulled the trigger and canceled VB. Surprisingly, we got a great rate (cheaper than VB), got all of our FPes, got all of the dining we wanted, etc. We are totally fine if we only do the three FPes we have scheduled, visit a few F&G booths, and nothing else other than swim, relax and hit the water parks if the weather is nice enough. I may even keep my car reservation and hit the beach one day if the weather is nice enough. I feel so much more at ease with our decision, and my family and kids are thrilled to be headed back.

 

[Halle]

I think you made the right decision. Have a great trip.

 

[bumbershoot]

Oh why didn't I see this yesterday? We disembark from a cruise on Easter and I've been trying to figure out where to stay that night and the next before our flight home. There hasn't been anything DVC that I can find (that would suit our points and family size...not going to go with a 2 bedroom so if those are available it doesn't matter). Then I thought...VB! NOTHING. Big ol' nothing.

But then I see this post a day late. Sad! And DVC is undergoing maintenance right now. So I can't check to see if something is there. Drat. (and I know it would have been a drive from PC then to the airport)

 

[TiggerBouncy]

I have been struggling myself with VB. i want to make a stay there as we get worn out at DW. Then, common sense comes around and I realize that going to Florida on DVC points and going anywhere other then DW would be a level of insanity that might mean I need to up my medication.