Help for day strategies during Easter

[needabrk]

I know, I know... it's going to be terribly busy. My husband is a teacher and doesn't really get time off work other than the usual breaks. So it was either Easter break or summer. Being from Michigan, I know my kids will not last in Florida heat in the middle of summer. So we'll make the best of it.

During busy times, what are the best days for the various parks (we aren't planning on doing any water parks). We will be at WDW Easter Sunday through Thurday with 5 day park hoppers. Our children are ages 2 1/2, 4, and 6 1/2. We are thinking that we will divide most of our days in half with naps in the afternoon (staying at Fort Wilderness CG). Should we use the early entry days for our mornings and switch to another park after our naps or avoid the early entry days altogether?

We were able to get Cinderella's breakfast for Easter Sunday at 9:55am. So we will plan to get to the park for the early entry and do as much as we can before breakfast. Then maybe see some shows that can accomidate larger crowds or use some fast passes before leaving for naps. I know early entry days can be busy so we thought we'd return in the late afternoon to a different park.

Any help with strategy would be appreciated.

 

[MELSMICE]

We have gone during Easter the last few years & will be back again this Easter season.

With kids that age they will probably be up early. I would take advantage of as many EE days as you can, take a break like you mentioned & then return to another park or the same one after your break & stay until it closes.

Remember though, about 1/2 way through the trip the kids will be exhausted. It's not fun at all when kids are crabby & mom & dad get frustrated. At that point you may want to let them sleep in one morning, spend the afternoon at the pool & then head to a park late afternoon/early evening.

One suggestion - stay away from MK on Easter Monday. It is crazy - even in the evening. We have found EPCOT to be a great park to go to on Easter Sunday if you are planning on a park that day.

Remember, just take some time to relax. If not, you will need a vacation when you get home. WDW is a lot of fun, but it can be exhausting. Listen to yourselves & your children. If they are getting tired, stop for a while for a break. It does no good to keep "trekking along" when everyone is getting miserable.

 

[needabrk]

MELSMICE
You said Easter Monday then Easter Sunday.

"One suggestion - stay away from MK on Easter Monday. It is crazy - even in the evening. We have found EPCOT to be a great park to go to on Easter Sunday if you are planning on a park that day."

Did you mean Sunday? Since we have the Cinderella breakfast on Easter Sunday, that puts us in MK at least for the morning. Is it especially crazy then?

 

[MELSMICE]

I did mean that Easter Monday is crazy at MK & that Easter Sunday was less crowded in EPCOT. I guess that sounded like I was confused.

Actually, I think you would be OK doing MK on Easter Sunday. Many guests do church on Easter Sunday morning so they are not in the parks. I would say get there as early as you can before your PS, get as much done as possible & then back to your resort when the park starts to get crowded.

Have a great time!!

BTW - we love the campgrounds. Are you staying in a cabin or your own facilities? We have stayed in their cabins. The campground is Disney's best kept secret as far as I'm concerned. It is so serene & there is so much to do there. You'll love it!!

 

[needabrk]

MELSMICE

We're camping in our pop up camper (although we will have full hook ups since we have our own shower/potty). It's a little additional work to camp, but with full hook ups it shouldn't be too bad. We knew we wanted to be in the world for nap convenience and by eating some meals in our camper straddling the nap we will save a bit more. We like to do a lot of traveling and this makes it more affordable.

Do you have any good FW tips, especially best way to travel to and from parks? I had a friend who thought driving to the parks was quicker than the transportation.

 

[MELSMICE]

The best way to get to MK from FW is via the boat. Depending on what loop you are in you may just be able to walk to the Marina to board the boat instead of waiting for a bus. It may be quicker to walk. If you have not already done so, call & request a loop close to Pioneer Hall, which is near the marina.

For the other parks you will probably want to drive. You get free parking when you are staying at a Disney resort. An option to get to EPCOT would be to take the boat to the Contemporary & ride the monorail from there.

I camped with my parents & siblings when I was younger at FW & absolutely loved it. My DH isn't a camper but he loves to stay in the cabins. I know camping is a little more work, but it is worth the money you will save on meals, etc.

FW has a great campfire program that your young kids might enjoy. They hold it every evening, with the exception of a rainy day. If you have time you may want to check it out. They also have a petting zoo which would be fun to do while you're waiting for the Hoop Dee Doo to start.

There pool is nothing fabulous, but it is relaxing & at the main pool you get ice cream bars & a few light snacks. At the secondary pool they only have vending machines.

I could go on & on about FW & what a great place it is. You will have so much fun.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Last year we went during Easter week, (like you - no choice). We arrived on Wednesday and got into MK in the mid-afternoon. My girls were 2 1/2 and 4.

Although I thought I had prepared myself for a crowd I was shocked that we were only able to ride 2 rides all afternoon. Half of the fastpasses were gone by mid afternoon for the kid rides (Buzz and Peter Pan), the other half were hours later and the line for Dumbo was over 1 and 45 minutes. We were probably 20 minutes from boarding but our PS for CRT arrived and we had to get out of line or lose our PS.

Moving through the crowd was very slow going with the stroller.

My saving grace is my girls are night owls and the park cleared of toddlers by 8:30PM so Fantasyland was better in the late evening.

I'm not crazy about waterparks but I bit the bullet and went and it was the best descision I made! Instead of waiting in line at all, we got there at opening, got a chair and it was NON-STOP fun. They had an entire area devoted to small children. It was the best value.