help needed for when to go again!

[go cat]

It's been a while since I last had to post a question, but I know where to come for an answer.
We are planning our next trip, it has to be in the school hols. Please give me your thoughts, opinions or experiences about the following times of year - 14 days covering the Easter period or during start to mid Aug.
Our last trips were Feb (presidents week) and Aug.
I think both times will be busy but which do you suggest?
thanks

 

[Mpet]

Hi

Both the periods you mention will be busy. Have you thought about the last two weeks in August?

For the past few years we have gone at that time and it has been a bit quieter. The US schools are usually all back after their Summer Break by mid August, so the crowds in the Parks are lighter.

Maxine

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Another vote for the last two weeks of August. It is noticeably quieter than the first two weeks of August, although the park opening hours do start to shorten slightly in the last week. I can't comment personally about Easter as I've not visite at that tim eo year, although I'm sure I've read that Easter weekend itself is one of the busiest of the year.

Regards

Rob

 

[USA_mad02]

Hi

We have been twice and it has been in Easter. We usually go a few days before the easter holidays as the flights are so much cheaper. We really notice the difference when the easter two weeks arrive. Although we still went to the parks it was busy but I love going at easter. The weather is great it isn't too hot which I prefer.

Hope this helps and good luck deciding!

 

[Hilary]

We haven't been in August, having been put off by the thoughts of climate rather than crowds. However, there are many here who travel to WDW in August (especially the end of the month)and have no problems with the climate.

We have been over Easter, and are planning another Easter trip in 2004. Whilst it isn't my first choice of time to go, I'm more than happy to repeat the experience, so it can't have been that bad! Yes, the parks were crowded, but with a bit of planning (and knowing in advance that you undoubtedly will have to cope with crowds) it needn't spoil your trip.

When we visited over Easter it was our second trip, so we had a better idea of what we felt was worth queuing for and what we could skip - you'll probably be the same. It was also our youngest DD's 8th birthday on Easter Saturday, so she had pick of the day's activities, and it just had to be Magic Kingdom for the whole day! We were staying on-site, so took advantage of early-entry and arrived early, and heard that the park had closed because it had reached capacity by mid-day. We managed to do all the 'big' rides in the first few hours and spent the rest of the day at a more leisurely pace.

Have fun deciding!

 

[Rain]

W are flying out Good Friday too. I was wondering if the crowds will last the whole two weeks of our stay or does it just effect The Easter days ie Friday to Monday.

 

[Scottish-Helen]

One thing if you do want to go at Easter, I'm a travel agent and you HAVE to book really really early to get Easter as it is so popular, especially if you cannot leave a day or 2 earlier than the set holidays.

 

[go cat]

Thanks for all your comments, at the moment we are waiting for the new Virgin book to come out. But we are still unsure..........
We are thinking of making a list of fors and against for each month. Can anbody tell me if anything special happens at Disney at Easter?

 

[richard3330]

We have been before, many times around Easter and are going back in 2004 at this time.

The weather is glorious at this time of year, not too hot, but comfortable and there was very little rain. One year we went from March 26th for 2 weeks and the first week was fairly busy and the second week was extremely busy. The second easter trip we went from March 18th and the first week the parks were very quiet, but got a lot busier the second week. The first week was still part of the UK and USA term time, where as the second week was holiday time in both USA and UK. I think late March/Early April is a great time to go for weather.

Have you thought about Christmas Time - it is wonderful at this time of year, although the weather isn't too good and the crowds are heavy, the atmosphere, decorations and parades easily make up for it.

 

[The Lost Boy]

Im not sure how other schools operate, but the one my 5 yr old son attends has become very anti taking children out of school term time for school holidays. He needs to have permission signed off by the headmistess and its very frowned upon

We are going on the 6th April for 2 weeks so that my son only comes out of school for 1 week then following week he is on school holidays anyway then he has a week at home (still school hols) to recover before going back to school.

 

[Hilary]

at the moment we are waiting for the new Virgin book to come out

I made some enquiries over the weekend direct with Virgin (hadn't seen the new brochure, but knew the prices were out) about our planned trip over Easter 2004.

We wanted to fly out on Friday, 2nd April, but were told we could save over £1,000 (for 3 adults and a teen) if we could fly on 31st March instead! . The Virgin rep then checked availability for Gatwick/ Orlando on 31st and found there were no economy seats left - only PE!!! (I assume that these are only the seats allocated to Virgin Holidays, and other operators may have their own allocation available.)

So, if you plan to travel during the Easter school holidays, as Helen said - book as soon as you can.

Oh, and in case you wondered we've booked to go via Miami instead (as we intend spending some time in the Keys on this trip) and 'saved' another £170