How are crowds in April? Does fastpass work?

[cheerdancer11]

Last time I visited here I was lucky enough to go the 1st week of December- possibly the least crowded time to visit . The longest wait was 40 minutes or so for Splash Mountain. How is it in April as far as crowds go? Should I expect 1hr long waits (even w/ fastpass) on test track, tower of tower, rockin roller coaster, etc. I heard good and bad about fastpass- does it really ensure close to no wait or do you have to wait in another line when your time comes? Thanks!

Michele

 

[Grog]

I'm curious about the April crowds as well. We'll be there from the 17th to the 24th. Hoping to miss most of the Spring Breakers. I love FP. Whenever I've gone back to an attraction to use one, I've never had to wait more than five minutes

 

[jess98ac]

I'm also wondering as I'll be there for a quick weekend from 4/22-4/26.
Thanks!

 

[maximom]

Last time I visited here I was lucky enough to go the 1st week of December- possibly the least crowded time to visit . The longest wait was 40 minutes or so for Splash Mountain. How is it in April as far as crowds go? Should I expect 1hr long waits (even w/ fastpass) on test track, tower of tower, rockin roller coaster, etc. I heard good and bad about fastpass- does it really ensure close to no wait or do you have to wait in another line when your time comes? Thanks!

Michele

We went last August which is supposed to be one of the busiest times and I don't remember ever waiting that long in line using Fastpass!

 

[heidijot]

Hello Everyone,

We are heading out for our third April road trip on the 16th to arrive Florida on the 17th!!! We love April in WDW, the crowds are not bad at all and the weather is always heavenly. We have used the fast pass a few times on the most popular rides, but usually a way to handle time management.

Hope eveyone has a wonderful trip,

Heidi and the Road Monsters

 

[disneymom1]

I have been to WDW in every month except the summer months. April is one of the best. Weather is good and as long as Easter is not near the time you are going (it's in March this year), the crowds are not too bad at all. The most popular rides will probably have lines exceeding 20 minutes mid week and will be longer on Friday through Monday, however those are the rides you can get a fast pass for.

Fast pass works great. If your fast pass says to return between 10:00 and 11:00, you can get another fast pass at 10:00, go on the first fast pass ride and then return to the second ride. Effectively you can have 2 fast passes going at one time. This really helps to get you onto the most popular rides with a minimal wait.

 

[Grog]

I have been to WDW in every month except the summer months. April is one of the best.

That's nice to know. I've been in May before and the crowds were moderate with no really long waits. I was afraid April might not be as good since Disney lists it as Peak Season.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

I went last year in the first week of April, and we waited longer than our trip the previous year in July...I'd say Buzz was the longest for about an hr & half! We never did get to Space Mtn...
As for fast passes...I like them...except that you can't have more than 1 in a short period of time.

 

[Local_Girl]

Last year, Easter fell on April 11, so the first full week of April (4/4-4/11) would have been one of the busiest weeks of the year...This year, because Easter falls in March, it shouldn't be quite so busy when we arrive on 4/3. I'm hoping to see throngs of people leaving as we are arriving, LOL!!
Hope all who are going in April have a great trip!

 

[Disney Daniel]

We were in Orlando last April 10th-20th, and we noticed moderate crowds for the first few days due to Easter, however as we got closer to the 20th, the crowds began to diminish. As for fastpass, we noticed little wait times while using it.

Going to move this thread over to the Theme Park Attractions and Strategies Board for you.

 

[tjkraz]

I heard good and bad about fastpass- does it really ensure close to no wait or do you have to wait in another line when your time comes? Thanks!

Depends a lot on your expectations. For rides that have a pre-show, you'll still have to wait in line for a couple of minutes, view the pre-show, and then wait to board the ride.

On something like Buzz Lightyear, you'll probably be on the ride in two minutes with a FastPass. But, for Test Track, it could easily be 10-15 minutes.

Just remember the whole point behind FastPass is to keep you from waiting in line. No matter the ride, the wait time should be MUCH quicker than using the Standby line. All of that time you are not spending in the Standby line is time that you are using for other attractions, dining or shopping.

 

[jwfla422]

Mid to late April shouldn't be bad this year especially considering Easter falls on in March. We have been to WDW in late April 2 yrs in a row and found it not crowded at all except on the weekends, got a little busier.

However, I do think it will probably be busier than the first week of December. What a great time to go!! We were there last month then too--no wait on MS and 5 min wait at TT. Can't beat that (ok-no wait on TT can beat it...LOL!)

 

[lllovell]

I have been in April before and am going again this year as I hope that MOST spring breaks will have been earlier with Easter being in March this year.

April is great because the weather is cool enough to be nice and warm enough to swim, etc without usually being overpowering hot.

 

[cheerdancer11]

Thanks for all the great responses! I'd definietly go again the 1st week of december, but id miss too much school if i did . I'm glad to hear fastpass works- i really hate lines so this is a gr8 option for me where i can walk around the park while essentially theres a spot saved for me in line! I'm going to Universal as well so I hope there Express pass works similarly to FASTPASS.

 

[Suivi]

Hello everybody, maybe you can give me an advice:

duration of stay: 2 weeks (Disney and Universal).

I have time from mid april until mid/end of may 2005. Can you tell me which 2 weeks will be the best - considering crowds and wheater?

What I know is, that beginning of may could be busy because of beginning of celebration party at WDW and that end of may students will have holiday.

So my consideration is to do Disney end of april and to do Universal beginning of may…. or will it be better to do both in May…

Thanks for your advices! (have never been to USA)

Christian

 

[Leota]

If I had a choice between April & May, I'd go mid-May. Spring Breaks seem to be spread out over late March & April here in the States.

Mid-May, you are between the kick-off & Memorial Day. Plus, you will have all the new attractions ready from the 50th Celebration.

 

[tjkraz]

I have time from mid april until mid/end of may 2005. Can you tell me which 2 weeks will be the best - considering crowds and wheater?

What I know is, that beginning of may could be busy because of beginning of celebration party at WDW and that end of may students will have holiday.

How about the last week of April and the first week of May? I don't necessarily think that the start of the 18-month long celebration will really cause a huge surge in crowds. Although Disney is billing this as a worldwide event, the real reason for it is DisneLAND's 50th anniversary. Besides, parents aren't going to pull their kids out of school right at the beginning of May to attend an event that runs for a year and a half.

That said, we'll be there on 5/5/05 when the celebration begins (it was just coincidence), and I fully intend to be in the Magic Kingdom on the 5th, just in case they have anything special planned.

 

[Suivi]

@tjkraz: Thanks for your advice. And what about first two weeks of May. Someone told me that there is less crowd in May compared to April.

 

[tjkraz]

@tjkraz: Thanks for your advice. And what about first two weeks of May. Someone told me that there is less crowd in May compared to April.

I honestly couldn't tell you how crowd variances may differ between the last week of April and the second week of May. April can be bad, particularly when Easter (often synonymous with Spring Break) is late. This year Easter is in March. So, by the end of April, Spring Break season should be well over and crowds much lower.

Here are a couple of things to consider:

1. Grad Nights at the Magic Kingdom happen on Friday and Saturday the last week of April. Count on an early public closing for the MK those nights and a lot of teens running around.

2. Regarding May, perhaps I will be off the mark on the attendance following 5/5. Realistically WDW will probably host a press event sometime in May to show-off its two new attractions: Soarin and Lights, Motors, Action! When these events occur, Epcot and MGM will close early for the press event and you may see a bump in overall attendance.

3. If you happen to be a Star Wars fan, MGM is hosting Star Wars Weekends beginning on May 20th. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday for 4 weeks beginning on the 20th there will be a slew of Star Wars related events at MGM.

Personally, I'd go later rather than sooner to get the best shot at viewing the brand new attractions. Lights, Motors, Action is sounding like it may open as early as March. But given the refurbishments occuring at Epcot's Land Pavilion, it sounds like they won't be able to start live testing on Soarin until April. Visiting in May should give you the best opportunity to ride Soarin.