How Bad is March Break?

[awalker1015]

Can you tell me who Josh is? (I am sure that is a dumb question, but we have not been to disney since 2009 so I am trying to find all of the reliable planning sites).
Thanks!

Oh sorry!!! He is the person behind easywdw.com, which is a great resource for crowd calendars.

 

[Lucius Best]

Do you remember how long your waits were during Easter for the popular rides such as Splash Mountain and Big Thunder (but not including the new Mine Train and A&E if you went)

The wait times are going to fluctuate all day, they will be 10 minutes at rope drop, and well over an hour midday, maybe a little less after dinner.

My totally unscientific rule of thumb for crowd level translation to ride time is: multiply the crowd level by 10 to get the approximate wait of a headliner during the busiest park of the afternoon (level 5 = Space Mountain/Rock N Roller Coaster/Test Track about 50 minutes). Add 20 minutes for a big headliner (7DMT/TSMM/Soarin). Divide by 2 for a secondary ride (HM/PTOC/Star Tours 25 minutes).

Like other have mentioned, the most important thing is getting to the park at rope drop. Whether you go to the parks in September on a "4" day or in March on an "8" day, if you go to any of those headliners right at rope drop, you're waiting at most 10-15 minutes, and 7DMT and TSMM are going to be more than an hour wait in the afternoon.

 

[Jfsag123]

We went during mid-March this year and had a wonderful time! Made me actually want to return at Spring break in the future. The weather was great (though it was apparently unseasonably warm this year) and crowds were present, but completely manageable. If you are someone who is willing to be there for rope drop, you can get a whole lot done. We rode everything we wanted to, many things multiple times. We got Haunted Mansion as a 4th and 6th fastpass on different days. Walked onto Splash and Big Thunder after having done Jungle Cruise and Pirates right after rope drop. Changed my Splash FP+ to a Talking Mickey on the fly. It was a truly great trip.

 

[drnp]

We did second week of March this year during our spring break, and it wasn't that bad. Parks felt like an "8" crowd level on most days. The weather was perfect and we were able to get the FP+'s we wanted for the times we wanted (stayed at Swan so had 60 day window). Actually, the worst crowds we experienced were one night at DTD and at the Harry Potter areas at US/IOA. At those places, we could barely walk at certain points.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

If Easter falls early - within the first week of April or sooner - forget Spring Break. When the two (Easter and Spring Break) are close together the crowds are bad enough that I would not go for free.

 

[gingerbread4life]

My favorite trip of all time was in March. We went March 16-23, 2012 or at least that week. The weather was wonderful, the crowds were awesome and our trip was magical. I would love to go back over Spring Break, but it's a short week when you include travel.

We've been many different times. Often in December out of necessity, and are going back this December, but March was the best!

 

[Frozen2014]

Thank you all. So I won't let the crowds turn us away then. We would rope drop, use FP+ of course, use touring plans advice for parks, and well, just be patient for the rest. I suppose one challenge will be getting those FPs and ADRs with more people trying.

So looks like biggest bottleneck with March is the $$$ (hotel and flight), but if DH doesn't want to pull DS out of school anymore as he'll be in grade 6 or 7 when we go next (so I get it) , then only other option is late August...which sucks because of weather. Funny as the Pros and Cons are opposite for the two months (i.e. either good weather but big crowds and cost OR hot and rainy but lower crowds and cost).

 

[staceyrhood]

After living here next to Disney for the past 14years I have learned that anything after the first week of March is very very busy until mid to late April. Spring breaks vary so much. And colleges have spring breaks usually starting the second week of March. Of your two choices I would pick the week before Labor Day for sure unless you go the very first week of March...based solely on crowds. I hope this helps

 

[Frozen2014]

After living here next to Disney for the past 14years I have learned that anything after the first week of March is very very busy until mid to late April. Spring breaks vary so much. And colleges have spring breaks usually starting the second week of March. Of your two choices I would pick the week before Labor Day for sure unless you go the very first week of March...based solely on crowds. I hope this helps

Actually if it was up to me, I'd go in August the week before labor day. For the fun of it, I did a price comparison and hotels are super cheap plus free dining and a package with park tickets with hoppers. Such a difference. But I don't think I"d get DH there that time of year as he finds it uncomfortably hot once it reaches 25 degrees. For me, I love the humidity.

Our March Break next year is right mid march from Mar 14-18...which I'm sure like this year will have crowds of 8 and 9 and be rated $$$$ for cost.

 

[bababear_50]

Hi Frozen2014
Another Canadian here (Southern Ontario)
I have been only once in Aug and will never go during that time again.....the Humidity was awful.
I have been going every year (past 9 years) during March Break.
I look for flights 11 months in advance. I am a DVC member so I book my room 11 months in advance,one of the deciding factors of buying a small DVC contract resale was my being in the education field and my only vacation times were Christmas and March Break, which are two of the most expensive times to travel--anywhere, not just Disney.
I rope drop and use Am. EMH (Morning Extra Magic Hours) so by the time the parks start to fill I usually have done 5 or more rides.
I then use my FP+ for an additional 3 rides. Next I take a break for brunch and decide if I am going to take in a couple of
shows, attractions. I am usually finished in the Parks by 12:30-1:00 pm at which time I return to the resort.
Sometimes I will return to the Park in the evening. Wishes Dessert Party.
So it is possible to go during this time and have a blast.
Going in March Break makes a great break from the awful long winter here and the flowers blooming in Orlando just add a Touch Of Magic!
Have fun planning
Hugs Mel

 

[Frozen2014]

Hi Frozen2014
Another Canadian here (Southern Ontario)
I have been only once in Aug and will never go during that time again.....the Humidity was awful.
I have been going every year (past 9 years) during March Break.
I look for flights 11 months in advance. I am a DVC member so I book my room 11 months in advance,one of the deciding factors of buying a small DVC contract resale was my being in the education field and my only vacation times were Christmas and March Break, which are two of the most expensive times to travel--anywhere, not just Disney.
I rope drop and use Am. EMH (Morning Extra Magic Hours) so by the time the parks start to fill I usually have done 5 or more rides.
I then use my FP+ for an additional 3 rides. Next I take a break for brunch and decide if I am going to take in a couple of
shows, attractions. I am usually finished in the Parks by 12:30-1:00 pm at which time I return to the resort.
Sometimes I will return to the Park in the evening. Wishes Dessert Party.
So it is possible to go during this time and have a blast.
Going in March Break makes a great break from the awful long winter here and the flowers blooming in Orlando just add a Touch Of Magic!
Have fun planning
Hugs Mel

We're from Ontario too. Yeah, I think the Aug weather would be a shock to our systems...lol.
That's awesome that you've been going yearly.

Do you find you get the best flight prices that early out? (Actually they post them that early?). Off topic a bit, but we are doing a cruise next April (and thus the delay for our Disney return) and our flights just opened up. But not sure if we should book now or if prices will drop in a bit. Unfortunately flights from Canada to US ain't cheap at the moment...especially when we need 4 tickets.

This sounds like a good plan and you seem to get a lot done. I keep reading about taking afternoon breaks , both regularly and for hot times.
When we went in Oct, for us, we had no need for a break (our kids are past napping). And it just seems like a big effort or time waster, especially at MK since to get to and from was time consuming (maybe because we drove, but if we took the bus, there would be time waiting for the bus to come). I'd rather stand in line for a ride that time. What we did for "a break" was took one day off, and on that day we swam at the pool and even drove to a local outlet mall. This worked well for us

Oh my gosh...all this Disney future planning is making me Disney homesick....so itching to go back (even with our cruise next spring)

 

[bababear_50]

Hi
Because I live so close to Pearson Airport I prefer to not fly out of Buffalo.

I know many Canadian disers that do fly out of Buffalo.
I do not think WJ ( West Jet) or AC (Air Canada) fares will go down,, however others have had luck with Southwest and Jet blue prices comming down.

I don't actually just stay at the resort in the afternoons ,,,,
here are a few things I do in the afternoons..........................

I go shopping at the outlet stores.

I head over to Saratoga Springs Spa,mani-pedi.

I go shopping at Downtown Disney (Disney Springs).(usually I eat lunch at Raglan Road on March 17th--St Patrick's Day)

I head to Typhoon Lagoon water park (it is usually open in March).

I head to DTD for a matinee movie.

I read a book while chilling at the resort pool, hot tub.

Sometimes I leave everything at my resort ,,pack an overnight bag
and call a cab and then I head over to Universal for a one night 2 day visit.

Have fun planning your next visit
Hugs Mel

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Its not too bad. I was in the thick of it with the actual Easter break and I agree that right after was MUCH busier. Oddly, our May 3 trip last yr was masses and chaos, but this yr, even Memorial SWW was livable. Think it is due to figuring out this FP thing sooooooo much better than last yr...

 

[Frozen2014]

Hi
Because I live so close to Pearson Airport I prefer to not fly out of Buffalo.

I know many Canadian disers that do fly out of Buffalo.
I do not think WJ ( West Jet) or AC (Air Canada) fares will go down,, however others have had luck with Southwest and Jet blue prices comming down.

I don't actually just stay at the resort in the afternoons ,,,,
here are a few things I do in the afternoons..........................

I go shopping at the outlet stores.

I head over to Saratoga Springs Spa,mani-pedi.

I go shopping at Downtown Disney (Disney Springs).(usually I eat lunch at Raglan Road on March 17th--St Patrick's Day)

I head to Typhoon Lagoon water park (it is usually open in March).

I head to DTD for a matinee movie.

I read a book while chilling at the resort pool, hot tub.

Sometimes I leave everything at my resort ,,pack an overnight bag
and call a cab and then I head over to Universal for a one night 2 day visit.

Have fun planning your next visit
Hugs Mel

Dh talks about driving to Buffalo and flying from there to save a few dollars, but it'll just make the trip that much longer. So I'm not a fan of that. We fly from Pearson too. Ok...good to know as I do see the Canadian airlines fluctuate a little, but doesn't sound like it'll be much or even going down.

Your non park time sounds fun.

 

[allybabba98]

We live in Toronto and go in September (yes bad parents we pull the three boys from school). It is just so much cheaper and easier for me to get time off of work. September is hot and humid too but we are pretty good about taking breaks. Perhaps look to see if there is a PA day before March Break. Would your DH be willing to leave on the Wednesday or Thursday before March Break? That may not be as bad crowd wise, I am thinking more about Pearson and the border crossing.
Enjoy your planning!

 

[soniam]

We went on your exact Spring Break dates this year, 3/14-20; however, the first few days were at Universal. It wasn't bad. We have always gone in the summer, and the crowds were about like that. We did notice the crowds getting heavier as the week went on. The weather wasn't bad, not too hot/not much rain. It was hotter than we expected though, high 80s/low 90s. I liked that MK had park opening at 8am, so AM EMH started at 7am. We accidentally slept in. We still got to the park by 7:30am, and it wasn't very crowded. We got a ton done before lunch. The Flower and Garden Festival was still going on at Epcot, so we got to see that and eat at the food booths. St Patrick's Day occurred during our visit, and the parks and hotels had some fun stuff for that. Nothing was closed for refurb, which was nice. I would really consider going again at that time; however, I really want to go during Star Wars Weekends next year, mid-May to mid-June. We can really only go during busy times though.

 

[Frozen2014]

We live in Toronto and go in September (yes bad parents we pull the three boys from school). It is just so much cheaper and easier for me to get time off of work. September is hot and humid too but we are pretty good about taking breaks. Perhaps look to see if there is a PA day before March Break. Would your DH be willing to leave on the Wednesday or Thursday before March Break? That may not be as bad crowd wise, I am thinking more about Pearson and the border crossing.
Enjoy your planning!

Hi...yes, I think DH would be ok leaving a couple days early to avoid the airport crowds (after all, he hates crowds more then me). Or other option is to leave on the Monday of March break. That way, at least we would avoid the Orlando weekend visitors. Actually looking at this past March Break, the crowd predictor the week before our March break was a 7 vs during March break which was an 8 (with weekend 7 and 8), so perhaps earlier is better. And come to think of it, the Friday before March Break has been a PD day the past couple years. Definitely will keep that option in mind.
We went last October and it certainly is a great time of year with the Halloween stuff. September would be even better for crowds. And yeah, we took our kids out of school like you, and will this coming April (DS will be end of grade 5)...but then getting to a point where (DH) is less uncomfortable with it. To me, it's precious family time, plus less crowds and cheaper so I am good, but get where DH is coming from.