How bad was Easter at WDW Really?

[Daydreamin]

Our family has a 1 bdr reserved at BWV next year the week before Easter. This will be our first stay at our new home (BWV). We'll arrive Sat, 3/23 and depart Good Friday, 3/29. We're hoping that leaving then will help with crowds?!?!

My question is...JUST HOW BAD IS IT? I've read lots about how bad spring break is at WDW, but we really wanted to try it. We are all early risers, which I'm hoping will help...but I've also read that its not wise to do the early entry parks during this time. Anyone have thoughts or experiences to share (how long are the lines really?). When we've gone in the past, we've typically been at the park as they are opening up for the resort guests and leave when its starts getting too crowded. What about BWV? It sounded that the pool really got crowded at the end of the week...but didn't seem as bad early. True?

This past Easter, we were at VB and had heard that it was going to be bad. Honestly, I think leaving on Good Friday morning was perfect because thats when it started getting crowded. We had a great time.

Help...

 

[BVC4us]

Easter wasn't bad at all. We arrived Easter sunday and left the next saturday. Yes, it was crowded but we had a fantastic time. we went to the Early Entry parks and got there by 7:25. We stayed until 11:00 and then went to another park. We also did FastPass and it worked great. I can honestly tell you that we did not wait more than 10 minutes for any ride. it was great. We had priority seatings at a few restaurants and the only one we had to wait for was Crystal Palace. The weather was perfect. I would go at Easter time again. If you know that it will be busy and plan accordingly you won't be disappointed. As I say, we had a great time!!!

 

[dopey2]

We found the crowds to be worse than in the summer. We got to the parks early and by noon it was so crowded we left and returned later in the evening. The parks were still crowded but managable. We would not go again at Easter but we are glad we went once at this time.

 

[drusba]

The three most crowded weeks of the year are the two surrounding Easter and Christmas week. From our experience those are significantly more crowded than any other weeks of the year. They make the heavy summer crowds look tame; they make President's Week look like off-season. Also, next year will be a bit of the double whammy as large numbers of schools, including colleges, that don't usually attempt to allign their spring break with the Easter weeks have their usual spring break the last week of March or first week of April meaning they will hit those Easter weeks next year as it falls at the end of March.

That's the bad news. Nevertheless, particularly for those who have been before and thus do not have the mindset that they must do every ride and attraction, it can be done. The weather is usually ideal--mid-80's, no significant humidity, rain generally limited to a few thunderstorms that most often happen overnight when you are sleeeping. Contrary to what you may have been told if you do early entry you can actually do quite a bit the first couple of hours. Note though that usual ee is sometimes dispensed with--they may simply open all the parks early every day to everyone (that is usually not decided until just before the week) but often most people don't know about that change (you have to ask because it may get little publicity) and thus the usual patterns still occur. Parks have the longest hours of the year (MK to midnight) thus helping to alleviate the crowds somewhat. Fastpass helps a lot (although fastpasses for the entire day for some rides can sometimes run out by 11). Hitting parks in the late afternoon and early evening on non-ee days can also help as you may find many rides with small lines then. Be aware that there are no e-nights during the Easter weeks. One of the rules we follow at that time of year is to never get into a line that is more than 30 minutes long (and some can be extremely long; it is the only time of year I have seen the regular line for Test Track reach 3 1/2 hours). For those rides with long lines just come back later, like during a parade, or get fastpass, or ultimately if the crowd never alleviates just skip the ride. Also, it is imperative that dinner ressies be made in advance.

 

[prncssjas]

I do not blame you for hesitating about Easter time. But I do agree with drusba. If you go in with the right mindset, it won't be too horrible. Although I have never been down during the week of Easter, I did make the mistake of going on the 4th of July weekend. That was a nightmare! Because not only was it horribly humid/hot, it was crowded! And I was with my parents who have that "must see it all, do it all" attitude--NEVER AGAIN!! It was bad! Don't get me wrong, I like to see a lot too but not when it's during unreasonable conditions.

That said, the weather being more mild during April is a good thing. And just be sure to take care of all your PS's from home. And take breaks and such-- that makes a big difference when it's crowded. I think you will still have a great time. Good luck and have fun!!!

Rima, leaving for VB/BWV in 9 days....YAHOOOO!!!!!

 

[LauraS]

I think the fact that you are all early risers is a good thing with respect to tackling WDW during Easter Break. You'll need to hit the parks early, take a nice long afternoon break and return to the parks after dinner to do the most attractions-wise. If you'd like to do lots of sit-down dinners, definitely obtain your PS well ahead of time. I think that the key to visiting during Easter or Christmas breaks is going into your vacation with a positive attitude and lots of patience.

There are some folks around here who don't mind Easter at all. Others, like myself, would never return during Easter break again. I've done it once, and it was not for me. We are used to the late April/Early May crowds and although I've heard about how crowded WDW is during Easter, I just couldn't believe *how* crowded it actually gets. It sounds like you've never visited during Easter before, and so this trip will be a great way for you guys to see how you like it. If the crowds really get to you, and it's not your thing, fear not because as a DVCer you can go back again and again and again.
Good Luck!

 

[dtheboys]

That is the worst week to go! The week before Easter is even more crowded than the week following Easter. The reason is that most schools are closed a half day on Thursday and full day on Good Friday, so most parents take that week off from school.
DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT! Call the Boardwalk and they will tell you that the week before Easter was so crowded that they put up a temp. fence around the pool and added security gaurds.
Call the front desk and ask!
We have no choice to go at Easter, but we wait untill the week after. It is still crowded, but not as bad as the week before.
Sorry, but that is the way it is! :
We had to go down to the pool very early in the morning just to get a spot. Read some of the threads concerning the pool situation.
We still have fun at Easter, but I wish that we could go at another time. We have kid's in Highschool so it is difficult to take them out school.

 

[lodgelady]

We went Easter week 2000 which was quite crowded due to millenium celebrating. The cons as far as I was concerned were that everything you don't usually plan ahead for took longer ( waiting for a stall in the ladies room every time we went or just walking around thru the thick crowds) also I found it to be more tiring ( negotiating our way around took more than the usual concentration). On the other hand, park hours are long, parades and shows run more often, there is a lot of excitement in the air. I would say as most of the above posters do- go, but adjust your expectations about how much you will see AND don't go without all your PS made! Hope it works well for you!

 

[BethA]

We arrived the Wed prior to Easter and left Easter Mon this past Easter--stayed at VWL. It was crowded in the parks by lunch and the pools were very crowded at the hotel in the afternoon, but rather then take the kids out of school it worked for us. Since we go to WDW 2-3 times a year it did not spoil our trip. We got up early to do the things we really wanted to and then went back to the hotel, returning to the parks in the evening. One day we went to Typhoon Lagoon when it opened and got a great spot. If you don't mind getting up early like everyone said you can still have a great trip.We've been there for Memorail Day and 4th of July--both were worse. We don't always do the early entry. Booking the breakfast at Hollywood and Vine gets you in and ready for the attractions to open. It's all what you make it and since we love Disney we love it.

 

[Daydreamin]

Even though I knew the answer, I was just praying that it would turn out to be better than this. Oh well... we'll give it a try. I quess being DVC means that we just don't have to do everything. We'll be back for 41 more years!!.

The water parks sound like a plan we'll have to do rather than try and go to the resort pool. Our kids absolutely loved Typhoon Lagoon last summer. This time when we go, we'll know just where to park ourselves.

This past Easter week, we were at VB and we hit Universal the Thursday before Easter and found it to be quite nice. I never really thought about the fact that colleges will still be spring breaking because of the earlier than normal Easter. ...

We really wanted to do an early vacation and then a July trip to Washington DC. May have to re-think. I guess a family vote will be in order.

Thanks for everyone's help...

 

[BethA]

be sure to get to the water park early--there seemed to be a lot of Fla residents running to the spot they wanted. If you don't act quickly you won't get a good spot---lots of chair hogs saving chairs they never used. I'm sure you'll have fun.

 

[FarmerJohn]

I've been going to disney at EASTER since I was 12 with my parents, crowds?? what crowds??isn't that how DISNEY is suposed to be??I think EASTER at DISNEY WORLD is the best!!! The late nights at MK are realy magical. The parades, the fire works, the flowers, the temperature, it's all great!! Was there once with my wife on superbowl weekend & it was strange to me. St. Paddy's day wasn't enough people either. Seemed abandoned!! Didn't feel right. We were there this past EASTER on our first stay at BWV & loved it Took advantage of EE days, back to BWV in afternoon then back to park at night. Made resies. for next easter at BWV already. Can't wait!! I guess being from NY I might be a little more used to the crowd thing????????

 

[DisneyMim]

Here's my 2 cents. We've been at Easter twice now this year and last year. I expected the worst and was very surprised. It wasn't at all as bad as we expected. We are not early risers, never get to the parks before 11 am. It all depends on your state of mind. We go often, at least 2X a year so we are never in a huge rush to do everything. I would not suggest Easter for first timers or for infrequent visitors, but for DVC members I wouldn't worry about it. The MK was the only park that we noticed crowds and even that really thinned out by the end of Easter week. We spent Easter day at Epcot and had a blast. It wasn't crowded at all. We made 1 reservation prior to leaving home, for Easter day and that was because we had a party of 9. We didn't make any other dinner reservations until we arrived at WDW and even then only made 2 others and just walked into restaurants the other times. We are go-with-the-flow type of people so this helps us. Even on the most crowded day at MK we did everything we wanted. After going so often you get to know how to work the crowds. We stayed late almost every night and walked on a lot of rides at that time.

Everyone has a different experience with crowds, heat, etc. You absolutely have to know what type of people you are and what will bother you. My husband is a high schhol teacher in a major city school so we always go during school breaks. Sometimes you have to go when you can. If you go with the right attitude you will have a good vacation. Good Luck whatever you decide.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

We were in Disney for a week beginning on Easter Sunday. It wasn't bad but you need to plan. If you are the type who can plan ahead and stick to it, things will be fine. But if you are the type to just wake up in the morning and see how you feel before deciding what to do, find a different time of year. Get to the parks early and get out of them in the early afternnon. Make priority reservations well ahead of time and relax at your hotel pools in the afternoon. If Easter is your only choice because of school vacations or some other reason, plan to have agood time!

 

[MalificentMe]

Hello, we also were at the Boardwalk Villas this Easter. We found that with the new fast pass that we would fast pass longer lines and go visit calmer shows that were less crowded while waiting. We felt it was crowded but for the first nights Sunday the 8th thru Wednesday it was quite nice. After Wednesday the crowds got considerably worse at all areas of the theme parks and pools. Consider purchasing an Annual Pass so that you will not feel as if you have to squeeze everything in on one day. You can go back to the room and relax and try something on another trip that you may have missed due to the crowdes. Personally my lesson was that it is managable if you keep a good spirit and know when to go back to the room for a dip in the pool instead of sweating on the lines. (This Easter it was 86-90 each day.) Take care and happy trip planning!!!!

 

[ILuvDVC]

We done Easter twice now (the week after Easter), and I was pleasantly surprised at how uncrowded it was. I expected it to be wall to wall people, but I only found that on occasion at Magic Kingdom. I do not like crowds, so I really was expecting to hate it. But, since we go to the parks so often, I find that we just skip attractions that have those long lines.

The best part of going during Easter Break, is the weather!

Don't get me wrong.....there were many more people there than other times I have went (May, October, Eary December)....but, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would.

I went to see the Electric Light Parade on Mother's Day weekend, one year, and it was wall to wall people, and it took an hour to get from the castle to our bus stop. Heck, when we got to the bus area, it was wall to wall people, and we couldn't even see our OKW Bus Stop...that was the worse I had ever seen it. Now, we just leisurely take our time, and let the crowds leave, and then leave the parks. We will stop on Main Street for an ice cream...or something and people watch, as people leave. It's so much more fun doing that, that bumping people in the crowd and trying to get to our bus .