How bad will the week BEFORE Easter be?

[Jillnkids]

My birthday and my daughter's birthday is that week and it's our Spring Break week. How bad is it during that time of year? I've always heard nightmares about how crowded it is. Just mulling it over in my mind.....after all it will be my 40th bday!

Jill

 

[MomofKatie]

The 2 weeks surrounding Easter are among the busiest of the year at WDW, along with Christmas week and President's Day week. among others. Figure that if you have a school break, so do thousands of other families around the country.

As long as you plan for crowds, you can still have a great time - just make sure to arrive to the parks before rope drop, have a "must-do" list, use FP wisely, and make ADRs for any TS dining you want to do. Make good use of guidebooks and sites like the DIS- being prepared and well-informed will really help!!

 

[Yen Sid]

It will be busy, I am not totally sure of the levels but it will be very crowded.

 

[Pakey]

We were there in 2005 for the week before Easter and it was pretty crowded. Standby lines were frequently 120 min for rides; the longest standby time we saw was 220 min for Soarin. However, we were anticipating it and after it was over; we looked back and felt that it wasn't as bad as we had expected. We had to plan a little more than usual but we felt it was a great vacation. We would not choose to go that week if we had the option but we wouldn't stay away if that was the only time we could go.

 

[Jillnkids]

Thanks so much for the quick replies. We're just thinking about it. I'm a megaplanner for Disney trips so I would definitely plan out a trip for that time. We usually go during the first week of October, but I'd love to go for my 40th bday. Thanks for the input.

Jill

 

[frankenpooh]

You can have a great time during those crowded weeks (and it will be packed), especially if you're early birds. The parks will open at 8 a.m., and if you're there right at opening, you can get lots of rides in before the masses arrive. I celebrated my 40th at WDW a couple of years ago during spring break, and I wouldn't change a thing!

 

[DisneyDebbie]

A plus for your family going that week is the new promotion for '09. If you go on your actual birthday you can get Disney fun cards equal to a park admission. OR you can get magic fast passes for you and up to 5 more people.

So if you have 2 birthdays in that week, you can get double!

If I were in your shoes, I would do it! HTH!

 

[Jillnkids]

I knew you could get in free on your actual birthday. So do you get the "fun cards" if you already have admission or what? That almost sweetens the pot, if you know what I mean. I'm have a bit of trouble convincing my DH that this would be fun.

 

[GovieMom]

The week before Easter is just as crowded as the week after. If you do decide to go then, good luck!

 

[Jillnkids]

I went to disneyworld.com to answer my own question about the fun cards. They basically give you a gift card in the amount of a 1 day park pass good only on your birthday. The fast passes would be really great especially during a busy time. Now, I just have to convince DH that we should do this!

Jill

 

[Belle1962]

Here's a thread about spring breaks with a poll/chart showing school breaks.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=25937853#post25937853&highlight=