How busy is March in the Theme Parks

[CatherineH]

I have just booked a trip to BWV in March (22 - 27th) of 2004 but am a little worried about the crowds at this time.

This is one week after the Canadian schools March Break - but when is spring break in the USA? Is it different for each State?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Cathy Henry

 

[dkfogt]

That is our Spring Break here in Columbus, OH!

 

[~Sparkly~Zoe]

You couldn't pay me to go to DIsney during that time.

 

[CatherineH]

Yikes - not the replies I was hoping for - so are you both saying that many States (what about Florida?) have their March School break at this time? Why is it so busy - and why isn't it Premier Season?

We went last year around March 8th and the crowds at Disney and Universal were very low - was that unusual? maybe a little of Sept. 11th still dropping tourism levels at that time?

Oh well - can't change things now - have flights etcetera - will have to do our visits fast and early! Thanks to you both.

 

[Peggo]

I was there in early March a few years ago, and the crowds were not bad at all. And then the Cheerleaders came...

 

[Geoff_M]

Why is it so busy - and why isn't it Premier Season?

It is in fact "Peak" season at WDW (the 2nd most expensive season). The only time busier at WDW is the week of Christmas. This year Peak season is from Feb 13 to Apr 24. The closer you can get to the start or end of that period, the "less" crowded it will be, but you'll still pay a high premium for the hotel rooms.

 

[Kate-n-sam]

Here's a link to spring break dates that I started on the family board, within that link there are other good links that include polls on spring break dates. If it makeas you feel better we aren't off until the last week of april this year. Two years ago we were in WDW for the last week of March, it was crowded, but not unbearable, actually quite manageable. Being an optimist, I like to think that the throngs pulled their kids from school for a fall trip this year due to the great fairytale package offered, we can hope!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=441367

 

[gillis95]

It seems like MOST spring breaks begin mid march thru mid april. There are some beginning early March but I've heard the real surge in mid March. Don't stress. Like you said you've booked the trip and if you can't move it you can still have fun. At least the weather will be cooler and not like the crowds in July!! That's when I would NEVER go..even paid..and I'm from Texas where 100's is normal...but not standing with 50000 people!

Have fun!

 

[Peggo]

Quite right, gillis. And don't forget now we have FastPass!

 

[dimimi]

We went to Disney last March. Our vacation was one week before easter. We got to the park when it opened and we had VERY little lines. It was wonderful. I don't know if we were just lucky. We even noticed that the parks were only open until 8. During the weeks before and after Easter, the parks were open until10. Have fun.

 

[Augustheather97]

We have gone in march for the last 12 years faithfully and have perfect weather and never had a problem with crowds being too big...the earlier in March we go the better we have found though...this year we are going 3/13-3/21 2004....

 

[2tinksmom]

We went mid March during our Spring Break. There were crowds, but it was very manageable. The weather was awesome and we were able to do everything we wanted and then some!! My DH thought that there were too many people there, but then he's spoiled. The last time we went was Thanksgiving week, 2004 and there weren't very many people at all!!

 

[Belle1962]

March 19 - 26: Palm Beach Cnty, FL
March 20 - 28: Schaumburg, IL; Chicago suburbs, IL;
March 21 - 28: Univ of Cinncinnati
March 22 - 26: many St. Paul MN; Corvallis, OR; Shelby Cnty; AL; Univ of MD;
March 22 - April 2: most private schools Clinton Twp MI;
March 26 - April 2: Bowling Green, KY
March 27 - April 4: Lake County, IL;
March 28 - April 2: Georgetown, KY;
March 29 - April 2: private school Newnan, GA; Lake Cnty IL; DuPage (Chicago suburb) IL; Shreveport & Bossier City, LA; Sehleby Cnty, KY;

Here's from the listing on the Theme Parks Board. If you want to keep up with the list:
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=415026

 

[GeoffM24]

It seems while March may be a little more crowded then the low months it certainly isn't the peak "spring break" time period. If you look at the Disney calender for '03 they don't expand their hours until the 2nd and 3rd weeks in April. Living in the North East that is exactly when our spring breaks are. No one around here gets out in March.

Having said that is is the prime spring break time for Colleges but we aren't talking about Cancun here.

I just found out that I will be in Orlando on business from March 21st to the 24th and I was going to go to disney after that but I may switch it to before just to be safe.

 

[llp479]

We were there last year from March 29 - April 4. Parks were dead. This was our first trip in March, as we have usually gone early Feb, before President's day. I would say the crowds were smaller than they were in Feb.

Going again this year March 27 - April 3.

 

[Ashleigh]

I plan to go to WDW on my Spring Break, which is March 1-5. I believe most colleges have their spring break before the high schools do. The high schools here don't get out until the 3rd week of March or so.