How crowded is crowded

[cricket429]

OK, we are going to be at Disney from March 19 thru 23 just before Easter. I understand this is one of the busiest times to go. This is our first time so I was wondering just how crowded people mean. Is it so crowded, you cant get a stroller through? Just trying to prepare ourselves

Thanks

 

[dolphindan1]

I wouldnt say that crowded. I would expect it to be less crowded than christmas and New Years and most of the Summer. I would centure to guess 30-45 minute waits on most of the major attractions. But you can never tell. I am not real experienced on that time of year but I think that is what you can expect. Some like SM might be longer

 

[kilee]

We've been at Easter time. It was crowded-- just as crowded as Christmas (which only makes sense as the year we went MK closed 3 times by noon). This was just a few years ago-- as it's the only time we've gone that close to a holiday. Most ride waits were in the 60-90 minute range. FP's were pretty much gone by lunchtime.

With some really good strategy planning, you'll be able to get a bunch done. Just really now what you want to do as priority and go w/ a good (but flexible) plan. We've also gone during peak spring break time and it was almost as busy. So, I'd be prepared for it to be pretty busy. Don't get scared off though-- it can be done, and be magical w/o stress too!!

 

[nutsforgolf]

That being said, what IS the best time of year to go (the least crowds).

 

[dvcgirl]

Christmas week is the busiest week of the year, followed closely by the two weeks that straddle the Easter holiday. It will be very crowded, but not so crowded that you can't push a stroller. The only time you may have a problem doing that is when there is a mass exodous after a parade or fireworks. Best to sit tight or do some shopping to let the crowds (and lines for trams, buses and boats) thin out a bit.

As for wait times. Someone said 30-45 minutes. No way...definitely more like 60-90 minutes (at a minimum) that week. Only a teeny tiny bit less crowded than Christmas Week...which is absolutely crazy. And definitely more crowded that the summer.

The good news is that parks are open very late so you have extra time to get things accomplished. Utilize fast pass as much as you possibly can. Definitely make as many priority seatings as you can ahead of time so you won't be disappointed about not getting a table at a desired restaurant. And show up with a really laid-back attitude. You'll have a great time!

 

[dolphindan1]

Sorry I mis-understood I thought he was meaning the week before easter week....Yes Easter week and week after Easter are very crowded

 

[boucheresq]

the week AFTER thanksgiving and the first week or two of December are the best weeks to go - never any lines - we always try to go then when we can - this time we're doing MLK weekend and I'm afraid I've been too spoiled from the other trips

 

[PolyAddict]

OK, we are going to be at Disney from March 19 thru 23 just before Easter. I understand this is one of the busiest times to go. This is our first time so I was wondering just how crowded people mean. Is it so crowded, you cant get a stroller through? Just trying to prepare ourselves

Thanks

I am not sure about your time frame, but crowded for me is not being able to push a stroller and that happened to us Thanksgiving week (mostly wed-fri of that week though) the beginning of the week was not that bad.

Michele

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We (DH, DS 9, and myself) will be at Pop MLK weekend, too. We arrive on Wed. 1/12 and depart Sun. 1/16. Anyone have any MLK crowd experiences to share? This question was posted on "Disney Tips" but we haven't had much action!

 

[cheyita]

We (DH, DS 9, and myself) will be at Pop MLK weekend, too. We arrive on Wed. 1/12 and depart Sun. 1/16. Anyone have any MLK crowd experiences to share? This question was posted on "Disney Tips" but we haven't had much action!

I'd like to know too. Fortunately, we're staying through until Friday, so I guess whatever crowd situation that will occur over the weekend should drop down significantly past Monday.

 

[luvsTink]

We went on MLK weekend last year and utilized a combo of UG and TGM strategies and never waited more than 5-10 minutes (excluding preshow) for anything! This year we are cruising through MLK and doing parks after. The only times it became out of hand was Fantasyland mid-day and end of Spectro heading out (of course)

Anne

 

[the kabuki]

Not sure about Easter, but we were there last year Jan 2-10 and hit the tail end of the christmas/new years crowd for 2 days and I can tell you that it was CROWDED! We always go the first or second week in Jan. and comparing it to what I saw from the leftover crowd, which I was told had thinned out from Christmas, I would never go during the "Busy" times. The whole experience is just so much better when it's not crowded. Can't imagine how one could really enjoy it when it's that busy. There was one point in the afternoon in Fantasyland that we literally couldn't get the stroller through.

 

[tinkerbee]

We went to MK MLK weekend on Saturday and it was CROWDED. The park was open late so it made it a little better to handle. Just use fp as much as possible and you'll be fine. We also found going to the parks at opening and leaving for lunch helped us too. Have a great time.

 

[melindaandrob]

We were visiting during MLK weekend, being Canadian we didn't realize it was a holiday weekend. We were in MK and WOW! crowded! I had bleeding scrapes on the backs of my heels from being rammed by strollers, dd (7) was knocked down by someone trying to get to a character. (The handler was excellent as a sidebar, had the overzealous parent go to the end of the line and dd was none the worse for wear) My suggestion during this weekend is avoid MK on Saturday and maybe plan resort activities. When we anticipate higher crowds we usually head to Epcot, larger area so you don't notice crowds really.