How important is FOTL during second week of March?

[emilymad]

I have a week trip planned to Disney from March 7-14th. We are planning on doing one day at IOA. How will the crowds be? Is it worth it to pay the extra money to stay on site? The hotel at Disney is much cheaper. I don't have AAA or any other discounts. Thanks!

 

[imallset]

I am also interested in the crowds this time of year. We are staying onsite at Disney from March 9-14, then at HRH from the 14-18th.

Anyone??

 

[Scratch42]

Not a clue but I do know that it will be March Break for a lot of Canuks!

March Break is basically the March 11 - 19th!

I know of a lot that will be travelling to the great state of FLA!

Us included!

Be Prepared!

janet

 

[MouseGirl]

We were at Universal and Islands of Adventure during the second week of March in 2005 (part of the Canuck invasion and found the crowds manageable early in the morning, but by 11:00 a.m. both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure were packed.

We visited on two different days while we were staying off site, and made sure to get there even before the park opened, then left the parks around lunchtime when it got crazy busy. We then stayed one night at the Royal Pacific Resort onsite, with front of the line privileges, and it was amazing! We walked on to almost every ride, regardless of the time of day. For example, it was a 60 minute posted wait for Spiderman and Incredible Hulk and we just breezed on in several times (past many of the same people, who hadn't moved in line). We took a break midday and a swim at the hotel pool (which is beautiful), then went back later in the day and didn't have to worry about the crowds. We're heading back to Orlando in March 2007, and will be staying onsite for two nights. I would highly recommend it - it spoils you for standing in line!

 

[macraven]

I am also interested in the crowds this time of year. We are staying onsite at HRH from the 14-18th.

Anyone??

don't worry about crowds.
you will fotl and no waits more than 15 minutes.

spring break is different at all regions of the country.

where i work spring break is the last week of march.
where my son goes to school it starts the second week of march.

you will see crowds through march at the theme parks due to spring break happening somewhere.........

 

[imallset]

Thanks everyone! FOTL is the way to go. Two years ago we stayed onsite Disney and visited Universal and tried to do both parks in one day........wow was it ever crazy just trying to see it all, thats why this time I want to take my time and enjoy it all. After this past weekend blizzard here in the Northeast, I cannot wait to leave!

 

[ladybugz11]

we went to universal in march last year and in july...both times stayed on property. The crowds were very manageable in march...not too many people in the parks compared to July. FOTL waits in March were like 5 min. Where as in July they were 15 to 20 for rides like the MUMMY.....I hope this comparison helps.

 

[emilymad]

thanks for the help. It seems that FOTL is the way to go. We haven't decided if we are going to IOA or Busch Gardens but the FOTL benefits make me lean towards IOA.

 

[robvia]

School calendar is here.
http://www.fldoe.org/districtcalendar/
The Orlando area is Orange and Osceola counties. Tampa is Hillsborough.

FOTL will definately help, and what was said about everyone arriving at 11am is true. You can take a lap around IOA and do the major attractions if you show up early. But at 11am forget it. The people arrive like herds. I'm usually leaving at this time. Then at 4pm, they tire out, and head for the exits while I'm coming back to the park for the evening.

The early thing definately helps at any park you visit.

 

[EMT-319]

We've been to Universal/IOA the second or third week of March for the past couple of years. Stay in the park - You'll be glad to have FOTL.

Last year we were able to ride The Mummy six times in the same amount of time it took those in the "regular" line to ride it just once. The parks were not very crowded last mid-march, but the FOTL line wait was 0-5 minutes whereas the regular lines were at least 45mins to an hour minimum for each attraction. ...saved a lot of time and rode a lot of rides in 2-1/2 days.

My Daughter's school will be changing their "spring break" from mid-march to Easter week next year!