I need some encouragement - Spring Break 2016

[tikkipoo]

So our spring break falls on the weeks before and after Easter next year. I am SOOOO very nervous about going because of the crowds. I am a super planner and my family doesn't mind following my directions. Can anyone tell me that we will be ok with good planning? I know it is going to be busy, but will we still be able to have a good time?

 

[kj2mom]

All I can say if I understand! My children's friends were turning 13 on the 4th of July so we had no choice. We prepared for the worst, knew we were going to be in the parks with thousands of our new sweaty best friends, and planned the best we could. We had sooo much fun and would do it again in a heartbeat! We planned the meals we wanted, we maximized our rope drop time and used our FP mid afternoon when wait times peaked. We joked that our longest wait of the week was the traffic light at the exit of our time share. Plan, prepare, expect the crowds and have fun!

 

[wisblue]

You will have fun, especially with good planning. Because of having students, and now schoolteachers, in the family, the week after Easter has been the most common time for our trips. A few things to keep in mind:

1. Late March and early April is, in my opinion, the best time of the year to visit Florida in terms of weather. Even if there are above average temperatures, it isn't likely to be as hot and humid as it is from May through September or October. But, it is also likely to be warm enough for swimming if you care about that.

2. The parks usually have long hours, so it is perfect for people who like to start early or stay late. The last few years the MK has had AM EMH starting at 7 AM every day so, if you're staying on site, that presents a perfect opportunity to do a lot of things with short waits for 3 or 4 hours. Then, if you like, you can take a break in the middle of the day, and come back later to use your FPs.

I know I was a little apprehensive when we took our first Easter trip in 1997. But, that trip was great and now that has become my favorite time of the year to visit WDW. I expect to be visiting again next spring from the Saturday before Easter until the Friday after.

 

[nancyjo1998]

We went for spring break in 2013. It was the week after Easter that year for us. We planned, planned, planned.... We expected the worst of the worst in terms of crowds, anticipated having to wait in uber long lines, planned on not doing everything we wanted because of crowds and all I can say is our trip was completely opposite of what we anticipated. We had the most amazing trip, did not wait in lines much longer than 30 minutes. Having a good plan and knowing its ok to deviate from the plan I think you will have an awesome trip.

 

[tikkipoo]

Oh thank you all so much! This is making me feel better. I was listening to the Universal Podcast and they were saying Never Never go during that time because it is awful! It made me absolutely sick! This is my DD's senior year trip and I just want us to have a great time

 

[porschegrl]

Thank you for posting this, OP. We've got new APs burning a hole in our pockets, so to speak, and I'm planning for an "extra" trip during spring break 2016 (ours is the week before Easter). I'm hoping for the best but planning for the worst. Replies have given me a glimmer of hope.

 

[tikkipoo]

Me too! So now all I have to do is my psycho planning (which we all love to do) and we should be set! I have announced to the family that we will be getting up early to go to the parks - with a promise of an afternoon nap and swim break. They seemed to find that "compromise" acceptable.

 

[nco91590]

As long as you're booking ADR's, FP+ and hitting parks early in the am, you should be ok. I've been over busy times (not spring break, but 8-9 crowd levels) and we just stuck to the plan and managed to get everything done that we wanted. We left the parks after lunch for pool/people breaks and went out to dinner. We watched fireworks from restaurants (instead of battling crowds at the end of Wishes) and still had a great time.

I think the worst part about going when it's busy is everyone else being cranky. There's nothing worse than hearing other guests yell at CM's or their kids.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

Rope drop is your friend! We went Easter Week 2015 and will be back Easter Week 2017. We go for Disney's High School Spring Training so we have to take breaks for softball games. Day 1 MK opened at 7:00 AM all week. We were on the bus while it was still dark but it was so worth it! We walked on rides for a couple of hours then started using our FPs+ at around 9:45. We stayed until after lunch (1:00ish), made a 4th FP+ for Pirates in the evening before we left. We got back to the parks around 7:30 for rides, parade and fireworks.
Day 2 we did Epcot and DHS for dinner & Fantasmic. Day 3 we did AK, DHS and Illuminations at Epcot.

With a good touring plan, rope drop and FP+, you can have a great trip!

 

[Deffenm]

We went during Easter Week a few years ago and we had a blast. Like everyone else has suggested Plan, Go early in the morning, and set realistic goals. We actually decided to try the water parks and Disney Quest on this trip to give us a break from the crowds. We also did a Pirate Cruise on Easter Sunday for Wishes instead of watching from the Park. Have a great time. We maybe going during Easter again for 2016.

 

[maryandtyson]

Thank you OP for asking this! My older DD will be starting high school in 2016 and our schedule will change. I've been preparing to NOT go at all for awhile. These responses give me hope!

 

[BLLB]

So our spring break falls on the weeks before and after Easter next year. I am SOOOO very nervous about going because of the crowds. I am a super planner and my family doesn't mind following my directions. Can anyone tell me that we will be ok with good planning? I know it is going to be busy, but will we still be able to have a good time?

We go Easter week (either the week before or after) every year for the last 10, you will be fine. We do rope drop and then come back a little after lunch.

 

[tikkipoo]

I wonder when the hours will come out. And, when they do, I wonder if they will be fairly accurate?

 

[mom4fun]

We have been many times during Easter spring break and always had a great time with low wait times because we knew how to work it. We haven't been since fp+ so I'm a little nervous on everything going as smoothly too. There are lots of encouraging responses.

 

[BLLB]

We have been many times during Easter spring break and always had a great time with low wait times because we knew how to work it. We haven't been since fp+ so I'm a little nervous on everything going as smoothly too. There are lots of encouraging responses.

I was a little nervous as well about the FP+ thing. If you do rope drop, I actually felt like we were able to do a lot more. We got there prior to opening, went in and rode lots of attractions, walk-on, multiple times. I think the boys rode Space Mountain 3 time in a row. (Lots of people going to 7DMT and maybe character meet and greets). It was great, actually. No worries.

 

[tikkipoo]

I have not done FP+ yet either, so yeah, that makes me nervous too. But I guess if the parks open at 7am! that should eliminate some of the crowd!