I normally visit in September, but now we're going in March!

[photogineer]

Hello all, I am going to making a lot of threads lately

I am normally a September traveler, I love the weather and the crowds and everything about it, but my next trip is going to be in March! I know it's going to be more crowded between F&G and Spring Break, but my DGF is really excited to see F&G so I'm sort of stuck with it!

Details are 2 of us, 28 (Me) and 29 (Her), 3/6/16 to 3/12/16, Staying at POR on DDP. I'm a frequent WDW vacationer, DGF hasn't been in 16 years.

Now, I am the planner, I love to plan, midnight ADR runs never bothered me, they were kind of exciting (yeah, I'm weird), so I don't think FP+ runs will bother me much either, but I am a little worried about the actual trip. September I tended to mix super packed days with slow laid back days, I made use of (original formula) FP where it made sense but often did not need it. Now I know in March I have to make use of FP+ and RD, and I'm ready but I have some questions:

1. During crowded seasons, is there any hope for same day FP+ bookings after you use your main 3? This will affect whether or not I shoot for morning FP times to get them out of the way, or I'll spread them out if there is no chance.

2. Is everything major likely to be booked up by my dates? (3/6 to 3/12), I know some stuff will be tough, but neither of us have interest in A&E, but yes to 7DMT, and there are only 2 of us if that helps. DGF really, really would like BoG for dinner, is that still getting slammed? I'm hoping stuff like the Mountains won't be too bad, how is TSMM these days?

3. How does this sound?

My ideal plan, early in the trip before we start getting tired, is RD one park with no FPs, do all the rides we want, lunch/pool/something then hop to another park with tightly clustered FP bookings, and maybe snag a few same day ones after that. Later in the trip I'd like to scatter FPs and take it slow through the parks to enjoy the atmosphere/shows/etc once we've crossed off the bucket list items.

Neither of us are great in the heat so I'm trying to focus park time on the mornings and evenings, and spent the brutal afternoon hours swimming or in AC equipped restaurants.

Please DIS folk, share your knowledge and reassurances and tips!
Adam

 

[sassie_kat]

It's been too long since I've been for me to be very helpful to you, but we'll be in the World again from 2/23 to 3/1 staying at POR!

Have a wonderful time planning!!

 

[awalker1015]

We went 3/21-28. Busy, busy week. And I was able to get both a lunch and dinner BOG a few weeks before the trip. Couldn't 180 days out but did later. So try that. We never had luck getting additional FP after we used our three but it didn't really impact our trip. Our plan was to do RD each day and schedule our FP either early afternoon or early evening. Some days we left the park for the day arpind 4, others we did midday swim breaks then came back in the evening.

Weather. was perfect. Warm enough to swim but very comfortable throughout most the day.

Have a great trip!!

 

[photogineer]

We went 3/21-28. Busy, busy week. And I was able to get both a lunch and dinner BOG a few weeks before the trip. Couldn't 180 days out but did later. So try that. We never had luck getting additional FP after we used our three but it didn't really impact our trip. Our plan was to do RD each day and schedule our FP either early afternoon or early evening. Some days we left the park for the day arpind 4, others we did midday swim breaks then came back in the evening.

Weather. was perfect. Warm enough to swim but very comfortable throughout most the day.

Have a great trip!!

This sounds like a pretty solid trip, I think we would be pretty happy with what you described. Can you tell me if there was anything you really wanted to do but didn't get to?

Adam

 

[mkla2015]

Easter falls late in 2016... going in early March will probably be a really good time to go.

We'll be there 3/10- 3/18 (spring break in south texas is 3/14-3/18). This year we went the first week in March and it was PERFECT- weather was amazing, crowds weren't bad- we were able to get FP for everything we wanted with the exception of Anna & Elsa but lucked out and had a 15 min wait during Wishes. We got FP for 7DMT and TSMM with no problems so I don't think you'll have problems getting those.

We didn't try for additional FP after our initial 3- there really was no need for them. Wait times at night were down to 20mins or less for most attractions.

Your biggest problem will probably be getting dinner at BOG- try for your last day at the 180 mark. We were able to get BOG for dinner with a party of 12 on our last trip... I will be trying to snag a BOG lunch ressie for next year.

 

[awalker1015]

This sounds like a pretty solid trip, I think we would be pretty happy with what you described. Can you tell me if there was anything you really wanted to do but didn't get to?

Adam

It was an amazing trip. And to clarify about BOG we actually cancelled the dinner res and just did lunch which we liked better. I would have liked to have seen more shows and explored world showcase more. Here is a link to my trip report if you find extra time on your hands. .
http://www.disboards.com/threads/be...sion-a-trip-report-spring-break-2015.3397199/

 

[MermaidMommy]

The second week of March is the start of spring break season, and will be very busy -- usually an 8 on the crowd calendar. Crowds will be summer level, but not Christmas/Easter level. We've gone this week for several years -- much of Texas has this week off -- and with rope drop and a good touring plan, you'll be fine. Last year they opened MK at 8am, and that first hour was deserted. I'd highly recommend taking advantage of the early openings if they do it again this year.

Also, it's highly unlikely that you'll have to worry about "brutal" heat. The weather in March, while variable, is often some of the best of the year, and it's unusual for it to be really hot. Our trip this past March had a couple of really warm days, but nowhere near summer heat levels. So, you really can enjoy the parks more all day long, and you won't have to take an afternoon break.

The FP's that go fastest are typically A&E, Wishes, and Festival of Fantasy parade. SDMT isn't nearly as difficult to get as it initially was, and I doubt you'll have a problem getting it. I think MK is really the only park with consistently good 4th FP possibilities. The other parks just don't have enough to go around, unless you want the lesser rides. But popular rides like Test Track, Soarin, Toy Story, etc. won't typically be available.

 

[scoobygrl79]

Hello all, I am going to making a lot of threads lately

I am normally a September traveler, I love the weather and the crowds and everything about it, but my next trip is going to be in March! I know it's going to be more crowded between F&G and Spring Break, but my DGF is really excited to see F&G so I'm sort of stuck with it!

Details are 2 of us, 28 (Me) and 29 (Her), 3/6/16 to 3/12/16, Staying at POR on DDP. I'm a frequent WDW vacationer, DGF hasn't been in 16 years.

Now, I am the planner, I love to plan, midnight ADR runs never bothered me, they were kind of exciting (yeah, I'm weird), so I don't think FP+ runs will bother me much either, but I am a little worried about the actual trip. September I tended to mix super packed days with slow laid back days, I made use of (original formula) FP where it made sense but often did not need it. Now I know in March I have to make use of FP+ and RD, and I'm ready but I have some questions:

1. During crowded seasons, is there any hope for same day FP+ bookings after you use your main 3? This will affect whether or not I shoot for morning FP times to get them out of the way, or I'll spread them out if there is no chance.

2. Is everything major likely to be booked up by my dates? (3/6 to 3/12), I know some stuff will be tough, but neither of us have interest in A&E, but yes to 7DMT, and there are only 2 of us if that helps. DGF really, really would like BoG for dinner, is that still getting slammed? I'm hoping stuff like the Mountains won't be too bad, how is TSMM these days?

3. How does this sound?

My ideal plan, early in the trip before we start getting tired, is RD one park with no FPs, do all the rides we want, lunch/pool/something then hop to another park with tightly clustered FP bookings, and maybe snag a few same day ones after that. Later in the trip I'd like to scatter FPs and take it slow through the parks to enjoy the atmosphere/shows/etc once we've crossed off the bucket list items.

Neither of us are great in the heat so I'm trying to focus park time on the mornings and evenings, and spent the brutal afternoon hours swimming or in AC equipped restaurants.

Please DIS folk, share your knowledge and reassurances and tips!
Adam

I actually believe you will be going a bit early to where you might luck out on missing the chaos. We are normally winter visitors (dec/jan), did a random early March visit once (2nd week), and were pleasantly surprised at...well, everything! Crowd levels, weather, you name it. However, this year we are taking a huge leap of faith and going at YOUR usual spot (Sept).....I'm scared!!

ETA: this random March trip occurence we took just happened in 2014, 3/9-3/17. Like I said before, perfect! Hope you have a great time!

 

[g-dad66]

1. During crowded seasons, is there any hope for same day FP+ bookings after you use your main 3? This will affect whether or not I shoot for morning FP times to get them out of the way, or I'll spread them out if there is no chance.

Neither of us are great in the heat so I'm trying to focus park time on the mornings and evenings, and spent the brutal afternoon hours swimming or in AC equipped restaurants.

Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom might have some decent FP+s available after you use up your first three, but Epcot and DHS are another story entirely! Anything left won't be anything you would really need a FP for.

And in March you're not likely to encounter any brutal heat. We go mid-March nearly every year, and one year the highest temperature we saw was 72. Highs around 80 are more typical. This year was probably the warmest we had, but it still never got above 85.

 

[soniam]

You are going earlier in March which is good. It won't be as crowded at first, but you will see the crowds pick up as the week goes on. We went the week after yours but this year. We stayed onsite, and I booked FP+ and ADR when they first became available, aka got up early/stayed up late. We got everything we wanted, including BOG dinner, Wishes Dessert Party, & 7DMT. We usually got 4th+ FP+, but they weren't usually headliners. We really on did this at MK and AK. AK was our second park of the day, so I had to get everything when we got there. We got Everest and with some effort eventually got Safari. At MK, for the extra FP+, we got Jungle Cruise, Buzz, & Space Mountain, and not during the fireworks or parade either. That first hour or two at 8am, especially if it's 7am EMH, was awesome and dead. Do it if you can. It was about as busy as summer. The weather is pretty nice. Just book ADR & FP+ ASAP and do RD, and you will be fine. Have a great time.

 

[Jfsag123]

We were in WDW this year 3/14-3/21. Yes, it was crowded, and yes, we got to do everything we wanted to do (and then some). Make rope drops and afternoon breaks your best friends and couple them with well-selected FP+ and you will have a wonderful time. We used 7 FP+ our first park day and that was with not even using our first one until 3pm (Soarin', Nemo, Turtle Talk, 4th Living with the Land, 5th Haunted Mansion, 6th Buzz, 7th Buzz again because the kids got off and immediately asked to re-ride). We got all of the pre-selected fastpasses we wanted (including A&E and SDMT) and were able to select things like Talking Mickey, Jungle Cruise, Pirates, Speedway, Great Movie Ride, Fantasmic! as additionals. Also easily scheduled dinner at BOG, 8am Akershus, CRT, Wishes Dessert Party at our 180+10 date. Don't be scared that higher crowds=less ability to do what you want. In high crowd times the parks have longer hours and run at full capacity, which in some cases gives you more opportunities to do what you want. Bonus of March is really nice weather. I would gladly go over spring break again and am terrified of the heat that will come with having to switch to June next year. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Davey Jones II]

I have a related question: when is Spring Break typically over?

 

[photogineer]

We didn't try for additional FP after our initial 3- there really was no need for them. Wait times at night were down to 20mins or less for most attractions.

Really? I find this really surprising, I didn't even see waits that low in September most of the time, is this typical?

It was an amazing trip. And to clarify about BOG we actually cancelled the dinner res and just did lunch which we liked better. I would have liked to have seen more shows and explored world showcase more. Here is a link to my trip report if you find extra time on your hands. .
http://www.disboards.com/threads/be...sion-a-trip-report-spring-break-2015.3397199/

This one is shaping up to be pretty incredible, DGF is so excited I've been getting lots of happy phone calls with "ooh can we do this too?", as long as I get half of those (and BoG) she's going to be happy, and as long as she is happy, I am happy

I will definitely be checking our your TR, thanks.

Also, it's highly unlikely that you'll have to worry about "brutal" heat. The weather in March, while variable, is often some of the best of the year, and it's unusual for it to be really hot. Our trip this past March had a couple of really warm days, but nowhere near summer heat levels. So, you really can enjoy the parks more all day long, and you won't have to take an afternoon break.

That's good, heat can be a problem for both DGF and myself, we are still probably going to need the breaks, but it's good to know we won't be dying for them.

The FP's that go fastest are typically A&E, Wishes, and Festival of Fantasy parade. SDMT isn't nearly as difficult to get as it initially was, and I doubt you'll have a problem getting it. I think MK is really the only park with consistently good 4th FP possibilities. The other parks just don't have enough to go around, unless you want the lesser rides. But popular rides like Test Track, Soarin, Toy Story, etc. won't typically be available.

We have no interest in A&E or Festival of Fantasy, and we're hoping to get a dessert party booking for Wishes. So it sounds like we will have a fairly easy going time for the rides, and I was mostly looking for 4th FP for MK, the other parks don't have enough rides we want to do to make it all that useful.

I actually believe you will be going a bit early to where you might luck out on missing the chaos. We are normally winter visitors (dec/jan), did a random early March visit once (2nd week), and were pleasantly surprised at...well, everything! Crowd levels, weather, you name it. However, this year we are taking a huge leap of faith and going at YOUR usual spot (Sept).....I'm scared!!

ETA: this random March trip occurence we took just happened in 2014, 3/9-3/17. Like I said before, perfect! Hope you have a great time!

September is easy, you're going to love it! Very easygoing, nice weather, but still has the summer festivity to it. Do a trip report so I know how it compares before my trip!

Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom might have some decent FP+s available after you use up your first three, but Epcot and DHS are another story entirely! Anything left won't be anything you would really need a FP for.

And in March you're not likely to encounter any brutal heat. We go mid-March nearly every year, and one year the highest temperature we saw was 72. Highs around 80 are more typical. This year was probably the warmest we had, but it still never got above 85.

That sounds great, it sounds like doing what we want to do won't be a problem, nor will the heat. I don't mind planning (planning is half the fun, plus it's even better getting to hype everything up to DGF, I hope the trip lives up to it), as long as it all works out, I'll put in the time. Mostly I'm worried about BoG, her heart is absolutely set on it, to the point where if I get a BoG ADR late in the game, I'm going to be sacrificing FPs as necessary to make the park days fit it.

We were in WDW this year 3/14-3/21. Yes, it was crowded, and yes, we got to do everything we wanted to do (and then some). Make rope drops and afternoon breaks your best friends and couple them with well-selected FP+ and you will have a wonderful time. We used 7 FP+ our first park day and that was with not even using our first one until 3pm (Soarin', Nemo, Turtle Talk, 4th Living with the Land, 5th Haunted Mansion, 6th Buzz, 7th Buzz again because the kids got off and immediately asked to re-ride). We got all of the pre-selected fastpasses we wanted (including A&E and SDMT) and were able to select things like Talking Mickey, Jungle Cruise, Pirates, Speedway, Great Movie Ride, Fantasmic! as additionals. Also easily scheduled dinner at BOG, 8am Akershus, CRT, Wishes Dessert Party at our 180+10 date. Don't be scared that higher crowds=less ability to do what you want. In high crowd times the parks have longer hours and run at full capacity, which in some cases gives you more opportunities to do what you want. Bonus of March is really nice weather. I would gladly go over spring break again and am terrified of the heat that will come with having to switch to June next year. Enjoy your trip!

Rope drops and afternoon breaks are the plan! THe first few days of the trip will be the most intense and involve hopping, after that (and we check off the big ticket items) we will problem spend the evenings enjoying DTD and the resort after busy park mornings. That sounds really promising.

Thanks everyone for your feedback, I'm even more excited for our trip now, this is going to be excellent. We will have MM and I'm (as the username suggests) a photography nerd, she is just learning how to use my spare DSLR and she loves it, so I imagine a trip review in our future, hopefully.