If you normally visit the week before/after Easter, how are the crowds?

[Gentry2004]

The last time we did the week before Easter was 2018, and that was because we had APs that year. It was very busy but manageable. Obviously this was the FastPass era. In 2022 and 2024 we did December and October. With my kids' complicated school/sports schedules and hot summers, I'm debating for 2026 if we want to brave the crowds of spring break or the heat of summer. I was originally leaning summer for the better crowds, but this recent heatwave has me rethinking that.

So, to pick your poison do you prefer spring break crowds or summer heat? I was trying to find a thread with first hand discussion of 2025 spring break crowds but was unable to find one.

 

[cruising spud]

Back in 2019, we went to WDW for the week before Easter and then continued our stay for a few days after Easter. The weather was gorgeous. Until Easter day, I felt the crowds were fine. We had FastPass and did all of the rides and shows we wanted. Then, Easter day arrived. We got to the Magic Kingdom at rope drop. Within an hour, MK was packed with people. Packed like we couldn't move. We have been to Disney a fair number of times, and I have NEVER seen anything like this. Now, for us, not a huge issue, we were staying a total of fourteen days, so we had plenty of park time. If my time was more limited, I would have lost a valuable park day.

Spring breaks vs the heat-I would pick the heat and fewer crowds anytime. As a family we could (within limits) manage the heat. Arrive at rope drop, stay in the park until noon, head back to the hotel for a dip in the pool, a nap, and a shower. Head back out to the parks around 5 or 6. Were there years it was hot, hot, hot-yup. We complained for a bit and then enjoyed the parks. Keep in mind, a lot of the rides and shows are air conditioned.

Now, I have friends who would much rather face crowds than heat. So, this is just my opinion.

 

[loves to dive]

I've been the week before and the week after (literally the day after) many times. I've also been in the summer/fall many times. I really haven't noticed the difference in the crowds around Easter but then again, I always park hop and don't need to ride every ride so I might be crowd blind. I will say the weather tends to be a lot cooler around Easter. I have had some warm days, around 80 some days but I'm from Georgia so that is almost cool for me. I've also had to wear long sleeves or a light jacket early mornings and night in the spring. I've had some rain in spring but nothing like summer/fall where you are guaranteed to have some kind of rain every single day. I would caution you to look at the run Disney schedule before you book. They tend to have a spring race nearish to Easter.

 

[beccasmom]

We visited the weekend after Easter in 2019 (late April). It was a very quick (for us) three-day visit. We only visited one park - Epcot - on Sunday and it was quite crowded. However, it was a Dapper Day and the Food & Wine Festival was ongoing. We had a great time, but I don’t remember how many attractions we experienced besides a few in World Showcase.

The weather was wonderful, just about as perfect as I could imagine. I will say that we visited in early May last year and the weather was very warm (not as bad as August, but close).