Late April versus early May

[disney212]

We have a Disney cruise booked in April 2015. We have decided to drive and see Miami and also spend 4 to 5 days at the parks. How are the crowds in April versus May? Our choice is check in to BLT on either April 18 or May 4. The pro's and con's are about equal for us. We know April is normally busy but Easter is April 5 so I assume those crowds will be gone? Our schools here base spring break around Easter but I am not sure about other places. Any advice

 

[LSUfan4444]

April

http://www.easywdw.com/apr14-v5.jpg





May

http://www.easywdw.com/may14-v5.jpg

 

[Love Tink]

We have a Disney cruise booked in April 2015. We have decided to drive and see Miami and also spend 4 to 5 days at the parks. How are the crowds in April versus May? Our choice is check in to BLT on either April 18 or May 4. The pro's and con's are about equal for us. We know April is normally busy but Easter is April 5 so I assume those crowds will be gone? Our schools here base spring break around Easter but I am not sure about other places. Any advice

Opinions about crowds are very personal and can vary. But I can tell you from our experience that I have been there in that same period three times (third week of April, week when April ended and May began, and first week of May). I didn't really find any difference between one week and another.

There are two things to look out for, however. The first - as you've already mentioned - is Easter. A lot of Northeastern school districts take their spring break a week after Easter (so next year it would be April 13-18), so you want to be later than that.

Another thing to consider is that there is an enormous cheerleading/dance event that is always sometime at the end of April. You might want to research whether those dates are set for next year. The event doesn't have a huge effect on park crowds, but it can effect park hours and resort crowds.

 

[dsnyrn]

Easter is the 20th!

 

[dsnyrn]

I read that since Easter is late, crowds are expected to be lower than last year.

 

[gilesmt]

I would do the first week of May, Easter is the 20th and you want to miss that crowd. First week of may is calm and quiet but don't tell any one.

 

[Love Tink]

April

http://www.easywdw.com/apr14-v5.jpg


May

http://www.easywdw.com/may14-v5.jpg

Easter is the 20th!

I read that since Easter is late, crowds are expected to be lower than last year.

I would do the first week of May, Easter is the 20th and you want to miss that crowd. First week of may is calm and quiet but don't tell any one.

Come on. The question is about 2015.

 

[mcd2745]

Come on. The question is about 2015.

You want people to read???!!!



Anyway, in 2015, with Easter being April 5 that means later April should be pretty good crowd-wise as a vast majority of schools will already have taken their breaks. Probably will not be that much different than early May, if at all. As we saw last year, when Easter is the last week of March or the first week of April...those weeks will be insane as many schools break those weeks regardless of when Easter is. A year like this year with a very late Easter at least spreads things out a little better.

 

[disney212]

I am asking about 2015. I figured we would miss the majority of spring break crowds with Easter being earlier. I will check on the cheer groups. We normally go between October and February.

 

[mcd2745]

I am asking about 2015. I figured we would miss the majority of spring break crowds with Easter being earlier. I will check on the cheer groups. We normally go between October and February.

Easter was MArch 31 last year. So if you can find crowd info on last year, it will prabably be a good barometer for next year.

 

[disney212]

I am at work and typing on my phone and I can't figure out to quote...but a huge thanks for the help. Keep the opinions coming. We are DVC so room cost isn't a factor.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Come on. The question is about 2015.

Yes, and this years calendars with a little insight as to when Easter/Spring Break fall is good indicator.

Easter week will be busy, spring break will pick up some, etc.

This isn't that hard. Look at crowd calendar from years past and make the best educated decision.

 

[disney212]

We have looked at the crowd calendar and based on 50+ trips have found them less than accurate. I was curious if others based spring break around Easter and trying to figure it out that way.

 

[mcd2745]

We have looked at the crowd calendar and based on 50+ trips have found them less than accurate. I was curious if others based spring break around Easter and trying to figure it out that way.

There have been polls here in the past you might be able to search for asking when people's spring breaks were. Just off memory, I would say many (30%-40%) were tied to Easter - either the week before or after Easter. Another large percentage (probably in that 40% range as well) had their breaks late March or early April regardless of when Easter falls. Smaller percentages had breaks in early March. Add it all up and an overwhelming majority will have had their 2015 spring breaks by mid-April.

 

[Gillyrose779]

I say why take a risk with spring breaks and pick early May. Better chance for nicer swimming weather if you are into that.

I'm just going off our May trip a few years back and our current planning for this May.

 

[mom2cinderella]

If Varsity maintains their usual schedule, the Worlds cheer comp should be April 25-26 (and Worlds is only for Sr 5 teams) and The Summit should be May 2-3. Some families make a vacation out of it, but a lot of people come in Thursday and leave Monday a.m.

 

[karly05]

Thanks, OP, for asking about this. I'm looking at April 18-25 for my 2015 trip and had the same question. I've been there with the cheerleaders in February this year and last, so not too worried about that. Looking at statistics isn't a bad idea, but some first-hand accounts from folks who have gone in late April of an early-Easter year would be nice.

I almost don't care how crowded it is as long as Splash Mountain is open.

 

[disney212]

We decided to go in April to do the parks before our cruise. I realized that going in May would mean missing my dad's 70 birthday by 2 days. My DD is going this end of April for her spring break as she is a teacher. I will post how it is s if they don't end up canceling their spring break due to snow days.

 

[karly05]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2886346

I found the "2013 Spring Break Poll" thread when Easter was 3/31. Looks like most Spring Breaks should be over by the 2nd half of April, 2015.