Lowest Crowds Spring 2019

[Haley R]

We did the PSD package this year and it saved us a ton! We did it at Pop and we definitely got our money's worth. Whenever we do the dining plan I try to plan a lot of character meals or other more expensive options. We normally don't get the dining plan, but we were taking our 9 yo niece and her mom so knew we would want to do lots of character meals.

 

[Iowamomof4]

We did the PSD package this year and it saved us a ton! We did it at Pop and we definitely got our money's worth. Whenever we do the dining plan I try to plan a lot of character meals or other more expensive options. We normally don't get the dining plan, but we were taking our 9 yo niece and her mom so knew we would want to do lots of character meals.

PSD is one of the reasons I want to switch from Aprl/May back to late January. That, and hoping for a chance at DAH! Oh, and hoping for cooler weather. Just once, I want to walk around World Showcase during the day and not be HOT! We've gone in September and Nov/Dec and even that one wasn't late enough for cooler weather. Maybe I'm cursed!

 

[Haley R]

PSD is one of the reasons I want to switch from Aprl/May back to late January. That, and hoping for a chance at DAH! Oh, and hoping for cooler weather. Just once, I want to walk around World Showcase during the day and not be HOT! We've gone in September and Nov/Dec and even that one wasn't late enough for cooler weather. Maybe I'm cursed!

We went that last week of February and it was hot at Epcot, but that next week people reported it being cold. It’s so hard to predict. We loved that hot weather coming from snow, though. I would definitely switch to January for the chance of dah!!!

 

[dakotix]

Another thing to consider is how Disney changed their dining offers where you're only going to get QS dining even if you book at a moderate. The cost to upgrade to regular dining plan may make the PSD promotion not so great. The price we pay for a booming economy I guess!

 

[Haley R]

Another thing to consider is how Disney changed their dining offers where you're only going to get QS dining even if you book at a moderate. The cost to upgrade to regular dining plan may make the PSD promotion not so great. The price we pay for a booming economy I guess!

This is true and that’s why we ended up going with pop instead of a moderate. Our thoughts were to pay less for the hotel but upgrade the dining to the regular dining plan.

 

[Iowamomof4]

Another thing to consider is how Disney changed their dining offers where you're only going to get QS dining even if you book at a moderate. The cost to upgrade to regular dining plan may make the PSD promotion not so great. The price we pay for a booming economy I guess!

This is true and that’s why we ended up going with pop instead of a moderate. Our thoughts were to pay less for the hotel but upgrade the dining to the regular dining plan.

I was looking at the SPD calculation thread from this year (the 2018 promotion) and I was pretty sure moderates got the regular dining plan (not the quick service). Was I wrong? That would make a difference to us. I know for the free dining (fall promotion), moderates went down to quick service.

Edit: Here's the thread I'm talking about: https://www.disboards.com/threads/stay-play-dine-2018-calculation-thread.3638155/

 

[Capang]

I was looking at the SPD calculation thread from this year (the 2018 promotion) and I was pretty sure moderates got the regular dining plan (not the quick service). Was I wrong? That would make a difference to us. I know for the free dining (fall promotion), moderates went down to quick service.

Edit: Here's the thread I'm talking about: https://www.disboards.com/threads/stay-play-dine-2018-calculation-thread.3638155/

Moderates got quick serve this year. Only Deluxe got the regular plan, all other categories were quick serve.

Also, as something to think about in general for spring crowds this year...since Easter is late many schools will take spring breaks separate from Easter. So many schools will be on break at different times throughout March especially. With the way state testing works now in most states it is easier to have Easter be a 3 or 4 day weekend and have spring break earlier in March. So my advice would be to just go when you want to go.

 

[dakotix]

I was looking at the SPD calculation thread from this year (the 2018 promotion) and I was pretty sure moderates got the regular dining plan (not the quick service). Was I wrong? That would make a difference to us. I know for the free dining (fall promotion), moderates went down to quick service.

Edit: Here's the thread I'm talking about: https://www.disboards.com/threads/stay-play-dine-2018-calculation-thread.3638155/

That's what I am wondering now too. The PSD discount is just that, a discount. It's not free dining so it would make sense that Disney just let you choose which ever plan you want and then apply the discount to it. But Disney loves to nickel and dime their guests. They may have run some simulations which indicate people would be willing to pay the extra upgrade cost. I hope not though!

 

[tinkpower]

Does anyone know what the cost is to upgrade from quick service to counter service for the psd promotion?

 

[dakotix]

Does anyone know what the cost is to upgrade from quick service to counter service for the psd promotion?

I believe it is around $23 per adult per night and $4 per child per night.

 

[JennyDrake]

The first full week of March through last full week in April is miserable with crowds. The last week in February is *better* with better being a relative term, it was unpleasantly surprised at how crowded it was.

 

[Haley R]

Does anyone know what the cost is to upgrade from quick service to counter service for the psd promotion?

Just in case anyone is wondering but quick service and counter service are the same. I’m assuming you meant the regular dining plan.

 

[Haley R]

I was looking at the SPD calculation thread from this year (the 2018 promotion) and I was pretty sure moderates got the regular dining plan (not the quick service). Was I wrong? That would make a difference to us. I know for the free dining (fall promotion), moderates went down to quick service.

Edit: Here's the thread I'm talking about: https://www.disboards.com/threads/stay-play-dine-2018-calculation-thread.3638155/

I thought moderates got quick service this year too but I may be wrong.

 

[tinkpower]

Just in case anyone is wondering but quick service and counter service are the same. I’m assuming you meant the regular dining plan.

Yes I did mean regular dining. The one with a counter service and table service.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

We're looking to go next Spring 2019. We've been in March before and loved it. We're huge fans of the Spring Flower and Garden Show so we've always opted to go mid to late March. Of course we always end up hitting the spring break crowds. They aren't awful but it would be nice to pin down a week when crowds are light. From what I have seen on the crowd calendars is that last week of Feb through the first week of March tend to be lighter crowds. Those calendars are not infallible though. We based a November trip on those calendars one year and it was a crowd disaster!

We like the first week in May. It is after all the April vacations, those in the Northeast tend to be the last 2 weeks.The F&G is still going on and it hasn't gotten to hot yet.

 

[OhMari]

I've been cursed the other way, not the last 2 year, but the previous couple of February's we went and it was cold. I have a picture with my warmer jacket on and a head band. I think the morning was 28 degrees and it got to 50 during the day. The day was totally comfortable.

 

[dakotix]

I've been cursed the other way, not the last 2 year, but the previous couple of February's we went and it was cold. I have a picture with my warmer jacket on and a head band. I think the morning was 28 degrees and it got to 50 during the day. The day was totally comfortable.

This happened on the November trip we took back in 2014. We were there for 10 days and it didn't any warmer than 50s-60s for the whole trip. I think the second or third day it was nice (70s) but the rest was so cold. It was actually just as cold if not colder than where we came from. Oh well rather be cold and in Disney I guess!

 

[dakotix]

So we've decided on 2/26 - 3/7. Now we have to decide on a resort. I keep going back and forth between PO-Riverside and AKL. AKL would be our first Deluxe but it works out to be about $1000 more. Don't know what to do! I keep telling myself, it's just a hotel room. Maybe we do a split stay and end our trip at AKL.

 

[Haley R]

So we've decided on 2/26 - 3/7. Now we have to decide on a resort. I keep going back and forth between PO-Riverside and AKL. AKL would be our first Deluxe but it works out to be about $1000 more. Don't know what to do! I keep telling myself, it's just a hotel room. Maybe we do a split stay and end our trip at AKL.

I'm all for the split stay! We absolutely love split stays because it helps our budget a little and allows us to stay at Deluxe resorts. Last year we actually did exactly what you are thinking: 4 nights at POR and 3 at AKL. It was really nice to experience both and we actually ended up liking POR more so I'm glad we got both experiences. This October we are doing 3 nights at POP and 4 nights at BC (our first time staying there). I think you will have a lot of fun going at that time of year. Hopefully, they have DAH again!

 

[dakotix]

I'm all for the split stay! We absolutely love split stays because it helps our budget a little and allows us to stay at Deluxe resorts. Last year we actually did exactly what you are thinking: 4 nights at POR and 3 at AKL. It was really nice to experience both and we actually ended up liking POR more so I'm glad we got both experiences. This October we are doing 3 nights at POP and 4 nights at BC (our first time staying there). I think you will have a lot of fun going at that time of year. Hopefully, they have DAH again!

Ah but that messes with the SPD promotion. grrr!