March 16-24, 2007 Spring Break

[Tent Camping Mom]

<edited to remove the ramblings>

Since our Spring Break isn't connected to Easter this year, will that make much of a difference in the crowds at the parks and campground? (I've heard week before Easter and after were the busiest). We were able to land a campsite just a couple of weeks ago for our March trip which I thought was unusual this late in the year.

 

[Love That Stitch]

You are going at the busiest time of the year besides Christmas. We use to go every year at Spring Break. It was crazy back then and it is still crazy. My husband and I got married right around Easter. We did not think about WDW being our honeymoon spot and the crowds.

I have since then stopped going to Disney at Spring Break time. I am not exaggerating. The crowds are unbelieveable. It is not unusual for there to be 2 hour waits for popular rides. The Fastpass is helpful but because there are alot of people there they run out of fastpasses for attractions early in the afternoon (do those attractions in the morning).

Now the pluses: I not sure what time of year you usually go.... but spring is wonderful weather. The heat is not too bad but hot enough to enjoy the pools and water parks. At night you might even need a light jacket. The parks are open really late (midnight or later at times). That is nice because you can take a break and go back in the evening when there are less crowds. Camping is definitely a good way to go because even though the campground might be full you won't notice it that much.

No matter what.... we always had a great time! I am sure you will as well!

 

[mouseketeer_mom]

Yikes! We are planning to go March 9th through the 17th. We were hoping to be leaving as the heavy spring break crowds are arriving. Was I wrong in thinking that the crowds would only be moderate?

 

[mrzrich]

See this post for my Spring Break Poll. A little further down on the page I have a link to the FL Dept of Ed Calendar with all the breaks fr the whole state of FL. That week (March 17-25) there are 25 FL school districts on break. (including my sons )

 

[Love That Stitch]

Yikes! We are planning to go March 9th through the 17th. We were hoping to be leaving as the heavy spring break crowds are arriving. Was I wrong in thinking that the crowds would only be moderate?

"Yikes" is right. Like the last person said they have a list of which schools have spring break when. That is a thing to look at and think about. The problem is that everybody thinks spring break is the same time for everybody and it is not. The month of March is a difficult time to go (if that is when Easter is). We went one year March 5th -11th and it was great. However, Easter was in April (that is the worst of times - week before and week after Easter).

If you already have your reservations, now you know what you are in for and can plan accordingly (like making ADR - now!). We still had a good time even if we spent most of our time waiting in lines!

 

[mrzrich]

Sorry, brain freeze! Here's the link http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1281604

 

[bama_ed]

Hey TC Mom,

I'm down here in Birmingham so I feel like I owe you an answer that should help.

I have referred to a web site that takes a statistical approach to estimating crowds at Disney. I have watched and used it for nearly 2 years and feel like it is very helpful in planning what day/what park etc.

Go to www. touringplans. com (without the blanks to slip it past the filter) and choose the link on the left to go to the crowd calendar. We will be there during OUR spring break in March 2007 in mid-March so I will probably feel your pain too!

I admire you for tent-camping. Did it for several trips to FW and now have moved to a pop-up.

Good luck and Roll Tide (thank goodness Shula is gone - maybe we will get a REAL football coach!

Bama ED

 

[VAN]

The very, very worst time are the weeks that wrap Easter. We have gone for "Spring Break" many years, and I have to say that things are virtually at a stand-still those two weeks.

Earlier it will be busy, but if you plan carefully and have some patience it is do-able.

The good news about it being busy is the extended park hours and you, as a resort guest, can get out and about early (don't forget EMH) then take a mid-day break at the campground (nap/swim) and head back in. If you do this strategy, you will want to spend every-other day at the campground in order to rest up for your park day. Not kidding.

If Spring Break is when you must go, then just go prepared!

 

[Tent Camping Mom]

Hey TC Mom,

Go to www. touringplans. com (without the blanks to slip it past the filter) and choose the link on the left to go to the crowd calendar. We will be there during OUR spring break in March 2007 in mid-March so I will probably feel your pain too!

I admire you for tent-camping. Did it for several trips to FW and now have moved to a pop-up.

Good luck and Roll Tide (thank goodness Shula is gone - maybe we will get a REAL football coach!

Bama ED

Hi neighbor! I say ROLL TIDE but DH says WAR EAGLE!
Loved the touringplans website! I'm definitely using it for this trip! We also take advantage of the Evening Extra Magic Hours so I'm going to figure out a strategy using that site.

We tent camped last year in October and the weather was wonderful, crowds were small and we took everything at a leisurely pace. The campground is by far the best we've ever stayed.