March 24-28 Crowds

[heatherleigh]

I already know we are going to DL at the most crowded time of year. I just don't think I realize how crowded it will be. I was reading some posts from people who went during super crowded times in the past, and saw line wait times of 4 hours! I thought it was crowded when we went in Oct. and waited an hour or two for many rides.

Will I have to purchase Ridemax to make the trip somewhat enjoyable? Will the park be shoulder to shoulder, jam packed? Who has gone this time of year, and was it awful? I'm starting to get a little nervous.

 

[drag n' fly]

The only time we went during spring break was before ridemax...heck even cell phones lol. It was bazonkers. Just like any busy Disney trip planning is the key. Rope drop....rest in the afternoon come back in the evening and use a tour program like ridemax if you are not familiar with the parks or want to maximize ride time.
Bt dubs Christmas is worse lol. Im going during Presidents Day weekend....ya another nail biter
You will have fun if you plan realistically

 

[sonnyjane]

First of all, it could be worse... you could be going the week between Christmas and New Years! That really IS the busiest time of year

Because of my family's schedule, I have gone during Spring Break the last three years and find it quite manageable. I'm not sure where you read about a line being four hours long, but other than a new ride's opening (Star Tours for example), the wait times for the headliners (Indy, Space Mountain...) are usually 90 to 120 minutes. This can be easily avoided by getting a FastPass. Lines for other rides, such as Pirates or Haunted Mansion, are quite reasonable, topping out at about 30 minutes or so in the afternoons on weekdays.

I would not describe it as shoulder-to-shoulder. I have been on dead days in the off-season, and it's certainly more busy than that, but it's not pandemonium. It is crowded though, and you need to have a touring plan in your head and utilize FP, but it's not busy enough for me to ever say "never again!". Get there early, take a break in the afternoons, then return at night when the crowds have thinned out. Eat at off-times (before or after the lunch and dinner rushes), and use FP's.

As far as ridemax goes, I like touring with flexibility and taking advantage of a short line when I walk past and see it, so I don't like those types of touring plans. If you think you'd benefit from one, however, then I won't tell you not to buy it. It's just not for me.

 

[heatherleigh]

Thanks guys, this really makes me feel better. I have already scheduled some dining reservations, so that will help a little. I also intend on doing MM every day it is avail. I am not opposed to waiting over an hour for a ride (like I said, we did it numerous times on our Oct. trip), but 3 + is out of the question. The trip with a 4 hour wait was for Nemo, maybe, during spring break about 2 yrs ago. I think it was Nemo, anyway.

 

[sonnyjane]

Thanks guys, this really makes me feel better. I have already scheduled some dining reservations, so that will help a little. I also intend on doing MM every day it is avail. I am not opposed to waiting over an hour for a ride (like I said, we did it numerous times on our Oct. trip), but 3 + is out of the question. The trip with a 4 hour wait was for Nemo, maybe, during spring break about 2 yrs ago. I think it was Nemo, anyway.

Hmm, I'm not challenging you, but I was at the parks during the last week of March two years ago and my wait for Nemo was 45 minutes, and I thought that was agonizing lol. You would have to really pay me to wait 4 hours for that ride! Now, when Nemo opened in 2007, the wait was definitely multiple hours, but I haven't seen it more than an hour since I got my AP in 2009. Star Tours opened last year and the waits were 3-4 hours the first week it was open, but luckily that initial "rush" wears off fairly quickly.

 

[heatherleigh]

No worries, Sonny! It was just something I read that someone else on the DIS experienced in the past. Not my own personal, acct. I get what you're saying, and it really gives me optimism. I particularly like the comparisons to Christmas & NY's. That really does make me feel better- I was kind of imagining these huge crowds similar to the holidays.

Heck, other guests are going despite the crowds. I can go & make the most of it too!!

 

[sonnyjane]

No worries, Sonny! It was just something I read that someone else on the DIS experienced in the past. Not my own personal, acct. I get what you're saying, and it really gives me optimism. I particularly like the comparisons to Christmas & NY's. That really does make me feel better- I was kind of imagining these huge crowds similar to the holidays.

Heck, other guests are going despite the crowds. I can go & make the most of it too!!

It's all about expectations. If you expect that it will be bad, and it's not as bad as you thought, then you're golden! If you expect that it will be empty and it's not, then you're bound to be cranky and disappointed. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and enjoy your visit!!!