March Break Crowds?

[Frozen2014]

Our next Disney World trip won't be for a few years (going on cruise Apr 2016 so a year or two after that). But I'm thinking ahead of when we could return.

By then our DS will be a bit older (grade 6 or so?) so not sure if we'd pull him out of school at that point....meaning our options would be March Break, summer or Christmas break. I would be totally good with last week of summer (we're from Canada so I know it's good in terms of crowds as US is back in school), but it would be way too hot for DH. Christmas crowds must be insane. SO I'm wondering how bad are March Break crowds? I'm thinking it must be a little better than Christmas since March Break weeks are spread out depending on location (whereas Christmas is the same for everyone).

Weather must be pretty good in March, but I guess the other issue with March Break is price goes way up (hotel and flight)

 

[lillygator]

we are in sarasota and our break is the week of the 9th (which is when we are going), Manatee county is later in march though. I think all of march will be pretty busy

 

[JennyDrake]

You are correct that it will be less than Christmas, but on par with summer "peak" season. I have been anywhere from the last week in Feb through the first week in April and was very taken aback at the crowd levels, which are increasing every year.

 

[kkendle]

I have been in March during my kids spring break many times. It is crowded. I have also been in the summer and during fall break and I would say that the crowds are about the same. I have never been during a low crowd time and would love to experience it. Have never been over Christmas so cannot compare. We are just used to the crowds as that is all we ever do.

It is manageable however by utilizing rope drop especially.

 

[JimmyV]

SO I'm wondering how bad are March Break crowds?

You have to understand that there is no such thing as "March Break". There are school vacations in February, all throughout March, and well into April. Your vacation week might coincide with one matched by lots of other schools, or by only few. And that also depends on where Easter falls in a given year. Generally, the entire month of March sees an increase in crowds, but there is no one (or two) weeks that are so predominate that it starts to feel like Christmas or Summer.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

You won't see peak Christmas crowds, but it will be close. I think most of March falls in the crowd level "8" category, with the weeks around Easter ticking up to "9s."

 

[JimmyV]

You won't see peak Christmas crowds, but it will be close. I think most of March falls in the crowd level "8" category, with the weeks around Easter ticking up to "9s."

I would agree with this. Maybe 7-8 midweek. But 8 on the weekends for sure.

 

[Frozen2014]

You have to understand that there is no such thing as "March Break". There are school vacations in February, all throughout March, and well into April. Your vacation week might coincide with one matched by lots of other schools, or by only few. And that also depends on where Easter falls in a given year. Generally, the entire month of March sees an increase in crowds, but there is no one (or two) weeks that are so predominate that it starts to feel like Christmas or Summer.

Yeah...which is why I'm hoping that the crowds are spread out a bit throughout the month rather than everyone here last 2 weeks of December.

Our kids school break starts Mar16, which may differ from other schools.

Guess I'll watch wait time apps this year to get an idea.

I assume that weather is good then? Comfortable and not too hot?

 

[madelyn]

Our typical time to visit is late May/early June. My high school aged son started taking college summer school classes so the only time we would have is a few weeks in July before summer band practice starts up. We are trying Spring Break this year. The actual break is March 16-20 and we're arriving on March 14. I figure it can't be any worse than summer crowds and on the plus side, it won't be as hot!

 

[Madame]

We are going this March break for the first time. I think it'll be crowded, but not as bad as the following week when more US schools are out.

I just wish they'd kept the ON break the 2nd week of March like it's been since as long as I can remember - as both a student & teacher. I can't be sure, but I think it'll be less crowded that week. If you are in ON it'll depend what week March break falls in the future.

 

[lemondog]

We always go in mid to late July. It's busy. One year we went in mid March...beyond busy. Insane was more like it. Crowd levels were predicted to be an 8, UG/TouringPlans revised after the fact and out the entire week at a 10. Worst for us was the weather. Highs in the low 60s made it too cool to swim. Swimming is one of our favorite parts of vacation.