March Break Report

[BOTL76]

Hello Disney Fans,

My family are thinking of heading down March Break 2013, so would be curious to see if any fellow Canadians can provide a trip report/updates through this week.

A few questions:
- I follow all the different websites such as Touringplans, but always like to get the "true" reading on crowd levels, so any feedback on crowd levels this week and what day of the week you were there would be great
- Has it been warm enough to swim/visit the waterparks?
- If you are staying on site, how has the transportation systems been in getting around?

Thanks eh

 

[CDNLADY]

Hi this will be out 4th time going down on March break.. I always stay on resorts busses are packed if you leave at closing What we do is get a drink and wait for the mad rush to leave .. For swimming normally the temps are over 80f so yes! One time it was 68 at night but we still swam water is heated just cold when u get out .. Spring break is always a 10 for crowds but just go with the flow and have fun ..Oh I never plan anything we wake up in the morning or late afternoon and just decide on the park . My kids are older 21. 20 and 17 so late nights is our thing ,, Just go and have fun

 

[mtmbyck]

March break is definitely busy. My DDs are at an age where I won't pull them from school so it has to be this week or Christmas and weather is too iffy then. I am here now. It is very warm - hot actually when the sun is out. Evening are warmer than usual this week also. Crowds are nasty. By noon it was a zoo at Magic Kingdom. All park hours are extended until 1 am which means Disney knows its busy.

If March is your only time to come, it's a lovely time of year. However, I have been in March where it was cold and rainy most of the week. If I could choose any time to come, I'd come late September actually. Still warm, park is decorated for Halloween and crowds are much smaller. But alas, I'll be here March 2013 also!

 

[Queenscoroots]

We were just there (March 4-12). I had mapped out our days according to Touring Plans, but I must say - the parks were crazy crowded every day we were there! It was warm though and my daughters swam almost every day. We had one day of rain but it was still warm. This was our first time going in March and I will say that next time we'll stick to our preferred month of September or even October. Oh - and I didn't find the bus waits too long - no more than 15 minutes from the resort, but then again, we didn't 'close' the park any night we were there.

 

[modegard]

We were just there (March 4-12). I had mapped out our days according to Touring Plans, but I must say - the parks were crazy crowded every day we were there! It was warm though and my daughters swam almost every day. We had one day of rain but it was still warm. This was our first time going in March and I will say that next time we'll stick to our preferred month of September or even October. Oh - and I didn't find the bus waits too long - no more than 15 minutes from the resort, but then again, we didn't 'close' the park any night we were there.

We leave for our first trip to WDW tomorrow night and I am curious how your Touring Plans worked out? I have mine all optimized and printed out, but I am worried we will be easily distracted and not stick to the plan. Did you use the actual 'plan' or just pick your park according to their recommendation and then go with the flow?

 

[Baloo'sCrew]

Our two previous trips were for the week and week 1/2 preceeding President's Day. Next trip there's a possibility that it will have to move from that value rate time of year to a regular rate time of year the week before the Ontario March break (arriving late Feb and leaving March 8). We have had no issues with weather and even enjoyed a day at Typhoon Lagoon last spring. We have been spoiled with very small crowds and was hoping that TouringPlans' predictions for the proposed timing of our next trip would hold true. Their listed crowd levels for the week pre-March break this year and for 2013 are only slightly higher then they had been for the last pre-President's day trips. Sounds like this may not be the case.

 

[bankr63]

We do Ontario March Break most years (DW is a teacher). Touring Plans (Undercover Tourist) is your best friend. Just pay attention to the "rope drop" part of the strategy. For the past two years people have told us that the crowds were crazy on Ontario break, we just say Huh? Were we at the same parks?!?

Get in early; do the best rides early, get back to the resort in time for a cooling afternoon swim, back for the fireworks. Done right, you won't even know you are there at one of the busier times of the year. I am still amazed at the difference in experience between those who plan and enjoy, and those who wing it and get half of what Disney can offer. You are on the right track with TP - these guys know their stuff! The crowd calendars are good, but you need to use the online ones, because they do update based on changing conditions (such as who is on March break that year, what parks have EMH, what's open or closed that year, etc, etc)

Yes, the waterparks are great in March, but one is usually closed in March for rehab. We like TL a bit more than BB if both are open, pick the sunniest day of your week to go. They aren't as popular in March as in July so crowds are manageable on even the best days.

 

[c&m]

We arrived back to Orlando after our 7-day cruise from Ft. Lauderdale. Already we are quite shocked at the traffic in Orlando on I-Drive, and our hotel (Hilton Parc Soleil) is sold out. We'll be in MK tomorrow so will give you a better report later. It didn't seem as busy when we arrived into town before the cruise on March 15-18.

 

[mtmbyck]

Bankr63 I have to figure out what days you go because I have NEVER seen crowds like I have seen the past 2 March Breaks. Small world was a 45 minute wait at 11am on March 13th. Some can say that's not busy but in my world that's crazy! Perhaps we are spoiled but I won't wait 40 minutes for Peter Pan and Snow White. We did wait that long for Splash Mountain. We did the fastpasses and got on most of Tomorrowland and adventure land by 3pm but that was strategically using fastpasses and eating very quickly. Fantasyland is so conjested with the current renovations. Both waterparks are open usually by March 20th. We actually have discovered Aquatica and love it. Much less busy and I love the Roa Rapids.

I'm not a resort guests so we don't leave and come back but the last time we did that, all the rides were 60-90 minute waits and fastpasses were gone. And with the new fastpass policy, the FPs you collected all day are not good that night.

Anyways,it's a lovely time to go but prepare for crowds.

 

[bankr63]

Bankr63 I have to figure out what days you go because I have NEVER seen crowds like I have seen the past 2 March Breaks. Small world was a 45 minute wait at 11am on March 13th. Some can say that's not busy but in my world that's crazy! Perhaps we are spoiled but I won't wait 40 minutes for Peter Pan and Snow White. We did wait that long for Splash Mountain. We did the fastpasses and got on most of Tomorrowland and adventure land by 3pm but that was strategically using fastpasses and eating very quickly. Fantasyland is so conjested with the current renovations. Both waterparks are open usually by March 20th. We actually have discovered Aquatica and love it. Much less busy and I love the Roa Rapids.

I'm not a resort guests so we don't leave and come back but the last time we did that, all the rides were 60-90 minute waits and fastpasses were gone. And with the new fastpass policy, the FPs you collected all day are not good that night.

Anyways,it's a lovely time to go but prepare for crowds.

Well, we really do follow the crowd calendars on Touring Plans, and plan our best days accordingly. We tend to hit early, and out by early-afternoon, and your focus early on MUST be ride-ride-ride. DSIL joined for 1st time last year and wants to take lots of pictures, so we had to really sell her on how well the plans work; lots of time for photos later. She came around once she saw that the rides we hit had HUGE standby lines just an hour later. Photos can be taken once you've hit the rides. In 2011 I don't think we waited more than 30 min for anything. We don't tend to do Fantasyland as the kids are older, and I managed to miss Small World since DS wasn't feel too well.

We did not go this year, so can't comment on the new fast pass strategy, but you can bet that I'll be reading what Testa and Sehlinger have to say about it.

We have used FPs later but not often, but we use all the tricks we know to maximize fast passes. We usually return later for the fireworks, parades, shopping and visual exhibits. Maybe the odd ride if the standby is not too long. Note that for AK we go longer but don't return; they close too early to return later.

Eating is never an issue for us. DS has some severe food allergies, so we pack our lunch. One of the best times to get a quick ride is 12:00-1:00 while everyone else is trying to get in lunch. We own two timeshares in Orlando, so we never stay as resort guests either.

BTW - one of my favorite FP tips. If a machine is down, head TOWARDS it. Often, a CM is handing out FP's that aren't registered to your ticket, so you can then go on to the next ride and get another FP. Shhh, that's a secret just between you and me...

For the past 3 years that we have been there, one of the 2 Disney waterparks has been closed for Ontario break. Not generally a problem for us as the one that is open handles the March crowd capacity well.

I guess it helps to be a Disney regular though. If we miss something, we always know we can catch it next time...