March high season LOW amenities

[tlwfun89]

I rode Splash Mountain several times when I was at WDW from March 13-19 2011, and Mouseplant's Walt Disney World update from February 7, 2011 indicates that it re-opened from refurbishment at the beginning of February, 2011.

http://www.mouseplanet.com/9532/Walt_Disney_World_Resort_Update

I think its down all of march this year.

 

[WDW1979]

I think its down all of march this year.

Yes, I've read that Splash will be down until at least March 22 in 2014. I just wanted to provide contrasting information to the information provided by several posters who indicated that Splash is down every March: it has been open in February and March in some years in the past few years.

 

[tcherjen]

We went in March last year. DS and youngest dd have yet to ride splash mountain. Guess that means a trip in May too.

 

[robinb]

March isn't winter by Disney standards (except for the first week). Peak season pricing starts March 7, with the second-highest rates of the year -- higher than even Thanksgiving. Spring Break crowds will descend the second week, with crowd levels equivalent to summer. OP's point -- that they're paying peak prices with multiple closures -- is a valid one.

I agree with you. I would also be peeved to pay Peak Season pricing when so many attractions are not available.

FWIW, Splash Mountain used to be refurbished in January. We made the mistake of not riding it on one NYE trip before 1/1 and it was closed when we tried to ride it a couple days after the new year.

 

[loveDisneyinTN]

We will also be there in March and while some of the things not being up and running will be a bummer it will just give us an opportunity to see and experience new things that we may not have before! I need any excuse to go back and see and do more!

 

[Brian Noble]

Unfortunately, there's nearly always something down for refurbishment more or less any time of year, but it's always frustrating when a favorite isn't available.

when we go and paying the same as summer season prices.

I think you'll probably be paying a little bit more: most of March is in Peak Season. But, there's a reason. March is a time when Florida is just a much more pleasant place to be than most of the rest of the US. In contrast, having done a couple of summer Orlando trips, I've decided I just don't want to go back during that time of year---it's one of the few periods where the weather here in the upper midwest is nicer.

That said, it might not be as bad as you are thinking. The AK parade is still scheduled to run as far as I know, and the new MK parade is rumored to debut in mid-March some time, but it hasn't been announced yet.

 

[MermaidMommy]

Yes, I've read that Splash will be down until at least March 22 in 2014. I just wanted to provide contrasting information to the information provided by several posters who indicated that Splash is down every March: it has been open in February and March in some years in the past few years.

Yes, statements that Splash is always down in March are incorrect. From 2006-2013, It was only closed during March twice, in 2012 and 2013. Two other times it was closed in January and part of February, and the other times it was only closed for part of January. So, while the past two years have seen Splash closed in March, it's not "normal."

Although, if an annual three-month refurb is the new normal, it does beg the question of why one of Disney's headliners is out of operation for a quarter of the year every year.

 

[maxiesmom]

Add to the March closures list:

People Mover (2/10-3/27)
Pinocchio's Village Haus (2/17-3/30)
The Plaza (2/17-3/15)

OP, I'm going in March, too, and I was also disappointed at the closures extending into such a busy and expensive time of year. I'm surprised that the second week of March (when we're going) will have two restaurants in MK closed -- that's typically the second-busiest week of Spring Break.



I'm not sure what you mean by "winter." March isn't winter by Disney standards (except for the first week). Peak season pricing starts March 7, with the second-highest rates of the year -- higher than even Thanksgiving. Spring Break crowds will descend the second week, with crowd levels equivalent to summer. OP's point -- that they're paying peak prices with multiple closures -- is a valid one.

Disney has made many different dates "Peak" February 13-22 is also "Peak" as is April 21-26 and Dec 12-18. Saying that the 2nd week of March has the second highest rates is a bit misleading, and actually untrue. New Years Eve, Presidents Weekend, Easter, various weekends in the summer, and Christmas all cost more.

People complain when Disney doesn't fix things up. And then they complain when they do. It is a form of NIMBY. NDMDY--Not During MY Disney Vacation. Inconvenience someone else's family, not mine.

I've been to WDW when a few of my favorite things have been unavailable, but I still found plenty of other fun things to do. If a certain ride being down will ruin your trip then you need to reschedule. If you choose to go on that vacation anyway, then you need to do so with a positive frame of mind. Going all mad because Splash is down is not the way to start your vacation.

 

[MermaidMommy]

Disney has made many different dates "Peak" February 13-22 is also "Peak" as is April 21-26 and Dec 12-18. Saying that the 2nd week of March has the second highest rates is a bit misleading, and actually untrue. New Years Eve, Presidents Weekend, Easter, various weekends in the summer, and Christmas all cost more. People complain when Disney doesn't fix things up. And then they complain when they do. It is a form of NIMBY. NDMDY--Not During MY Disney Vacation. Inconvenience someone else's family, not mine. I've been to WDW when a few of my favorite things have been unavailable, but I still found plenty of other fun things to do. If a certain ride being down will ruin your trip then you need to reschedule. If you choose to go on that vacation anyway, then you need to do so with a positive frame of mind. Going all mad because Splash is down is not the way to start your vacation.

I didn't say the second week of March has the second highest rates of the year. I said that's the week that Peak pricing starts, which is the second highest price level.

 

[maxiesmom]

I didn't say the second week of March has the second highest rates of the year. I said that's the week that Peak pricing starts, which is the second highest price level.

Look where I have you quoted. That is exactly what you said.

 

[maxiesmom]

Here you go:

At any rate, the true Spring Break crowds won't show up until the last week of March. The first couple of weeks are not nearly as busy. Room rates don't necessarily correlate to crowd levels.

 

[MermaidMommy]

Here you go:



At any rate, the true Spring Break crowds won't show up until the last week of March. The first couple of weeks are not nearly as busy. Room rates don't necessarily correlate to crowd levels.

Perhaps I could have worded it more clearly, but my point was that Peak season is the second most expensive season of the year (more expensive than Summer).

While March crowds do vary from year to year, depending on Easter, the first week will always be relatively low, but the crowds definitely will have arrived by the second week of March. For this year, easywdw has the second week of March at crowd level 8; the third week is level 7; and the fourth is 8/9.

From easywdw:
"Beginning March 7th, crowds increase substantially with Spring Breaks scheduled throughout the United States. Crowds are similar in size to summer and decidedly in the 7 – 9 range."

 

[DebbieB]

It might be peak season prices but there have been some nice discounts available.

http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/#2014

 

[LucyBC80]

You "may" be thinking abour Mickey's Jingle Jungle parade-the Holiday parade.

Mickey's Jammin' Jungle parade is the regular parade and I have seen NO info it will be discontinued or of an impending refurb.

Nope, the parade is not listed on Disney's calendar. The rumour is it's oping away to give place for the new night time show.

 

[Rowanonfire]

Nope, the parade is not listed on Disney's calendar. The rumour is it's oping away to give place for the new night time show.

Really? It was listed when I looked for my dates not too long ago. Wow. No daytime parade at ALL in the parks during that period then. What an odd and disappointing way of doing things.

 

[Missyrose]

Nope, the parade is not listed on Disney's calendar. The rumour is it's oping away to give place for the new night time show.

The new nighttime show isn't coming to be until Pandora is built, I can't believe they'd pull the parade now for something that won't happen until 2017.

 

[Lyndarella]

There are more things to do at WDW than you can do on a normal vacation. You always have to skip some of it. I was just thinking how I am RELIEVED when some things are closed, so I don't have to CHOOSE so many things to not see!!

 

[WEDWDW]

Nope, the parade is not listed on Disney's calendar. The rumour is it's oping away to give place for the new night time show.

WOW!Thanks for the update!

That's the frist I have heard of this.

When will the last parade be-I would love to be there for it!(Disney hasn't removed it yet).

Thanks!

 

[WEDWDW]

OP,good news!

Reports are you WILL be able to see the DAK day parade during your March trip!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3218101

It is such a cute little parade-enjoy!

 

[Minnesota!]

This is my first time as an adult going over Spring Break. We are not doing the parks except for 1 day. We are aiming to get all 4 parks in, too. Oy. Anyway, our goal is that each of us gets to ride our fave ride in each park...with MY fave ride in MK being Peoplemover and my YDS's being Splash. So yeah, that's out It will be sad, a bit, just because the day is fully centered on "favorites", but, oh well.

As someone said, as long as there is weather warmer than MN, palm trees, and a gin and tonic with 2 limes poolside - it's all good!!