March is it ever a good idea?

[mickeyluv'r]

. CRAZY high crowd in the parks!!! Yes, really high crowds. For example, Small world's stand-by wait is a solid 40 minutes in the afternoon.

One man's crazy is another person's not all that bad (at least for 2016).

IaSW is a toddler/seniors ride, and they mostly attend MK during the peak hours. IaSW waits tend to peak in mid-afternoon.

With just 3 preselected-FP per day, plus only one real FP attraction open in Epcot, but over 10 smart FP choices in MK, those with hopper passes likely to planned a MK (3FP)+Epcot (no preplanned FP) split day.

 

[Praying Colonel]

We went the last week in March 2014 and we had a great trip. The weather was awesome and crowds were manageable. I think we hit a sweet spot between college spring breaks in mid-March and Easter spring breaks (Easter was 3rd week in April). Crowds were 6s and 7s most of the week and we were fine.

 

[BethR9]

We went the last week in March 2014 and we had a great trip. The weather was awesome and crowds were manageable. I think we hit a sweet spot between college spring breaks in mid-March and Easter spring breaks (Easter was 3rd week in April). Crowds were 6s and 7s most of the week and we were fine.

This is what I'm hoping for for the last week of March, 2017!

 

[Minnie222]

One man's crazy is another person's not all that bad (at least for 2016).

IaSW is a toddler/seniors ride, and they mostly attend MK during the peak hours. IaSW waits tend to peak in mid-afternoon.

With just 3 preselected-FP per day, plus only one real FP attraction open in Epcot, but over 10 smart FP choices in MK, those with hopper passes likely to planned a MK (3FP)+Epcot (no preplanned FP) split day.

We were there at March Break in 2014 and 2016. 2014 is ok good, not very crowded and still enjoyable. That's why we return for 2016.
But what we encountered in 2016 is miserable. I planned everything ahead already, and booked ADRs to get prepared, but from what I experienced, the situation is bad, evident from my own experience and many others' faces and comments.

To us, it is very bad. And for the price, not worth it. Even if we take into account that we know it is March Break crowded, it is super crowded and really not working for the people in the park. Staffing levels are down, waits are long EVERYWHERE.
It loses the magic in our family to pay high price and vacay like that.

In conclusion, my advice is anything after March 10: better think twice, because it is not a good idea to visit Disney at this time.

 

[starsweeper]

In my opinion, it's what you make of it any time you go. We went Easter week 2015 and 1st week of October 2015. We enjoyed Easter week much more. Parks opened at 7am, so my early risers and I took advantage of that--we finished Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Circus area and Haunted Mansion at MK by noon without FP+. In October, with a later start, we had to fight the crowds more. We're looking at one trip for next year and are leaning towards spring break (week before Easter) instead of fall break in October.

 

[cgattis]

We hit a cold spell the first few days there in March 2013. I don't think it got warmer than the low 50s, with nights in the 40s. They even closed the one open water park for a few days due to the weather. So I guess it was one of those rare exceptions, but it IS possible. Then it got warm, low to mid 70s for the rest of the trip.

And the year we went in March, we got a record high! Ninety something--oh joy. But in general the weather was fantastic and crowds were manageable. Managed to hit another record in April one year too--we're just lucky I guess!

 

[Princess_Meghan <3]

I was there Feb 26 - March 4 and thought the crowds weren't bad at all- I used fast pass and rope dropped most days I was in the parks, so it worked out well. I'd definitely consider going again during that time frame.

 

[Raeven]

We might be going just for a weekend next March. I picked the first weekend because anything after that seemed like it would be packed.

 

[jmccoy18]

We are planning on going the first week in March in 2017. It should be the lowest crowd level for the month, but anything is lower than the crowd levels we see at Christmas/NYE when we normally go. We are looking forward to a little bit warmer weather and some pool time which we miss out on when we go in Dec/Jan.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

To us, it is very bad. And for the price, not worth it. because it is not a good idea to visit Disney at this time.

Granted. But not worth the current prices is a slightly different question.

One problem with posting in a forum sometimes is a lack of nuance and tone. Both are much easier to communicate in live conversation.

You and I mostly agree. I addressed the topic question, "Is (WAS) March ever a good idea?" YES!

Is it a good idea in 2017, given current pricing and recent policy changes? Mmmm, maybe not. I agree with you that current WDW policies and pricing are prohibitive. The poliices are really the thing that raises red flags with me.

Just off the top, I'm unhappy WDW did away with the no expire option on tickets. WDW was always expensive, but I used to see non expiring tickets as a kind of trip insurance. If someone got sick mid-vacation, we happily booked the bounceback! It was a win-win for us and WDW! Those days are gone.

In 2016, park tickets are a $450 bet (per person) that you won't get sick, $900 if you have a child!

Truly though, when to vacation is a highly personal choice based on many variables.