March or June? And where to stay.

[AllesonWonderland]

Hello!!! My family is planning our first trip to WDW next year. We can either go over the kids' spring break the last week of march, or one of the first 2 weeks in June. I imagine the weather will be better in March, though we won't mind the heat in June...should be good pool weather. Anyway, anyone have any opinions about which would be the better time to go? Are crowds going to be evil either time?

Also, looking at places to stay. Pretty much narrowed it down to staying onsite at Disney (would probably have to be a budget or moderate resort, unless we found a terrific rate) or staying at the Nick Hotel. The kids will be 6 and 9 next year, so they would like the themed rooms. Also, the nick kid suites are quite a bit larger than the rooms at the value and moderate Disney resorts. After some research, renting a condo or townhouse somewhere like Windsor Hills seems to be a good option as well, at least budgetwise. Input on this as well? Thanks in advance!!

 

[HalfDozen]

March is the high season - spring break would be a nightmare with kids...two hour waits for rides, etc.

June won't be MUCH better, but if you go right away some kids might still be in school and it may be a better time crowd-wise.

Nick Hotel is a (poorly-done) rehab of the Holiday Inn Suites. It's NOT worth the money at all. The parking is a nightmare, it's sprawling, so you have to walk a LOT to get to your car, room, elevator, etc. You have to keep wrist bands on at all times and get charged if you lose one, etc. The kids enjoyed it - but it was the schtick that captured their hearts. There is no clothing storage at all and the quality was not what we expected for $200-something a night, let me tell you.

So, I'd keep that in mind. I'd probably stay off-site, because that's my favorite, in a rental home or condo. Onsite is okay, but doesn't hold a candle to rental homes.

 

[shelly3girls]

We have been in March and the first week of June. I think June is much better. The crowds are much more reasonable although it is still quite crowded. March was just outrageous to us and we have decided that we will never go back during spring break. I think if you go in June you will still be able to see and do all that you want with good planning.

We greatly prefer to stay onsite although that may be a function of having younger children who need a mid-day nap. We have stayed off and on site and we greatly prefer the atmosphere and convenience of the Disney hotels. If you like the idea of the suites at the Nick hotel you should check out the suites at the All-stars. We always stay deluxe but I would definitely consider one of these suites for a future trip. Good luck!

 

[Soupermom]

When is Easter next year? We went the first week of June, 2004 and we also went the third week of March this year. June was good. March was AWESOME BUT, Easter was in April this year so we didn't have any crazy crowds. The longest we waited was for the Indy speedway one day for 30 minutes, and that was only because we really wanted to. Other than that the longest waits for us were 15 minutes; we used Fastpass a lot. We rode Soarin' three times in one day without any problem. Weather was AWESOME in March. HOT AND HUMID in June! I really think the crowds were heavier when we went in June, and the weather was just too hot for us Illini. I'd go in March again in a heartbeat, and my kids are now 12 and 8, FYI.
HTH!

 

[CrazyChik]

mmmmmm If easter is in April go March as i think there will probably be less crowds otherwise go in June. I would personally stay on-site. All Star Movies is pretty much Disney themed and is a value resort. We stayed there and loved it, however our favourite value is POP. I think it is Disney themed and it is very colorful and the children should love it.

Have fun

 

[mommystieg]

This will be our 5th trip during early June -- it is crowded but nothing like it gets during Spring Break or later in the summer. We have always been able to see and do everything we really wanted to. Easter is April 8th next year. HTH

 

[AllesonWonderland]

So, for those who have gone in March...is it too chilly for pools and water parks?

 

[Karnak]

I've been to WDW in both March and June, and both months are crowded. However, of the two, I would advise a June visit. Especially if you can go early in June before all the schools in America have closed for the summer.

However, March is also crowded, especially when you take into account all the school groups with sports teams (often in uniform), cheerleaders and the like. In addition, the Braves spring training games are going on at Disney in March, which adds a bit to the crowd.

Enjoy.

 

[HalfDozen]

The resorts keep their pools heated to something like 86 degrees year round. You will always be able to swim - well, barring thunderstorms or hurricans. Provided, of course, there's any room in the pool

 

[trennr]

IMHO although staying at a Disney Resort has it's perks...such as Extra Magical Hours, and free delivery of purchases to your room...I would still recommend staying in an offsite house with a pool...really hard to beat having your own NON-CROWDED pool to relax in on non-park days.




I've never been in March so I have no real input there...other than I've heard Spring Breaks can be BUSY!!! I've been in Mid-Late June and it has been crowded but managable....this is my first trip in early June this year...so I'll try to let you know how it was when I get back.

 

[Soupermom]

I'd be going in March!!! Yes, you can swim (usually) without a problem I think the crowds were WAY better than early June, or at least they were more tolerable because I didn't have sweat dripping down my back just waiting for a bus to get to the park. I second the POP century, with ASMo as my second choice. I