March9-18 2015??

[Disneyof3]

Ist visit to DLR and the west coast ever!! Just wondering how busy this time will be. We are doing DC on the Tues/Wed and then DL on the Thurs/Fri, so we can see the fireworks and fantasmic since from what I'm reading and historical pasts they will only be seen on the weekends. I was also thinking of switching everyother day with DL/CA? I have been reading about some March Breaks during this time(Spring Break in the USA) which I know will put the crowds up. Main rides I really want to go on our one's that are very different then WDW eg: RSR,haunted mansion,POTC,matterhorn,aladdin,SM,IASM and indiana jones. I'm I heading for a busy time??

 

[Jairy]

We are in BC and I already know those are our Spring Break dates for next year.
That being said, we went close to those dates this year and it was more than manageable. We chose Mon-Fri as our park days (so we could see Fantasmic/Fireworks on Fri). We stayed on site and used our early entry hour every day. We took breaks in the afternoons when it was really busy and stayed later at night. We had no problem getting everything done.

 

[Jairy]

Oh, and definitely buy the park hoppers if you can. They are well worth it in. I think we hopped parks every day at least once a day. The two parks are very close to each other.

 

[figment_jii]

You'll probably be coming in just before the height of the Spring Break crowds appear in the parks. Based on the AP Blockout Calendar, it looks like they expect the highest crowds from 3/28 to 4/11. That being said, you can expect "spring break" crowds pretty anytime from March through April. School districts and universities are all on their own schedule, so there is no single "spring break" week or anything like that.

Fantasmic and fireworks only run on Fri, Sat, and Sun in the non-peak season. My guess is that they will only be running on weekends in early-March of next year, but it depends on when DLR decides to switch into Spring Break mode.

I would opt to get a park hopper and not really confine myself to "every other day" in one park or the other. DL and DCA are only 100 meters apart, so it's very easy to "hop" between them. Also, DL some times stay open slightly later than DCA, so you can "hop" over to DL after DCA closes.

If you're a WDW vet, I would recommend checking out HydroGuy's thread for WDW Vets. It is useful staring place to determine what is the same, different and similar between the two resorts.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[Angrose]

It will be busy. I was there this year for a quick weekend trip Mar 15-16, it was crazy busy (spring break and conventions) and crazy hot (in the 90s). That said, I was at the parks early each day (regular rope drop, not EMH or MM) and was able to get so much done in the first 3 hours, ate lunch around 11:30 just as the crowds were thickening, then went to shows and did some single rider lines. It's totally doable! And, you have a whole week so you can take it at your own pace. You will have a great time!!

 

[figment_jii]

It will be busy. I was there this year for a quick weekend trip Mar 15-16, it was crazy busy (spring break and conventions) and crazy hot (in the 90s).

That was the weekend of a Cheer Camp at the Convention Center, so that likely contributed to the crowds. For the OP, that is something to keep an eye on...what is happening at the Convention Center.

 

[Disneyof3]

Thanks everyone. We really don't like park hopping but I know DL is very different and very close. We will have to think about that!! I have read Hydroguys thread and it has been very helpful

 

[figment_jii]

We really don't like park hopping but I know DL is very different and very close.

Just for reference, the entrance gates to Disneyland and DCA are about 110 yards apart (one football field). While it might take a few minutes to get through the ticket gates (depending on time of day and crowds), I find it helpful to think of DL and DCA are really just one giant park.

I'm standing inside of Disneyland, just beyond the ticket turnstiles. You can see the entrance to DCA (it's where the people are standing).