Mid-day resort crowds for non-park visit during Spring Break

[Njber116]

We are planning a resort-only stay the week before Easter (AKL and YC) and wondering what the crowds might be like at the resorts mid-day while parks are open. I'm hoping park hours get extended, keeping people in the parks longer. I have a 4 year old so will probably be heading back to the room anyway by 8/8:30 PM at the latest anyway. How crowded do you think the resorts will feel during the day? Is there a significant increase in resort-only stays? I realize may be hard to predict the future, but how has it been for other holiday times recently?

 

[jenmsmith]

We are planning a resort-only stay the week before Easter (AKL and YC) and wondering what the crowds might be like at the resorts mid-day while parks are open. I'm hoping park hours get extended, keeping people in the parks longer. I have a 4 year old so will probably be heading back to the room anyway by 8/8:30 PM at the latest anyway. How crowded do you think the resorts will feel during the day? Is there a significant increase in resort-only stays? I realize may be hard to predict the future, but how has it been for other holiday times recently?

I was just at the YC this weekend, and the front desk CM said they were a lot busier than they had been. She was so excited! That said, because the Beach Club is still closed, I didn’t find the resort to feel overly busy. The pool had people in it, but not crazy amounts. To be fair, though, it was in the 60s and windy so not ideal pool weather.

 

[Njber116]

I was just at the YC this weekend, and the front desk CM said they were a lot busier than they had been. She was so excited! That said, because the Beach Club is still closed, I didn’t find the resort to feel overly busy. The pool had people in it, but not crazy amounts. To be fair, though, it was in the 60s and windy so not ideal pool weather.

Thanks! That's good to know. I can imagine it's only going to get even busier over the next few weeks. I am so curious to see how big a draw the parks are and how many people might be doing resort-only stays. Glad to hear the SAB pool wasn't too busy! Thankfully both resorts we are staying at are not operating at full capacity yet (most of Jambo closed and BC hotel rooms closed). Glad to hear you had a great stay! Did you do resort-only? Did you find enough to do without going to the parks? I've been almost annually for the last 10 years but never done a resort-only stay up until now. It's going to feel weird not going to the parks but more relaxing, I'm sure!!!

 

[jenmsmith]

Thanks! That's good to know. I can imagine it's only going to get even busier over the next few weeks. I am so curious to see how big a draw the parks are and how many people might be doing resort-only stays. Glad to hear the SAB pool wasn't too busy! Thankfully both resorts we are staying at are not operating at full capacity yet (most of Jambo closed and BC hotel rooms closed). Glad to hear you had a great stay! Did you do resort-only? Did you find enough to do without going to the parks? I've been almost annually for the last 10 years but never done a resort-only stay up until now. It's going to feel weird not going to the parks but more relaxing, I'm sure!!!

This trip I did the parks, as well. However, I did a resort-only stay in December and loved it. It was so relaxing and the resorts really are a destination in themselves - especially the two you've chosen. You'll have the benefits of the animal watching at AKL and easy access to the Skyliner resorts plus the Boardwalk.

We'll be at BWV and Kidani at the end of March. We may overlap on your AKL stay. I hope you have a great trip!

 

[Joe Brig]

Was at the YC 2 weeks ago when it was 80 and sunny. The pool deck was at capacity for several hours with a line to get in. The pool itself was not too crowded though, just no chairs available.

Honestly, the first day was not fun, too much energy to just stay at the resort. I would recommend some scheduled activities for the first few days. Could be just going to Disney Springs for shopping and lunch. After a few days it was very relaxing.

 

[Njber116]

Was at the YC 2 weeks ago when it was 80 and sunny. The pool deck was at capacity for several hours with a line to get in. The pool itself was not too crowded though, just no chairs available.

Honestly, the first day was not fun, too much energy to just stay at the resort. I would recommend some scheduled activities for the first few days. Could be just going to Disney Springs for shopping and lunch. After a few days it was very relaxing.

Yikes!!! That’s crazy! Was what you describe with the wait times on the weekend or during the week? I guess we may want to get down to the pool when it opens!

I’m thinking Disney Springs may be pretty crowded too that week but we are going to give it a shot. Hoping if the main pools are too busy we can also check out the quiet pools at the resorts and of course walk around the Boardwalk and take the Skyliner too, which we’ve never done before.

 

[Njber116]

This trip I did the parks, as well. However, I did a resort-only stay in December and loved it. It was so relaxing and the resorts really are a destination in themselves - especially the two you've chosen. You'll have the benefits of the animal watching at AKL and easy access to the Skyliner resorts plus the Boardwalk.

We'll be at BWV and Kidani at the end of March. We may overlap on your AKL stay. I hope you have a great trip!

Thank so much!!! This is exactly what we are hoping - animal watching, pools, skyliner... plenty to do that we rarely get time to do when we are hitting the parks hard from rope drop through dinner. I’m actually looking forward to having some flexibility and time to soak it in! Just hoping it doesn’t feel as crowded as it can IN the parks themselves!
Hope you have a great trip too!!

 

[ChiGirlMom]

We are planning a resort-only stay the week before Easter (AKL and YC) and wondering what the crowds might be like at the resorts mid-day while parks are open. I'm hoping park hours get extended, keeping people in the parks longer. I have a 4 year old so will probably be heading back to the room anyway by 8/8:30 PM at the latest anyway. How crowded do you think the resorts will feel during the day? Is there a significant increase in resort-only stays? I realize may be hard to predict the future, but how has it been for other holiday times recently?

We are doing a resort stay the same time as you! I have to explain to the 5 year old on the daily that we aren’t riding the Barnstormer this year. Poor kid. Spoiled by so much Disney. I made a spreadsheet of activities. There’s so much to do! I’m excited.

I have a feeling things will be busy. Monday the 29th has only 19 open dinner reservations for a party of 4. Saturday the 27th there are only 4!!!