Mid March vs. Mid July

[PrejeanPrincess]

Tell me about the crowd difference. We have been mid July, but never over SB. DDs are going with their band over SB and DH and I want to go and extend their trip..worried about the crowds. Thanks for your help!

 

[slp87]

We go every other year during spring break (with most of TX) and I've never thought the crowds were that bad. If you use FP+ wisely and arrive at opening, I don't think you'll wait long at all. The longest I remember waiting last year was for the Jungle Cruise for about 30 minutes. March is a great time to go due to fairly nice temperatures (although it can still be quite warm), very little rain, and the Flower & Garden Festival.

 

[Khokhonutt]

We made 3 band trips do WDW while our kids were in school. I think it really depends on when your break falls. If you're there during the week of Easter, it's going to be busy. Not much different from July, in our experience. The biggest difference I can tell you is the weather. It's typically beautiful in March and April in Florida with no where near the heat you have in July.

The bit of advice I'd give is to realize the trip will likely be a good bit different from your other trips to Disney. With the parade schedule, helping get the kids ready to march and the check ins that were expected of our kids, you likely won't have the time you have on your own vacation. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, just a different thing. We still had a great time on all of the band trips. You can't beat watching your kids march down main street and it was a ton of fun going with a bunch of the kids who had never had the chance to see Disney.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I don't think it's worse than mid-July. Plus, the heat factors in. I can tolerate higher crowds when the temps are lower. I say go for it!

 

[lemondog]

We have been both. Mid-March is WAY worse as far as crowds go. We actually hated our mid-March trip. Temps were too cool (mid-60s, too cold to swim) and overcast many days and the crowds were so bad they partially closed MK one day. We almost always go mid-July and yes it is steaming hot but not as crowded, we carefully plan our itenerary with touring plans, work in long afternoon breaks for swims/naps, and we always have a great time.

 

[PrejeanPrincess]

We are planning to arrive the 13th (I believe the band will get there the 12th). My DH and I are not going as chaperones. We will be staying onsite (the band stays offsite). When the band leaves on Tuesday, my DDs will come and stay at our resort for the rest of the week. It is my oldest DD17 senior band trip and the middle DD15 Sophomore trip. Until our last July trip (2012), we always pulled the kiddos out of school and went in September and early December...when there were no crowds. So, July was a shock for us with all the tour groups! We are looking forward to cooler temps. We are also from TX, so we are used to some form of the heat...lol! Thanks for all the info, we are very excited about the upcoming trip!!

 

[slp87]

We have been both. Mid-March is WAY worse as far as crowds go. We actually hated our mid-March trip. Temps were too cool (mid-60s, too cold to swim) and overcast many days and the crowds were so bad they partially closed MK one day. We almost always go mid-July and yes it is steaming hot but not as crowded, we carefully plan our itenerary with touring plans, work in long afternoon breaks for swims/naps, and we always have a great time.

That must have been an unusual year as far as temps. We've been 6 trip during Mid-March and we've always been able to swim and go to the waterparks.

We were there in '12 when the band from our local high school was there as well and the only place we noticed a crowd was at DtD.

 

[soniam]

Another Texan here. We went the 3rd week in March (3/17-21) this year. We also went the last week in July last summer. They pretty much felt the same. I did notice that the crowds grew at WDW as the week went on in March; whereas, in July, they stayed steady. The temperature was much nicer in March, but still warmer and more humid than I expected. Mainly bring shorts and skirts and maybe a few pants or capris. A hoody was nice in the early mornings. One thing I noticed is that it was much darker in the morning, and MK was opening at 8am, so 7am EMH. It was still pitch black at the bus stop around before 7am. Plus, the time change had just occurred. Easter sounds terrible, but if you are not going then, it should be fine. Just assume July crowds at a minimum.