Mid-winter recess or spring recess?

[k-wa]

Hi all,

We really want to take a vacation with the whole family next year, but my sister is a teacher and my father can't stand the summer heat.

Crowdwise, would you recommend we stay:

Mid-winter Recess: February 17 - February 21, 2014

or

Spring Recess: April 14 - April 22, 2014

Thank you in advance for your insight and advice!

 

[pooh4evr]

I would say February- BUT is that Presidents Day Weekend? IF so crowds will be bigger. Now April from what I have seen and read here can be VERY crowded with people taking vacations over spring break- though it depends on when Easter is sometimes. Check Easywdw.com and compare the crowd calendars from this year and see what Josh had to say about stuff.

 

[lucyem]

Next year is a late easter and falls within your dates. We travel yearly the third week of april and normally the crowds are low and the weather great. But on a late easter year crowds are higher, prices are higher etc. Though not as high as a regular easter. Totally doable with a good plan.

Not sure about your february dates. Normally we stay home for feb vacation, dh goes to a conference and i always end up digging out of some major snowstorm on my own.

 

[k-wa]

Next year is a late easter and falls within your dates. We travel yearly the third week of april and normally the crowds are low and the weather great. But on a late easter year crowds are higher, prices are higher etc. Though not as high as a regular easter. Totally doable with a good plan.

Not sure about your february dates. Normally we stay home for feb vacation, dh goes to a conference and i always end up digging out of some major snowstorm on my own.

Thanks lucyem! So do you think if we arrive on Friday, April 11 and depart Thursday, April 17 the crowds should be manageable?

 

[k-wa]

I would say February- BUT is that Presidents Day Weekend? IF so crowds will be bigger. Now April from what I have seen and read here can be VERY crowded with people taking vacations over spring break- though it depends on when Easter is sometimes. Check Easywdw.com and compare the crowd calendars from this year and see what Josh had to say about stuff.

Thanks for letting me know about Easywdw.com -- great site!

 

[dpswift]

The craziest, busiest, time we ever went was over a spring break April 11 to April 15th for Ds 6th birthday. I believe it was in 2008 but I am not sure. There were alot of kids that the kids knew from school and we live in Central New York. around here people tend to go South for spring break and ours starts on Good Friday next year. This year we went on Sunday and Monday of Presidents week at was not quite as crowded but it was extremely cold.

Either time be prepared for BIG crowds and you will not be disappointed. I am not saying do not go just be prepared for hoards of people. We actually had a teen run by and jump over my six year old.

We got the dining plan because it was important to me to sit down and eat. I was glad we did. In February there were no seats to be found for quick service and the lines were out the door.

 

[pooh4evr]

If like lucyem said your dates fall over Easter weekend~ it.will.be.busy. Easter I beleive is one of the most crowded times after Christmas. Be prepared for major crowds IF that is the case for your dates.

 

[k-wa]

My sister works for NYC public schools and next year's break ENDS with Easter Sunday.

That's why I thought if we left Disney the Thursday before Easter we might avoid the worst of the crowds? Maybe I am too optimistic, lol!

We're so spoiled by being able to go during off-peak times, but we really want to include my sis and her family next year.

 

[1000HappyWishes]

I'm not going to be a bundle of info here, however I recently went during spring break, and having gone over winter break in years previous, I loved spring break. Granted I was on a school trip and with my friends, however the weather was absolutely wonderful with little rain, and if there were crowds I didn't see any I couldn't handle (though I am used to waiting in lines 2+ hours at conventions and they don't phase me anymore.) Personally, I would avoid the holiday Disney crowd and do Spring Break. Just seems like a better option for me, but you know what's best for you.