Official March 2022 thread!

[bambialways4ever]

Did everyone see the extended park hours posted today for the week of March 6? Including a change of MK Extended Evening hours from 8-10 pm to now be 11 pm - 1 am? These changes throw a wrench in my plans for a few days. And I’m thinking it means it’s looking like a more crowded week than expected (no surprise there with recent trends.). Although most people will probably be happy to have more hours, I was sort of looking forward to being able to be a bit more slow paced. And we are NOT night owls, so we just lost the perk of MK evening extended hours. Back to the drawing board for me, but now meals are pretty set so there is limited flexibility there.

We don't go that week, but it makes me hopeful for longer hours for the week we do go! (Last week in March) We are big night owls, especially my partner, so he'll be thrilled

 

[Charade67]

3 weeks from today for us!!! I’m excited, but nervous about crowds. We are just going to be happy to be there and take breaks at our resort Grand Floridian or Disney springs if it gets too nuts in the parks for us. Soo many negative reports out there and we are trying to not let those get to us. We have high schoolers, so feel like it’s now or never for all of us to go together so we are going for it.

This is us. It's my sons senior year so this may our last go as the entire family for awhile. I think there's a lot of negativity on boards and media, but I also believe that a lot of people are predisposed to be grumpy right now about every little thing due to expense and changes. I will just be happy to be with my family. This isn't our first go by any means so I guess maybe I feel less pressure for a "perfect" trip. It's like that quote "I figure people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." We've decided we'll do our best and enjoy what were able to do. I hope your trip is magical and your family enjoys the time with one another!

My daughter is a college student and my husband is a professor, so unfortunately the only times we can have a family trip are spring break, summer (too hot for me), Thanksgiving and Christmas. We are going in with the attitude of we know it will be crowded, so we are just going to do what we are able to do and be happy about it.

At least longer hours means we can take more hotel breaks! I also have to reconsider one of my Epcot ADRs because seeing Pandora at night will be a priority for me because I haven't been able to do it yet!

I have only been to AK once since Pandora opened and the park closed before it got dark. I want to see Pandora at night too.

 

[suse66]

3 weeks from today for us!!! I’m excited, but nervous about crowds. We are just going to be happy to be there and take breaks at our resort Grand Floridian or Disney springs if it gets too nuts in the parks for us. Soo many negative reports out there and we are trying to not let those get to us. We have high schoolers, so feel like it’s now or never for all of us to go together so we are going for it.

3 weeks from today for me! We are the same way and will be doing lots of resort time with only 2 park days this trip.

Did everyone see the extended park hours posted today for the week of March 6? Including a change of MK Extended Evening hours from 8-10 pm to now be 11 pm - 1 am? These changes throw a wrench in my plans for a few days. And I’m thinking it means it’s looking like a more crowded week than expected (no surprise there with recent trends.). Although most people will probably be happy to have more hours, I was sort of looking forward to being able to be a bit more slow paced. And we are NOT night owls, so we just lost the perk of MK evening extended hours. Back to the drawing board for me, but now meals are pretty set so there is limited flexibility there.

I am going the next week and would love extended hours as I love the parks at night!

I'm excited about the hours because we're night owls, but not excited about the crowd levels that entails.

At least longer hours means we can take more hotel breaks! I also have to reconsider one of my Epcot ADRs because seeing Pandora at night will be a priority for me because I haven't been able to do it yet!

Crowds are going to be bananas...just trying to gear myself up for it.

My daughter is a college student and my husband is a professor, so unfortunately the only times we can have a family trip are spring break, summer (too hot for me), Thanksgiving and Christmas. We are going in with the attitude of we know it will be crowded, so we are just going to do what we are able to do and be happy about it.

Exactly how I feel, will just make the best of it.

 

[Aurora79]

I just spent my lunch break today figuring out the rest of the money stuff for our March trip. We have it saved up…but just figuring out how much I want on a gift card vs cash vs credit cards. I need a nap now. As much as how I know the dining plan didn’t really save us money, it sure saved some planning time since it simplified the ”how” dining was paid for. Whew!

 

[EilonwyWanderer]

I'm currently just stressing myself out trying to make some dresses for the trip. First it was just going to be surprise matching dresses for them and a shirt for me, but one trip to the fabric store later and now I'm trying to do four dresses each including one complicated toddler Elsa/Anna combo which has me trying to learn how to use embroidery software and WHY do I do this to myself?!

 

[suse66]

I just spent my lunch break today figuring out the rest of the money stuff for our March trip. We have it saved up…but just figuring out how much I want on a gift card vs cash vs credit cards. I need a nap now. As much as how I know the dining plan didn’t really save us money, it sure saved some planning time since it simplified the ”how” dining was paid for. Whew!

I totally hear you! I just went through the menus, estimated what we would order to get a rough cost and figured out what we would put on a gift card. Typically I take the cost of the DDP per day times the number of people in the travel party times the number of days we are there. So for our upcoming trip I am looking at $1100 USD plus tips.

I'm currently just stressing myself out trying to make some dresses for the trip. First it was just going to be surprise matching dresses for them and a shirt for me, but one trip to the fabric store later and now I'm trying to do four dresses each including one complicated toddler Elsa/Anna combo which has me trying to learn how to use embroidery software and WHY do I do this to myself?!

I bet those dresses are going to be gorgeous!!

 

[jsphsry]

March 5-8 first time staying on site at a resort.
Animal resort - Epcot and Magic Kingdom

 

[shaz14]

18 days to go for us! We check into the Riviera on March 12!

 

[Charade67]

I just spent my lunch break today figuring out the rest of the money stuff for our March trip. We have it saved up…but just figuring out how much I want on a gift card vs cash vs credit cards. I need a nap now. As much as how I know the dining plan didn’t really save us money, it sure saved some planning time since it simplified the ”how” dining was paid for. Whew!

I’m almost afraid to do that. I think I will just look at what we spend last time and estimate it should be less for this trip. Fewer days.

I'm currently just stressing myself out trying to make some dresses for the trip. First it was just going to be surprise matching dresses for them and a shirt for me, but one trip to the fabric store later and now I'm trying to do four dresses each including one complicated toddler Elsa/Anna combo which has me trying to learn how to use embroidery software and WHY do I do this to myself?!

I would love to see pictures when you are finished.

18 days to go for us! We check into the Riviera on March 12!

We arrive on the 13th.

I am so ready for a vacation.

 

[masterpabu]

Just about 4 days until we land in MCO! Trying not to [any kids look away] crap myself with excitement

I've started to find some peace and accept crowds will be high, although we're also aiming to go at a slower and more relaxed pace this time, so hopefully avoid getting frustrated because after all it's our first proper holiday in 2 years!

Will be interesting to see how long DH can last during extended evening - disclaimer I am not forcing him to stay out with me and if he does it will be out of his own free will, you guys are my witness to this

 

[Lilias]

I'm basically at the point where I'm picking one ride per park and the rest is going to be a plus :x It's looking like even rope drop might not be worth it because of all the rides beaking down!

But I'm still looking forward to eating and shopping and being warm lol. 13 days!

 

[Aurora79]

But I'm still looking forward to eating and shopping and being warm

Yes!! It’s 22 degrees here right now. I just want to be somewhere warm!

 

[bambialways4ever]

I'm basically at the point where I'm picking one ride per park and the rest is going to be a plus :x It's looking like even rope drop might not be worth it because of all the rides beaking down!

But I'm still looking forward to eating and shopping and being warm lol. 13 days!

I'm looking at it as, "If we spend half of every day by the pool and I eat as much as humanly possible, it will be a great trip!"

 

[smsmommy]

18 days to go for us! We check into the Riviera on March 12!

OMG! I just realized 18 days for us too! I am now officially freaking out. So much to do!! Need to make a packing list, order shirts.....so so exciting!

We are checking in to Boardwalk that day! Have an amazing trip!

 

[Lilias]

It looks like some later ADRs have been added for 3/9 at MK for the extended hours I snagged a BOG for 8:55 PM and there's still availability there and at other MK restaurants!

 

[Lilias]

Though I have the fireworks after party booked, so I don't know if that was smart, lol. They don't have savory options for those anymore, so I figured we'd be hungry, buut maybe not.

 

[suse66]

Just about 4 days until we land in MCO! Trying not to [any kids look away] crap myself with excitement

I've started to find some peace and accept crowds will be high, although we're also aiming to go at a slower and more relaxed pace this time, so hopefully avoid getting frustrated because after all it's our first proper holiday in 2 years!

Will be interesting to see how long DH can last during extended evening - disclaimer I am not forcing him to stay out with me and if he does it will be out of his own free will, you guys are my witness to this

Haha, I feel the same way with my DH. He can stay as long as he wants but I must do ALL the Disney things.

I'm basically at the point where I'm picking one ride per park and the rest is going to be a plus :x It's looking like even rope drop might not be worth it because of all the rides beaking down!

But I'm still looking forward to eating and shopping and being warm lol. 13 days!

Same!

Yes!! It’s 22 degrees here right now. I just want to be somewhere warm!

Yep.....so much snow and ice in southern Ontario. Bring on the palm trees!

I'm looking at it as, "If we spend half of every day by the pool and I eat as much as humanly possible, it will be a great trip!"

Absolutely! Add some refreshing adult bevvies to that list too please!

OMG! I just realized 18 days for us too! I am now officially freaking out. So much to do!! Need to make a packing list, order shirts.....so so exciting!

We are checking in to Boardwalk that day! Have an amazing trip!

17 days for us! Cannot wait!

It looks like some later ADRs have been added for 3/9 at MK for the extended hours I snagged a BOG for 8:55 PM and there's still availability there and at other MK restaurants!

Exciting news!

 

[JoJoGirl]

Anyone have any idea what is going on the second week in March that caused Disney to extend hours so much? Also, Touring Plans is calling for weekday crowds in the 9-10 category, and Tom Bricker just updated his prediction from 6-7s to 8-9s for that week based on the hours extension. But no one knows exactly why.

Mardi Gras is the first week, and the larger share of spring breaks don’t start until the third week. The second week should have been a bit of a lull, but instead it’s now predicted to be the highest of the three.

Still very excited, but just a little worried because my family will be there March 6-12. What are we missing here?

 

[Avery&Todd]

Anyone have any idea what is going on the second week in March that caused Disney to extend hours so much? Also, Touring Plans is calling for weekday crowds in the 9-10 category, and Tom Bricker just updated his prediction from 6-7s to 8-9s for that week based on the hours extension. But no one knows exactly why.

Mardi Gras is the first week, and the larger share of spring breaks don’t start until the third week. The second week should have been a bit of a lull, but instead it’s now predicted to be the highest of the three.

Still very excited, but just a little worried because my family will be there March 6-12. What are we missing here?

I think it's just more folks coming to the parks bc they haven't visited in the last 2 years. I know DVC is booked out and folks are just ready to visit again.

With the mask requirements lifted that's also made more folks more comfortable in coming.

I personally feel that crowds will be like this for at least another year. I cant see there being a real slow time anytime soon!!

 

[Lilias]

That's the week we're going and I'm also confused. I think there's even still hotel availability? I didn't really have particular difficulty getting ADRs, either, even later in the week after my 60-day window opened. There's nothing now, of course--even the new late night drops have vanished lol.

I'm gonna bring extra swimsuits, cuz we're probably going to be bailing on the parks a lot if all of these predictions are true