Opinions needed: President's Week vs. April 11-20 2008

[Teyedoubleguhrrrr]

Hi all!

Wanted some opinions as we are starting to plan our first DVC trip (we close this week on our SSR contracts and can't wait to get started!)

I am a teacher, so my time off is a little restricted. We live in an area of NY where we get the entire week of President's week off every year - so that week is an option for us.

We also just got our 2008 school calendar, and our spring break is NOT tied to Easter next year (surprisingly!). Easter is in March, but our break is not until April 11 through the 20.

We also know the following:
1. During Feb. one of the WP will be closed for refurb.
2. We are closer to our 11 month window for the April dates. Feb. may be hard to get (don't know yet - haven't called since not closed yet)
3. President's Week will have later hours, more crowds due to the holiday/Speedweeks, etc.

Unknowns:
1. Park hours during non-Easter times in April
2. Crowds - I think most colleges do earlier in April since they get out at the end of May???

I guess my BIG question is - if you had the choice - what one would YOU pick? This will be our girls first trip to WDW (they have been to DL twice already), but this is a whole new world for them!

 

[dgaston]

Go in April. The weather is better, there's a chance Flower and Garden will begin at Epcot, and there will be lower crowds. Everyone will seem as if they're from NY or New England, but it's ok.

DH also teaches, so we go at Christmas week, President's week, and in April. I always avoid April weeks around Easter, feel they're the worst (yes, even worse than Christmas to NYE),

HTH

 

[lisareniff]

We are in NY also (Rochester area) and had the same decision. As you can see from my sig we usually go during Pres. Week. We find it doable but busy, especially on the Sunday & Monday of that week. You need to do crowd planning (go early, leave after lunch, return in the evening, don't go to a park with EMH, etc.).

We decided next year to go that third week of April, but to VB - maybe a day in seaworld first. I'm not sure what a March Easter will have on the crowds. I guess it depends on how many schools tie their vacation to Easter.

 

[CapeCodFam]

In Feb, you run a bigger risk of flight cancellations due to snow. Having said that, a WDW trip in Feb might be just the thing to escape the cold. I know we're fed up with winter by Feb....

 

[BroganMc]

April most definitely.

Why? The days will be longer (daylight savings time is in effect), the weather will be warmer (February is damn cold for Florida), and the flowers will be in bloom (much prettier).

I used to go end of February/early March but then tried an April/May vacation. I've sworn off Feb/March as a result. The weather was always iffy, going from 50's to 80's day by day and spoiling my down day with a day of bitter cold rain. But in waiting a month or two I gave myself a much better vacation.

This year I'm doing May. (Counting down the days.) Next year, I'll be doing April around that same time.

 

[beachblanket]

A vote here for February, based on the following comparison:

Late April postitives:

• Great weather

Late April negatives:

• Crowds smaller than Easter but not as tiny as some here imply, your school system isn't the only one with a mid/late April break and not all colleges end in May
• Late April Park hours and entertaiment schedules will be cut back
• Airlines generally don't discount very much during entire "spring break" period

President's Week postitives:

• Long Park hours and full entertainment schedules
• Crowd levels are high but managable if you plan properly (be at parks at opening, get out by early afternoon, etc) - unlike all of April, President's week isn't a nationwide vacation period, so mobs aren't as crazy as mid summer, Easter and Xmas. Avoid Epcot and MK on the Monday holiday and you'll be fine.
• If you search deep enough, you can find flight deals

President' Week negatives:

• Weather varies, evenings can be cool. Remember, the pools are heated...
• Higher weather related travel risk if flying from the northeast

Bottom line: IMHO, the "ROI" of a President's Day week trip is higher.

 

[rward]

My suggestion - pick which ever sounds best for you. Your buying into DVC So try the other week next year

 

[Teyedoubleguhrrrr]

Thanks all! The opinions are very helpful. Maybe we should get more points and go both times!

I did go to the Intercot website and looked at the historical hours for April vs. Feb. in 2005 (the last time Easter was in March).

The only park that really had a large difference in hours was AK - they were not open until 8 since it was "off peak" time during the April timeframe. MK was open to 9 or 10 pm, and with our girls being 9 and 6 that actually works OK.

I'm glad some DIS'ers mentioned the snow. It reminded me of the MESS that some of my colleagues got into this year with the snow in Chicago and the midwest trying to get back in Feb. One poor gal could not get back until Thursday - needless to say our Superintendent was NOT happy about that.

I'm going to run some airfare costs and also see what we can get once we are in the system.

I just can't wait to GO!!

 

[beachblanket]

MK was open to 9 or 10 pm, and with our girls being 9 and 6 that actually works OK.

Actually, this past President's Day week the MK was open until at least 11 pm on almost every single evening, with two (count 'em two) Spectros almost every night (on Sunday 2/18 there was an evening EMH that went until 3am!!), as well as a special Princess and Pirate party on Friday 2/23. All that would have given you a lot of flexibility if your kids are up for one (or two) "later" nights (ours were at that age).

You won't get anything close to that during late April.

 

[BroganMc]

You won't get anything close to that during late April.

I believe the point made was that the historical "earlier" hours for April worked just as well with the OP's young children. In my experience, beyond 10pm those under 10 get mighty cranky and unreasonable to be around.

 

[aubeone]

We are also from NY...Saratoga Springs ...and stayed at OKW in April '06 and Feb. '07. We liked the weather during April much better. The nights were extra cold this year which really puts a damper on enjoying the parks at night. I am not sure if they will in '08 but Magic Kingdom was open at 7 AM almost every morning during April '06!

 

[Teyedoubleguhrrrr]

We are also from NY...Saratoga Springs

Hello to you and thanks!

Actually, this past President's Day week the MK was open until at least 11 pm on almost every single evening, with two (count 'em two) Spectros almost every night

Sorry if my post was confusing. I meant to say that the historical had the April dates for the MK open plenty late with at least 2 Spectros per week - not the same as per day, but I'll also look at this year's info to see how things might trend.

If we were to go during President's - since it is so busy - the mid-day break would be necessary and perhaps the N word (naps) could occur. With the excitement of my two, however, it might be more trouble than it is worth. Thanks for the info!

 

[CarolA]

Just a warning. My co-worker from Tampa said it was COLD this week in Florida (Now of course cold in Florida probably means something dramatically different from cold in New England LOL!)