President's Week or Easter Week?

[MichiganMommy]

Hello! We are trying to decide whether to visit during President's Week (Feb 14-20) or during Easter Week. We will probably do 2 days at DL. I'm interested in comparing the crowds and weather for those 2 weeks. We'll be driving from Phoenix and spending about 4-5 days in CA. Thanks!

Also, we've been to WDW 3 times and are big fans of staying onsite there. I haven't been to DL since the late 70s, but it sounds like the advantages of staying onsite for DL aren't as great. We always do early entry at WDW and I saw a thread that that has been discontinued at DL. We also usually go back to the hotel in the afternoon for a swim and some relaxation. Will staying onsite be worth the extra $$? We stayed on the concierge level at the Wilderness Lodge last year and loved that, so I'm considering concierge level if we stay onsite. Don't know if I can justify the extra cost though.

I love the DIS boards. Thanks in advance for your replies!

 

[ilovemky]

I vote for President's Week!

Also, I vote for the onsite hotels, but if you can get something else alot cheaper then go for it. I find the convenience of the monorail to the hotels to be a great timesaver! And Paradise Pier and GC have private entrances into DCA!

JMYHO

 

[missypie]

I would vote for on site. If you watch the boards (esp. mousesavers.com) you should see the various rate codes.

Although DLR is nice and some of the off site hotels are nice, the area outside the walls of DLR is not particularly beautiful or well kept ... just typical city. It is very pleasant to be in the DLR cocoon and walk everywhere you go surrounded by lush landscaping and happy music.

 

[MichiganMommy]

I think we will try to stay onsite. Thanks for the input about the surrounding area hotels. The atmosphere is what we love at WDW also. The landscaping, music, etc all really work to create a great mood.

Will the crowds during Presidents Week (we would probably come mid-week) be much less than the week after Easter? We are struggling with balancing the warmer weather in April vs. (possibly) fewer crowds in February.

Thanks!

p.s. I'll have to check out mousesavers. I thought they were only for WDW, not DL. Thanks for the tip.

 

[missypie]

For Spring Break this year I found my $139 rate at the DLH on mousesavers.

 

[disneychrista]

I think the weather will be nicer during Spring Break/Easter Week but it will likely be more crowded.

I also think you are better off saving your money and staying offsite. There are many hotels (of varing quality) right accross the street from the DLR, and most are a shorter walk to the front/main gates then the DLH and PP.

 

[5infam]

Presidents week will absolutely be less crowded than April. Usually the weather is ok then as well (typical for CA) but you never know when a cold snap or some rain may come in and mess up our pretty weather!! However, if you are from Michigan, than this will seem like great February weather.

 

[almostGoofy]

I vote for President's Week. Local schools only get the actual holiday (Monday) off unlike some parts of the country who get the entire week off. Easter week will definitely be more crowded.