Questions about crowds in March?

[SR]

I have gone to WDW in Sept. Oct. & Dec. but this time I want to go during the spring during the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival displays, (Also, does anyone know the dates for this in 2017?) but I am concerned about Spring break during March and wondered if anyone had any input on this? I haven't been for several years and want to experience WDW at a different time. Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[JennyDrake]

March is crowded, surprisingly so, but still very doable with RD and midday break. Weather is usually lovely!

 

[g-dad66]

First week in March will be the least crowded week.

Our Spring Break is always mid-March, and crowds are heavy, but ideal weather makes lines a lot more bearable.

The only super-packed week would be the week before Easter, but Easter in 2017 doesn't come until mid-April.

 

[MermaidMommy]

The first week in March is usually a great combination of low-moderate crowds and comfortable weather. This year, the spring break crowds will hit with a vengeance the week of 3/12, so if you're looking for lower crowds, be gone by then. But, the first of the month is a fantastic time to go.

 

[caliope]

(Also, does anyone know the dates for this in 2017?)

I believe F&G starts March 1, 2017, and runs through May.

 

[richmo]

2017 should be a better March than most, since Easter isn't until April 16. When spring break (usually early to mid-March) coincides with Easter, the parks can get really busy. Next year that shouldn't happen...

 

[kwdw]

I have gone to WDW in Sept. Oct. & Dec. but this time I want to go during the spring during the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival displays, (Also, does anyone know the dates for this in 2017?) but I am concerned about Spring break during March and wondered if anyone had any input on this? I haven't been for several years and want to experience WDW at a different time. Thank you in advance for your help.

March is awesome at Disney! I think any week in March is good any year - as long as that week doesn't begin or end with Easter. I think it's much like October crowds. The two weeks around Easter are another story, however......

 

[Nebraska_Disney]

I have gone to WDW in Sept. Oct. & Dec. but this time I want to go during the spring during the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival displays, (Also, does anyone know the dates for this in 2017?) but I am concerned about Spring break during March and wondered if anyone had any input on this? I haven't been for several years and want to experience WDW at a different time. Thank you in advance for your help.

I have gone my last 4 trips in March and love it. In 2011, the temperatures were in the mid 80's to low 90's and we were swimming every single day. We swim most trips, but can can hit a few days in which the temps/wind does not make it pleasant. This year, we went March 7-16th and the week of March 7th was quiet and then the last 3-4 days of our trip, the crowds really increased. Like others have said, the weather makes it very nice to go that time, even with crowds. We utilize rope drop and mid-day breaks and have no problem see/doing everything we want to without rushing.

Edited to add, the last 4 trips we have taken in March, we have only put on a poncho for part of 1 day (morning) and even that day the sun was out by lunch.

 

[SR]

Thank you everyone for the great answers to my questions. I love the people on here, always so helpful.

 

[dreiwhit]

We went in early March this year, and it wasn't bad. MK was the most crowded park, but it still wasn't bad. The crowd calendars had MK as a 4 or 5 the first day we went there.

The weather was good. We only had one quick shower, but that went through at 3am. The rest of the time, it was sunny with highs in the high 70s or low 80s.

 

[SBWB48]

Any thoughts and predictions on what the end of March may look like this year with Easter not until mid-April this year? Does the end of March typically coincide with Spring Break of larger school districts anywhere? I believe a PP mentioned the week of 3/12 as one potentially.

 

[richmo]

Any thoughts and predictions on what the end of March may look like this year with Easter not until mid-April this year? Does the end of March typically coincide with Spring Break of larger school districts anywhere? I believe a PP mentioned the week of 3/12 as one potentially.

Someone put up a poll about which week spring break was in '17. As I recall, the results were a pretty even distribution throughout March. I don't think the end of March will be too bad seeing that Easter is late, but it won't be quiet either...we'll see, I'm going that week too.

 

[tlmadden73]

I am planning on going the last week of March. I expect it to be crowded, but not as crowded as the weeks around Easter. I am hoping the later March time means a lot of Spring Breaks already happened, but I am sure there are tons of schools with this last week date as well.

I don't think there is really a "low crowd" time to go anymore unless you choose late January/early February and late August/early September.

 

[isabellea]

Our Spring break is the first week of March and last year we loved visiting WDW in March. In fact, DH asked that we only go to WDW during that time of year and skip summer because of the weather.

 

[BridgeBuilder]

We went the week leading up to Easter this year. Crowds were moderate. 45min-1hr for the Tier 1 rides. We only went to MK at night because the late afternoon/evening downpours would clear out all of the stroller families Walk-ons for most rides after that

 

[PatMcDuck]

I am arriving March 29, and hope to thread the needle between most of the spring breakers and the pre- Easter crowds.

And if it is super crowded, that is ok too!

 

[travelgoddess]

We are going 3/2-3/11, staying at POFQ. This is our first time going in March, we usually go End Oct-Early Dec sometime. Looking forward to seeing all the
topiaries at Epcot. When does the concert schedule come out for that time.

 

[2013Frozen]

We were there spring break/Easter week this year (3/27-3/25). MK was the most crowded overall (IMO) but if you have FP it was fine. Epcot was most crowded with F&G (which we LOVE) March 18th, but other than that for us was fine. Would absolutely do Spring Break again.

 

[princesspiglet]

We are going 3/2-3/11, staying at POFQ. This is our first time going in March, we usually go End Oct-Early Dec sometime. Looking forward to seeing all the
topiaries at Epcot. When does the concert schedule come out for that time.

We will be there March 3-13, also staying at POFQ!

 

[travelgoddess]

We will be there March 3-13, also staying at POFQ!

It's just the 2 of us. We stayed there about 10 years ago and loved it. Can't wait to hear about the refurbished food court, I hope we see you there!