School Holidays Crowds

[Ambassador]

We had to cancel our planned visit in November, when we have in the past enjoyed having the parks practically to ourselves. Number One has started Kindergarten and now we are contemplating a visit during one of the school breaks. Just how crowded is it really?

 

[Mary Anne]

I've been Christmas and Easter. Personally I think that Easter is a little less crowded. However both are crowded but still doable.

 

[turnlisa]

We went during Easter Break 2002 and decided "NEVER AGAIN"! The crowds were incredible! We usually go during late February or early March so for us, it was an awakening! We still had a wonderful time -- it is Disney, after all -- but we had to give up a lot of the things that we wanted to do. Make sure that you have PSs for the places that you really want to eat because otherwise the wait was really lengthy. We also made sure to take advantage of the extended hours at the parks. This meant keeping our kids up late but this way they got to ride what they wanted to.

If this is the only time that you can go, go for it! You will still have a wonderful time but keep repeating one word in your head, "Patience!"

 

[crs7568]

As a teacher, I only travel to Disney during those school break crowds. Let me tell you, I read with envy about all of those people who just got back from their trip in the past two week and didn't wait in a single line. Of course, I am sure that they would love to have an entire summer off so I really don't feel like I can complain too much.

To answer your question, I think that you will find the crowds to be bigger than you are used to but it is not bad once you get used to it. My advice is to get up and hit the parks early before the crowds get too big.

By the way, I applaud you for not taking your child out of school to take a vacation!

 

[airhead]

...for NOT taking your kid out of school! Good for you,AND your kid!!

 

[tinkerbee]

We went this past Easter(we left the day before) and it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. If you use EE and fast past it will be okay. The only thing we waited for was Splash Mnt 1/2 hour because we already had FP for Space Mnt. Other than that lines were less than 5 minutes. We sat on the curbs for all parades (15 minutes before it started). So don't get scared you're at Disney World.

 

[StrwLady]

March seems to start sping break time. I have been the second week of March 2 times and find the crowds moderate. As I understand it the later in March you go the bigger the crowds.

 

[Ambassador]

Thanks to all for your comments and advise. We're not the type who try to fit everything in all at once, and are very relaxed in the parks. Because our kids are young, we haven't been on most of the attractions yet. I'm sure we'll enjoy the our vacation regardless of the season.

 

[~Sparkly~Zoe]

I personally would take the child out of school, especially for kindergarden.
It is well worth it to not have to deal with the heavy crowds.

 

[Grumpy37]

We try to plan this stuff creatively, to maximize the the days at WDW while minimizing the missed school days (kindergartner). DS will miss the Monday following Thanksgiving, that's a pretty reasonable compromise in my book for his grade level.

OTOH, our schoolboard has gone a little power mad, which makes me not feel quite so bad about our vacation scheduling. Case in point: Spring break this year will consist of Maunday Thursday, Good Friday and the following Monday. Yeah, right! 3 days! We're adding three days before so we can go from the weekend before Easter to the Monday after.

Otherwise our options would be limited to the family-unfriendly first weekend in June straight through the worst of the heat and hurricane season. Who wants to go to Florida when the weather finally starts getting nice at home?

 

[Ambassador]

When we first went in late October immediately following 9/11, it was eery how empty everything was, kind of sad really. The following two years the crowds increased, but not at all intolerable. We're considering whether missing some Kindergarten may be okay. But at one point, the hard reality of school vacation schedules will rule, as many of you know. Planning and checking the DIS boards will become even more important; so much the worse for my obsession.

 

[llebrekniT]

Originally posted by ~Sparkly~Zoe
I personally would take the child out of school, especially for kindergarden.
It is well worth it to not have to deal with the heavy crowds.

I couldn't agree with you more. Will it really make a difference to the child to miss a few days?

We HAVE to take our children out of school in order to have a family vacation due to my husbands work. He cannot get time off during summer and it's nearly impossible during Christmas as well. So, rather than miss out on memorable family vacations, we have taken them out every year they have been in school. They both are very well disciplined and have always made up there work and it has not harmed them in the least. Most schools have an attendance policy that allows for a certain number of unexcused absences. You should check with your school and plan your trip for what works best for your family.