Spring Break - give it to me straight

[Ooba]

We are considering going to WDW or Vero Beach next spring break - which for us is always the last full week of March. Unfortunately, next year Easter falls on the first Sunday of the break. I know there are many schools that always have there spring or "Easter" break the week after Easter - no matter when it falls. So I am assuming that it would be incredibly crowded. Is that true of both WDW AND Vero Beach? Or would Vero be less crowded (or more tolerable) than WDW? We have only been to WDW in August (yes, I know, the crowds were not bad because who in there right mind goes then?). So I have nothing to compare it to as far as crowds go. Should we skip this next March and plan for another year when Easter falls in April - or just deal with the crowds?

 

[disfreaks]

Ok-I don't know about Vero Beach, I am curious about that as well. We have spring break the first week of April, so were thinking about booking Vero Beach then. This year we went to WDW after our cruise and the first week of April. We left on Friday, Easter was on Sunday after we left. The parks were completely crazy! We said we would never go during Easter again. That being said, we did get into OKW without a booking problem, and that was a one bedroom. Just my thoughts...

 

[bobbiwoz]

My spring break is usually the week that has March 19th, but next year, it's the week following Easter. We have been to VB twice during that time of year, and neither time was the weather especially nice or the ocean particularly inviting. In '08, we're going on a cruise. I'm hoping for better weather, and we didn't want to deal with crowds at WDW the week after Easter.

Bobbi

 

[DiznyDi]

We were at WDW/Saratoga Springs 3-18 through 3-23 this year. Weather was beautiful! Crowds were unbelievable - I have never seen such a mass of humanity in one place in all my life. This was our first and definately our last trip to WDW during Spring Break. Despite the heavy crowds in the parks, SS was reasonably 'quiet' in comparison. We've also traveled in September: low crowds but horrendous heat and humidity. I'll take the heat and humidity over the crowds any day.

 

[spiceycat]

you can do it.

go early - EMH if possible - get your fass pass early - they can easily run out by 10 am if not sooner.

so be sure to get the fass pass on the ride you really, really want.

went the crowds get too much - leave.

the parks are open later - so come back after dinner or later. do EMH if possible.

never go to the early parade - do some of the rides - but see the later parade if your time allows it.

MK will be open until midnight most of your nights. So the EMH will bring your time until 3am. So definitely plan on Sun late night (that if they don't change the EMH nights again)

 

[jekjones1558]

Right on, Pat. I cautioned a teacher friend about going spring break this year but she did as Pat suggests and said it was fine. They did everything they wanted to do. If you are not an early morning person willing to go at rope-drop, then you will find the going tougher. Good luck!

 

[llp479]

Not only will it be insane during that time, check out what the points are for that time period! YIKES! Our SB is also the last week in March which as you said is also Easter in 2008. We decided to do the cruise next year, with a combo of points and cash.

 

[jpeka65844]

I agree with DizneyDi....We were at VWL 3/17-3/25 and while the resort was wonderful, the crowds were INSANE. We told each other "never again during Spring Break" We'll be those parents that take their kids out of school for a few days than face that again.

We got to do most everything we wanted BUT, it took us twice as long (waiting for Fast Pass times, waiting in standby lines). What we wound up doing in AK, for example, should've taken a half day but we had to be there the whole day to get it done.

So, if you're ok with that, do it. I mean, if it was a choice of that or not going at all, we'd probably do Spring Break again. But prepare yourself.....



Denice T.
Olathe, KS

 

[Ooba]

Wow. Don't think we will try WDW next spring break. But what about Vero Beach? We have always wanted to try it. I'm not really concerned about having perfect temperatures - we are from the pacific northwest where the beach is usually windy, rainy and cold - so if its nice enough to get out on the beach, we will be happy. Will the resort/beach be extremely crowded? Or do you even notice the crowds all that much there? We are just looking for something new for spring break - without dealing with masses of people. Thanks.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Well, in view of what you want, then by all means try VB for the spring break. It will be full, but the resort didn't seem to be too crowded when we were there, either this past March or '04, during our first visit. Parking is a bit of a challenge, but we managed. If the weather is too cool or not condusive for swimming, you can rent bikes and there are bike paths. We had such a great time in March, in spite of the weather, that we did try in April to try to secure a room for our June 10th trip coming up, but even garden view inn rooms were booked by that time.

We had 3 out of 4 days of mostly rain this year, but on our last day, I woke up and went out to see the sunrise, it was beautiful. My DH isn't an ocean swimmer, but he has fallen for VB's charm. We own there and hope to get a Beach Cottage for our family trip next year, in June.

Bobbi

 

[Nadine&Scott]

We stayed at OKW this March 24- April 1. The resort did not seem crowded except having to get to the feature pool early to get a chair. But the parks were crazy busy. Even EMH didn't help us avoid the crowds. We will be going back to our January or early December trips for the future.

We tried very hard to avoid crowds by trying to do the opposite of what everyone else seems to be doing. It did pay off a few times, most notably by going to see The American Experience at Epcot during Illuminations. We were the only two people in the entire theatre.

Scott

 

[Ooba]

I guess I left out a slightly important detail - in order to go next spring break, it would require us to add-on - likely at AKV. Of course, DH has left the decision up to me. Hey, it was my idea to buy in in the first place (site unseen) - he just shrugged his shoulders. After going last August, he is thrilled with the whole set up. I guess the other part of the equation would be whether I would be able to get ressies for Vero Beach for the last part of March, at the 7 month mark. Anyone know? This all weighs into my decision on whether I should add on tomorrow (the deadline for the incentive) or not. Help!

 

[bobbiwoz]

For our first trip, I had to book 7 months out for the spring break, and all we had was enough points for a garden view inn room. It was available. What type of villa do you want? I think if you call exactly at 7 months you will be able to get something you could use.

Bobbi

 

[Starr W.]

Wow. Don't think we will try WDW next spring break. But what about Vero Beach? We have always wanted to try it. I'm not really concerned about having perfect temperatures - we are from the pacific northwest where the beach is usually windy, rainy and cold - so if its nice enough to get out on the beach, we will be happy. Will the resort/beach be extremely crowded? Or do you even notice the crowds all that much there? We are just looking for something new for spring break - without dealing with masses of people. Thanks.

Ooba, we own at VB and are going for Easter next year. I booked at 11 months a 2br villa with no problem(I was rather scared about calling MS and got right through , as I did have a 20min wait booking SSR for Thanksgiving at 11 months).

We're from Ohio, were we just have Great Lake beaches and cold winters so we figure VB should be an imporvement over NW Ohio in March.

 

[lovinthemouse]

Wow. Don't think we will try WDW next spring break. But what about Vero Beach? We have always wanted to try it. I'm not really concerned about having perfect temperatures - we are from the pacific northwest where the beach is usually windy, rainy and cold - so if its nice enough to get out on the beach, we will be happy. Will the resort/beach be extremely crowded? Or do you even notice the crowds all that much there? We are just looking for something new for spring break - without dealing with masses of people. Thanks.

We have been to VB for Spring Break the past 2 years. We love it. Our DD Spring Break is always the 1st week of April. The weather has always been very nice. The only problem is the pool chairs. People wait in line to grab them at 8am. It always seems the Resort is full, but never really feels crowded. There always seems to be room at the beach. You can rent chairs and Umbrellas. It is a beautiful resort. Good luck in your decision.

 

[lisareniff]

We are considering going to WDW or Vero Beach next spring break - which for us is always the last full week of March. Unfortunately, next year Easter falls on the first Sunday of the break. I know there are many schools that always have there spring or "Easter" break the week after Easter - no matter when it falls. So I am assuming that it would be incredibly crowded. Is that true of both WDW AND Vero Beach? Or would Vero be less crowded (or more tolerable) than WDW? We have only been to WDW in August (yes, I know, the crowds were not bad because who in there right mind goes then?). So I have nothing to compare it to as far as crowds go. Should we skip this next March and plan for another year when Easter falls in April - or just deal with the crowds?

I did a poll a few weeks back asking when schools breaks were. I was wondering what the early Easter did to the crowd levels....

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1416135

Looks like Easter Week is still popular.

I think that VB even when full is not crowded. We went during Pres. week and although the resort was fully booked it was not overly crowded. That may be a good option if you can get a reservation. I would consider calling day-by-day at 7 months.

 

[Inkmahm]

I agree with DizneyDi....We were at VWL 3/17-3/25 and while the resort was wonderful, the crowds were INSANE. We told each other "never again during Spring Break" We'll be those parents that take their kids out of school for a few days than face that again.

We got to do most everything we wanted BUT, it took us twice as long (waiting for Fast Pass times, waiting in standby lines). What we wound up doing in AK, for example, should've taken a half day but we had to be there the whole day to get it done.

Ouch. And that wasn't even the week of Easter or the week before Easter this year!

I've already booked March 15-20 for next year even though that is the week before Easter. I'd normally avoid it at all costs, but my 50th birthday is March 19 and I have every intention of spending it with Cinderella at her breakfast, just like I spent my 40th and hope to spend my 60th, etc.

Since we go twice each year though, if the crowds are too large for us to handle we'll just skip a few things and get to them December 08 on our next trip home.