Spring Break Trip A Bad Idea?

[Disneylvr]

We are planning a Disney World trip for 2008, possibly during spring break. Our daughter just turned 4 and has moderate autism. She has very limited purposeful language, hand and small object flapping and a few verbal stims. She isn't potty trained at this time but hopefully she will be by next year. Last year we spent the week between her regular school year and extended school year in Disney World. It was also Memorial Day week. The crowds didn't bother her very much (we took advantage of her GAC when necessary) it was the heat. That is why we are considering her spring break week for next year. DH doesn't really want to pull her out of school because he doesn't want her missing therapies. We are looking at March 15-22 during which time Madelyn would be celebrating her 5th birthday. I need opinions and advice! We have never visited Disney World during spring break.

We are considering a DVC resort so that we can have a kitchen and washer/dryer. Are those resorts ever discounted (codes) during spring break?

 

[taximomfor4]

I would say it definitely depends how much you want to accomplish each day in the parks. Spring Break is much worse, I think, when Easter is in March. We did it in 2005, dd (6 at the time) has sensory integration dysfunction. Even with the GAC, we have sworn to never, ever, EVER go during Easter break with her, ever ever again. We went early each morning, but only lasted MAYBE 2 hours per day in a park. The food courts were packed, the pools were packed. The buses were ridiculously packed. We had trouble even walking from attraction to attraction, there were just too many people. We had pllanned diligently, from this board, and also joined and followed TGM. But dd was just DONE by about 10:30am every day.

If you have the option to go ANY other time, early March, or better yet in like November, do so.

Beth

 

[Disneylvr]

Is Easter in March next year? Last year Memorial Day week was very crowded we managed to see everything we wanted but if spring break is even more crowded...I need to rethink this.

 

[taximomfor4]

The weeks surrounding Easter are definitely, positively more crowded than Memorial Day weekend. After Christmas week, Easter week is the busiest time of year at WDW. I read on this board that Easter is once again in march, in 2008.

DH is a teacher, who cannot take vacations during the school year...so with Christmas week and Easter weeks being too crowded (and too expensive!!), we are reduced to summer trips. We are developing a system to deal with the heat somewhat, because it is either heat OR Easter crowds and the Easter crowds (and prices - PEAK season) were just too much for dd to handle. She hates, hates, hates getting bumped and jostled. We couldn't walk anywhere without all being arm-to-arm with strangers. And most of those strangers were trying to shove past us, because we were pushing a stroller. My ds even got hurt when people in the crowd tried to JUMP our stroller to get past us, and landed on ds (who was walking beside the stroller). His knee bled everywhere, and his hand got stepped on while he was lying on the pavement till I could squeeze around the side of the stroller to pick him up.

DH says if the choice is going to WDW around Easter, or never going at all, he chooses never. And he really, really LIKES going to WDW.

Beth

Beth

 

[Disneylvr]

I am trying to decide whether or not to pull my daughter out of school for a week. But for now, I am planning to go the first week in May of 2008. She does have one day off that week for teacher training day so she would miss 4 days of school.

 

[OKWMom]

May would probably be a better option for you and it would be more likely to have a DVC discount. We purchased into DVC because of our DD with autism. I can tell you the villas have been a God send and the best of both worlds. We are on-property with all of those conveniences, but we have the space and the amenities of home.

I don't know if your daughter has many sensory issues, but the jacuzzi tub was wonderful for calming my DD after being over stimulated in the parks. We also had room to bring her therapy ball which was one of her comforts from home. The extra space in the unit gave her some freedom to run around and she staked out a place for herself in the corner to play. Finally, the kitchen was a life saver. With the exception of our last trip (in December), she would not eat ANYTHING at all in any of the parks or in any restaurant. She has never really been a restaurant child, and we would usually have to eat in shifts. Having the kitchen meant we could eat our meals in and she could have her favorites. We usually drove, so I could hit a grocery store, but there are several grocery delivery services that could do the shopping for you.

Another possibility for you is a point rental. I have never rented points myself, but lots of people on this board have reported good outcomes. It involves a great deal of trust on the side of both parties, but your stay is usually a great deal cheaper than if you were to book through Disney. If you decide to think about that option, there is a sticky on the rent/trade board regarding rentals.

Good luck in planning your trip.

 

[BCV23]

Easter is March 23 in 2008.

We used to go the last week of March for many years. It is a delightful time to go except when Easter falls within it. Very crowded and discounts are pretty much nonexistent.

March has delightful weather for the most part. Maybe March will work out for you another year.

 

[SueM in MN]

We went during Spring break for many years so that the kids would not miss too much school.
It's busy, but just how busy a particular week is really depends on when Easter falls. It is much busier in the week before and after Easter than at any other part of Spring break.

I agree that it would be very unlikely to find a discount on any rooms during that time. Even renting DVC points would cost you more, since it takes more DVC points per night during those busy times.

 

[Disneylvr]

I think we have pretty much decided to go in early May of 2008 if we can get enough money together for it. DH and I are bringing my best friend who is also Madelyn's godmother with us so there will be 3 adults and 1 child sharing accomodations. That is why we are interested in the DVC properties or the family suites at All Star Music.

 

[LindaDVC]

We went to Disney for 2 days last week.
Our school break was BEFORE Easter this year.

Things were definitely BUSY.
We have been enough that we pick what we want to do-- head to the parks early and get fast passes then take an afternoon break. With that plan the park crowds were managable!

I talked to several families that didn't do anything -- got there too late for fast passes and the lines were then terrible! Test track and soaring were over 90 minutes to 120 minutes regulary!

Linda

 

[Purple Princess]

Next year, 2008, Easter falls on March 23rd.

 

[Disneylvr]

Next year, 2008, Easter falls on March 23rd.

Which is why we have decided to move our trip to the 1st week of May. We will pull Madelyn out of school for 4 days unless we feel that wouldn't be in her best interest as the trip gets closer.

 

[freckles and boo]

We are pulling our daughters out of school toward the end of April 2008. Our younger girl will miss her therapies, too, but I think it is more than worth it if we can avoid the chaos and the heat! I just know that we would all be completely miserable and Shannon wouldn't/couldn't handle the waiting (even with a GAC).

 

[OKWMom]

We are pulling our daughters out of school toward the end of April 2008. Our younger girl will miss her therapies, too, but I think it is more than worth it if we can avoid the chaos and the heat! I just know that we would all be completely miserable and Shannon wouldn't/couldn't handle the waiting (even with a GAC).

That was our thinking too. We have never been in the spring (usually go in December) and were thinking DD would like the warmer weather so she could swim more. Like your child, I know she would not tolerate the type of crowds present during spring break nor could she handle the extreme heat of the summer. As a professional told me once, "you are the expert on your child".

 

[Purple Princess]

I think you are wise to do that. I hope Madelyn has a wonderful trip! Oh and Mom and Dad too

Which is why we have decided to move our trip to the 1st week of May. We will pull Madelyn out of school for 4 days unless we feel that wouldn't be in her best interest as the trip gets closer.