Spring Break Vets... Is it managable?

[Tinky]

We're thinking about a spring break trip March 13-18. We just got back from our September trip (which was wonderful, nice and warm and not crowded at all.. walked on most rides) but we dont want to take the kids out of school again. We're DVC'ers so we have a room reservation already but I just wanted some input from the folks who regularly go this time of year. Is it managable if you get up early, etc..
It would be DH, me, DS8 DD6 and DS 8months at that time.

Thoughts?
Thanks!

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

We took our kids and grandkids this past Spring Break because my daughter's a teacher and that was the only time she could go. After making a religion out of never going at the crowded times of the year, I was really worried, but everything worked out well. We had to give up the fun and relaxation of just drifting around, but if you are willing to plan, plan, and then plan some more, you can do everything you want to do without being impacted by the crowds much at all.

Make sure you get your dining reservations made well in advance. Try to eat at the earliest available times.

Be at the parks when they open. We did that every morning, and were either sitting down to an early lunch at about 11:30 or we were going back to our hotel. One glance at the hoards coming in when we were going out was enough to convince us to set our alarms no matter how much we might like to sleep in.

Use the fastpass system.

Tour Guide Mike is your friend. He continually updates his information, and is a really good source to tell you which parks to visit when, and which attractions to visit in what order. If you have park-hopping privileges, that will probably give you the most flexibility.

Don't worry too much - you can have a great time if you're prepared!

 

[brentalex]

Since 1999 the only time we go to WDW is during our kids spring break. It is always the third week in April. Sometimes this is Easter, other times not, but it is always crowded with people from New England. We have always had a good time. We try to get to the parks early, have a plan of what we want to do and see and try to get that done in the morning. Then we go back to the hotel, take a beark and decide what to do next. Sometimes we go back to a park, walk around and go on whatever may not have a line, get a fastpass for something if we can, and basically take it easy and not worry about what we get to do. Then the next morning we go someplace else early and repeat the tour. We always take a day off and hang out at the pool. In 2004 it was the worst, because our spring break was late compared to where Easter was, so the parks closed early. But even then we had a good time. When the kids get tired, we leave the parks if that is what they want. If only one wants to go back at night then I will go and my DW stays at the hotel. I wish I could go at a less busy day, but taking the kids out of school is not an option, my DS will NOT miss a day of school. He refuses. I think you should be able to have a good time.

 

[Tinky]

Wonderful! Thanks for the encouragement!

 

[mrscoobs]

We used to be spring breakers every other year and for us our school was always the teens in March. The family is actually becoming nostalgic for Spring Break again because we like the extended hours, love the temperature, and not having to worry about school. Our advice, go early, go back to your resort, come back for the evening. We never found crowds to be a big issue, especially since we would take the afternoon nap/swim right when it go real crowded. Also, as mentioned, use fastpass and once you can, make your dinner reservations. Other than that have a ball and don't worry!

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

If you know Disney, the World isn't a problem at Spring Break. We've done many trips during the 3d week of March and always enjoy ourselves without any crazy planning. In fact, until this year, the only ADR/PS I've ever made before arrival was for V&A. The last spring break we went to was much busier, but we still had a great time. I guess the crowds don't seem that bad when the weather is so nice!

 

[DarthJordan]

Technically, what are the dates for Spring Break? We've never gone this time of year before, but thinking of either a March or April 2006 trip...

Thanks! (and this is Threeboysmom posting, not my son - can't seem to log out of his Dis account! Lol!)

 

[DisneyMim]

Spring break in not one week, lots of schools have different weeks off somewhere between March and April. My husband is a teacher and we used to go during our April vacation (third week in April). We loved it at that time and never found it too crowded unless Easter was during this time, which it WILL be during April vacation 2006. That being said, my kids schedules have changed and we've gone for the past few years during March. We've found this time to be good also. The weather is wonderful (as is in April) and the crowds were not bad at all. IMHO after many years of going to WDW (since the 1970's OH MY!!) the really bad time is during Easter. Also we've noticed that Disney on the whole has become much busier at ALL times of the year. The more people seem to plot and plan their time, the more OTHER people are doing the same thing, so what is happening is that times that used to be not crowded are crowded. I tell people to just go when they can, have a good attitude, go with the flow and you will have a wonderful time. I don't think you will have any problems for next March.

ENJOY!!

 

[mamaprincess]

This is an encouraging thread! Is the weather best in early March or late March.

 

[Leota]

We did Spring Break 2005 - ours did not coincide with Easter, but was the SB for most of New England.I was worried about it being unmanageable, but it really wasn't at all. We had a great time.
I did make ARs for each day because dining is important to us & we want to eat where we choose & not have to get stuck with CS.
Other than that, the only planning I did was to be at our chosen Park 1/2 hour before opening. If there were EMH Morning Hours, we definately took advantage of those. We would get all the major attractions done that way by 11:30 or so, then we had lunch, maybe did a couple minor attractions & then took our resort/pool break. After that, we did a few Fast Pass attractions & dinner & hit the hay early to get an early start the next day. Early start was a MUST, when we left Parks at 11 ish, DROVES of people were arriving.

We did give ourselves a couple late night/sleep late days so we could do PI (I have 17 yo)

 

[Nite0wl71]

We have gone during Spring Break 3 times. Our break was the week following Easter so its about the 3rd week of April. It was crowded but we managed to see and do everything we wanted. The weather was nice, some rain but not usually big storms.

We never went to MK on Easter Sunday, we always went to AK and it was much better We just learned to utilize the fast passess really well.

 

[sue1013]

Our kids spring break is always Easter week so we've done it a few times. DD is a teacher now still with Easter week break. I would never recommend Easer week to a first or second timer but if you've been a few times and know you'll be back it's not too bad you may have to say next time for a few things. Avoid MK on Easter Sunday, as another poster said AK is usually much less crowded or avoid the parks that day. If you get your family out early that is your best bet this past Easter week MK opened at 7 each morning. By 11 the crowds really start pouring in. I think it depends on your expectations as long as you go knowing how crowded it will be and are prepared to be flexible you can have a great time!

 

[greg126]

We also have done a March spring break week. Much preferable to summer. Will be finding out in Dec what off-season is like in comparison. I thought the parks were quite manageable in March (we did early entry, took a break then went to a non-ee park)......

 

[civileng68]

This is something you really need to know and needs to be stressed.

This time of year can be a pleasure or a nightmare, depending on how you like to tour the parks.

If you are the type that likes to relax on vacation, this may or may not be the time for you.

One point of emphasis is.........if you like to sleep in, you may as well kiss your vacation goodbye during this time of year.

If you do not show up early to get certain attractions done, you wont get them done.

This past March was the worst I've ever seen. The entire week we didnt get to the park before 11:30 (my wife wasn't feeling well) and we didn't get to ride splash mountain AT ALL because I wont wait in 90 minute lines.

The advantages are that the parks are generally open much later. So in many cases the park may be open 3 hours after the fireworks are completed. Many people leave the park after the fireworks so if you really want to get to do alot of the bigger attractions with little waits, wait until the park is within 1 hour of closing, if it is a late closing night.

You can get on Space Mtn with only a 15 minute wait at 11:00 for a 12:00 closing.

The weather is nice as well.

However, again I stress, you should get there early. and do as another said. Go early, then go back to the hotel and relax and then come back at night.

If you dont do this, it may be a really stressful vacation. The crowds themselves even if you dont do anything can cause stress as it is almost gridlock.

just FYI, we went over the 4th of July this year and personally i thought that late March this year was worse than the 4th of July.

My sentiments were echo'd by MANY on these boards regarding late March as well.