spring break

[lagunn]

anybody been this time of the year?
if so what are the crowds like?
i am booked to go 7th - 28th march and i am really worried about it being too crowded.

 

[Richard Bruvofetc]

anybody been this time of the year?
if so what are the crowds like?
i am booked to go 7th - 28th march and i am really worried about it being too crowded.

In 2001 my holiday spanned into Spring break. The first week there were hardly any crowds; the second week (spring break) the crowds were up one hell of a lot. For example, we queued up for 25 minutes for the Test Track at EPCOT in week one, in week 2 there was a 4 hour queue (we didn't join it). However, if you manage the fast pass system efficiently things should be OK.

The only complaint I did have is that the American "chavs" seemed to think it ok to shout and scream in hotel corridors at all hours of the night and the number of people I stopped in the queues who were going to join their friends with walkie talkies at the front. They looked very miffed when I told them they had to wait like all the other decent folk!

 

[Soprano]

In 2001 my holiday spanned into Spring break. The first week there were hardly any crowds; the second week (spring break) the crowds were up one hell of a lot. For example, we queued up for 25 minutes for the Test Track at EPCOT in week one, in week 2 there was a 4 hour queue (we didn't join it). However, if you manage the fast pass system efficiently things should be OK.

The only complaint I did have is that the American "chavs" seemed to think it ok to shout and scream in hotel corridors at all hours of the night and the number of people I stopped in the queues who were going to join their friends with walkie talkies at the front. They looked very miffed when I told them they had to wait like all the other decent folk!

What dates did you travel?

 

[carolfoy]

Iwent to florida the first time in March 2003 which was spring break, to be honest we had no point of reference as to how busy it really was - to us it didn't seem to bad and we used fastpass on the busier rides, we didn't know it was a US holiday until a CM mentioned it to us! it certainly wouldn't put me off going at that time again, probably would be wise to avoid EMH but as we were off site we didn't know about that either! it was ok weather wise only a couple of really hard downpours but they were over with pretty quick.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We went 13th-27th March earlier this year and although the crowds were higher than on our August trip they were still manageable.
I think you will be fine, our main problem in March was the weather, it was unusually cold and wet - hope you have better luck.

 

[Richard Bruvofetc]

What dates did you travel?

We went 3rd March to 17th March (I think). The weather for most part was gorgeous (it rained the day we went to Typhoon Lagoon - but hey! it was warm rain and we were in the water). We went again in 2003 - 1st March - 14th and again the crowds were manageable if you used your fast passes, and the weather gorgeous again (mid to high 80s and the odd 90+ - in both holidays).

 

[Laurafoster]

Generally speaking the 2 weeks the UK schools are on holiday for tends to be packed at Disney! American Schools are also on holiday during those dates - everytime we have been at easter we have had 2 hour queues for all the main attractions! The only problem with fast pass is that you can only have 1 fast pass at anytime! Untill you have used it, the machines wont allow you to get another one! I had this problem - got to a park at 9am, got a fast pass for test track, but my time slot was already 3pm!! Meaning i couldnt get another fast pass untill 3pm.

 

[Richard Bruvofetc]

Generally speaking the 2 weeks the UK schools are on holiday for tends to be packed at Disney! American Schools are also on holiday during those dates - everytime we have been at easter we have had 2 hour queues for all the main attractions! The only problem with fast pass is that you can only have 1 fast pass at anytime! Untill you have used it, the machines wont allow you to get another one! I had this problem - got to a park at 9am, got a fast pass for test track, but my time slot was already 3pm!! Meaning i couldnt get another fast pass untill 3pm.

Spring break and Easter are separate in the US. However, I've always avoided Easter for the very reason you have just quoted.

You can actually hold two fast passes at once (though it wouldn't have helped your position much above). As soon as 3.00pm arrives the system assumes you have "used" your fast pass. Therefore at 3.01 you can get another fast pass, then go on your original ride, take in a couple of non-fast pass rides, come back to your next fast-pass ride etc etc. Using this system I managed to get on seven rides on my final day (Saturday) in the Magic Kingdom between 10.00am and 2.00pm.

 

[Laurafoster]

Spring break and Easter are separate in the US. However, I've always avoided Easter for the very reason you have just quoted.

You can actually hold two fast passes at once (though it wouldn't have helped your position much above). As soon as 3.00pm arrives the system assumes you have "used" your fast pass. Therefore at 3.01 you can get another fast pass, then go on your original ride, take in a couple of non-fast pass rides, come back to your next fast-pass ride etc etc. Using this system I managed to get on seven rides on my final day (Saturday) in the Magic Kingdom between 10.00am and 2.00pm.

Sortry i meant School easter holidays sometimes coincide with American Spring break! Well it certainly did on year we went but like i said you need to get the fast pass early other wise you can get stuck with the same problem i did.

 

[Richard Bruvofetc]

Sortry i meant School easter holidays sometimes coincide with American Spring break! Well it certainly did on year we went but like i said you need to get the fast pass early other wise you can get stuck with the same problem i did.

I know what you mean. Luckily, somebody was "cheeky" when I got one of my first fast passes...they asked me what time I was given so they could avoid getting a fast pass at 10.00am and then wait for "x" hours before they went on their ride. I now use this "cheeky" process myself

 

[Laurafoster]

Thats a good idea, although i shouldnt have much problem with Queues in September if i need a fast pass i'll try this!! Thanks for the tip!