Suggestions please on WDW visit during Easter week

[Comet5]

We're arriving the Thursday before Easter, staying for 10 days We've been to WDW several times in Oct. and early June, but never during a holiday week. I would welcome suggestions on what days we should visit MK, Epcot, MGM and/or other attractions, given the holiday timing. Would you advise going on Good Friday - that the crowds might be smallest on that day, or waiting until Monday?

We are staying off-site, at a private home with its own pool.

We are two families traveling together, with one set of grandparents along, with nine kids. I believe the kids will enjoy just being "at home" some days, playing together and swimming.We have all vacationed together successfully before!

Thank you!

 

[disneydiz]

We go to WDW every Easter. It is extremely crowded -- and this past Easter was the worst. Do not go to MK on Easter Sunday -- any other park is fine. Fastpasses will run out by early, early afternoon. MK is usually open until at least 11 or 12. Try and go to the second showing of Fantasmic, Spectro, etc. The waterparks are usually filled to capacity by 10:30. During the Easter week, the MK was also closed to incoming cars for a couple hours in the afternoon. We always go early to the parks, leave around lunch, and return after dinner. I don't think it matters what park on what day. They are all pretty crowded.
A castmember once told me that the week before Easter is more crowded than the week after.

 

[KittyKitty]

I was there last Easter week starting Thursday before till Monday week later.

I don't if this is possible with a large group, but get to the parks early. And since you are not on property, do not go to the parks on their early morning days.

My family are late risers(I'm not!!!), so I planned to be at a park the day after it's early morning. And it's was still busy.

Make sure you get your PS done, for at least 1 meal a day. I read walk ups for sit down restaurants are turned away during this time.

The week after Easter was most of the west coast' spring break. So this may have been some of the reason it was busy.



Have a great time!!!

No matter how busy, I always wish I was there!!

 

[KittyKitty]

I found a reply when I asked the same question last year. I do not know who posted this, but they were right on. I summarized.


1. If you have gone other times of year and it was not Christmas week or July3-5,then you will not know what crowded really means until you get there during Easter time. Easter makes most summer weeks look like off season.

2. MK will be packed to the gills every day. Easter Sunday is the worst day, both the day before and day after Easter almost reach same level. Good Friday seems to be lighter, but that is relative, it means lines for popular rides w/o fast pass will be 90min rather than 2 hours.

3. Fast Passes for the entire day at any park for a popular ride can run out before noon.

4. Most crowded time of day at any park is between 10:30am and 3. After 8, huge crowds start to return.(MK was open till midnight that week after Easter)

5. Epcot and AK tend to have their lightest days on Easter and day before.. Weekdays are worse at that time of year for those parks. Again relative, means it will be crowded and not completely overwelming.

6. Late in the day it is sometimes easy to get on most rides at AK.

7. If there are 2 Fantasmics each night, go to last one. Tower and RnR sometimes get to below 30mins during these shows.

8. Water parks tend to reach capacity by 11am. Then take in new customers again after 2:30p

9.Ppl start setting up camp for curbside views of 3pm parade as early as 1pm.

10. Sometimes they open parks earlier than listed.( This happened to me). They make that decision that morning.

11. Avoid MK on Easter Sunday..( We went to Epcot)

12. If it is any consolation, the weather should be ideal..80's ,pleasant at night and thunderstorms most often occur between midnight and 5am.(This happened to us)

(Me again)We had a great time, since we were armed with this information.

Susan

 

[Comet5]

Thank you for the input all - very helpful.