Timing of return after mid-day break?

[capenor]

We're going next week (yay!), 3/14 - 3/21, and planning to take a mid-day break every day we're in the parks (DH, DD3.5 - and I'm 6.5m pregnant - we'll need the rest!). Staying at CSR, driving our own car everywhere but MK.

My question is, how likely are we to be completely shut out of full parks (does this happen all the time? only right around Easter?)? On some days we're planning to hop to a different park for the afternoon, but on at least one MK day (Wednesday 3/16) we're hoping to return to MK.

Does it make a difference if we return around 4ish or 5ish or 6ish? is there a timing strategy for returning that seems to work?

TIA!

AV

 

[DonnaNOLA]

We were there over Christmas, also very busy. We didn't have a problem any day getting into parks at about 5 pm, but we avoided MK on Christmas Day.

 

[Micca]

It depends a bit on the park. I think by 5pm or so a lot of families with young kids are getting ready to leave for dinner. I would think you'll find the crowds growing again later in the evening for Spectro and Wishes. At Epcot and the studios you're going to find that there will be a dinner time influx for the restaurants and evening shows.

Another thing to consider is the heat factor(although for your trip it should be mild). If you're leaving the parks for a break, might as well wait for the sun to be less intense before you return.

 

[bugsy]

I thought I read that if you are staying on site, you are guaranteed admission to the parks, regardless of the crowds, is this true?

 

[snyderla]

I was there last year over Easter and the only parks that were closed due to capacity were the water parks from time to time. As far as I can remember, those are the only parks we have ever been told by CM's were closed, except for the time we stayed offsite and on New Year's Eve by 10am the only park that was still open was EPCOT.
That was 1999.
Lori

 

[rkmassa]

I thought I read that if you are staying on site, you are guaranteed admission to the parks, regardless of the crowds, is this true?

I believe it is to A park, but might not be the one park you want to get into. Ex...MK may be at capacity, so you have DS, or EPCOT, or AK. The CMs would send you to one of those parks.

 

[BabkaGal]

Hi!

I'm going from March 17th-20th, and I also plan on taking a mid-day break. It is a lot more restful that way, and it is a wonderful way to do Disney. You may want to do some evening EMH to make the break even more worthwhile!

Personally, I would head back to the parks at around 5pm...that way, a lot of the people with small children will be leaving or going to dinner. You should eat before you go, or eat around 9pm (when the fireworks are starting) to get more rides in.

Also, I am reserving certain rides for mornings, and others for later in the day. I plan on doing Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain at opening, since the lines only get bigger during the day. Also Test Track is good for FP in the morning, since it tends to stay busy throughout the day. Rides like Spaceship Earth are perfect for later in the day, since the crowd moves into the World Showcase by the afternoon.

But enjoy your trip, and stay safe with your little one on the way! Congratulations! :

--Babka Gal