To go or not to go?!?! I need to decide!

[Mcky36]

We are planning to drive down (from Northern Cal) on Easter Sunday. We have reservations at the Desert Inn and Suites From 4/4-4/7. I have a 5 year old and a 4 year old. We usually visit during the off season, but I have heard all the horror stories about holiday crowds.

I know its going to be crazy busy, and I'm starting to get nervous about the crowds. Since my kiddos are so little....I just worry that it won't be fun for them if we are waiting in 60+ minute lines for everything. And I want it to be fun!!

I only have a few more days to cancel the hotel reservation and I don't know what to do!! Can anyone share their Easter experiences? Will it be helpful at all that the local AP's are blocked out that week?

Thank you!

 

[LavenderPeach]

Well, i can't help with Easter crowds but you must, must, must be there when the park opens if you want to avoid long wait times. Get there before the park opens, ride the fantasyland rides and collect fast passes and as the park gets more crowded do the things that don't have a long wait (animation building in DCA, tiki room, etc). A lot of people then go for an afternoon break and come back in the evening to use their fast passes and go on any other rides that have shorter rides. That's a very short summary of how to make the most of your time when it's crowded. Hope that helps and good luck making your decision!

 

[Gisele]

This was my experience several years ago now. I did not pay attention to the simple fact that my trip plans to Disneyland, entailed being there the week of Easter. Never again, shall I make that oversight. I cannot stand, well standing in long lines, so I don't normally do so. The weather was on the hot side, for my preference anyway, and then the lines, one would have thought that Johnny Depp was making an appearance with the pirates or something, I wish! That line I probably would have waited in. Seriously.... well maybe not.... ha. Anyway..... my visit was for 3 days, and each day I repeated to myself my mantra, never ever again during the week of Easter and Spring break, so you see it was a double whammy taking place here. Now, if my trip had been paid for by other than myself, then I would go. Otherwise, no.... don't think so, ever again.
Now, if you arrive at the park before opening (I did not, that was such a big mistake!) and make certain that you get your fast passes, and collect those during the day as well, then things will go much smoother I believe. You and your family can always leave during the day, as crowd levels increase, then return later in the day, or evening. It really is not intolerable, it is just a matter of one's patience level, and making sure to do the above. I ended up going just late enough in the day, to where I paid for that mistake. I could not get FP's either for everything that I had wished to, because of my late arrival. One needs to be there at opening, again... and not at 2 in the afternoon! I learned that the hard way, and not paying better attention to the Easter holiday either.
I would not hesitate to go if I were you.
Also, I have visited Disneyland during spring break before, and it was not bad, crowd level wise, not thin, but not bad either during my particular visits. There were not any conventions or anything like that either going on at the time, which greatly helps, nor was it the week of Easter, nor the week after this holiday.

Go and enjoy your time visiting the land with your family, and don't worry about anything.
And have a Magical day!

 

[femommy]

We are going that week too. Everyone says how horrible the crowd will be, but it is the only week that I have off school (I am a teacher). We are limited to that week so we are going to go with the flow, get there early, take naps, and enjoy a first time experience, with the crowds. Besides since we haven't been there when it was less crowded we don't know the difference. I say go.

 

[Gisele]

Don't forget to ask for your first visit button too. And have a magical day!

 

[canadian_ehngel]

We're going the same time. We're leaving on Wednesday. I'm nervous about the crowds as well, because my daughters are quite young too - 1 and 4 years. Hopefully it won't be too bad. I hope to be there before opening almost everyday, if not every day. Good luck!

 

[Gisele]

You have a most magical and wonderful time too!

 

[jlmarr]

We are planning to drive down (from Northern Cal) on Easter Sunday. We have reservations at the Desert Inn and Suites From 4/4-4/7. I have a 5 year old and a 4 year old. We usually visit during the off season, but I have heard all the horror stories about holiday crowds.

It will be a zoo, but this is the last chance for them to see the Electrical Parade in DCA for at least a couple of years (presuming they can stay up that late - a mid-day nap would be a must). Maybe the parade will tip the scales in favor of continuing with Plan A.

 

[Mycutekitties]

We will be there 4/5- 4/10. I am expecting crazy busy crowds.