Two questions about our trip

[mouseketeer_mom]

Let me start by saying, I booked our upcoming trip before I found the Dis. I booked based on the advice I got from another family member regarding weather and crowd levels. Anywho, we are now going at one of the busier times, March 9th through the 17th. After looking at all the info and crowd predictionss, I know we will be in the midst of Disney madness.

Our family consists of Me, DH, DS 7, DD 4.5, and DS 4.5. My current "beat the crowds" stategy is to arrive at the park early each day, avoid parks with EMH, use Tour Guide Mikes suggestion of "best park" each day. Leave around 1 or so, go back to the resort, relax and then return to the park for evening. So, whatcha think? Is there a better strategy? Am I wasting my energy trying to avoid the unavoidable? Do we have a chance of avoiding lines of an hour to an hour and half if we use fastpass and the "stategy"?

Lastly, yet another stroller question. (I'm sorry, please don't upon reading this) Our children are obviously able to walk, however, I'm a bit concerned about fatigue setting in. I thought of bringing just one umbrella stroller and letting them swap out when they start to drag their feet. But, do I really want to carry/push around an empty stroller at times? (and I've read a number of threads about people complaining about the strollers in the parks) Should we wait and just rent one when we need it? Will they still have strollers to rent midday? Maybe just bring our own stroller in the evening and skip one during the day all together?

TIA

 

[dsnymomof4]

I've never been there that time of year, but have been in summer when it was VERY crowded and I think your strategy will work. Early morning is the least crowded time no matter when you go. I'm not sure of the weather that time of year, but when it's hot, an afternoon break is a must! As far as the stroller is concerned, we used one for dd5 in August and there were several nights when she fell asleep in it and we were still on the go at the parks. It was very easy to just push her around (and not have to carry her around!) It is a LOT of walking for those little legs - I'm sure they will get tired. I always like to bring our stroller instead of renting because we use it going back to the resort and at downtown disney. Happy planning and have a great trip!

 

[tripplanner]

Your strategy is fine.

As far as strollers go, I'd probably bring two umbrella style strollers. Even though your 4.5 year olds are old enough to walk, we found it easier to manage the crowds with the kids in the strollers. It gave me piece of mind. You know where the kids are and don't have to worry about getting seperated in a crowd. When you get to an area like Fantasyland where you are basically getting off one ride and moving a short distant to the next, I would just park the strollers when you get to the area and do all the close by rides before moving them again.

 

[Gillian]

You should be fine!

The weather is often beautiful that time of year.

 

[LynnTH]

The last two times we went the first week of March. Crowds were not bad at all - waited maybe 15 minutes at the most for rides. Used Fast Pass when we could. Weather was cool in morning and evening but was very warm (in the 80's ) during the day - so kids got to go swimming too.

We went with my DS7 and DD4 this last trip and we rented the double strollers. I like them to keep track of the kids for the most part and I like to be able to put our coats/sweatshirts in there as well as other items we bring to the park (sunscreen, snacks, wetwipes etc). I don't like to carry all that stuff all the time so the stroller does double duty and they are easy to push around and come with storage on them. I am not one to every use umbrella strollers - I think they are hard to push and the handles are always down so low.

 

[monorailsilver]

I do what you do-get to the park early & leave at lunch time by either eating in the park or at the resort.

I do go to the park that has the EMH this way if I want to leave at 11 I can.

Then we go back around 5 grab a bite to eat in the park where ever we stumble upon.

I would bring 2 strollers too. At least for Epcot your kids will thank you. My dd who was 4 1/3 when we went sat in the stroller the whole time & it was easier for us. Our ds sat in his stroller too.

I now have 3 & the next time we go the older 2 can swap the back of the stroller as they get tired or they can both hang out there (one sit & one stand).

 

[Lora]

I used strollers when my kids were 4.5 -definitely take them. You didn't mention anything about fast passes. I'm assuming that's also part of your strategy. Use them as often as you can.

Also, it's also important to know which rides to do first thing and which attractions can wait until busier times. I'm guessing TGM has that info. I originally followed suggestions from the Unofficial Guide for that kind of planning.

Have fun!

 

[castle_now_please]

I say don't feel bad about getting a stroller for your older kids! I say whatever it takes to make your vacation the very best go for it! Besides, people fail to realize that kids are having to walk about twice as fast to keep up with adults. They get tired and we don't want any whinning in Disney World! (We can only wish )

 

[mouseketeer_mom]

Thanks for the insight everyone

After reading all of your responses, I think we will bring two umbrella strollers to WDW with us and sort of take each day as it comes and decide when we think both strollers should go the parks.

I'm just a bit worried. I know my three kids will be disappointed if every ride is a 60 to 90 wait. (that's what Tour Guide Mikes crowd predictions are) I'm really hoping we do things the "smart way" and not spend the bulk of our vacation in line.

 

[taimgxe]

We will be there Mar 10 - 17. We have gone the last 3 Spring Breaks and had mixed results on crowds...
My advice is to take at least two strollers. Don't worry about what other people may think or even say. Your there to have your vacation not theirs!!! My son is now 7 and even though he may be too big for the stroller, he still gets tired, so we have to trade out with my daughter who is 5 and her stroller. I even took an extra stroller last Spring Break even though he said he was too big for it. He was a "trooper" and gave it his best shot, but utimately he got tired. Yes, I did have a stroller that wasn't being used most of the day, but it sure came in handy when he finally succumbed to being tired and we were able to use it to move around. The stroller would allow him to catch a rest, and soon he was back to walking.

As far as the crowds are concerned, you should be prepared to have long lines and lot of people. It has not deterred us to enjoy Spring Break!!! My opinion, the parks are crowed on the weekends more than the weekday. Yes, expect up to a 60 minute wait on the more popular rides. Yes, I highly recommend getting FASTPASS!!! My suggestion, get a FASTPASS for one ride, then go ride another ride, especially one that may have a long wait, then go get another FASTPASS at another ride and then get in line for another long ride, then get another FASTPASS, and then start using the FASTPASSES that you can ride on. Pretty soon you have gotten on possibly 5 or 6 rides, or maybe even more... it all depends on the lines.
Yes, I would agree with you getting to the parks early, especially those parks with EMH morning. On our vacation, we usuallly sleep in a little bit and head to the parks around 10:00. We usually stay until 4, go back to the hotel to rest and come back around 6-7 depending on which park has the EMH evening. It has been our experience that the EMH evening is the best time to go. We hav

Enjoy!!!