WDW during March Break

[Claud26]

just wondring how buy WDW is during our Canadian March Break ... just trying to figure out when to take our next trip ... Summer is out of the question. SO I was thinking of March Break.

 

[CharlesTD]

just wondring how buy WDW is during our Canadian March Break ... just trying to figure out when to take our next trip ... Summer is out of the question. SO I was thinking of March Break.

A quick comparison think going to the mall shopping the entire week before christmas that should give you an idea. I think Disney is actually busier than that even.

 

[MaeB]

I went during Ontario's March break in 2001 and I don't remember it being all that bad, honestly. We went to MK and got on everything we wanted to...Space Mountain and Splash Mountain twice. We didn't get on the Winnie the Pooh ride but we were 17 so we weren't that broken up about it. The ride we waited the longest for was that stupid Alien Encounter thing....biggest waste of time ever!!

I'm sure that maybe the parks are busier now, or maybe my friends and I just don't mind waiting, but I didn't mind it at all. We also went to IoA and USF and the crowds weren't bad there either. The Mardi Gras parade was a blast!!

Have fun!
(I'll be there in 11/2 months!!!)

 

[tone.def]

Personally, I wouldn't do March break... Peak season pricing and crazy crowds. January and early February falls into "value" season pricing, about $50 less per night depending on which resort you stay at and rides are virtually walk-ons.

I went the week before Christmas this past year and it was wonderful except for one minor detail: it was colder than I would have preferred.

 

[Claud26]

we were there also the first week of December 05 and loved it ... but I wish the weather would have been a bit nicer. So I might look at maybe end of April or begining of May ... I guess the kids will have to miss another 5 days of school.

 

[hockey mom]

We went last March break and it rained just about every day and was chilly. We didn't seem to notice high crowds but I think that was because of the weather.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Allow me to speak from immediate experience -- March Break is manageable, if you plan correctly. We just returned today from 10 days out and back with 5 days in the parks. We never waited in line for longer than 30 minutes and we managed to experience most of the park attractions. However, there were those who chose to wait in the Peter Pan line for 60+ minutes. I watched people get in a 30 minute line for Maelstrom when the FP machine was dispensing FPs for 35 minutes later -- so we picked up FPs and went to wander through the China Pavilion. It made sense for us. The crowds were not crazy. Fastpasses were readily available -- I was holding FPs for three different rides at some point during a few of the park days.

I used the UG's "Best Days" chart to plan out the park days and subscribed to their online touring plans to get the best available options.

The temps were in the low to mid 80s all week -- not a drop of rain to be found.

Buses ran frequently from both the resort (OKW) and the parks.

Are there better times of year to go to WDW? Sure. But if March Break is your option, then I would suggest that a trip at this time of year can be both relaxing and enjoyable when planned carefully.

 

[NancyK]

I have to agree with RoyalCanadian on this one. I have gone a few times on March break and it is very manageable. Not nearly as crowded as the summer or the week before and after Easter. In fact, I was there the week after New Years this year and I would say that it was much more crowded than any March break I've experienced there. The U.S. schools all have different spring breaks - some states are off the same week as Ontario and some are not. If you do your research, use fast pass and have patience, you'll be fine!

 

[Scratch42]

Go to US/IOA instead!

Stay on site to take advantage of their FOTL! Hardly any wait time!

Did I just recommend Universal?

janet

 

[tone.def]

Allow me to speak from immediate experience -- March Break is manageable, if you plan correctly. We just returned today from 10 days out and back with 5 days in the parks. We never waited in line for longer than 30 minutes and we managed to experience most of the park attractions.

You know it's always been my luck that when I'm in a longer line-up, a tiny tank always has to go! Nephews have been a great training ground for my future. 30 minutes can be a long stretch of time with kids! Is there enough going on around them to hold their attention for that long or will the "when are we going to be on the ride?" and "this sucks" kick in?

Whoever came up with Fastpasses was pure genius.

 

[Marcy Mouse]

I've been there in March 05 and didn't find it that bad. Not great weather.

Last week was very busy but the weather was amazing! We were camping and found that it took us away from the crowds. We would go to a park for about 3 hours in the morning then off to lunch (we were on the dining plan) and back to the campground in the evening. It was great. Our best night was on Sunday, March 12, we went to the MK at about 9pm saw the fireworks and Spectro and then stayed for the EMH. After midnight we had the park to ourselves. It was walk on for everthing. I took a good pic of us at the clock on Main stree it was 3AM! Fun!

If you do go during March Break - Plan well!


Have Fun!!

Marcy

 

[declansdad]

Our first ever trip was on the New Brunswick break in 2004. We had done some planning but we didn't overplan and we had a reat time. We never waited more than 20 minutes for anything and the weather was great.

Truth be told, we experienced almost the exact same thing this past July. It was more crowded and it was hotter but both were manageable with some planning.

 

[SandraC]

I'm in WDW now and last week too! [Ontario March Break]. The weather is perfect! No rain, 78-88F every day! Its chilly in the evening, but we still swim and walk about. The crowds are very manageable. Follow the Historical Crowds list on wdwig.com it's working for us! S

 

[Miandrea]

I was there last week and it was great!!! I was suprised - it was not as busy as the last week of August and the first week of January. The fastpasses worked great and we really didn't have any crazy lines. We took advantage of the extra mornings and extra nights. I would go back during the March Break again! I was talking to a few CMs and they were saying this week (March 20 - 25) had more ressies and would be busy than last week. I would say go!

Andrea

 

[garytam]

Just got back on Monday. Did March break for the past three years, the lines are relative easy compare to other peak time. Stay at Westgate and over 50% of cars in my building are from Ontario. As for weather, this year is much warmer than last. Went to the park until around 2:00 pm then head back for the pool. The only real line was the Soaring and Shrek 4D

 

[calena]

Any updates on this? We are doing March break this year for the first time. In the past we have gone in February and hit President's Week once which was BUSY! Looked at the UG and it looks like the crowds are similar for President's week and our March Break. Planning on MK on Wed and Blizzard Beach on Monday. Maybe AK or Epcot another day. We will see. Also want to go to Universal for a day or two(Maybe on a Saturday or Sunday - is that a good idea?) The goal is to relax, visit a park, relax, visit a park etc! The good thing is we have been to the parks before so it will be a matter of concentrating on our favourites. The bad thing is we like being able to go several times on our favourites!
Deb - in her house because it is -19 outside! So even if it is crowded in Florida it will be warmer than Ontario in March!!!!

 

[cey]

Yes, I am one of those people who has been going to WDW every March break for the last 20 years, DH is a teacher! I thought that I might never have to travel during March break once DH retires, but both DSs have decided to become teachers. At least, I know what to expect! The trick is to get there as soon as the parks open and avoid the park who has an early opening that day. It tends to fill up faster. I find it is not as busy as Christmas/New Years. Last year, we did Epcot and our new favourite was Soaring. We got our fast passes first, stood in line for 15 minutes for our first ride and when we came out used our fastpasses and rode again. Count on seeing a lot of Canadians from Ontario. It is a small world and you will probably bump into someone you know. We do almost every year!

 

[calena]

Another question -- Do you think we should try Universal over March Break or is it really busy too? We are staying off site. We already have WDW tickets we have not used (I think we have five days left on them) so we are going to MK for sure(right now planning that for Wed which seems the best day at MK). Just don't want to stand in line forever everywhere. I do know - and love - Fastpass. Unfortunately they don't have the fastpass like kiosks at Universal anymore like they used to. At Universal I can't see buying the express pass for five of us... so we would stand in lines. Does that offset any benefit of Universal being less crowded? I wonder how less crowded it would be? When we were there before we just walked on everythign. I know - we were spoiled. The children love both parks. I'm also thinking about AK one day for Expedition Everest and I always love Dinosaur and DH likes the Safari - his favourite WDW ride actually. So - one day for sure MK, possibly one day AK and one day Blizzard Beach if the weather is good - if not we will save that plus for another visit!
ANY ADVICE WELCOME!!!!!! Deb

 

[MouseGirl]

Calena,

Over the course of our upcoming two-week trip in March, we are also staying offsite and plan on spending most of our time at WDW.

However, based on our really positive experience in March 2005 during March Break, we are once again booking a one-night stay at the Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Studios. By staying onsite you get front-of-the-line access to all the rides for two full days (it's like unlimited fastpasses).

We love the resort, and will get to walk on to every ride for the duration of our stay, but use their gorgeous resort pool. The experience completely spoiled us - don't get me wrong, I love fastpasses at WDW - but to be able to go back to your favourite rides over and over again with no wait time was amazing. I weighed the cost of a night at the resort (we were able to get a CAA discount) vs. wait time in lines and it was a no brainer. Just something to consider if you do decide to try Universal and you could spend a night onsite.

 

[minniemomof3]

I took my daughter March break 2006 and the weather was absolutely perfect. High 70's during the day and cooler nights, but not as cold as Dec/Jan. We were lucky and never got any rain, just sunshine.

The parks were very busy, fast passes were sold out by noon and wait times on the popular rides were 90 minutes long. Having said that, you can still do most of the rides if you go to the parks early and try to avoid early entry days.

We have been in Jan/March/August/Late October and May.

By far, my favorite time to go was May or October, nice weather and low crowds.