WDW vet...DL newbie - April crowds??

[stitch34]

Anxious to finally make the trip out to DL.

Am looking at April.... and wondering how BAD it will be?
Am looking at arriving the Tuesday or Wednesday after Easter.

Now, I have been in WDW during Easter and after doing that twice, will say NOOOO way will do it again. At times the crowds were pretty scary!
We've done 4th of July week (though not actual 4th of July at MK), and have gone for Thanksgiving, and never was too bothered by crowds at WDW... just saying, a crowded time we can handle... but insane crowded like easter and christmas - NO!
So how does that compare to DL?
Will that week after Easter be just a terrible time to go? If it's a bit more crowded than a usual crowd, fine. But if it is terribly, insanely crowded where you can't get through Main Street at night or have a chance to watch fireworks, etc....then may have to rethink this.

Our other option would be mid August - which seems to be cheaper, which is a plus.... but honestly we don't want to wait that long.... and April helps us space out our trips better (since doing early july in WDW)

And while i have you reading......
trying to decide how many park days we need. Was thinking 5 nights, first night really do nothing, but then have 4 full park days.
wonder if should make it 6 nights with 5 full park days? We are "saying" this is a one-time thing that we will make the trip all the way out there, so wonder if should do that extra day? At WDW we usually do 9 nights.
If 4 full days.. figured one full day at each park... then half day at each park do on the last two days with some down time those last two days, too.

 

[deejdigsdis]

Here's my experience... I was there the Mon., Tues., and Wed. after Easter this year. I was traveling with my sister and my 5 year old son. We were expecting high crowds as it was the tail end of Spring Break season and Disneyland was open until midnight all 3 nights. (Midnight closings suggest they are expecting high crowds.) We were VERY pleasantly surprised with how uncrowded the parks were. We actually did 32 rides (as well as 2 extended treat breaks ) the first day. It was awesome. (You can see my trip report linked below.)

I just realized Easter was a lot later this year than normal, so next year might be different. Not sure when Easter 2012 is, but it might be smack dab in the middle of Spring Break season.

 

[stitch34]

Here's my experience... I was there the Mon., Tues., and Wed. after Easter this year. I was traveling with my sister and my 5 year old son. We were expecting high crowds as it was the tail end of Spring Break season and Disneyland was open until midnight all 3 nights. (Midnight closings suggest they are expecting high crowds.) We were VERY pleasantly surprised with how uncrowded the parks were. We actually did 32 rides (as well as 2 extended treat breaks ) the first day. It was awesome. (You can see my trip report linked below.)

I just realized Easter was a lot later this year than normal, so next year might be different. Not sure when Easter 2012 is, but it might be smack dab in the middle of Spring Break season.

Thanks for the info - will check out your trip report!
Yeah, Easter was quite late this past year. This year it's the 8th. Usually we have the week BEFORE easter off and this year have the week after off.

I do expect crowds... but just hoping it's not completely insane and unbearable.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

We plan to go before Easter actually...the 2-6. We went around the same week this year. The crowds were heavy, but I always feel that WDW vets can manage DL better...we are all overplanners and fast pass experts.

I think you would have a great time that week. I do think local schools around DL are off the first two weeks of Easter for Spring Break. Look at the blackout dates as well, they are a helpful look into crowd levels.

 

[HydroGuy]

Here is what everyone will tell you: wait until at least June. The major new Cars Land expansion will be done by then.

With that, choose August 2012. Crowds will likely be equal or probably less than Spring Break.

For the last couple years the minimum recommended visit to DLR was 3-4 days. Once Cars Land is done then 4 full days will be the minimum. Five will be even better.

You may want to read thru this link: "A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[stitch34]

Here is what everyone will tell you: wait until at least June. The major new Cars Land expansion will be done by then.

With that, choose August 2012. Crowds will likely be equal or probably less than Spring Break.

For the last couple years the minimum recommended visit to DLR was 3-4 days. Once Cars Land is done then 4 full days will be the minimum. Five will be even better.

You may want to read thru this link: "A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

I know... I was thinking about waiting for Cars Land expansion. And also depends on airfare... keep thinking April will be more $$$ to fly. I know the resorts will be more money then, too.