Week before Easter

[renae3]

Hi. We are thinking about going to Disney the week before Easter....has anyone been there before at that time? Is it very busy? Tell me if you think it is not a good idea with 3 little kids! Thanks so much.

 

[Hannathy]

It is a sea of people! Every where you look you will see a body. there will be lines for everything from rides, shows, food to the bathroom. I don't know how little but if you are dealing with more than one under 5 I wouldn't go then. We had a very good trip BUT we also took advantage of the parks being open till midnight and getting there early also. Our youngest was 5 so we could go the long hours and not have a stroller or a bunch of junk to haul around.

 

[minniem]

I posted a thread about this too just a few weeks ago. The majority of people that replied said if possible to go at another time b/c it's crazy busy. We have 4 little ones under the age of 7 and I think it will be hard on them if it's super crowded too.

I wanted to go that week b/c it's my son's spring break, but now am seriously considering taking him out of school and going during a slower time so that we really have the time to enjoy it.

Good Luck with your decision.

 

[renae3]

Yes, my son is in 1st grade and that week is his spring break, so I thought it would be a good time. I also have a 4 year old and 18 month old. I assumed the week Before Easter wouldn't be so bad....anyone been there that week?

 

[Hannathy]

Yes, my son is in 1st grade and that week is his spring break, so I thought it would be a good time. I also have a 4 year old and 18 month old. I assumed the week Before Easter wouldn't be so bad....anyone been there that week?

Please go back and read all the responses! We have all said it, it is a ZOO!
absolutely packed, wall to wall people. I'd go back again then with kids that can stay out to midnight BUT you couldn't pay me to go with a stroller!

(well I guess if we were talking REALLY big bucks!)

 

[mjkacmom]

From these boards, it's one of the busiest weeks out of the whole year. I would not hesitate to take a first grader out of school - I have a middle schooler, and it stinks not to be able to take her out of school anymore!

 

[ms_missy66]

Aw c'mon OP! We already have our reservations for that week. Join us in the zoo! ;-)

In all seriousness, I do expect it to be very crowded. We have a stroller and will brave it with two little ones. But that will be like our 8th or 9th trip, so if we don't see and do everything, that'll be fine. We're bringing our travel trailer and staying in the campground, so if we have more downtime than usual, that'll be fine.

 

[pfp258]

Spring break for many school here in IL!

 

[renae3]

Thanks for all your thoughts. I just checked the crowd calendar and it says the week is a mix of 5, 6, 7 and 8's. That doesn't sound too bad. Does anyone know how accurate this calendar is?

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

We were there the week before Easter this year.

It is incredibly busy - one of the busiest (and most expensive) times of the year at WDW. The Magic Kingdom closed due to capacity crowds several of the days we were there. You couldn't even walk around the World of Disney store in DTD without literally bumping into another person. I think the crowds should be listed as a 9/10 or 10/10. Seriously.

The weather was lovely, and we were able to see everything we wanted and eat wherever we wanted, but we had a super planned itinerary. I really don't think leisurely touring is possible the week before or the week after Easter. If you want to go that week, subscribe to Tourguidemike.com. Read up on all of his peak season touring tips and read peak season trip reports. Also, join his April vacation forum so you can pick the brains of other Easter travelers who have been there during that time.

 

[tinkmom2]

We have gone once during Easter week last year and it wasn't so bad, and the other two times were the week before Easter. Also not so bad. However, we stayed at the All Star Music when the baseball and cheerleaders were there and it was a bit noisy. No problems with noise even though it was a preferred room right by the main pool at All Star Sports this last year.
Crowds weren't really that bad at Easter at all and we had a champagne brunch at Epcot which I highly recommend. Now we are going the week before Thanksgiving to break out of our mold

 

[Darcy03231]

I remember seeing pictures people posted who were there the week before and the week after Easter. Definitely a sea of people. It didn't look like you could move (also noticed that no one seemed to be happy). MK closed several times during that 2 week period as they were at crowd capacity.

JMO but I would avoid those two weeks if at all possible.

 

[renae3]

Okay I think everyone has convinced me the week before Easter wouldn't be a good choice! Now I have to figure out what is best.....How is March or April in terms of crowds? Obviously not the week before or after Easter! Thanks again!

 

[Darcy03231]

Okay I think everyone has convinced me the week before Easter wouldn't be a good choice! Now I have to figure out what is best.....How is March or April in terms of crowds? Obviously not the week before or after Easter! Thanks again!

We were there the last week of April (our school vacation week). Weather was great and the crowds were light to moderate.

 

[laceemouse]

Yes, my son is in 1st grade and that week is his spring break, so I thought it would be a good time. I also have a 4 year old and 18 month old. I assumed the week Before Easter wouldn't be so bad....anyone been there that week?

The week before and the week after Easter are crazy crowded every year because many schools plan their Spring Breaks around Easter. Only the week between Christmas and New Years is more crowded at WDW.

 

[laceemouse]

We were there the last week of April (our school vacation week). Weather was great and the crowds were light to moderate.

You have to realize that spring breaks across the country are spread out between March and April, and also that Easter moves around each year. If somebody says they went in late April and it was NOT crowded you need to find out which year it was and when Easter was that year. The farther you get away from Easter the better.

If you are going to pull him out of school anyway I would avoid Spring Break times all together, say go for February or May, but that is just me. We have been at all times of the year and the smallest crowds we have ever soon were January NOT near any holiday. But it was rather cool so we did not swim.