What Would You Choose - Spring Break or Thanksgiving???

[5infam]

We are looking at doing our first Disney Cruise and want to start with a 3 night cruise and 5 nights at WDW. Our kids now get the whole week of Thanksgiving off of school, and of course a week at Spring Break. My DW and I just returned from a cruise to the Bahamas in July and the heat and humidity were just too much for us, so these are the 2 times we are looking at going with the kids. I am looking for advice from the experienced cruisers out there that have gone during these times (btw, our spring break is always the first week in April ). If you had to choose which time to go, what would you suggest and why? We are most concerned about weather and being able to enjoy the wonderful beaches and outdoor activities. TIA for your help!!

 

[mommasita]

Personally, I would do the Spring Break, as the weather is just lovely at this time of year...We have done it, put in March, and it was just PERFECT!! Also, it comes before Thanksgiving...

Really though, both should be great, but March/April, is just my cup of tea..

 

[clten]

We always used to travel at Thanksgiving. I've also traveled the beginning of April. Weatherwise I have always found them about the same -- but more likely to have the hot sticky days in April rather than November. My concern would not be the weather at that time but rather the crowds at the parks. Thanksgiving weekend has been getting very busy the last few years (which is why we've been going at other times). But the few weeks before Easter can be really crowded. If it were me, I would go in November -- do parks before Thanksgiving then hop on the ship for the weekend to avoid the big crowds.

 

[mott]

You might not find a 3 night cruise the week of Thanksgiving. It seems that around Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Years, the cruise lenghts are not normal. I assume this is to avoid embarking/dembarking on holiday days.

Also, you should consider staying at WDW BEFORE the cruise. That way when vacation is over, you'd be relaxed and refreshed from the cruise and not exhausted from all the parks. I've read many posts from people that share this feeling. The 3 night curises deapart on Thurs. morning, so that means S-W nights at WDW and then to the port on TH.

 

[5infam]

The Thanksgiving week, 3 day cruise sets sail on Sunday and returns on Wednesday. This means we would be at the parks from Wednesday before Thanksgiving through Sunday, flying home Sunday. If we went during spring break, the normal cruise schedule applies, so we will go to the parks arriving on a Saturday and staying at WDW to Thurday AM, then getting on the boat Thursday afternoon, flying home Sunday after we get off the boat. We were at WDW last year at the end of March/first ofApril, and we left the day the Premier season started (this is what DVC calls the week before and week after Easter). The parks were great the first part of our stay, but the Friday before we left, we couldn't push our stroller around MK - so we left and went to Epcot (a lot less crowded). That is part of the reason why I was thinking Thanksgiving time would be better...but now that I think about it, I guess all holiday times would be about the same. I guess another option if we chose Thanksgiving would be to go for the 4 day cruise, then we would be on the boat for the busy part of the week and at the parks for the weekend before and a few weekdays before the holiday. My biggest concern was weather during late November - warm enough to swim and enjoy the beaches??

 

[cjsmith]

I would chose Thanksgiving. The weather here in November is perfect, it really is and it's a great time to go to Disney World. It will be a bit crowded at the parks but now where near the crowds for spring break. I try and avoid the spring break time, especially Easter at all costs at Disney they're at simply too many people for me.

 

[barkley]

i can totaly identify with you heat/humidity concerns we are in northern california and nearly died the first time we experienced floridian heat.

our last trip to wdw was during the month of january a few years ago-we found the weather similar to late spring/early summer in california (could swim, wear shorts during the day-needed a sweater in the evening). the only downside to traveling during november is limited park hours (with the exception of those peak thanksgiving week days), and only 1 water park open.

also-remember that the airline prices go way up for thanksgiving travel (and the airports are a mess). we are going this november (1st couple of weeks for wdw/7 day cruise) and i was amazed at how much higher the air prices are just after we return (11/19)-we got ours for $99 each way vs. $250/$300 each way for thanksgiving week. if you are dvc (as we are) there is also a significant point difference for wdw/cruise for thanksgiving week.

i'm wondering if there is a big difference in going the week prior to easter vs. the week after. i think i would consider checking what disney considers "spring break". it seems like spring break can be insane going anywhere-you tend to run into packs of college students or high schoolers.

 

[El Capitan]

5infam,

We faced the same issue. We originally looked at Thanksgiving 2006 but have since booked the MAGIC the first week in march of 2006. We are also hitting WDW for a week following the cruise. I know a lot of DISboarders mention parks first then the cruise, but I am going to need some serious walking around the parks time after eating on the ship. I know we will be at the parks with some good sized crowds, but I think that would come with either vacation time.

Best of luck on your final decision. Any trip to WDW or the DCL will be great.

 

[5infam]

barkley,

I hear you on the points issue with DVC, which is why I will not be using points for the cruise. SInce I am looking at 2006 for Thanksgiving, I will be first in line to buy my air tickets when they become available (about 330 days befor we go). I know it is a lot of money to give up so early, but I found it the best way to keep costs down. For instance, there is 13 of us going to WDW this December for 8 nights, coming home on 12/23. We booked our air a few weeks after the flights were available and still had to switch airlines to get the best fares (holidays book up early). As long as we have the reservation, it makes the most sense for us to book the flight ASAP. Then I just have to save for spending $$$. I checked the DVC caskbill program I have, and found that in 2007, the first week of April (our spring break) falls smack dab in the middle of the peak season. After I ran some numbers, if I rented out my available DVC points and paid cash for the cruise, we could switch to a 7 night cruise and skip WDW all together. This option saves us a couple of thousand versus the 3 day cruise, 5 nights DVC.

I guess there are too many options here (nice problem to have), but I am just concerned about the parks being so crowded we will not have fun. It sounds like the weather will be good whichever cruise we choose, so that is the most important part!!! We just have to make a decision. Here is one more question though - is the hurricane season over by Thanksgiving???

 

[tvguy]

Weather wise, I think either will be great.
But I think you're going to have to do some homework on price. I'm sure Thanksgiving week is a peak week. I don't know how Disney considers Spring Break though. It seems every part of the country takes a different week now. So you'll have to check to see if the week you want is a peak week or not.
40 years ago, when I was in school, every public school took the week before Easter off, and the Catholic schools took the week after. (Guess it's not politically correct anymore to take Easter week off, or call it Easter Break and don't get me started on not calling Halloween, Halloween anymore, just what is a Harvest Festival anyway?). Now Spring break comes anytime in March, April or May. Heck, the public schools here now take Thanksgiving week off, President's Day week off, Easter Week ( actually, it is more than a week now since they also take the Monday and Tuesday after Easter off too.)