Who went during Easter?

[MAJ RN]

I was curious who went during Easter? How were the crowds? Were there alot of people on spring break? How about the week before or after Easter? I am trying to get a feel for next year because this is when we will be there. Were the Disney resort hotels very crowded? I would appriciate any input anyone has.


Thanks,
Melissa

 

[crz4mm2]

We did. Arrived the day before Easter, came home yest (the 17th).
Crowded? Oh yeah! WIsh we would have thought about doing the MK from 10-12 pm. We did this our last day and all the rides were walkons after Wishes. fabulous! I would definately suggest it.
WE stayed at the Dolphin. It was packed. No late check outs because it was filled. Lots of families and a couple of conventions too.
I am not sure I would do Easter again. I would rather go when it is less crowded (and in value season).
HOpe you have a good time next year.

 

[a |PiX!e |)uSt]

We were also there during easter and the week after. It was very crowded! MGM was the most crowded that i had ever seen it. The Grand Floridian which is where we staryed was i think full there were no late checkouts here either. But the 11:00 spectromagic parade was not to crowded. We still had a great time we just got back today.

 

[tassie42]

We went the week before Easter. April 1-5 It was fairly crowded when we got there but not too bad. The last day we were there we noticed a big difference in the crowds. We went to Mgm around 10:00 am and there was a line for the fp to rockn rollercoaster and the standby line was 2 hrs!

We took our kids out of school 2 days before our Easter Break and that monday was the official start of their break. I didn't like taking them out but we did notice the crowd difference.

Hope this helps with your planning!

 

[Pinnie]

We were there from Good Friday until Thursday, April 15. It was crowded, but no more than we have seen in past years. We were able to do all the things we wanted using Fast Passes. On Tuesday, we walked on Philharmagic at 10:30 a.m. Buzz, however had standby lines of 90+ minutes all day.

DAK was gridlock on Wednesday but we hopped over to MGM and it was managable there. EPCOT was the least crowded of all the parks. We used PS for Boma's on Easter Sunday and for dinner at the YSH on Monday.

All in all, it was our 3rd Easter in a row and we will do it again next year.

Of course we are going back in July and December, too!

pin

 

[popeyeohoh]

I felt that the crowds were too big to enjoy WDW. Tues 4/13mgm packed. Wed 4/14 MK huge crowds. 4/15 AK went later 2:30 safari 25 min wait. 10min primeval whirl. 15 min Dinosaur. Walk on tough to be a bug. Kali broken down. Face painting no line. 5min train to planet watch. Left by 7:00. That was our best touring day. Blizzard Beach 4/16 Way crowded. I personally will never travel around Easter again.

 

[mitros]

Friends of ours are gluttons for punishment. They go Easter, Christmas, 4th of July, etc. etc. They said this year Easter week was the worse they have seen in many years, crowd wise. They actually said that if this year is any indication of the crowds, they may actually go at a different time next year.

 

[FWFamily4Life]

we went the week of 4/3 to 4/9. it was a typical spring break/ easter crowd situation. MK was open 8-12am which gave us tremendous flexiblity. MK was great at 8am except on EMH day when it was very crowded so we went to the "do the park the day after EMH plan" and the crowds were lighter especially at MGM. didnt have to use a FP for any ride except RR. Epcot was crowded 2-3hr standby lines for MS and TT in the morning so we got out of there and went back about 5:30pm and the park had cleared out. We didnt try to do everything at once and have learned how to work around the crowds by using differant strategies. Had PS for all dinners and lunches and spent plenty of time at the FWC.

 

[*Fantasia*]

We were there for Easter. We went to MK in the morning of Saturday and it wasn't bad at all, but then again, we were up early too, then after 11am we left and went apartment searching (again) then later that afternoon we went to Epcot around 5 and it wasn't crowded. We went to Epcot on Easter and it wasn't crowded. We used the Fast Pass. It was fine. I guess it was a smart move not to go to MK on Easter Sunday. I'm sure MK would have been swamped!

 

[snyderla]

The bus drivers, monorail driver AND CM at check-in ALL said it was the busiest Easter in over 3 years. PC was full, we stayed there the first part. POFQ was not full, as a matter of fact we were on our way home to IL from Miami on the 12th and made a spur of the moment decision to spend the night at POFQ rather than head up into approaching storms in GA. (good excuse, right?) Had no trouble getting a room there, even got an AP discount on a King RM. The 12/13th was MUCH less crowded at the MK than the week before. We were only there at Easter because my son was performing at EPCOT with his HS choir. We expected the worst, and made the best of it. We only went to the parks during crowded hours 2 times, the day of the performance at EPCOT and the wednesday after when we went on our KTTK tour. That day at MK was incredibly crowded, but we were on tour so were not really effected much, we were walked directly on to a couple of rides, but mostly were out of the way of crowds. We made use of the late hours and used the "if there are 2 shows, go to the 2nd one" rule. Walked on to every ride we went on except POC, waited 15 minutes for that one, oh yeah, waited 5 minutes for PP during SpectroMagic's first run. We had a bunch of "Firsts" experiences, including being the only ones on a bus 2 times, on the way back to PC on saturday night the 3rd, and the next day as we were resort hopping to a couple of resorts we had never been to, that bus driver stopped and showed us an alligator swimming in the water near a bus stop at CS. We had never seen and alligator at WDW before, aside from KS at AK. We also did the "impossible". I had heard it bantered around on the boards, can you see Fantasmic and Illuminations both on the same night, and many people said it couldn't be done. Well, YES YOU CAN!!! We went to MGM one day and thought we would try that night to see both shows. Since there were 2 shows of Fantasmic, with a late show at 10 PM, we figured we would try to catch the second show at MGM. We needed to know how long it would take to walk, or if taking a bus or boat launch would be best. CM suggested bus, but they aren't reliable enough. We decided to walk from MGM early in the evening and time it, also figured the best route. It was a very nice walk, not bad at all, except that we walked around YC & BC, should have cut through BW, we did cut through on the return to MGM from EPCOT. The walk over took about 25 minutes, that was with DH taking video footage. Since Illuminations runs 12 minutes, we knew we had a chance of seeing both shows on the same night if Illuminations started on time. It was our last night there, well, our last planned night, we didn't know about the 12th/13th yet, and we couldn't decide which show to see for the last night, had already seen Wishes 2 times, really great show, by the way! And had only seen Fantasmic and Illuminations once each this trip. So that was the reason for trying to see both. WE decided we needed to view Illuminations on the bridge near the International Gateway entrance, then book it out of there fast once the show was over. Well, we made it back to MGM with enough time to go to the rest room AND get snacks before the show. We also were seated just to the right of center, they opened a side door just a we finished getting our snacks and ushered us into a newly opened section. We were even closer to the exit than we have ever been. A really good seat, we thought, near the top so we weren't sprayed with the water mist and didn't get chilly from it like we had the time before. DH started talking to some guy on the walk over from EPCOT who told us if we didn't take the boat launch we would never make it, Well, we made it, but didn't see the boat! There was no sign of it at all along our way. Maybe it got there after us? And we didn't run either, we walked a comfortable pace the whole time.

We expected the worst, and decided to make the best of it, and ended up having possibly our best trip so far, and it was my 9TH trip!!

I have been working on a trip report to post, but don't know if I will get that done, I've never posted one.

Sorry for the long winded answer!
Lori

 

[wallytosa]

We too were there from April 1-4, and like Tassie, also took DS out of school 2 days early to beat the crowds. First couple days were not bad. At MK we went at opening and most things were walk on for the first couple of hours, then did a couple fast passes. We were out of there and back to hotel by early afternoon. Epcot on Saturday, 4-2 wasn't too bad. Test track and Mission space were the only crowded things....World Showcase was not busy at all. And as Tassie said, we noticed the change in crowds probably on Sunday when we went to AK. It was VERY crowded. I kept reading how everyone did this park in a half a day. I don't see how that's possible with crowds. We got there at opening and left about 3:30 and didn't see everything. It was just too crowded and hot, we wanted to get out of there. I couldn't imagine doing it any later in the week. This was our first Easter trip and it was manageable, especially if you go early and use FP, but I don't think I want to do it again. Last time we went right after Thanksgiving and it was great....not too much waiting at all. CBR was great....highly recommended!

 

[tinkerbell60]

We were there from 4/2-4/8. We also took the kids out of school 1 day, wish I had made it 2 days because the crowds did increase each day. The key was to get up early, be at the park at opening and leave by noon. Use fast past whenever possible. It is manageable if you do those things and realize you probably won't see everything. AK on 4/5 was really really crowded - and we missed a lot, as well as ended up with a bad attitude about AK. I would like to give it another chance on a less crowded day. Still we had a great time - and I would do it again.

 

[laceemouse]

Melissa, while many Spring Breaks are spread out through March and April, the week before and the week after Easter are always the most crowded. Here, our break is always end of March. We went to WDW this year as it was 2 weeks before Easter, still pretty crowded, especially MK. Next year our break coinsides with Easter, I doubt we will go to WDW. We do not like to take the kids out of school. I think we will go summer 05.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

We went 4-6-04 to 4-14-04. This was our first easter trip. We usually go during august. I made all the ps for dining before we left. We stayed at the swan again. My dh's mantra was stay at the swan, stay at the swan. He liked being the 1st bus stop etc. We were always on the go and barely spent any time in the room. We still had to miss some things. Disney transportation, eating and little ds wanting autographs took up big chunks of time. We didnt do ee. No one wanted to cooperate and get up. They couldnt believe there were lines to get fastpasses. We found we could hit more rides and do more at night and during parades. Sometimes there were no fastpasses left by noon and even before noon, the return time was at least 6 hours later. We too had to have our kids miss days of school. Next year we are trying to get the principal to change the dates to coincide with the local public school vacation time. We notice we had to do lots more standing on buses and boats then in the summer. I asked the family when they would like to go the next time. Everyone said easter. Even though it was more crowded, the weather was more bearable and everyone is complimenting us on our tans. Also the disney resorts are just too expensive during this time. I called in plenty of time and they told us there were no ap rates etc. They did offer us conceirge etc. I said no, that was just way out of our price range. So we were very happy with our govt. disc. at the swan.

 

[bekkiz]

We checked in the 11th and left the 16th, and to be honest, it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected.

We stayed at CSR and it never, ever felt crowded, and we always had space on the bus!

Most days we got up for EMH, left right after lunch and went to a different park that afternoon. We didn't go on every single ride there, but we did all the ones we wanted to, plus many times on our favorites (safari, tot and rnr). We never waited in a line longer than 45 minutes, and usually we had a FP for something else during this time, so we could hop right off one ride and right onto another.

The only really bad experiance we had was coming into MK right after spectro, but just before wishes. I thought we'd never make it to the end of main steet--so many people in so many different directions, plus those wanting a good spot for wishes. It was awful. However, once we got in, there were very few lines for anything!

We had a PS for every lunch and dinner, which helped a lot, but we had to change a few last minute b/c we changed park plans

 

[Party Teacher]

We were there 4/4 - 4/10. Yes, as previously posted, it was crowded, but it was still doable. We were in the MK on Monday the 9th and it was gridlocked up by BTMRR. We hopped on the train and got out. That was at about 1:30. We were not up for for EMH at any of the parks, but we were still able to accomplish all we set out to do. We know the FP system, had all our PS's pre-arranged, ate counter service in the off hours and knew the transportation system well. We took breaks most days and went back to the parks later in the evening. We too stayed at the Dolphin but didn't find it crowded at all. On our last day, Saturday 4/10 Epcot was a ghost town! I got some great pictures of the pavillions with no one there!

Party Teacher

 

[NikiM20]

we were there the 11-16 and it was GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We had a blast and if you used fast pass it wasnt that bad!!! Have fun

 

[kapica3]

I must say I was disappointed in my resorts. First of all I had originally planned to stop over in Pooler, GA before continuing on to WDW so as to arrive as early as possible and have the best chance at getting a room in the section I requested. As we got closer to GA I realized I didn't want to chance not being there (at Coronado) at the crack of dawn so I called ahead for about an hour until I was able to secure a room for overnight at All Star so as to get an early start over to CSR.

We checked in at All Star Music with no problem. We arrived at the room and my daughter plopped down on the bed right into a wet spot of vomit on the bed. We promptly called for replacement bed spreads. (It was now obvious to me how this room became "suddenly" available). Anyhow we lived through this ordeal to rise at dawn and head over to the Coronado where by the way we stayed last Easter with no problem and wonderful service. Well needless to say even though I requested a specific building in the Cabanas section I was given rooms all the way over at the last building in the Rancho section clear across the lake from the food court. Unacceptable. The only offer was to put me on a list for a room change. Also unacceptable. I requested corner room first floor was offered center room third floor. After three trips back to the front desk finally settled in unhappy about the room but confident that after this all would be fine. Well I was wrong. The maid service was almost non-existant. Yes, they made the beds and possibly vaccumed. That's it. No straightening up of anything else in the room. Nothing special at all. No towel fans. No little card stating their name. No cleaning up of empty water bottles or straighting of the shoes or anything. And not one towel animal. No cute displays of stuffed animals and toys. Nada. and worst of all... when we finally came down with the stomach virus that we surely caught from the room at the All Stars...... only one roll of toilet paper did we find in the bathroom....no extra roll. We found ourselves rationing toilet paper in the middle of the night until some was delivered to our room. Then there was the time that none of our room keys worked and there was no way to notify the front desk until luckily we ran into a maintenance person who let us in (how did they know we were us?) Disaster. Disappointment. Didn't have the energy to complain at the time. But you know what ....after posting this post.... I'm going to write a letter. Does anyone have a person in mind to whom I should address it. ? I guess I am even more angry than I thought. How dare they ruin my vacation!

You know come to think of it the servers at the food court were rude getting annoyed at my request for a "to go" instead of "eat there"(she threw down the plate and huffed) also and by the way I found the restrooms all around the parks to be not as clean as usual with less cleaning people visible ((worst of all was the Rest room just outside of 1900 Park Fare-Grand Floridian Resort and Spa - discraceful - I've seen Exxon station bathrooms cleaner-this one I had to complain about immediately)) and also the parks and resorts were looking less "kept" in the gardening department also. And I never used to see trash on the cue lines and in the pre-shows like I saw this trip.

Bummer.

 

[MELSMICE]

We were there from 4-2 through 4-17. Yes, it was crowded, but manageable. We have AP's, so are very flexible, but for the 1st week of the trip my sister was with us who hasn't been there in about 7 years & her husband who has never been there. They have a 16 month old son also.

Anyway, the first week we did about every other day in the parks with them. We would get up early & do park opening - never did EE - just too early for me on a vacation. I won't get up before 7 a.m.!

By getting there early & utilizing the FASTPASS to our advantage they were able to see all the major attractions in each park with the exception of Kali River Rapids (too cold that day). They only used 4 days of their 5-day hopper. We would do mornings & afternoons in the parks & would always leave before 2 or 3 p.m.

I guess in answer to your question though is that, yes, it was crowded but manageable. MK was closed on 2 different days the week before Easter. Luckily we were not there either of those days!!!

The 2nd week we relaxed and enjoyed OKW, went to the parks in the evenings if we wanted with the exception of one morning at MGM. It was a great trip!

 

[Brier Rose]

Originally posted by kapica3
. also and by the way I found the restrooms all around the parks to be not as clean as usual with less cleaning people visible ((worst of all was the Rest room just outside of 1900 Park Fare-Grand Floridian Resort and Spa - discraceful - I've seen Exxon station bathrooms cleaner-this one I had to complain about immediately)) and also the parks and resorts were looking less "kept" in the gardening department also. And I never used to see trash on the cue lines and in the pre-shows like I saw this trip.

Bummer.

You know, that just goes to show how two different people can see totally different things while being at the same place at the same time!

We thought the EXACT OPPOSITE! With all of the talk lately on the boards about nasty bathrooms, I was totally more aware and checking things out everytime I went in a bathroom. We NEVER saw a dirty bathroom the entire time we were there. April 10-16.
As a matter of fact I was impressed by how many times there was a CM in the bathroom cleaning while we were in there.

We also noticed how many CM's were out cleaning all over the parks, and how nice everthing looked. Especially Epcot, where they were preparing for the Flower and Garden festival, all the landscaping we saw looked great!

We stayed at POFQ and had a courtyard view room with a large fountain and lots of flowers right outside the window. Every morning I would get up, it would barely even be light, and there were CM's our pulling dead flowers and weeds, touching up paint,etc. I was thinking how on this trip I had seen more care taken in the way things were looking than in all of our trips in a long time!
Too funny how what we saw was SO different!

We were leaving Fantasmic! Monday the 12th, and hung around to let the crowd thin out. It is totally disgusting the mess people leave behind! We spoke to some of the CM's that were cleaning up, just out of total shock, and also to let them know what a great job we think they do, and to kind of give them a little sympathy for having the horrible task of cleaning up after such pigs!
Let me say that I was SO impressed that even given this clear opprotunity, the CM's that we talked to DID NOT bad mouth the guests who make these messes! One of the CM's even made the excuse that because of the late show, kids fall asleep and have to be carried out, so the parents can't carry the trash too!
He also pointed out, that for all of the trash left behind, the trash cans are overflowing with trash that people DO take the time to clean up.
He said you wouldn't believe the amount of dirty diapers they have to pick up though!
That just burns me up!!!

To answer the original question.....
YES!! It was very crowded, but not as bad as we thought it was going to be, and not as long as we got a super early start!
We were even surprised by how well things went on a Saturday night in the MK. This was our arrival day, and we had plans at LTT for dinner,then Spetro and whatever rides we could manage. We arrived at 5:00pm, and were able to eat at LTT, see the Tiki Birds,
JC, Magic Carpets of Alladdin, watch Spectro, and then hit Big Thunder and Splash before leaving at 11:00pm! We had a FP for JC, and never stood in line more than 15min. for the rest, thanks to the touring plan Len put together for us....THANKS LEN!

Tues. morning at MK was the best day of the whole trip! We got there at 7:45am, and had done 17 attractions by the time we had lunch at CRT at 12:30pm! Then we left, and came back later in the evening. As we were leaving the line for everthing was SOOOO long! The line for Mickey's Philharmagic was all the way back to the castle!
I can see how people without a plan that had to deal with that all day would NEVER want to go back!

We will go back at Easter time. We thought it was great! A little uncomfortable walking at times, but we never waited in line longer than 15-20 min., and did every single thing we wanted...some more than once.

The Easter egg hunt at Epcot was the best too!