Yikes!! Spring Break Trip -

[Brady's Mom]

Here are some things I learned during our Spring Break family trip April 4-9, 2010

1. It seems like everyone from Utah goes to DLR during Spring Break!

2. Doing DLR with a 5.5 and 7.5 yr old and no stroller is very doable. We took our stroller with us, but never even took it out of the van. We tried our kids walking the first day and they did so well we didn't even need the stroller.

3. Walking distance is WAY better than driving and parking or taking ART. We have done both, stayed close by and walked and stayed further away and drove or took ART. We have lost our big city bus mentality by living in a smaller suburban area (we used to live in San Francisco) and waiting for busses is not in our vocabulary anymore. It was somewhat frustrating to have to wait to get where you want to go when you want to go.

4. We prefer a hotel with a suite with our 5 people (6 when our oldest son comes with us). We had more room to spread out and preferred a room with a door so our younger kids could go to sleep while the rest of us hung out or watched tv.

5. We don't like earthquakes at DLR - not because they scare us (we're from California) but because it takes a LONG time to get all the rides checked and to start running again. All the people that were in line, riding rides or seeing shows don't have a lot of places to go when those things are shut down.

6. We found we are off-season DLR people. We have been to DLR many different seasons and feel like we can give up all of the shows and fireworks and/or put up with some ride closures in order to sleep in and get to the Parks at 9:30 am instead of 7:30 am. We like shorter lines and less congestion than making sure that every ride or show is running. We found we like sleeping in in the morning and not doing DLR commando. We are happier and calmer people and enjoy our Disney experience MUCH, MUCH more.

7. Did I mention that we will NEVER go during spring break again??? When we wanted to ride Screamin' with our FP's on Weds. afternoon the FP line went all the way over to the carousel and took at least 20 minutes for part of our group to ride the ride - with a FP. (I will try to find the picture I took of the line and post it later)

8. I love DLR and love our trips there - but after this last trip we are ready for a break. We also have to consider our kid's school schedules starting this next school year since we will have a high schooler and University student which makes it hard to justify pulling our kids out of school in order to visit DLR during the off season.

9. We found Big Thunder Barbecue a good value for the amount of food we got. We also thought it was tasty and made good leftovers for later that day. We did lunch instead of dinner since the cost was a little less, but no one in our group left hungry. We had a backpack/cooler that we were able to put the leftovers in so they stayed fresh and we didn't worry about spoiling. The entertainment was fun and people participated. We would do it again.

10. We prefer flying to driving. We broke our drive up into 2 days each way, but driving is tiring and can make some members of our family VERY cranky. Flying is faster and less tiring - it is worth the extra expense to me.

11. We were really grateful that we have AP's and hadn't spent any extra money on tickets since it was so crowded. I can totally understand why someone who had been there the week we were and experienced such huge crowds would have a different feeling about DLR than we do. We have seen it busy, very slow, in the middle of summer and now PACKED and can appreciate that we did have a very good time, but are really glad we didn't feel like we had to get our money's worth. We went to the beach our last day there instead of braving another day of super crowds.

I don't know what else I could add - except that the stand-by line for Soarin' wound around the side of the building where the gates are and then back up to the front of the building. It was crazy.

The CM's that we encountered were friendly and helpful, Scott in particular at City Hall was very helpful to me when I discovered I had lost my cell phone on an ART bus. He called ART and they called the bus driver and she had my phone that someone had turned in. I was able to meet the bus on it's next circuit and get my phone. Great customer service by the bus driver and Scott at City Hall.

Just in case you are wondering, we did have a good time. We will definitely do DLR again - but we have been 8 or 9 times in the last 3.5 years and are ready to take a break.

 

[sonnyjane]

I agree with a lot that you said. I also have an AP, and I went to the parks for three days around the same time as you, and I realized that I will definitely stick to the off-season from now on! I had to go during that time because my youngest sister was visiting and that was her spring break, but I usually like to go during the week when nothing is going on, and much prefer it! It was really far too crowded for me this last trip. When I left I swore it would be a "long long time" before I returned, but I'm already planning to go next Monday for the day with some friends lol, but at least it will be far less crowded. I guess I just can't stay away completely!

 

[briangl]

Completely agree with your post. We went the week before you. I'll never go around Easter again. Way too crowded. The only thing that made it tolerable is that our son has Down Syndrome and we got a special assistance pass. Next year we are going for Presidents week. Still crowded but tolerable.

 

[pdxJolene]

Ahh! That does sound like an un-enjoyable experience. At least you know how DL can be and will be back. I'm hoping crowds will go down a little bit by the end of this week... Thats when I'll be there.

 

[rszdtrvl]

I hear you! We went from the 27th of March until the 30th. And did Disneyland on the 27th and 29th.

It was super busy. Spring Break was horrible this year. We have been the past 2 Spring Breaks, and they were NEVER close to this busy.

Our vacation was such an experience that we also decided that we would not go to Disneyland anytime soon. A few years, at least.

We still had fun, but it was just not as fun as it had been in the past.

We did Lego Land, Disneyland/DCA, and Universal Studios. And had more fun at Universal than any other theme park.

 

[HydroGuy]

Great report! Thanks for the feedback. I have never been during Spring Break but every year the reports make it sound very busy. and much busier than say mid-summer when we tend to visit. In summer I usually feel it is busy but manageable. You make it sound otherwise.

Shannon or anyone else - can you compare your Spring Break experience to mid-summer?

Also, I did not see WDW on your sig line but maybe you can take your DLR break to WDW? Especially since flying seems to be preferable?

 

[monicatb]

We were just there. We went to the parks 04/01-03 and I have to say that if you need to go during spring break, you can really have a good time, as long as you get there at least 40 min before opening, if you follow a good touring plan and if you take advantage of the fastpass system and Magic Mornings. We had a great trip and never waited more than 10 min for any ride. The only long line was about 30 min for Tinkerbell, and that was getting on line 10 min before opening, but dd just had to see her. And yes, we did had to wait about 40 min to grab a good spot for parades and fireworks. But other than that we did everything we wanted with minimum lines and we even took 2-3 hour breaks during the day and went back to the parks all refreshed. I agree with the OP, it was VERY crowded, and if I had the choice I would go again in the off-season, but if you just can't go at that time, you can still have a great time with good planning.

 

[spacemermaid]

Agreed- I'm never going during spring break again, either!

I got back a couple of days ago; one of the days I was in the Park all day and went on...3 rides.

Only "not on an actual holiday" time I've ever seen the Park so crowded was when I accidently went during the Candlelight Processional.

 

[Brady's Mom]

Great report! Thanks for the feedback. I have never been during Spring Break but every year the reports make it sound very busy. and much busier than say mid-summer when we tend to visit. In summer I usually feel it is busy but manageable. You make it sound otherwise.

Shannon or anyone else - can you compare your Spring Break experience to mid-summer?

Also, I did not see WDW on your sig line but maybe you can take your DLR break to WDW? Especially since flying seems to be preferable?

Trey - I would take mid-summer over Spring Break any day. DH and I went mid-July last year and it wasn't even half as busy as it was this last week. Summer crowds seem more spread out since not everyone is taking the same week off in summer for vacation. Spring Break is usually close to Easter around here and everyone seems to want to go to DLR - which isn't bad since DLR is a very family friendly place - it just means we will stick to summer or off season and I never thought I would say mid-summer.

 

[garn]

And besides Wed (they expected 58k and got more) I didn't think it was that bad. The longest we waited in line was for 30 minutes. While we prefer off peak times, this trip was not as bad as I expected and the four of us (wife and 2 daughters) had a blast.

 

[DizFan13]

I am curious to hear from people who are there today, as to whether or not the crowds are beginning to ease up? I am feeling a bit...

 

[tlovesdis]

I'm hoping the crowds are way down at the end of April! We will be there the 28th through May 3rd!

 

[S. S. Columbia]

9. We found Big Thunder Barbecue a good value for the amount of food we got. We also thought it was tasty and made good leftovers for later that day. We did lunch instead of dinner since the cost was a little less, but no one in our group left hungry. We had a backpack/cooler that we were able to put the leftovers in so they stayed fresh and we didn't worry about spoiling. The entertainment was fun and people participated. We would do it again.

Was Big Thunder BBQ crowded? (Did you have a PS?)

Does the entertainment still include Sarsaparilla Sam playing piano?

TIA

 

[MrsPinup]

I was there April 3-6 and did not find it unbearable. I used the MouseWait application on my iphone so we were able to avoid the long lines or get fast passes when needed. We tried going on the popular rides in the morning or late at night which worked well. During the busier afternoon hours we went to shows (I had never seen the Aladdin performance and loved it!). I had no idea that the Bug's Life was a new section in CA and they had very short lines, plus it was shady. Monday was great with the storms. We did the Minnie and Friend's breakfast and were very pleased (and full!) After breakfast the crowds were still low (Because of the weather) so we hopped on Buzz and Astro Oribiter - super crazy in the wind and rain, but DS7 had a blast. Crowds seemed to stay lower the rest of the day than they had been Saturday and Sunday. On Tuesday DS was spent and was ready to come home so we went to DL at 8, went on his favorite four rides - all short lines, and then hit the stores for our souviners and gifts. By the time we left at 11 it was very packed and wait times were very long. I am glad we choose to leave when we did. Well, that's my perspective!

 

[femommy]

We were there April 4-8. I thought Easter Sunday and Monday were delightful. We walked right on the rides. We did get there early and left for a nap each day. Tuesday and Wednesday were busier but we filled up on the fast passes early and used them during the fireworks and light parade.

I am probably not the best to speak on the crowds because this was our first trip. Yes we are from Utah, I am a teacher and it was the only time we could go.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I'm sorry ~ sounds like a break will do you good. I assume you saw lots of Utahns because they always wear a BYU or UofU t shirt ~ I think it's pretty silly and kinda lame. Well we are 3 Utahns *who don't wear BYU or UofU shirts at DLR or ever really* who weren't at DLR over Easter

 

[mathmom32]

I'm sorry ~ sounds like a break will do you good. I assume you saw lots of Utahns because they always wear a BYU or UofU t shirt ~ I think it's pretty silly and kinda lame. Well we are 3 Utahns *who don't wear BYU or UofU shirts at DLR or ever really* who weren't at DLR over Easter

ROFL! We are also Utahns who don't wear red or blue. And we went to DLR the 2nd week in March in order to AVOID the spring break crowds. There are 2 times of the year I refuse to go to DLR: Spring Break and UEA in October. OP, you are right, a lot of people from Utah go during Spring Break. I hope you said hi to all of my neighbors! LOL!

 

[Brady's Mom]

I'm sure I said Hi or Excuse Me to at least half or your neighbors and some of mine, too.

Our trip was good - we have a great attitude about crowds and have AP's so really didn't feel cheated out of a fun time. Sunday afternoon and Monday were good days for us. Tues. and Weds. got VERY crowded. We chose the beach for Thursday since we didn't want to fight through the crowds again.

We have stayed within walking distance our last 4 or so trips and to stay somewhere that needed a bus or a car did put a little bit of a damper on our enjoyment level. Lesson learned!

About the Big Thunder Barbeque - we didn't find it too crowded, but we decided to eat at about 11:30 and went over and signed in. They give you a pager thing that buzzes when you have to wait. DH went to the restroom while we waited for a table and we were seated before he came back. It took less than 5 minutes. The tables are picnic tables that have a shade attached to them so you don't have to sit in direct sun. It started to get crowded as we got closer to 12 and 12:30.

I can't remember the name of the piano player. We were in a section that did not have a great view of the stage. We could have asked for a different table - but it didn't really matter to us. We could hear the music and the performers so it was fine.

And we are Utahn's who don't wear red or blue unless it is Stanford Red! We pull out our Mickey shirts and wear those instead. Even DS 13 (almost 14) will wear Mickey shirts when we go to DLR, even though he won't wear them any other time.

 

[Brady's Mom]

I'm sorry ~ sounds like a break will do you good. I assume you saw lots of Utahns because they always wear a BYU or UofU t shirt ~ I think it's pretty silly and kinda lame. Well we are 3 Utahns *who don't wear BYU or UofU shirts at DLR or ever really* who weren't at DLR over Easter

Shannon,

I looked at your list of trips that you've taken and it seems you've missed the REALLY busy times. Just proves how smart you are. I almost envy your July trip since July was a very good trip for us.

Now if I could just combine a mid-summer trip with a Giants/Angels game I would have some very happy people at my house - big and small!