Heavy crowds for 23rd april week onwards? Still Spring Break? Think I messed up

[erstwo]

I think you will be fine. I agree with so many other posters - even US schools that have a 'late' end of the school year (mid to late June) will be done with Spring Break by mid- April. I just looked up school system calendars for a few states that I know have later spring breaks (Washington for one) and all of them wrap up Spring Break by the end of next week (April 12). Where I live, we had Spring Break the first week of March because we are out of school at the end of May.

Although there are no slow weeks at WDW now (it seems) - I agree with @GhostHost1000 about the crowd levels.

As a cheer mom - wanted to say - I don't think the competitions during that time will affect you much. The ICU and All-Star cheer weeks are different than UCA, for example. UCA is going to have school groups with chaperones who have scheduled park days for the whole group - PLUS independent teams with families - it's just a lot. ICU and All-Stars; you will see more families who travel with their cheerleader - but they'll have the freedom to make choices as a family - like a day at Disney, a day a Universal (or no parks at all because they've spent their life savings already this year on travel to cheer competitions, PT, and sparkly bows and have no money for park tickets - LOL)

 

[lentesta]

Hey everyone. So I think I messed up. Everything told me the fortnight of 23rd april -6th May 2024 was out of Spring break when I planned last year since easter was early etc. (I know cheer is on but i was fine with that)

A post blew up on FB saying this is going to be one of the **worst** weeks for spring break crowd's and to change dates if we can. Worse than now.

I've been seeing how bad is it just now and now I'm really worried and gutted tbh. We're staying at AoA , coming from the UK with the kids (we have DAS due to the medical conditions they have) and it's costs thousands, there's no way to change my dates.

Can anyone give me facts about how bad my crowd's will be and how busy it still will be for spring breakers? Thank you. First time at Disney and I'm feeling so much regret now

Hey @evekarnin24. I have a team of data scientists whose job is to track WDW crowds.

It's unlikely that 23 April - 06 May will be as busy as the last few weeks. For one thing, virtually all US public schools will be back in session over those dates.

The 2023 dates corresponding to a start of "fourth Tuesday in April would've been 25 April - 08 May.

Here's a look at the WDW crowd levels for those dates in 2023, both predicted and actuals, from our site:

And here's what the last couple of weeks have looked like, including very heavy thunderstorms on 22 March:

So the Magic Kingdom has averaged a crowd level of 7 over the last couple of weeks.
Your travel dates in 2023 averaged a crowd level closer to 4.

Keeping in mind that anything is possible, I would be really comfortable accepting a bet that your dates in 2024 are not going to experience wait times as high as the last couple of weeks.

Hope this helps.

 

[Sunni9998]

Spring Break 2024 - School Break Dates | School Breaks USA

Spring Break 2024: Explore school break dates and activities across the US. Essential guide for parents, students, and educators to plan effectively!

schoolbreaksusa.com

I found this, not sure it's totally accurate (I'm in NH and it states that NH Spring Break is early April, but we are actually always late April - after the rest of the New England states). But most of them are showing early/mid-April at the latest. In the past, we have been several times over our Spring Break (late April) and the crowds haven't been the "worst ever" lol I too think you will be ok (there is no such thing as not crowded at WDW anymore unfortunately). No matter what, you make the best of it. Make it your own vacation!

 

[NelleBelle]

Even if FBs predictions are correct (highly suspect), what can you do about it? Take a deep breath and tell yourself it’ll be ok. Becoming anxious and a tight ball of nerves will most likely ensure you wint have a good time. My view is to plan on crowds (use rope drop and G+ in addition to DAS). My guess is you’ll be pleasantly surprised to see that crowds will not be anything like they e been the last couple of weeks. Hope all of you have a terrific time!

 

[flynnibus]

5 and under in TP data? You're golden...

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

How did I get the wrong year? Would really appreciate actually information, rather than this.

I'm literally on the page now and people are talking about this month. And that they are off at the end of april. Honestly if they are wrong about the crowd levels then fine, but they're definitely talking about this year. Not 2025 but thanks I guess

Yes, some states do have an April spring break every year, but there is a reason WDW chooses to schedule run/cheer events those weeks. they are not normally very busy.

If you are there during a cheer event, the cheerleaders will spend most of their time attending the competition. If you are staying at one of the less expensive hotels, you may well see cheerleaders at your hotel. They will probably also visit Disney Springs.

MK has posted hours of 9am-10pm for the weeks of 4/15 and 4/23 except the weekends. If it was going to be very busy, the hours would be 8am-11pm every day.

Perhaps a group of folks are trying to scare others away so they have less crowds?

Last, I've been to WDw over a number of US holiday weeks. WDW is still very enjoyable, especially if you can take advantage of the peripheral hours. Personally, we love MK late at night. I'm not a fan of visiting WDW when MK closes early. Looks like you are going to get decent park hours, but not as extended as they were earlier this month.

 

[evekarnin24]

Thanks everyone. I'm beyond stressed. I know for some of you that might seem pathetic, but this is our once in a lifetime trip from scotland. My health wont let me do this again.

This person literally took the time to privately message me to tell me how bad it's going to be. Do we think this is an overreaction?

 

[evekarnin24]

I really appreciate everyone who has taken the time to reply to me.

 

[evekarnin24]

OP also was a little too sensitive. Honestly I thought they may have wrong year too as spring break is over for most THIS year. Anyway, crowd calendars are so 2010. Nowadays I just assume crowds are a given.

No not too sensitive...just very confused at what you'd said tbh. One line telling me i was in the wrong year wasnt great lol. Especially after you also said the time I was going was over. But hey, enough info has been given now! Mistakes are easily made

 

[evekarnin24]

Hey @evekarnin24. I have a team of data scientists whose job is to track WDW crowds.

It's unlikely that 23 April - 06 May will be as busy as the last few weeks. For one thing, virtually all US public schools will be back in session over those dates.

The 2023 dates corresponding to a start of "fourth Tuesday in April would've been 25 April - 08 May.

Here's a look at the WDW crowd levels for those dates in 2023, both predicted and actuals, from our site:

View attachment 777289

And here's what the last couple of weeks have looked like, including very heavy thunderstorms on 22 March:

View attachment 777290

So the Magic Kingdom has averaged a crowd level of 7 over the last couple of weeks.
Your travel dates in 2023 averaged a crowd level closer to 4.

Keeping in mind that anything is possible, I would be really comfortable accepting a bet that your dates in 2024 are not going to experience wait times as high as the last couple of weeks.

Hope this helps.

Thank you so much for this!

 

[nickys]

Thanks everyone. I'm beyond stressed. I know for some of you that might seem pathetic, but this is our once in a lifetime trip from scotland. My health wont let me do this again.

This person literally took the time to privately message me to tell me how bad it's going to be. Do we think this is an overreaction?

Ignore that person, seriously.

You have 2 weeks to enjoy the parks. I’m going to assume you have 2 days per park, even if you’re doing non-Disney stuff too.

Split each park in half Eg:

MK
- Tomorrow Land, Fantasy Land
- Adventure Land, Frontier Land

Epcot
I advise you DON’T split it into Future World and World Showcase. Split it into East & West.

DHS
- Star Wars
- The rest

AK
-Pandora & Africa
-Asia & Dinoland

What rides and shows are most important to you? Do those first, or book LLs etc for them first, even if later in the evening. Plan a break in the middle of the day, you can’t do full days for a whole fortnight.

I wouldn’t plan entire rest days, do some half days instead.

And enjoy! You can’t see everything, but you will have an amazing time.

Slainte from a fellow Scot!

 

[evekarnin24]

Ignore that person, seriously.

You have 2 weeks to enjoy the parks. I’m going to assume you have 2 days per park, even if you’re doing non-Disney stuff too.

Split each park in half Eg:

MK
- Tomorrow Land, Fantasy Land
- Adventure Land, Frontier Land

Epcot
I advise you DON’T split it into Future World and World Showcase. Split it into East & West.

DHS
- Star Wars
- The rest

AK
-Pandora & Africa
-Asia & Dinoland

What rides and shows are most important to you? Do those first, or book LLs etc for them first, even if later in the evening. Plan a break in the middle of the day, you can’t do full days for a whole fortnight.

I wouldn’t plan entire rest days, do some half days instead.

And enjoy! You can’t see everything, but you will have an amazing time.

Slainte from a fellow Scot!

Yes thank you so much! We planned on splitting MK like this bc we have kids (5 and we 10, mostly for the 5 Yr old) plus we have health conditions too but we also were given DAS. So that should help too.

I'll take your advice for the half day rest days too. I was planning full rest days but that did feel like a waste. And thanks for the advice for Epcot or Ak, I honestly had no plan for splitting up that! Really appreciate it

 

[evekarnin24]

I’m confused.

If you are discussing April 2024, then crowds should be average. Easter was on March 31 and most schools are back in session. Some states have an April break, but the vast majority do not.

April 2025 is a different matter. Easter is April 20, so the week before and after that will be very crowded.

Thank you. Yes this is exactly what I thought when I researched last year for 2024. We go in 2 weeks. This year, having an early easter seemed to say crowds would be okay for when I booked. I've been very confused lately being told how bad they'll suddenly be.

The people who say it's going to be the worst week of april seem adamant it's because NY have their spring break then, plus Cheer is on, and something about passover crowds? But everything I've seen had told me cheer won't actually make too much difference compared with peak SB crowds.

Appreciate your reply thank you!

 

[Club Cooloholic]

No not too sensitive...just very confused at what you'd said tbh. One line telling me i was in the wrong year wasnt great lol. Especially after you also said the time I was going was over. But hey, enough info has been given now! Mistakes are easily made

I didn't say the time you were going was over, you have me confused. I thought maybe you had put 24 when you meant 25...because honestly every crowd chart says it's not that bad this year

 

[Club Cooloholic]

Thanks everyone. I'm beyond stressed. I know for some of you that might seem pathetic, but this is our once in a lifetime trip from scotland. My health wont let me do this again.

This person literally took the time to privately message me to tell me how bad it's going to be. Do we think this is an overreaction?

Some people are just weird, and many are us WDW fanatics. You can ignore them

 

[JIMINYCR]

Cheer week and other events that draw kids and families in have never been a great problem overall because they are mostly at their events. You will see more of an uptick in crowds in the evenings when they are done with their events. Depending on the resort you will be staying at you may have a noisier stay from unruly kids that arent being well chaperoned.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Thanks everyone. I'm beyond stressed. I know for some of you that might seem pathetic, but this is our once in a lifetime trip from scotland. My health wont let me do this again.

This person literally took the time to privately message me to tell me how bad it's going to be. Do we think this is an overreaction?

I think that person is dead wrong

The majority of breaks in the US don’t fall that late…and certainly not in the states in close proximity to Orlando (because their school terms end sooner than the more cold areas)

Run Disney events are common…- little influx but nothing you can’t handle

Those cheer competitions are a dime a dozen…they literally go on constantly (sports “travel tourism” is a known scheme in the US…they make a lot of cash off families)

You will be fine. Enjoy your trip

 

[evekarnin24]

I think that person is dead wrong

The majority of breaks in the US don’t fall that late…and certainly not in the states in close proximity to Orlando (because their school terms end sooner than the comers areas)

Run Disney events are common…- little influx but nothing you can’t handle

Those cheer competitions are a dime a dozen…they literally go on constantly (sports “travel tourism” is a known scheme in the US…they make a lot of cash off families)

You will be fine. Enjoy your trip

Thank you. She sent me a 2nd message about absolutely certain that it's going to be packed out. Im going to go with everyone's opinions here and hope for normal crowds. Appreciate every reply, I feel a lot better tbh

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Thank you. She sent me a 2nd message about absolutely certain that it's going to be packed out. Im going to go with everyone's opinions here and hope for normal crowds. Appreciate every reply, I feel a lot better tbh

To be honest…a lot of people say “packed!” And don’t honestly know what they’re looking at.
Many people here have been going for decades more times than we can count…and can look for the signs.

Also…wdw has had a drop in attendance since early last year. They’ve admitted that in their financials. My recent experiences have been it feels nothing like it did 5-10 years ago. It’s never “Empty”…but the crowds have been pleasant/manageable on the vast majority of days

 

[givealtlwhstl]

New York public school break is 4-23 thru 4-30. You will be fine as most other states have already had their break. Don’t dwell on it- just be in the moment and enjoy it all!