How are the crowds around Easter/Good Friday?

[DfromATX]

I'd like to plan a trip that's not during summer or Christmas, but perhaps a "short" holiday so my kids wouldn't miss too much school and hopefully crowds wouldn't be so bad. They usually have Good Friday off, so I wouldn't mind them missing the Thursday before and following Monday. So how crowded it Disney during that time? Or is it too close to Spring Break when it's super crowded?

 

[Kingoglow]

While I haven't actually visited the parks during this time, from what others have reported it will be VERY busy. It seems like everyone has the same idea as you; quick trip at Easter so that the kids don't miss too much school. Couple that with various spring break vacations and you have larger than normal crowd levels.

 

[DfromATX]

Darn it! OK, thank you!

 

[LAKid53]

We always go in the spring for a week for my birthday. This year, my birthday was the week after Easter and the parks were very crowded. Just look at the calendar for that time - the week of Easter is usually a blackout week for those with a seasonal pass.

 

[DfromATX]

I guess it's busy 365 days a year!

 

[LWB]

Look at dates when you might have holidays that aren't "big" holidays like Easter, etc - many schools have a fall break or a winter break. Maybe you could tag a few days when they are already out and then only miss a day or two rather than a whole week.
I would definitely avoid Easter and the week after Christmas.

 

[Tuvalu]

Bad. Very very bad.

 

[wannabeBelle]

I guess it's busy 365 days a year!

Not quite as bad as all that but Disney is one of the most popular theme parks in the world so do expect some crowds. As others have said, if your kids are out of school chances are everyone else's are as well. For those periods such as Easter, Week between Christmas & New Year's, President's week etc., expect higher than normal crowds and pricing not only for resort stays, but airfare as well. Marie

 

[JillC LI]

Columbus Day weekend isn't as horrendous crowd-wise as Easter weekend. You could hit Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and the Food & Wine Festival then. Plus the weather is pretty nice.

 

[DfromATX]

Columbus Day weekend isn't as horrendous crowd-wise as Easter weekend. You could hit Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and the Food & Wine Festival then. Plus the weather is pretty nice.

I would love to see the Food & Wine Festival sometime. Thanks!

 

[Weather_Lady]

Easter and the surrounding days (which most schools have off) are absolutely bananas when it comes to crowds! That's not to say that you can't go then and have a good time and get a lot done, but you'll have to be much more vigilant about taking advantage of EMH to hit parks very early and very late, making the right FP+ and using an aggressively efficient touring plan.

FWIW, every visit to WDW that my family made when I was growing up, right through 2005, was done during Easter break. With good planning, rope drop arrivals, long afternoon breaks and well-thought-out touring plans, we always had a great time and managed to avoid the crowds as much as possible. It can be done!