how bad are spring break crowds in all honesty?

[Florida Rocks]

hey there everyone, I was wondering, if my family were to visit mid march around the 10-20, and assuming easter was april 4th. how bad can we really expect the crowds to be at a regular spring break period? we have two full days for the mk and a day at each other park, and a day at each water park. will we be able to see most major attractions? we plan to arrive early and utilize fastpass. also another side note, our group is all physically fit and our ages are 40, 36 and our two older children, 12 and 18.

be honest haha

thanks

 

[MouseMadness]

I've been twice around spring break time... once was horrible, and the other was moderately horrible :lol: BUT! I also went in the summer, once, and the crowds were insane. Comparing the two time frames, I'd take spring break crowds over summer crowds simply because the beautiful weather made it really easy for us to deal with them then as opposed to in the oppressive heat. I don't know where you are located, but to get out of the crappy Ohio weather and down to Florida that time of year is enough to make me not care HOW many people are there :lol:

 

[mousefan1972]

We were at WDW last year March 21-26, at the height of Spring Break. We had no idea that it would be that busy b/c it was 1. before I found this site 2. a last minute trip with my husband's business partner and his family so that they could attend a conference at the Rosen Centre, and 3. schools in MA take Spring Break in April.

We also were at WDW for Christmas '07, Dec. 19-27. Comparing the 2 crowds, I would say the March crowds were worse. However, I suspect I feel that way because we weren't at all prepared for it to be as crowded as it was, and didn't plan accordingly. For the Christmas trip, we expected it to be very crowded, had a plan, and except for Christmas Eve and Day, didn't experience huge crowds at all.

It's all in the expectations and planning.

 

[doop]

We've gone during spring break on all of our trips except one. It's not as bad as people make it out to be. You have to use fastpass to your advantage and ride the less popular attractions which don't have as long a wait. As long as you don't get stressed out by the amount of people that are there, then I'm sure you'll have a good time.

 

[SallyShine]

Don't worry about it! It's so much nicer than in the summer. We went for spring break a few years ago and didn't have any problems (our sb was 2 wks after easter). You just need to go into this with the right expectations. Expect that it will be crowded and expect to have a great time!

 

[Florida Rocks]

haha thanks everyone, we just heard from friends of ours, that late february into the first week or two of march is a nice time to go, and the crowds are quite managable. anyone been there at this time?

 

[KHockett]

My husband and I are teachers - we can only go over spring break. It is fine. We have always seen everything we wanted. One thing that helps is having the parkhopper option - that way you can jump around. But it just requires planning and using fastpass. Also no matter when we have gone - if you arrive at park opening - you have about an hour and a half of being able to do whatever at a pretty quick pace. If you use fastpasses and that hour you will be fine. Also, my husband and I just don't stand in long lines - we plan to come back - it requires more walking around but it is worth it to us. You will have a great time!

 

[smk]

haha thanks everyone, we just heard from friends of ours, that late february into the first week or two of march is a nice time to go, and the crowds are quite managable. anyone been there at this time?

A co-worker of mine was there last week and said it was slow. He said they walked onto everything, they usually go several times a year and found this time to be generally slow but thought this year was worse/slower than normal. He was talking to a CM who told him that he thought it was slower than normal this year becasue the economy is so bad. Maybe that will work in your favor for a spring break trip. I think those who planned to go and saved to go will go anyway, but the people who tend to plan and go on the spur of the moment will think twice and stay home. I am trying to put together a June trip but not optomistic about how comfortable I will be with spending the money to go. I will not go if I cannot pay in advance for everything and that is not looking like a possibility right now.

 

[maryszhi]

this is going to be a slower time says the cm we confirmed everything. she said she saw a surge in canellations, and that the economy was to blame. I am blessed we can go( because so many people cant bc of the economy) , and hope that the economy will turn around so more people can come.

 

[yankspy]

I was there this past week and the lines were not that bad at all. The longest line I waited in was soarin at about 11:00 a.m. and it was about 25 minutes. Just hit the popular rides early and use fastpass and you will be fine.:wave:

 

[adventurelander]

We went 3rd week in March in 06 which was Spring Break. We will never go at that time again. Our resort was overly crowded from what we were used to. The park was more crowded. I'm sure it's much better then summer, but I wound not go during holidays, summer time, or spring break.

 

[Mikester71]

We have been twice during our Spring Break (this week actually up here in Canada) and as long as you utilize your Park Hopper option and Fastpass the main attractions, you should be fine. The parks are definitely crowded, but I love being there with so many other WDW fanatics. We are planning on going next year on our March Break too and I can't wait! Oh yeah, remember to have somebody from your party go directly to Soarin when you enter Epcot to grab a Fastpass for that one though. Last March when we were there, the Fastpasses were all gone by 10am our first day at Epcot, so I made sure to make a run for it our next day visiting Epcot as soon as we entered. Got us some and enjoyed it immensely!:wave:

Oh yeah, while the U.S economy might be in the toilet right now, you have to remember that the Canadian dollar is actually worth more than the US dollar right now. So expect quite a few more Canadians to be heading to WDW this year and next during our March Break. Just a heads up!

 

[Cane27]

You'll need patience. Don't kid yourself into thinking you'll be walking right onto rides. There's always a bull market somewhere in the world, and with the dollar so weak a trip to Disney from overseas probably has never been cheaper.

 

[ClemsonTigger]

We have gone the last three spring breaks/Easters and while I would not do it by choice, it is managable. You do need to plan more carefully and use a strategy in your visit.

If you arrive at your chosen park at opening, you will have at least 2 hours when you can get on rides with minimal wait, get good FP etc. Use FP for early afternoon then plan on taking a break or visiting less popular attractions. We get to visit all we want and ride E tickets multiple times, so it can be done.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Spring break is definitely a very crowded time at WDW. However, it is still possible to do the rides if you make plans and utilize fastpass well. When I went during New Year (twice), the crowds were so unbearable that the only ride I could do was Tomorrowland Transit Authority.

This year, I'm going from December 10th to 14th. I'm hoping that the crowds will be pretty light, but I don't know what to expect.

 

[KingStefan]

hey there everyone, I was wondering, if my family were to visit mid march around the 10-20, and assuming easter was april 4th. how bad can we really expect the crowds to be at a regular spring break period? we have two full days for the mk and a day at each other park, and a day at each water park. will we be able to see most major attractions? we plan to arrive early and utilize fastpass. also another side note, our group is all physically fit and our ages are 40, 36 and our two older children, 12 and 18.

be honest haha

thanks

haha thanks everyone, we just heard from friends of ours, that late february into the first week or two of march is a nice time to go, and the crowds are quite managable. anyone been there at this time?

From now until 20 Mar, it will be heavy but tolerable. After that until the 28th or so, it will be among the most crowded of the year. So, best to go before the 20th.

As others have said, go to the parks early (opening) and late (a few hours before closing), use FP wisely, and you'll enjoy!

 

[KingStefan]

Spring break is definitely a very crowded time at WDW. However, it is still possible to do the rides if you make plans and utilize fastpass well. When I went during New Year (twice), the crowds were so unbearable that the only ride I could do was Tomorrowland Transit Authority.

This year, I'm going from December 10th to 14th. I'm hoping that the crowds will be pretty light, but I don't know what to expect.

That is almost the slowest time of all! Crowds will be very light. Park hours will be short, though. But you can't have everything! And you'll have the Christmas decorations up!

 

[ebarrett]

I just got back from WDW and the crowds were very light, except for DHS. There was a cheer leading competition going on this weekend. But, the MK and AK were great.