WDW in March 2011... advice?

[hoke2007]

Hello everyone!

I am in the very early stages of planning a trip to Florida for my college spring break (March 5-13) and was looking for some advice from those more knowledgeable than I. The plan as of now is to spend the first part of the trip on the Gulf Coast and then head over to WDW for a three day, two night stay. Since it's my senior year of college I really want this to be special and since I'm going with my gf who hasn't experienced WDW like I have, I thought it would be fun to spend some time in the Happiest Place on Earth.

Couple of quick questions:

1) What are the crowds like? I've been to WDW during Christmas, summer and regular spring break before and the crowds were all pretty manageable. Are the crowd levels similar during college spring breaks?

2) I know that rehab schedules don't get released for a while now, but what should I expect with ride closures? Will most everything be open or will there be a fair number of attractions closed? I'm most nervous about missing Splash Mountain as it gets closed every year about that time.

3) I was looking at prices for WDW value resorts and its about $140 + tax per night. I looked at the WDW Swan website and looked up some dates and it comes out to $223 a night with tax included. I'm leaning towards just staying at the Swan if those prices are correct, but any input would be greatly appreciated!


Any other advice/comments/input would be awesome. Thanks in advance everyone!!!

 

[hoke2007]

Anyone? :lookaroun

 

[WDW_Emily]

The crowds shouldnt be too bad seeing as Easter falls late this year and most schools have spring break in April.

Splash Mountain should be up and running. As for other rehabs, Some stuff in Fantasy land might be down or somewhat down(like pooh is now). I dont know if toontown will still be up and running by then.

I dont know much about the Swan but it doesnt let you use magical express.

 

[hoke2007]

The crowds shouldnt be too bad seeing as Easter falls late this year and most schools have spring break in April.

Splash Mountain should be up and running. As for other rehabs, Some stuff in Fantasy land might be down or somewhat down(like pooh is now). I dont know if toontown will still be up and running by then.

I dont know much about the Swan but it doesnt let you use magical express.

Thanks for responding!


Magical express doesn't really matter for us as we will be driving down from Michigan and spending the first half of the vacation in the Tampa Bay area.


Does Wishes and Illuminations perform daily during March? Or is it just select nights?

 

[wdwwdeagle]

Wishes and illuminations both occur nightly. Fantasmic and spectromagic occur several nights a week, but not every night.

I would suggest seeing if you could switch your plans so that you go to WDW first, and then to the coast during the last part of your trip. The weekend of the 11-13 will be the first real weekend of spring break, so if you could go to WDW earlier that week (6-8), you'll have much lighter crowds. Also, the beach might be a tad warmer the second weekend.

We were there the week of 14-21 this past March, and I don't recall anything major being in refurb.

 

[Mikester71]

Hey neighbor! :wave: I live across the bridge from Michigan. Canadian Spring Break falls during the week of the 12th until the 20th of March next year. We will be heading down once again, and I know from previous Spring Break trips (always the 3rd week in March up here) that the parks were usually packed. Splash Mountain has never been closed when we were down there. We missed Small World one year and usually one of the water parks is closed for refurb each time, but for the most part, everything is business as usual. The shows have always run on schedule too, with some adding extra showings to accommodate the large Spring Break crowds. I think the last time we were down there in 2009, they added extra Fantasmic! showings I believe.

Here's hoping for GREAT weather this March and have a GREAT trip! :wave:

 

[LSU_Tigger]

As this will be our 2nd year in a row that my family of 4 will be there March 5-10. This past year in March the weather was up and down.....REALLY. One day is was great 85° with a nice breeze and the next was 65° with 35+ mph wind....COLD. This may not be cold for someone up north, I live in Louisiana so. We have also vacationed there in Feb. because this particular time frame in Louisiana we have Mardi Gras and the kids get out of school. This presents a great time to leave the drunk masses at home and enjoy a great family vacation. So be prepared for more people from Louisiana around this time because March 7-11 is the week of Mardi Gras for us. I will say that every time we went at this time the lines were not more than 20-30 minutes for E-ticket rides. Also all most every thing would be running, only small rides would be on refurb and it wouldn't be many. I'm glad I read that March 11-13 is the first spring break weekend because we'll be on the NEW Disney Dream cruise leaving the 10th. Anyway enjoy your trip and you may see me there....based on my name I'll be wearing one or the other. :lol: Geaux Tigers!

 

[Master Gracey 5]

Knowing you're a college student, I'd say plan on staying at EMH every night as late as they go. If you are lucky and can catch MK open until 1am or later, you'll be able to do a lot of rides when its not so busy. Usually the younger kids and families drift out after fireworks somewhere around 9pm, so its great to be there later. During the day expect some very busy parks and long lines. During that time you're better off seeing the shows you want to and less popular rides while saving the big stuff like Splash, ToT and so forth for late nights.

Overall you'll have a great time, even with the crowds. I've been there during two spring breaks and had a blast.

 

[JillC LI]

3) I was looking at prices for WDW value resorts and its about $140 + tax per night. I looked at the WDW Swan website and looked up some dates and it comes out to $223 a night with tax included. I'm leaning towards just staying at the Swan if those prices are correct, but any input would be greatly appreciated!


Any other advice/comments/input would be awesome. Thanks in advance everyone!!!

Look into free dining that time of year. Whether you're anti- or pro- the DDP in general, for free you can't lose! Consider that when considering the Swan.

We're going the first week in March 2011 and I was also wondering if Splash Mtn will be closed.

 

[maggiegrace1]

As this will be our 2nd year in a row that my family of 4 will be there March 5-10. This past year in March the weather was up and down.....REALLY. One day is was great 85° with a nice breeze and the next was 65° with 35+ mph wind....COLD. This may not be cold for someone up north, I live in Louisiana so. We have also vacationed there in Feb. because this particular time frame in Louisiana we have Mardi Gras and the kids get out of school. This presents a great time to leave the drunk masses at home and enjoy a great family vacation. So be prepared for more people from Louisiana around this time because March 7-11 is the week of Mardi Gras for us. I will say that every time we went at this time the lines were not more than 20-30 minutes for E-ticket rides. Also all most every thing would be running, only small rides would be on refurb and it wouldn't be many. I'm glad I read that March 11-13 is the first spring break weekend because we'll be on the NEW Disney Dream cruise leaving the 10th. Anyway enjoy your trip and you may see me there....based on my name I'll be wearing one or the other. :lol: Geaux Tigers!

We are in Metairie and we will be there the 5-13th...wearing our Saints and LSU shirts..

:sohappy:

Looking forward to hearing how you like the Dream..we go on the Dream May 26th..and we are soo excited!

 

[Frightful]

I don't really have anything to add, but can I ask what school you go to? I'm a senior at MSU.

 

[hoke2007]

Knowing you're a college student, I'd say plan on staying at EMH every night as late as they go. If you are lucky and can catch MK open until 1am or later, you'll be able to do a lot of rides when its not so busy. Usually the younger kids and families drift out after fireworks somewhere around 9pm, so its great to be there later. During the day expect some very busy parks and long lines. During that time you're better off seeing the shows you want to and less popular rides while saving the big stuff like Splash, ToT and so forth for late nights.

Overall you'll have a great time, even with the crowds. I've been there during two spring breaks and had a blast.

Yeah, now I'm planning on hitting WDW first on spring break (Sunday-Tuesday) and will for sure take advantage of all the EMH.

Look into free dining that time of year. Whether you're anti- or pro- the DDP in general, for free you can't lose! Consider that when considering the Swan.

We're going the first week in March 2011 and I was also wondering if Splash Mtn will be closed.

I will definitely look into that. Thanks!

I don't really have anything to add, but can I ask what school you go to? I'm a senior at MSU.

I'm also a senior at MSU! :lol:

 

[Frightful]

Ha! Cool! I'm also looking for something to do for my last spring break, haven't really decided yet, but I'm going to WDW right after exams in the spring. If you ever hear a random cafeteria worker offering to price out Disney vacations for her friends... that would be me

 

[hoke2007]

Ha! Cool! I'm also looking for something to do for my last spring break, haven't really decided yet, but I'm going to WDW right after exams in the spring. If you ever hear a random cafeteria worker offering to price out Disney vacations for her friends... that would be me

I work in the cafeteria too. Really is a small world. :lol:


Do you all think that, if the price is fairly close (less than $50 a night including tax), we should stay at the swan instead of a value resort?

And when should I make reservations? Now? A month from now?

 

[hoke2007]

Why are the Magic Kingdom park hours down for March 2011? I had checked a week ago and they were up, but now they vanished. Anyone know?

 

[stefan74]

I'll be there March 3-11, Mardi Gras as well, and cannot wait. I hope it is not too crowded since President's Day Weekend will be over and Easter is so late. We are leaving when Spring Break begins too, thank goodness. Can't wait to see all of the Saints and LSU shirts there! This will be my mom and I's first trip their during Mardi Gras and we are very excited the Flower & Garden show will be going on at the same time.

 

[mp2bill]

Crowds during spring break will be crazy, huge and instead of staying at a value resort or the Swan, I'd stay at Coronado Springs.

 

[hoke2007]

Just made the reservations at Pop Century!!!


Quick question: I made the reservations yesterday around noon via phone and still haven't received the confirmation email. Is this something I should be worried about?

 

[mickeysshoes]

Congrats...enjoy your trip! As far as the email...I would give it a little time....I think they are working on the reservation system. If you dont get it in say..24 hours from when you made give them a call and ask them to resend!! Have loads of fun!

 

[LSU_Tigger]

Hope to see a sea of t-shirts with LSU and Saints, and anyone elses favorite team, as you can see I love my 2 cardiac kids teams...