Easter - Too Crowded ??

[JeffUsher]

Hi Guys,

We went to Florida in June 2005, just after memorial day weekend and
the whole fortnight was a heaving mass of people, and it rained the whole time.
2 hour wait for most rides so we just gave up and only went
on the less crowded rides. I think we spent 1 hour at Islands Of Adventure
as it would have taken 4 hours to go on Spiderman ..... you get the picture.

We want to make amends, my daughter came back not having enjoyed
Florida as much as I know she should have ( 11yo). She would rather
go to Cornwall than Florida, which is not right... I want to go back and
show her what it SHOULD be like.

OK... we are thinking of booking a fortnite commencing 7th April 2007.
Nice date, not too hot, not the storm season. But as it's slap bang
on the Easter break, we're worried about crowd levels again.

Anyone have any experience of Easter at the parks andthe sort of
crowd levels... ??? It would be most appreciated.

Many thanks

Jeff

[loadsapixiedust]

Easter is probably the busiest time to go to WDW next to Christmas and 4th July, it also falls during Spring break, I wouldn't expect it to be any less crowded than you describe on your last trip, and possibly a lot worse.
touringplans.com (http://www.touringplans.com/tp2/UG2_index.php?PageID=14) has the week commencing April 7th as a level 10 the most crowded of all.

[hvasey]

we have been 3 times over easter as dd was in school and I worked in a school, they were the 1st 3 times we went and so had nothing to compare it to, yes it was busy, but not unbearable, we managed to do everything we wanted and the weather is lovely in april. the last time we went to orlando was 2004 in february, we didnt know about presidents day and couldnt understand why universal and seaworld were heaving with people!:omg: I think as long as you have a rough plan you will be fine. the best easter we had there was 2000(I think) , we flew home on easter sunday and the plane had 40 people on it ! I would much rather go in april as you can cope with the lines much easier without the heat and humidity of summer. october was good too, although I have heard that it is getting much busier.:wavey:

[cityblueboy]

Easter is very busy, at leats as busy as when you went last time probably. The weather is nicer (not as hot or rainy) but you will still have to queue.

If you can manage it Sept/Oct/early November are probaly the best times to visit if you want it quiet, but they don't always fit in with school holidays.

[Colynn]

We went this year on easter monday - it was our first time in florida so I had nothing to compare it to but the longest we were in a queue was 2 hours for Ripsaw falls at Islands of adventure and that was on our first day but after that it seemed to be anything between 5 minutes and 45 minutes. One day on our second week we walked straight onto Spiderman and Hulk! Used the fastpass at disney though, well worth a bit of planning to use it!

[mousse]

We went 4-18th April this year, never been to compare, I'd prepared for crowds so found it managable with careful planning about what you want to do see you should be fine. We found when it got to Good Friday it got worse so we went early and came back about 2 on the Friday, Saturday, Easter Sunday we were at Discovery Cove and Monday we did TL until about 1, which was our last day anyway. Weather was super, up high 80's low 90's but wouldn't have wanted it any warmer, hardly any rain.

[tweety-pie]

We went 4-18th April this year, never been to compare, I'd prepared for crowds so found it managable with careful planning about what you want to do see you should be fine. We found when it got to Good Friday it got worse so we went early and came back about 2 on the Friday, Saturday, Easter Sunday we were at Discovery Cove and Monday we did TL until about 1, which was our last day anyway. Weather was super, up high 80's low 90's but wouldn't have wanted it any warmer, hardly any rain.


Snap!We were there 8th - 22nd, it was certainly busy, but we got round that by getting up early and hitting the parks at opening time. I agree, the weather was lovely. We are going in Feb next year, might be quieter even if it is cooler:)

[Orlandobelle]

We flew out Easter weekend this year and yes, the parks were busy. However, with planning (arriving early!!) the crowds were manageable. After the first week the crowds eased off - apart from the school groups, butthey didn't cause too many problems :)

It can't have been bad as we're flying easter weekend again next year :D

[duggs]

Personally I would never go at Easter again....it was murder.
Wouldn't bee so bad if you were charged for the rides you eventually actually get to go on.

In fairness, like millions of other families who go at that time of year, we had young kids but we found it all to be a waste of time and money really.

We got to go on 3 rides per day at best...not fun.

Thats why we always go in the quiet months now.....even IF we are a bit naughty and take the children from school.

[Jay66UK]

If you stay onsite at Disney you wil be able to use the extra magic hours and, particularly in the mornings, this helps you get to see the busiest attractions before the crowd hits.

Going at a busy time you need to really plan quite well. My advice would be to get to a park as early as you can (certainly before the published opening time) so that you are among the very first in (using morning EMH if you can), do the biggest attractions at that park until about 11am when it will be HEAVING. Then quit for a rest/swim/meal and go back (or to another park avoiding the morning EMH one) and do some of the lesser attractions.

The early mornings really are the key, and making up for this with rests/pool in the middle of the day helps you keep going.

But you cannot beat going out of season - October my favorite. With an 11 year old you may not be happy with that.

[JeffUsher]

Thanks for your help guys.

I think we've now given up on Easter as judging by the response it would not be a good idea.

October sounds great and I think we'll do that .. means daughter will miss three days of school.... Or then there's any time in August ... but the heat and Storm Season puts us off that option.

Confused.... you bet ...... October is the best choice I think though.

Thanks again guys.

Jeff

[ianpetchey]

We went October last year and the had a fantastic time, queues were great. If by storm season you mean hurricane then End Sept / Beginning Oct is still in the frame. Don't worry though, we had Wilma last year, spent the morning in the Hotel chilling out and watching the wind, then went shopping in the afternoon (along with every other Brit in the area!). Back to normal the day after.

[Orlandobelle]

As your not planning on travelling til easter weekend - your second week would be quite quiet :)

October is good - you'll have the Hallowe'en festivities. I'd rather go in Oct than August any day :D