Is Easter that bad really? About This Page:

[rowan]

We booked our trip for 4/15 -4/24 because we are taking my mom and that was the only week she get off of work. The more I read the boards the more worried I get that this trip is going to be more work then fun,
Is it really THAT bad? Has anyone been there at the time that can offer some hope?
Our plans are to be there when the gates open each morning and leave for the afternoon to rest. I am getting really nervous and would almost cancel but it has been 4 years since we've been.

[crystalloubear]

While I have not been there at Easter - we have visited over the 4th of July and the week between Christmas and New Year. Everything I read said these weeks were going to be packed and they were BUT we arrived early in the morning, stayed until lunch, went to the resort and rested and headed back near dinner time. We seemed to be moving in a different direction than most.

[cluver]

We went over Thanksgiving. It's not as crowded as Easter, but it was still pretty crowded and we still had a great time. Disney is fun no matter what! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[ladyt]

I think you have a good plan. If you are there bright and early, take advantage of morning EMH and use the evenings to relax, go to DtD, maybe go back to the parks for a few night shows, eat dinner at the resorts, you'll be OK. Just be ready with a plan for Fast Passes and a must-do list. Planning is the key to busy times.

[Huntermom]

We've done Easter and while we've vowed never to go back again at that time, it's largely because we've seldom gone at crowded times and been spoiled.

My family are all early risers so we were fine. We'd get to the parks at opening and were prepared to leave by early afternoon. My sister, whose family is on a different schedule and also likes big breakfasts, got on maybe three attractions before calling it quits-at 1:00 p.m.

I took the younger kids back to the parks that evening and it really wasn't too bad. The older kids decided not to go back to the parks for the rest of the vacation.

I think if you plan other actitivities as well as park time, you should be fine. We found that because the parks were so crowded that by midday, we were pretty tired. It was very difficult to navigate and at one point my sister and I needed to call on cell phones to find each other from less than ten feet away.

Diane

[songbird]

Easter vacation will be varied this year. Several colleges will still have Spring break in March. School districts take their breaks any where from the end of March, first week in April, to the week following Easter. So, you may luck out this Spring. You may not have as many there as you fear. However, if it is crowded-GET THERE EARLY!! Enjoy early, and then go try something else. It is always fun to see the resorts.
Songbird

[luvgoofy]

We went Easter week in 2000. the crowds were terrible and we vowed to never go back that week. But it was also Spring Break for a lot of schools and more crowded that year due to the Millenium Celebration. We also were off site so going back to the hotel for a break was out of the question. We still had a good time though, Disney is well worth fighting some crowds just for the opportunity to be there.
amy

[TinkOhio]

Don't worry! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] We've been there 5 of the last 7 Easters and are going again this one. We'll be there when you are planning to go!

You have the right idea about how to handle it. Get there early and ride the rides that tend to have long lines before they get long. While you're doing that, get a new fastpass every time that your window is up. Remember to look at the fastpass for the first avilable time that you can get another fastpass, not the return time. When return times get long due to crowds, there is often a new fastpass eligability time of a much shorter wait! Try to avoid Fantasyland from late morning to mid afternoon as it will be a stroller traffic jam! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]

Book as many dining ressies as you think you might need a.s.a.p. Remember that grabbing a monorail or boat to a resort restaurant can be a fun break! Try to eat at off-peak hours, but don't worry about having to eat outside. The weather is usually beautiful then, so find a shady spot and enjoy!

Remember, too, that the parks have LONG hours to help handle the crowds. The MK will be open from 8am untill midnight while you're there. If you're staying on site, the hours will even be longer! If you can, try to see the 2nd or 3rd Fantasmic, and try to stay up for the 2nd Spectromagic. They are less crowded, and there always seems to be curb space along the parade route in the back of the park.

Avoid the MK on Easter, also. We do Epcot and have never run into crowds there on Easter Snday. Epcot has also had special Easter events for kids under 10 in the past. There has been an egg hunt and bunny character greet between the Living Seas/ Land, and threre has been a tea party with Alice, the White Rabbit and friends next to the UK. You will need to sign up early for these!

Lastly, know that there are places to get away from the crowds while staying in the parks. My kids love going to Tom Sawyer Island and running around when the afternoon crowds form. Bring along some drinks and munchies to enjoy at Aunt Polly's or buy an icecream there to cool off with.

Have a great trip! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[rowan]

Thanks, everyone, I feel better already!
Whew!
And thanks TinkOhio, those are some good ideas, I have never visited Tom Sayer Island in my past trips.

[LLaffinPlace]

You're right to listen to TinkOhio--she's got it nailed.

We met my sister, brother-in-law, and my nephews' school band in 2003 around this time and my sister was really sweating that it would be so crowded they wouldn't get to see what they wanted. We told them to relax--that we were professionals! We had pixie dust and were not afraid to use it. Seriously, going early, taking a break, going back for later in the evening when others are dragging their carcasses out of the parks, and using Fastpass make a big difference. The ONLY thing my sister et al did not get to ride was Space Mountain, and that's because it broke down right before we would have boarded and they had to go help the band get dressed for the parade.

A couple of other tips: riding some of the more popular rides at the Magic Kingdom during the parades works well. Also, if a parade is going on and you want to get to another part of the park, say, from Frontierland to Tomorrowlaand or Main Street, TAKE THE TRAIN. It would probably take you just as long to struggle through the crowd--or longer--and this way you can relax and enjoy the ride!

Good luck. You'll have a great time!

[krisk11]

[ QUOTE ]

Avoid the MK on Easter, also. We do Epcot and have never run into crowds there on Easter Snday.

[/ QUOTE ]

That is such great info to hear. I am planning a trip over Easter in 2007 because my birthday is on Easter. I have been to wdw over July 4th and survived so I'm sure I can survive Easter and I can't change our trip because I don't want to pull dd out of school and I can't change the fact that 4/8/07 is Easter and my 40th birthday. My favorite park next to MK is Epcot, especially World Showcase, so that is our plan for the day. Now I really can't wait to turn 40. Did I just say that [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

[SHEANA1226]

I will be there from 4/8 - 4/11 and there are also conventions going on that week so that will help keep the crowds down during the day.

[Dave Marx]

Dealing with the heavily-crowded days is also a matter of your frame of mind. If you're anxious to "do it all" you'll expend a lot of anxiety and energy fighting the crowds, and never really get anywhere. If you scale-back your expectations a bit and swim with the flow, rather than against it, you'll enjoy what you can accomplish (and not worry so much about what you may have missed). What's more, you may find that you accomplish more than you expected (we almost always do).

[Fallenfeather]

Great Question! My mother Inlaw gave us plane tickets for christmas april 12 to the 20.. I did not even stop to think it was easter and after buying the plane tickets all I thought was OMG its going to be awful at that time
I feel better also reading this topic
thanks for asking the question and for all the answers givin

[Figmentlvr427]

The rooms are few and far between for the month of April. And looking at the hours that the parks have they plan on big crowds. So plan on crowds and long lines. At least the weather should be nice!!!