Originally Posted By pipanale Hi everyone. I haven't been here in ages. Anyway...what kind of crowds can one expect the week before Easter? We're considering going down for 3 days in April. It would be the Sunday - Tuesday of the week going into Easter. I know the week after is very crowded. In Raleigh, schools are closed the week before and we may hit the parks for 3 days on the way over to the Tampa area to see grandparents. Thanks for the answers...
Originally Posted By barboy ///Anyway...what kind of crowds can one expect the week before Easter/// You won't know what hit you; you'll see oceans of guests. The formula for understanding crowds in WDW might be the easiest thing in the history of mankind to grasp: when schools are out WDW is in session.
Originally Posted By pipanale I figured as much. I have been able to avoid WDW during anything that resembles peak times for nearly 20 years. If the state of NC would just relax that darn compulsory education rule, we could go in October when the smart people go. But no...the kid's got to learn to read and stuff. Bottom line...it's going to be ugly, right? We were hoping for EPCOT on Sunday, MK on Monday and MGM (or whatever they call it) on Tuesday. Just horrid crowds?
Originally Posted By sjhym33 Easter is April 12th. So you can expect large crowds for the week before and after. As for the rest of April? I think it is going to depend on the economy. Disney has been preparing for a very very slow Jan and Feb. Most areas have a freeze on hiring and Cast Members have been told to expect a cutback of hours. Even right now alot of the part time and seasonal CM's are getting less hours.
Originally Posted By barboy ///If the state of NC would just relax that darn compulsory education rule, we could go in October when the smart people go. But no...the kid's got to learn to read and stuff./// That's an easy fix. Hint: sometimes kids don't feel well, right? Why not do what adults do on Mon's and Fri's......call in sick. ///Bottom line...it's going to be ugly, right?/// It should be worse than ugly....I'm thinking hideous. You will be in high/peak season so expect very long lines for attractions, high prices for lodging and little chance for sitdown eats(unless you have reservations). Well the good news here is that you've been going down to the World for 20 years so you should know well how to navigate the parks and property effectively (certainly better than the average guest) and work that FP system . Also, because you're a veteran you'll be able to cherry pick what you want to do much better than the novice guest. Presumably since you've seen everything(right?)you should be just fine. Just know ahead of time that you'll see swarms of guests day and night in every park.
Originally Posted By pipanale <<Well the good news here is that you've been going down to the World for 20 years so you should know well how to navigate the parks and property effectively (certainly better than the average guest) and work that FP system . Also, because you're a veteran you'll be able to cherry pick what you want to do much better than the novice guest. Presumably since you've seen everything(right?)you should be just fine. Just know ahead of time that you'll see swarms of guests day and night in every park.>> Were this just my wife and I...sure. But, we now do WDW with our daughter and this greatly changes how things work. I figured it would be awful. I can get an off-grounds hotel for free (points) and drive there (heck...I can fly for free on SWA), but the lines may kill the whole thing. Thanks
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 With the economy in a 'once in a lifetime, we're becoming commies, mess' ... I'd say no one could come close to accurately predicting what WDW crowds will look like next weekend let alone in April. I hope for all our sakes that you get parks that are packed to the rafters!
Originally Posted By vbdad55 ^^^^^^^^^^^^ agreed -- as I said last year was the first year I missed in almost 25- and economy was a factor. We will see evenmore cutbacks if attendance drops-
Originally Posted By barboy But even if WDW saw 1/3 less guests(which would be very significant, significant indeed!) during Easter time the place would still be a madhouse. 1/3 off of a 'wall-to-wall' is still an abnoxious butt load of guests. I mean even if you wait 80 minutes instead of typical 120 minutes for an Easter time visit for an attraction you'll still be among the countless. Be it good times or bad times Easter/Spring Break, July 4th, Thanksgiving or Christams..... take a number and wait.
