DO NOT Go To Disney World This April

If you ask any Disney “expert” the best time to go to Walt Disney World, to a person, they will tell you to go when kids are in school. The best times are usually September, early October, late January, or early February.

No, really? So, you’re saying that the best time to go to Disney World is when no one else can go? Huh, I should write that down. That’s sound advice (he said sarcastically).

But for those of us with school-aged children, it’s impossible to go when the crowds are lighter. Our kids are in school unless you don’t mind them missing significant school time for some quality EPCOT education. So, what other options do we have?

There is the summer, but in June and July, the Florida schools are out, and August is, well, August in Florida. You walk out of the A/C, and it’s like you just stepped out of the shower, all day, every day. It’s just not fun.

So, what about spring break? Under most circumstances, I’d say go for it. Assuming you have Good Friday off this year, you could spend 10 days at Walt Disney World. There’s nothing wrong with that, right?

This year, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, don’t go to Disney World in April. It is just not going to be fun. There are going to just be too many people there for it to be enjoyable.

Because of the way that Easter falls this year, April 7 is Good Friday, and April 9 is Easter, nearly every school district from Maine to Virginia is going to have the week after Easter off. That’s every family from all those states heading south after a cold winter. Orlando International Airport is estimating that seven million people will pass through from mid-March to mid-April. That’s a ton of people.

That is going to be wall-to-wall people. Magic Kingdom is already booked for four days in early April, with more soon to follow. I love Disney, but with that many people heading down there, it’s impossible to do anything. If this is the first time for you or someone in your family, you don’t want to ruin the Disney experience for them forever. These crowds are the kind of thing that can be overwhelming at times, and it might end poorly for you and your family.

Well, you say you’ll wake up early and get to the Parks to get everything done before it gets too crowded. You and everyone else. It’s virtually impossible to get around the crowds at times like these.

By mid-morning, nearly every popular ride in all the Parks will be at least a 45-minute wait. Sure, you can jump into the Carousel of Progress, but is that how you want to spend your entire Disney vacation?

But you’ve got this covered. You’ll pay the extra money to get Disney Genie+ for the entire week. You haven’t seen this—just a quick math problem for you. If you decide to get Genie+ for a family of four, that’s $120 plus tax for 10 days; that’s an extra $1200 plus tax for your entire vacation.

And what about food? A majority of the restaurants at Disney Parks are already filled up for the week after Easter. You could end up waiting an hour just for a hamburger. That’s not a vacation.

But what about after all the spring breakers leave Disney? The week after is the Run Disney Springtime Surprise, and then two weeks of dance/cheer competitions. Runners and cheerleaders, I’m good.

It’s hard for me to say this but just stay home this April. Wait until next year, went April breaks will be more spread out over the east coast. I know it hurts me too, but for your sanity, enjoy some quiet time at your house.

I’m sorry, but it’s just the reality of the calendar for this year.