Orlando FL in April

[robmob]

Question for those who are familiar with the Orlando FL area.

What is the weather and crowds like around the beginning of April?

I am thinking of taking a trip with the family to Disney World and surrounding area the first week of April '07 during the kids' spring break.

 

[jetmechG550]

Better start checking now, that time of year can be difficult to land a room. FL and spring break are crazy as far as finding rooms and airfares and when you do they're usually inflated.

 

[robmob]

Yeah, we plan on getting the trip booked by xmas.

I am fully lubed and ready for the price gouging.

 

[rossb]

I would not recommend going that time of year. It will be too crowded to be enjoyable.

 

[NCNitro]

Unfortunately they are right, after living in Florida most of my life I know that for a fact. Spring break is one of the absolute worst times you can go. The lines will be way outta control, the parks will be packed. The food lines will take in excess of a half hour or better. I believe some of the hotels on disney grounds now offer a no line package ticket but it will cost you a pretty penny, and the hotels on the grounds are far more pricey than you can even imagine, especially that time of year. The weather in April is also a crap shoot. It can be very comfortable, in the high 70s or low 80s, or hot as hell in the high 80s and humid, or it can rain like a mofo. Not the best time of year to plan a Disney trip. Sorry to be a downer but it's just the way it is.

 

[robmob]

This is why I am asking.

We may pursue alternate plans.

When is a good time of year to go to Orlando?

 

[ZANDOR]

This is why I am asking.

We may pursue alternate plans.

When is a good time of year to go to Orlando?

IMO NEVER......

 

[Plaidfish]

late feb...early march is probably the best time...it's still cool to cold so the humidity is down...no major holidays near that time to attract familiesso the lines are small and the hotels offer crazy discounts to try and fill up.....and I couldn't have put any better warning together than NC did....april sucks at disney......lines are avg an hour per ride so if you're lucky you'll get about 5 rides in per day and spend most of your time pissing money away on trinkets to amuse the kids that will fall apart before your flight home......disney is not the super fun land it once was...I remember when they wouldn't allow employees to appear like normal people at, they all had to be the perfect employee in every way....know the park inside and out and if you asked them for anything they helped you personally...now it feels like a franchised wally world version of what I remembered growing up here........

 

[rossb]

This is why I am asking.

We may pursue alternate plans.

When is a good time of year to go to Orlando?

Between Thanksgiving and the Christmas rush. Basically, now..

 

[RatzoRC]

Rob, I go to Disney all the time.
April is crazy as stated.
I went in February last year. Wasn't that bad.
This year I'm going in August. I know it will be hot as hell, and hurricane season, but you can't make sense to an idiot (in-laws are going).
I told them that going to the equator in the middle of the summer might be a bad idea, but you can't reason with them, and my wife wants to go when they do.....
Anyway, it's supposed to be less traffic in the park in August.
I'll let you know as I post the sunburn pics from that vacation.

Between Thanksgiving and the Christmas rush. Basically, now..

Thats what I hear too Ross. Now is a great time.

 

[NCNitro]

Disney...in August... you have to be kidding me! Sitting side by side in rides with strangers that have been sweating like pigs, and stink like them too, waiting in lines in 100 degree weather and 200% humidity. Yeah that's on my top ten lists of things to do....NOT! Then ice that stink cake with the in-laws...noooo way!

Robmob, as Ross mentioned, now is not a bad time. Late Jan, Feb and early march are pretty good too, for the reasons Plaid mentioned. Which parks are you planning on going too?

 

[Plaidfish]

Ratzo make sure it's as late in august as possible....the park gets packed with kids just before they are going back to school.....that has got to be the WORST time to go.....it's not a pretty site to see wonderland filled with snotty brat teenagers all looking for a vacation fling before having to meet back up with the parents when the park closes......just remember how the mall is when you're forced to go....now picture 10 acres af mall rats....

 

[rossb]

Thats what I hear too Ross. Now is a great time.

I just got back. I've been there 3 times right after Thanksgiving. This chart gives you an idea about peak and low traffic dates. You want to go during the Value Season. I've stayed at numerous Disney resorts and two resorts off property. The Disney resorts are very nice, but if you are on a budget I would recommend this place. It is very reasonable, very nice, and very close to everything.

 

[RatzoRC]

That camera kills me damn it!

What camera do you have?

 

[rossb]

I used this body. I've accumulated many Nikon lenses (both film and digital "DX" lenses) over the past 20 years and most of them can be used with the digital bodies. I happened to be using this lens for the shots in this thread and the Beyonce thread. Using an expensive camera is not going to guarantee good results. The nut behind the viewfinder makes a big difference.

 

[robmob]

FL is out for sure.

Thanks for the input guys.

I certainly don't want to have a poopy vacation fighting the crowds.

I think I will stay away from theme parks completely and look into Atlantis in the Bahamas instead. It will most likely be cheaper anyways when it's all said and done.