On
Mar 30, 2010
Christie
Asked
Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.
Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.
“
We are trying to plan our next Disney trip and we usually come the first week of May. Easter 2011 isn't until the end of April. Do you think the first week of April will be less crowded since Easter is so late? Does disney have a peak season calendar?”
Hi Christie, Great question & one that is difficult to give you a "definite" answer to. I'll share what I know at this point. According to Disney Reservations, the 2011 Value Season dates
may not be posted until November,2010. However, to give you an
idea, the 2010 Seasonal dates are as follows:
Value Season: runs from January
3-6, January 10-14, January 18-February 11, July 18-September 30, and
November 28-December 16.
Regular Season: April 11-July 1, July 5-17, October 1-7, and October 11-November 13.
Peak Season: February 15-March 27 (this includes Spring Breaks throughout the Country except for much of New England).
Holiday Season: January 1-2, January 7-9 (WDW
Marathon), January 15-17 (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday),
February 12-14 (President's Day), March 28-April 10 (Easter), July 2-4,
October 8-10 (Columbus Day Weekend), November 24-27 (Thanksgiving) and
December 17-January 1(Christmas/New Year's).
Paying close attention to when Easter falls is definitely good planning, it'll make the difference between Regular &
Holiday Season rates. While Easter was April 4th this year,
it's April 24th in 2011. Most likely it'll be Holiday rates (and crowds) during the Easter week & the week that follows. In addition, most of March this year was Peak season because of Spring Break for much of the Country (except New England). There's no guarantee until Disney releases their rate calendar, but you may find that a week in the middle of April falls in the "regular season" calendar next year (based on the rate structure this year that you will see above).
Personally, based on where Easter falls and the numerous Spring Breaks throughout the Country...I would shoot for the 2nd week of May. This way you'll be sure to avoid Spring Breaks and will be in "Regular Season" rates.
Hope this helps,
Kaylene