Heading to Walt Disney World this spring means getting a first look at the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival and access to all the Easter Things to do at Disney. However, if you’re visiting Walt Disney World this Spring, anytime between March and May, get ready for Crowds, and Events to fill your trip. Springtime travel to sunny Florida means better weather. But also that you’re competing for the best of the best with spring breakers, school groups, international travel groups, runDisney athletes and other families heading south for vacation. Not to mention, Disney World is Most Expensive during the Spring months. Leading to higher Genie+ Costs, Resort Costs, and Ticket Costs. However, if you’re determined to make the best of it, then here are our best Disney World Spring Break Tips on managing the crowds, booking dining and making sure you’re close to the action.
Spring Break months of March and April are the BUSIEST of the whole year. As such, it pays, in time and money to know what you’re doing before you get there. From choosing the right transportation options to booking your dining early, and planning your genie+ days, there is plenty you can do to still have a great vacation. Even with the crowds, lines, high prices, and limited availability of rides of dining. Here are our TOP 5 Best tips for you to make the most of your next Disney Spring Break Vacation.
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Manage Disney Spring Break Crowds Like a Pro
Disney World in March and April is crowded. Filled with vacationers from travel groups, cheerleading championships, runDisney participants, locals and travelers, there is a lot to manage. You will find lines everywhere. For our money, if we’re visiting during this time of year, we always have a plan. Otherwise, you can go a whole day without riding anything, and eating sub par food. As such here are some of our best ways to manage the Disney Crowds during Spring Break.
- Check the Disney Event Calendar ahead of time so that you know what events, and potential sports groups you may be up against.
- Arrive at the Parks Early. Many vacationers arrive between 10 and 11 a.m., when security lines will take extra time. Being at the parks before opening gets you closer to rides, shows and coffee.
- Be aware of the walking shortcuts at Disney World, to get yourself out of crowded streets and sidewalks in every park.
Book Disney Dining Reservations Early
As crowds increase, dining reservations become harder to get. You can book dining reservations up to 60 days in advance of your trip, and we highly recommend doing so if you’re traveling during Spring Break. You will be amazed at how fast these reservations sell out. Whatever dining experiences you choose, remember you can also Mobile Order from the My Disney Experience app on your phone. Knowing these Disney World Spring Break Tips is the best way to skip the lines at select restaurants and get on with your day.
- If rides aren’t your main goal, Book an Early Breakfast. You can book some restaurants inside the parks as early as 8 a.m., guaranteeing that you’ll be in the park when the rope drops. Character Dining at Akershus gets you close to Frozen Ever After. While Tusker House can get you closer to Flight of Passage.
- If you’ve missed all your favorite restaurants, you can check out our Easy Disney Dining Reservations to Get so that you will still have somewhere great to eat during the busiest times.
Choose the Right Disney Resort for Spring Break
Booking early for a spring vacation is key to getting the best prices. However, in lieu of the best price, your second priority will be access to transportation and events. Know that Value Resorts and even sometimes Moderate resorts at Disney will be filled with school groups and families in the spring. We’d recommend any of the Disney Boardwalk Area Resorts. Hotels like the Swan and Dolphin, or the Monorail Resorts if you’re looking to be close to Magic Kingdom. While Disney Deluxe Resorts are pricier, the convenience of avoiding transportation at Disney is a godsend. A better resort location will keep you and your family close to the action, instead of standing in lines at the bus depot. Be sure to check out the Best Disney Resorts for Spring Break, as some of our choices may surprise you! Here are some Disney World Spring Break Tips to help you pick the resort that is best for you.
- Disney Resorts within Walking Distance of the Parks are your best bet if you’re trying to stay out of crowded transportation
- Hotels Near Disney Springs also offer a great option for staying away from the crowds, but close to the action during busy times.
Plan Your TOP Disney Rides Ahead of Time
We talk about the importance of prioritizing Disney Rides ahead of time in our Planning your Disney Days post so plan to pick your TOP 3 rides for each park ahead of time. That way you will know if you’re waking up early to grab the Virtual Queue, grabbing the individual Lightning Lane Pass or buying Disney Genie+ for the Day. This makes things ALOT easier and will help you get on your favorite rides. Whether you’re booking a Lightning Lane Pass or just getting to the parks early, staying late or using our best Disney Ride Strategies to avoid waiting in line, here are the TOP Rides to try at Walt Disney World.
Magic Kingdom: Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train, Peter Pan’s Flight, Haunted Mansion
Hollywood Studios: Rise of the Resistance, Slinky Dog Dash, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Epcot: Soarin’, Frozen Ever After, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Animal Kingdom: Flight of Passage
Know that Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane Passes SELL OUT FAST during the busiest times. As such you need to be ready to claim your Disney Genie+ for whichever park you’re visiting as 7AM hits. Choosing the earliest ride times will allow you to move through rides quickly, and allow you to “stack” the rides. Keep tabs on when you book your “next Lightning Lane” in the My Disney Experience app throughout the day, so you fit in the most rides. Note that Disney Genie+ is most needed for Magic Kingdom Park. As that park fills fastest and has the most rides to get through.
Use the My Disney Experience App for Everything
One of the best Disney World Spring Break Tips we can offer is to really utilize the My Disney Experience App. Within this app you can Mobile Order your Food and use Mobile Check Out at the Gift Shops. You can Check Bus Arrival Times at Your Resort so you can time leaving your room. Checking Ride Wait Times throughout the day can help you plan which rides to ride next. While we don’t recommend staying on your phone all day, having the app at your fingertips can really help you manage the Spring Break Crowds. Also within the app you can navigate lightning lane passes and dining reservations, transportation times, showtimes and more that can help make your vacation more magical. Be sure to check out all the ways you can Save Time at Disney World during your trip to help you maximize even more the things you want to do on your vacation.
Spring Break at Disney World
Visiting Disney during the spring months can be wonderful. The nicer weather and festival celebrations make it a fun and unique time to visit the parks. March brings Easter and Flower and Garden events. And April shows off Animal Kingdom during Earth Month. It’s a truly great time to visit if you can handle the crowds and costs. Hopefully these tips have helped you get ready for your next Disney World Vacation.
Rochelle Mariah is a writer, designer and photographer with an MLIS in Information Science and a B.S. in Arch and Design. Determined to make Planning a DIY Disney Vacation easier she makes lots of lists and drinks lots of coffee. When not designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's watching old movies and planning the holidays. She has been traveling to Disney destinations since 2010.
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