If you’re visiting Walt Disney World this spring, anytime between March and May of 2019, get ready for more crowds, more events and some tips to help you make the most of your vacation. 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. Here are our best tips on managing the crowds, scoring fast passes, booking dining and making sure you’re close to the action.
Managing Disney Spring Crowds
Crowds will be moderate-to-high throughout the spring due to Mardi Gras, Spring Break, Easter and school championships. Add in busy evenings and weekends at Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival March 6 – June 3, and the Star Wars Rival Run Weekend April 4 – 7 and you can see why it gets busy. With so much going on, it’s good to remember these top tips.
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.
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.
Book Dining Reservations Early
As crowds increase, dining reservations become harder to get. You can book dining reservations up to 180 days in advance, grab food at the counter service restaurants, or head to the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival’s outdoor kitchens. Whatever dining experiences you choose, remember you can also Mobile Order from the My Disney Experience app on your phone. This is the best way to skip the lines at select restaurants and get on with your day.
Best Disney Resort Choices for Busy Times
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 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 Resorts, like the Swan and Dolphin, or a monorail resort like The Polynesian. A better resort location will keep you and your family close to the action, instead of standing in lines at the bus depot.
Plan for the Popular 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 watiing in line, here are hte TOP Rides to try at Walt Disney World.
Magic Kingdom: Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train, Peter Pan’s Flight, Haunted Mansion
Hollywood Studios: Slinky Dog Dash, Star Tours, Rise of the Resistance
Epcot: Soarin’, Frozen Ever After, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Animal Kingdom: Flight of Passage, Expedition Everest
Heading to Walt Disney World this spring means getting a first look at spring-only shows and access to all the Easter at Disney happenings if you’re traveling in April. Spring at Walt Disney World truly is packed with tons of things to do. Being able to navigate fast pass and dining reservations, transportation, crowds and a full event lineups can help make your vacation more magical.
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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