Disney and most of the major theme parks will be packed during Spring break so it’s important to plan ahead to make the best of your spring vacation at the Walt Disney World Resort. Here are some simple things you can do to get the most out of your time at the Disney parks during busy times. These tips apply for Spring Break or any other busy time of the year at the Disney parks.
Plan ahead
Decide what attractions, events, shows, and dining experiences are a priority for your family by checking out the Disney World website. When making reservations focus on those first and make your Fastpass plans and reservations based on that. Be sure to check to see what days and times are the best times to go to those attractions and dining experiences. A great tool for planning is Undercover Tourist’s crowd calendar which shows you the expected crowds for each park each day so that you can plan your visit based on the days that have lower crowds.
Stay at a Disney property
Staying at a Disney property not only puts your close to the parks but it also provides you with lots of great perks like being able to take advantage of extra magic hours which means you get early access to specific parks on specific days. When you stay at a Disney property you can also make your FastPass plans 60 days in advance, that is 30 days earlier than people who are not staying at a Disney property.
Make Fastpass+ plans as soon as you can
Using your Fastpass+ effectively and early is key to cutting down the wait times for your favorite attractions and making the most of your Disney vacation. If you’re staying at a Disney property you can make the reservations for the attractions 60 days in advance, if you’re not staying at a Disney property you can make them 30 days in advance. For really popular attractions like Avatar Flight of Passage in Pandora which can have lines of up to 5 hours on peak days you should try to make the reservations the first day they become available by logging into your My Disney account on midnight the day before they open or you might find that they’re all gone by the next day.
Make reservations for character dining and shows
Make reservations for character dining and shows as far in advance as you can. Just like the popular attractions, the popular dining experiences book fast so it’s important to make reservations as soon as they open.
Check out the new attractions and experiences
One of the things I love about Disney is that there is always something new to discover. This year there’s a lot going on so I will just quickly mention the most exciting new experiences and attractions at Walt Disney World Resort.
The recently opened Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is an immersive adventure into the Toy Story world. You will feel like you have shrunken into the size of a toy and will get to experience Andy’s backyard. Take a ride on the Slinky Dog Dash (a family-friendly roller coaster), spin around on the Alien Swirling Saucers (spinning rocket ships inspired on the alien claw game from Pizza Planet) and enjoy ice cream floats, grilled cheese sandwich and other nostalgic treats at Woody’s Lunch Box.
Other fun attractions and experiences that are new this year include celebrating with the Incredibles at Pixar’s Place at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (January through September), getting wild dancing and singing along at the all-new Hakuna Matata Time dance party at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and checking out Mickey and Minnies new birthday outfits and a new song during “Move It. Shake It. MouskeDance It!” Street Party at Disney’s Magic Kingdom (starting January 18th).
Don’t miss out on some of the most delicious treats at Disney!
One of the best parts of visiting Disney parks is indulging in some of their iconic and unique sweet treats. Of course, you can’t go wrong with the classic Mickey-shaped ice cream bar or a refreshing Dole Whip, a tropical pineapple soft serve that’s become a Disney legend. For something warm and comforting, try the churros, especially the seasonal varieties that come with dipping sauces. Another must-try is the funnel cake – a crispy, powdered sugar-dusted delight that you can find at spots like Sleepy Hollow in Magic Kingdom, the Funnel Cake Stand at EPCOT’s American Adventure Pavilion, and Epic Eats at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Some versions even come topped with ice cream or fruit for an extra indulgence. Whether you’re cooling off with a frozen favorite or satisfying your sweet tooth with a warm dessert, Disney’s array of treats is sure to add a little extra magic to your day
Don’t miss the special events
Special events like Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival offer unique experiences that you won’t be able to enjoy at any other time of the year. We love Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival not only for the spectacular topiaries which are well worth the visit but also for the great food at their outdoor kitchens.
The Garden Rocks Concert Series happening during Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival offers performances by a wide array of well-known artists from the past and its lots of fun.
Celebrate St Patty’s Day at Disney Springs with the Raglan Road St Patricks Festival taking place in March. With three days and nights of live Irish music headlined by one of Celtic rock’s hardest working bands, the Young Dubliners. The talented Raglan Road troupe of Irish dancers will be joined by nine bands offering non-stop entertainment from the mornings into the night.
Consider Disney After Hours
Disney After Hours is a separate ticket 3 hour event that takes place on select dates from November to April on Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This can be a great option for some families. The event times vary slightly according to the dates, starting at either 8pm, 9pm or 10pm but you can enter the park at 7pm. The Disney After Hours ticket includes all rides and meet and greets and it also includes unlimited sodas, bottled water and ice cream.
It’s a great way to avoid the crowds and the lines and make sure you’re getting on all the rides and experiencing all of the attractions you don’t want to miss. Disney After Hours is not cheap but if you plan your time wisely you can get more done during Disney After Hours (from 7pm until the event ends than all day and it’s a perfect option if your time is limited.
Take a break from the Parks
On really busy days make alternate plans. It’s always a great idea to take a break from the parks not only to recharge your energy but also to enjoy the many other attractions, things to do and events in Orlando or simply to take advantage of the pool at your hotel!
Be sure to take advantage of special Spring offers for Spring and Summer, which you can find on the Disney World website here.
Get into the swing of spring and save with springtime offers at Walt Disney World. Be sure to check out the Disney World website for spring seasonal packages and discounts.
Paula studied architecture and now makes a living as a freelance writer,traveler and amateur photographer.She started her writing & publishing career as the editor of Bebé y Mamá, the first parenting magazine in Guatemala.She is the founder of www.GrowingUpBilingual.com and www.365thingsswfl.com and writes articles in Spanish and English for both magazines and the web on travel,food and bicultural and bilingual parenting .
When she is not on a plane or road trip she likes to create recipes inspired in the flavors of her native Guatemala.
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We have been to Disney three times with our children and it has always been one of our most favorite places. And this is really no longer a place to just go and spend a day. It now requires much planning before going.