7 Unspoken Rules About Spring Break at Disney World

It is never too early to start preparing for your Disney World trip! If you are thinking about planning (or have already started planning) a trip to Disney World during spring break, there are a few things you need to know.

Yes, it’s likely going to be crowded, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a wonderful trip. We are laying out some of our tips to make your spring break at Disney World a winning trip!

It’s Not Just One Week

First things first, how do you know if you are headed to Disney World during spring break? If you are traveling without kiddos, you may not even realize you are traveling during a busy time. Generally, spring break time at Disney World runs from the beginning of March to the end of April.

That’s not saying that it will magically be empty in May, but you can likely expect the biggest crowds during that timeframe. But don’t worry, if you are headed to Disney World during spring break, you can still have a fantastic time!

Come with the Right Expectations

Tickets will likely be pricier during the busy seasons, and it will also be more crowded. Coming with the right expectations will set you up for success — making sure everyone else in your group is also aware of them! Be prepared with your biggest priorities laid out, and let everyone choose something they are excited about.

Make it a mission to check off the high-priority items first, and if you still have time, treat everything else as icing on the cake! Understanding that you won’t be able to do everything in Disney World while you are there will help manage expectations for your group. Coming prepared for lots of crowds is essential.

Prebook What You Can

There are a couple of things that you can book before you even set foot in Disney World, and during busy times, we especially recommend taking advantage of prebooking!

If you are hoping to stay at a particular Disney World hotel, make sure you book in advance. Hotel rooms definitely book up during spring break, and we want you to be able to stay where you want. Buying your tickets in advance can help you guarantee entry to the parks. While tickets don’t usually sell out, during busy times, ticket options can be more limited. Purchasing them in advance will give you some peace of mind.

You can book Advance Dining Reservations so you have a plan for your meals. Reservations can be made starting 60 days in advance of your trip. If you are staying at a Disney World hotel, you can make reservations 60 days in advance for the entire length of your stay (up to 10 nights). If you aren’t staying at a Disney World hotel, you will need to book one day at a time 60 days in advance.

You can also purchase Lightning Lane up to 7 days in advance of your stay for Disney World hotel guests, and up to 3 days in advance for all other guests. Reservations book up fast, so make sure you book right away for the most options!

Advance Dining Reservations FAQ

Decide If Lightning Lane Is Right For You

We talked about pre-booking Lightning Lanes in the last section, but it is also important to decide whether Lightning Lanes are right for your family. There are three different options for Lightning Lane: Lightning Lane Single Pass, Lightning Lane Multi Pass, and Lightning Lane Premier Pass.

Purchasing Lightning Lane for your family can be pricey, but it can also save you time in line. Decide whether the cost is worth it for your family, and keep in mind that these services will likely cost more during spring break.

Lightning Lane Premier Pass is the most expensive option, but it will also save you the most time. It includes one-time entry to each available Lightning Lane in a park. With this option, you don’t need to schedule a reservation; you can ride whenever you want.

Lightning Lane Single Pass is a one-time entry into the Lightning Lane for the most in-demand attractions. You can purchase two single passes per day, and the attractions that use Single Pass are not available with the Multi Pass option. You will need to select a time window for your Lightning Lane.

With Lightning Lane Multi Pass, you can choose up to three Multi Pass experiences at a time. The available time slots are subject to availability, and the most popular attractions can sell out. You won’t be able to access the most in-demand attractions with Lightning Lane Multi Pass — you will need to purchase Lightning Lane Single Pass for those.

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Take Advantage of the Mornings and Evenings

These are likely to be the times of the day with lower crowds. Plan to get up early to rope drop the park, or plan to stay up later until the park closes. Or maybe take a mid-day break and do both! But don’t overdo it either — you are in Disney World for vacation after all. You can get a lot done during the morning and evening, but you also want to have fun while doing it.

If you are staying at a Disney World hotel, make sure to take advantage of Early Entry. It lets you enter the park 30 minutes early so you can knock out a popular attraction or two. Also, if you are staying at a Disney World Deluxe or Deluxe Villa hotel, don’t miss out on Extended Evening Hours. You can get an extra two hours at select parks on select evenings. Check the Disney World calendar for the dates of Extended Evening Hours!

Don’t Forget About Mobile Order and Merchandise Checkout

While you are in Disney World, make sure to use Mobile Order and Merchandise Checkout. You can find both of these features in the My Disney Experience app, which can help you save time waiting in line.

With Mobile Order, you can order food from quick service restaurants ahead of time and skip the line to place your order. You can even place your lunch or dinner order at the beginning of the day. Select a timeframe, add items to your order, and when it is time, let the restaurant know to start preparing your order. You will be notified once it is ready, and you can head to the Mobile Order pickup area to retrieve your food!

Merchandise Checkout can also save time in line! It is only available at select merchandise locations, but we recommend using it if you are shopping there. Open the feature in the app and scan the items you want to purchase. Pay for your items in the app and then show a Cast Member the QR code on your way out. Super easy and can save lots of time!

Be Safe!

We want you to be safe! Make sure everyone is prepared and understands what to do in case of emergencies or if they get separated. If you are traveling with kids, make sure they know what to do if they get lost. Let them know to seek out a Cast Member, as they are trained on what to do if a child is lost. Being overprepared when it comes to safety is never a bad thing! You can also consider taking photos of your children each day to see what they are wearing, having them wear bright colors so they can be spotted in crowds, or adding AirTags to their shoes.

Also, make sure you leave time for breaks. It can feel like you need to go, go, go, to get everything done, but if you push your group too much, it won’t be fun for anyone. Leave time for breaks, and make sure everyone is eating and hydrating.

We are in the parks every single day (yep, even during spring break!) and we want to make sure you have all the knowledge you need for the best Disney World vacation. No matter what time of the year you are heading to Disney, stay tuned to AllEars for even more tips, tricks, and Disney news.

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Are you planning a trip to Disney World for spring break? Let us know in the comments!

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