With flowers bursting into bloom, seasonal dining, special activities, and some of the balmiest temperatures this side of summer, springtime at Disney World can be an absolute joy for a vacation. But, just what can you look forward to during a trip to Disney World in March, April, or May? Whether you’re planning on a Disney World Easter, thinking of treating mom to a Disney World Mother’s Day brunch, or simply planning on a spring break visit with the rest of the family, springtime at Disney World is filled with warm weather festivities and (spoiler alert!) more than a few crowds. Read on as we go over all there is to do at Walt Disney World in the spring.
Walt Disney World in the Spring FAQs
Thinking of traveling to Disney World in the spring? Here are some answers to a few common questions to help you make your decision.
How is the weather during springtime at Disney World?
Without a doubt, one of the best times to visit Central Florida, at least as far as weather is concerned, is during the summer months. Temperatures between March and May are downright pleasant and tend to land somewhere between the high 50s and high 80s more often than not. These are also some of the driest months of the year – a nice departure from the daily rain showers of the summer months. Summer comes early to Orlando, so though it’s still technically part of spring, we recommend skipping June (and July, August, and maybe the beginning of September) altogether unless you’re a fan of oppressively hot and humid weather and what feels like endless rain. Be sure to read our Crowd Calendars guide for Disney World to learn more about when to visit.
How crowded is Disney World during spring break?
For those of you hoping that spring break at Disney World is magically devoid of massive crowds and long lines, we hate to burst your bubble, but you couldn’t be more wrong. Spring break is actually the third busiest time to visit Disney World, falling right behind the weeks of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, with spring breakers typically descending on The Place Where Dreams Come True for most of March and much of April. This is also one of the more expensive times to visit the parks, as room rates and ticket prices increase during the busy season. On the bright side, at least you’ll have the benefit of slightly cooler temperatures as you sweat wait it out in line.
Is Easter a good time to go to Disney World?
If the answer to our previous question is any indication, and it should be, then it’s safe to say that Easter falls smack dab in the middle of one of the busiest times to go to Walt Disney World. That being said, if you have your heart set on celebrating Easter at Disney World or if you simply can’t go any other time, at least you’ll be able to enjoy a variety of special events and activities. Several specific Easter experiences are available across Disney property, with many being free or included in the price of your theme park ticket, and the spring-centric Epcot Flower & Garden Festival also happens every year.
Is Disney World crowded on Mother’s Day?
Though definitely busy, Mother’s Day at Disney World isn’t as packed as it is over the Easter and Memorial Day holidays. Although, with special events like Mother’s Day brunch occurring mostly at Disney World resorts rather than in the theme parks, you should be able to avoid most of the crowds if you stick to the Mother’s Day-specific activities. The one exception would be Disney Springs. While the only official Disney World brunches are held at restaurants at Disney World resorts, it is possible that Disney Springs restaurants will hold their own events. So, given how crazy full Disney Springs can get on the weekends even during the low season, we anticipate that Mother’s Day at Disney Springs will be especially busy.
Our Top Tips for Visiting Disney World for Spring Break
Given the timing of school breaks and how much Easter fluctuates from year to year, pinning down an exact time frame for when you can expect spring break crowds at Disney World is difficult. Typically, people start pouring in near the beginning of March and keep coming until whenever Easter rolls around. In general, years when Easter falls earlier in the year tend to see more crowding while a later Easter results in fewer crowds. As one of the busiest times of year to visit Walt Disney World, spring break can be a stressful time to visit. However, if you plan accordingly, you can still have a great time in spite of the crowds.
- Travel on the weekdays if you can. Weekends at Disney World are crazy busy at the best of times, but especially during the high season. We recommend sticking to the weekdays for your Disney vacation, if at all possible, to help avoid the crowds and long lines.
- Get to the park before it opens. This will come as a surprise to no one who regularly reads our blogs, but we are huge supports of getting to the park before it officially opens. Like, really early. Try to arrive at least 45 minutes before rope drop. This will ensure that you get to the front of the masses. Then, if you play your cards right, you’ll be able to have most of the rides done before many people have even entered the park.
- Follow our 1-day touring plans. Wanting to know how you can hit all the must-do rides and shows at each park in one day without breaking a sweat? Check out our 1-day itineraries for Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. We’ll walk you through our simple tricks for seeing everything even with the spring break crowds.
- Dine at non-standard times. Unless you have an advanced reservation at a table-service restaurant, eating quick service during peak hours can suck up a lot of time if you’re not careful, as you may have to wait a long time before ordering, getting your food, or finding enough seats for everyone in your party. Save yourself some hassle by eating at quick service restaurants during non-traditional times like having an early lunch or a late dinner.
Celebrate Easter at Disney World
As anyone who has ever visited Walt Disney World during Christmas or Halloween can attest, holidays are, without a doubt, some of the most magical times to visit a Disney theme park. And though the festivities aren’t as elaborate as those end-of-the-year celebrations, Easter at Disney World is no exception.
Special Easter activities and events are held across Disney World, with the vast majority taking place in the resorts. In past years, some moderate and deluxe Disney resorts have even organized their own Easter celebrations featuring fun activities like Candy Scrambles, character meet-and-greets with an Easter twist, and, of course, everyone’s favorite Egg Hunt.
If you and your family are visiting over the holiday and you’d like to continue a classic Easter tradition, many gift shops in Disney resorts have even offered pre-made Easter baskets for purchase. Usually, there is also a cast member on hand so you can build your own if you’re looking for specific goodies for someone in particular.
With Disney-inspired trinkets like branded merchandise and treats and a price tag starting out at around $50, there’s no better way to let your little ones know the Easter Bunny hasn’t forgotten them even though they’re not home for Easter. In the past, there have even been Easter Sunday church services at Disney World, both Catholic and Protestant, at the Contemporary Resort. Of course, all of these are subject to change yearly, so be sure to talk to a cast member about what’s currently being offered when you check in.
Outside the resorts, you can also find Easter-themed experiences at Magic Kingdom and Epcot, though don’t expect anything as grand as the seasonal additions you can find over Halloween and Christmas. In general, Easter festivities at Disney World are simple and understated – like parks getting all dressed up in their Sunday best. Here are all the Easter activities Disney usually offers over the holidays:
Disney World Easter Egg Displays
While the theme parks and resorts don’t put up any special decorations specifically for Easter, some Disney hotels, usually the deluxe resorts, take part in beautiful Easter egg displays. And we’re not talking about your typical dip- and tie-dyed varieties that you make a home with a whole bunch of vinegar and those little colorful tablets that bubble and fizz. Similar to the gingerbread houses you’ll see at resorts during the winter holidays, the resort hotel Easter egg displays are edible works of art which are sculpted out of chocolate and other sweets by the talented members of Disney’s pastry team.
Each of these eggs are painstakingly crafted and feature some truly jaw-dropping details including intricate, hand-painted designs, carved elements like bark or fur, and more. Although many of the eggs are themed after beloved Disney films, others aren’t and take their inspiration from classical paintings or fairy tales instead. As they’re located at the resorts instead of the theme parks, these Easter egg displays are free to enjoy, giving you an excellent excuse to partake in some Easter Day resort hopping. The only challenge will be walking away without a serious case of decorated egg envy.
Disney World Easter Parade at Magic Kingdom
Although there isn’t an official Easter Parade at Disney World, you can catch the annual Easter procession right before the Festival of Fantasy parade at Magic Kingdom throughout the week of Easter. This special pre-parade has been going on for decades and features appearances by such springy characters as Thumper, Ms. Bunny, Rabbit, the White Rabbit, Daisy and Donald Duck, and, of course, Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny.
The highlight of the parade, however, is the Azalea Trail Maids. Hailing from Mobile, Alabama, the Azalea Trail Maids have been waltzing their way down Main Street for over 40 years. Each year, 50 high school seniors are chosen to serve as Magic Kingdom’s unofficial ambassadors of spring. There they’ll walk down the parade route in poofy, antebellum-style dresses and frilly hats in a rainbow of pastels, each representing a fresh spring flower.
Meet the Disney World Easter Bunny on Main Street U.S.A.
No Easter is complete without paying a visit to the bunny of the hour – we mean the Easter bunny, of course! After all, how else will they know what you want in your Easter basket? With a springy backdrop of fresh blooms and greenery and a PhotoPass Photographer on hand, this is an excellent place to take a family photo.
You can catch Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny (for pictures, of course, not literally) all dressed up in their candy-colored finest down on Main Street in the couple of weeks leading up to Easter. Bunny Lane Garden is nestled next to City Hall in the Town Square Courtyard, making this meet-and-greet a convenient stop as you are entering or exiting the park. As Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny aren’t the Disney characters everyone came to visit, lines for this meet-and-greet tend to be on the shorter side.
Disney World Easter Brunch
We don’t know about you, but we love a good Easter brunch. Well, if we’re being honest, we like brunch anytime, but especially on Easter Sunday. Fortunately, there are plenty of places you can go on property for a bountiful Easter brunch at Disney World. In 2021, restaurants serving brunch on Easter Sunday at the Disney resorts included:
- Ale & Compass at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort: This table service restaurant typically dishes up elevated pub food with a surf-and-turf twist and a sprinkling of southern comfort. Past items on the brunch menu have been Blueberry-Bacon Pancakes, Shrimp and White Cheddar Grits, Maine Lobster Roll, and more.
- Olivia’s Cafe at Disney’s Old Key West Resort: Tucked away at a DVC resort, Olivia’s Café serves island-inspired eats like Crab Cake-Eggs Benedict, Shrimp and Grits, Banana Bread French Toast, Chicken and Waffles, and more.
- Whispering Canyon Cafe at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge: With plenty of entertaining and interactive shenanigans, Whispering Canyon Café is the most family-friendly restaurant serving up Easter brunch at Disney World. This table-service restaurant is known for its sizeable portions and feature the All-You-Care-To-Enjoy Brunch Skillet piled high with pulled pork, Mickey waffles, pastries, and more.
Egg-Stravaganza Disney World Easter Egg Hunt
For many people, Easter isn’t Easter without a traditional Easter egg hunt. And while some Disney resorts do arrange their own egg hunts for their hotel guests, our favorite Disney World Easter egg hunt is yet another Epcot scavenger hunt around World Showcase: the aptly titled Egg-Stravaganza.
Egg-Stravaganza is an Easter egg hunt on a truly massive scale. Eggs inspired by Disney characters are hidden throughout the World Showcase countries. You’ll first need to grab your map ($7.99 plus tax) from one of the participating retail locations, then start making your way around World Showcase. It doesn’t matter which country you start in, just be sure to look both high and low as you walk through the pavilions. Once you’ve located all the eggs, head back to the store with your completed map so you can claim your prize of one of six decorated Disney character eggs.
We love Epcot’s scavenger hunts and food walks because they really are an easy way to experience all the pavilions in a different way, often helping you to see details you never noticed before. They’re also great for keeping kids entertained while you explore what is considered to be Disney World’s drier theme park. Basically, a win all around!
Enjoy an Easter Treat
Everyone knows that Disney is all about the snacks, but did you also know that the Walt Disney World Resort also creates some seasonal Easter treats that are only available for a limited time each spring? These festive confections pop up at restaurants and snack stands across Disney property in the couple weeks leading up to Easter Sunday including at many Disney resorts, some of the theme parks, and Disney Springs.
While the deserts vary from year to year, they all have a few things in common. The first thing you’ll notice is that – from the cute, spring-inspired designs to the vibrant, candy-colored hues – they’re all incredibly Instagrammable. Many also feature fresh, seasonal flavors like carrot cake, bright citrus, and jellybeans. In short, these tempting treats are equally ideal for a quick sugar rush or that perfect social media photo.
Treat Mom to a Disney World Mother’s Day
Mom deserves to be treated like a queen every day, but especially on Mother’s Day. Fortunately, Disney is pretty experienced when it comes to royalty. You know, all those Disney princesses!
Aside from special Mother’s Day brunches and dinners at restaurants across property, there aren’t too many things happening just for all the moms out there. Previously, select Disney resorts have hosted specific Mother’s Day activities like the decadent Minnie’s Mother’s Day Chocolate Party over at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, while the BoardWalk Inn offered a painting event. However, these offerings vary from year to year, so be sure to double check what’s available before making any plans. Of course, for a truly relaxing Mother’s Day, you can always book mom a soothing massage or other treatment at one of the Disney resort spas.
Disney World Mother’s Day Brunch & Dinner
Similar to Easter, a few restaurants at Disney World also offer a special brunch just for moms and the people who love them. Coincidentally, the list of restaurants hosting Mother’s Day brunch at Disney World is the same as those with an Easter brunch, so you can count on a similar menu – just refer to our list above. Alternatively, if your mom isn’t a fan of brunch (no judgements here), we have also seen several restaurants in past years offer a prix fixe menu specifically for the occasion. Restaurants which have held a special Mother’s Day meal previously include:
- Citrícos at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa: 3-Course Prix Fixe Menu
- Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa: 3-Course Prix Fixe Menu
- The Wave…of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort: Brunch Buffet
- Whispering Canyon Café at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge: Family-style All-You-Care-To-Enjoy Brunch
- Flying Fish at Disney’s BoardWalk: 3-course Prix Fixe Menu
- Trattoria al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk: 3-course Prix Fixe Menu
- Ale & Compass Restaurant at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort: Brunch
- Yachtsman Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort: Prix Fixe Dinner
- Boma – Flavors of Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge: Brunch Buffet
- Jiko – The Cooking Place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge: Prix Fixe Menu
- Trail’s End Restaurant at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campgrounds: Brunch Buffet
- Olivia’s Café at Disney’s Old Key West Resort: Brunch
Not sure where to eat? Be sure to check-out our Top 10 Restaurants at Walt Disney World.
Epcot Flower & Garden Festival
While Orlando doesn’t experience the same kind of rebirth that much of the rest of the country sees during springtime, Disney World goes through a reawakening of a different kind each spring with the arrival of Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival. This annual event blankets Epcot with an explosion of fresh blooms, character topiaries, and outdoor kitchens bursting with fresh, seasonal flavors. You can even cultivate your green thumb by sitting in on a gardening workshop or embark on a plant-themed scavenger hunt across World Showcase.
The Epcot Flower & Garden Festival usually runs from the beginning of March until the end of May, making it a must-see attraction for those traveling over the Easter and Mother’s Day weekends and throughout spring break. Epcot festivals are incredibly popular with Orlando locals, so weekends here are ridiculously busy. We highly suggest you save your trip to Epcot for a weekday to keep clear of as many people as possible.
That concludes our comprehensive guide to Disney World in springtime. Beautiful weather, seasonal events and activities, and a killer Epcot festival make the spring months a very popular time to visit for what often feels like everyone and their mother. That being said, if you and your crew can get past all the crowds both literally and figuratively and if you follow our 1-day touring plans and spring break tips, we guarantee that you’ll still have a spring vacation to remember.
What’s your favorite season to travel to Disney World? Are you a fan of spring break travel? Let us know in the comments!
