Now is the perfect time to start planning your spring break vacation, if you haven’t already. If you are considering a spring break trip to Walt Disney World, know that many other families have the same idea. So you’ll need to do some strategic planning to make sure you do everything you want to do.
See our tips below for visiting Walt Disney World during spring break (and any other busy time of year).
Disclosure: Affiliate links within. Purchasing and/or clicking on some of the links may result in a small commission paid to us at no additional cost to you. I am a former planDisney panel member, and some of my trips to Walt Disney World were complimentary. All opinions are my own.
Save money on your Walt Disney World theme park tickets by booking through Get Away Today. They offer vacation packages as well as individual ticket sales. Disney travel agents don’t charge guests an extra commission and can help you find deals.
Tips for Visiting Disney World During Spring Break
Book Early
If you know that you want to visit Walt Disney World next spring break, book your plans early. This will give you the most options for resorts, room types, and flights.
If your spring break aligns with all the spring breaks of the schools around you, you may notice that flights are especially expensive that week. In that case, you may consider driving to a further airport or choosing an “off-peak” time, like leaving on a Monday. Spend some time looking at all of your options before committing, but do it early.
Look at All Lodging Options
You’ll also want to consider all your lodging options, both on and off property. When things are busy, staying on property can help you save time. You’ll be closer and can take advantage of the early theme park entry. Visiting the parks 30 minutes earlier than off-property guests can be especially helpful when things are busy.
Walt Disney World has three different types of resorts – deluxe, moderate, and value. There are a lot of options in various price ranges.
In addition, in 2025, guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel at Walt Disney World will get a complimentary water park admission on their arrival date. This can be a great way to save money if you can get to Walt Disney World early in the day.
On-property accommodations can be the most convenient, but they can sometimes be less affordable. So, if you are on a budget or need a lot of extra space, there are many different Disney Good Neighbor Hotels that are worth considering.
Consider Renting a Car
I never rent a car when visiting Walt Disney World and staying on property. The free transportation makes it fairly easy to go from your resort to one of the theme parks. However, if you are traveling during a busy time, you may consider renting a car.
While it will add money to the cost of your vacation, it can be more convenient to have a car. You won’t have to wait long for a shuttle and it will be on your own timetable.
Purchase Our Planner
Our planner, which can be purchased on Etsy, is a great way to keep organized for your theme park vacation. You can find it here.
Start Your Days Early
Before going on vacation, it’s a good idea to make a list of everything that you want to see. When on vacation, head out to the parks at rope drop (i.e., when they open). You’ll typically be able to get through the turnstiles before the official opening, so arrive well in advance.
Lighting Lane Multi Pass
Disney has recently replaced the Disney Genie+ with the Lightning Lane Multi Pass. Thiscan be purchased a few days in advance and is an optional add-on to your ticket. Guests with multi pass can make three selections in advance.
When you make a selection, you’ll receive a time to return to the attraction and go through the lightning lane. You’ll have a shorter wait than if you went through the standby line.
While Multi Pass (and the Individual Lightning Lanes) add more expense to your vacation, it can be a great way to save time on your vacation. We recommend getting it for a spring break vacation.
Get the Park Hopper Option To Your Tickets
I know that base tickets to Walt Disney World are already expensive, but I do recommend the park hopper option for your tickets. It’ll allow you much more flexibility in your days, and if one park is too busy, you can head to another one that may not be as busy.
The park hopper option is also great for families wanting to dine in one park while visiting another. It offers so much more flexibility and is a worthwhile ticket add-on for a spring break Disney World vacation.
You’ll add the park hopper option when you purchase your Walt Disney World tickets. You must add it for all days of your vacation—you can’t just add it for one day.
Make Your Dining Reservations Early
It can be tough to get into popular Walt Disney World restaurants any time of year, but it’s nearly impossible during school vacations. Make your dining reservations early to be more likely to get your choice of dining locations and times. During busy times, you can’t just walk up to the table-service restaurants hoping to be seated.
Many people don’t want to do this because you need to plan to figure out which park you want to be in for the day. But it’s worth doing if you will want to eat at the table service restaurants (especially the character dining experiences) during your spring break Disney vacation.
Take Breaks in the Afternoon
We’ve found that the parks are busiest (and often the hottest) in the afternoon. Taking a break in the middle of the day, either by napping in your room or checking out your resort pool, is a great way to avoid the crowds and the heat.
While it may be tempting to spend all day every day on your vacation, taking a break can help you handle the frustrations of a spring break vacation.
Get Familiar With the My Disney Experience App
The My Disney Experience app is essential for keeping you organized during your Disney vacation. The free Genie (different from the recently retired paid Genie+) can provide you with tips and a basic schedule for experiencing the things you want to do.
In addition, if you plan to go to any quick-service restaurants, mobile ordering can be extremely helpful and time-saving. During my summer trip, I used mobile ordering for every quick-service meal and saved a lot of time. You can link your payment method and make the purchase quickly.
You’ll also use the My Disney Experience app to book any of your Lightning Lane Multi Pass allocations, book and utilize a virtual queue, or purchase an individual lightning lane. Get familiar with the app before you go to make it easier.
Be Patient and Set Your Expectations
There will be crowds. It will be hot. You will have to wait in lines.
You may not be able to do everything you want to do, but you’ll still be able to have a great time. Be prepared to be patient and set your expectations in advance. You can do a lot to prepare before your trip to make things easier, however.
Just set a plan, stay organized, do your research in advance, and then have a great time.
