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11 Tips for Surviving Spring Break at Disney World

nd unbearable heat. I won’t sugarcoat it, it’s crowded. The heat and weather we can’t control.

But we can control our planning. And with a little planning, your spring break Disney World trip will be everything you’ve imagined.

I’ve put together some helpful tips to make the most of your vacation. These suggestions will help you navigate the crowds, save time, and create an unforgettable experience for everyone in your group.

1) Set Realistic Expectations

The most important tip is to set realistic expectations. The parks will be crowded, and you might not get to do everything on your list.

I recommend focusing on your must-do attractions and experiences. Make a short list of top priorities for each day. This way, you won’t feel disappointed if you can’t fit everything in.

If you focus on 3 attractions, 2 character meets or shows and 1 table service meal, you’ve set a great baseline for an awesome Disney World vacation.

Remember, the goal is to have fun and make memories. If you go in with realistic expectations, you’re more likely to enjoy your trip. Embrace the excitement of being at Disney World, even if things don’t go exactly as planned.

2) Use Multipass Strategically

Disney World’s Lightning Lane Multipass can be a great tool for Spring Break, but it needs smart planning and isn’t a standalone strategy. You can’t just book your Multipass rides and wing it the rest of the way.

Pick rides that usually have the longest lines, but only if you actually want to prioritize those rides. When Disney is crowded, you may not get a second opportunity to select a popular ride on Multipass. So make sure your first picks are your priorities.

Remember, you can book up to 3 Lightning Lanes per day in one park in advance, make them count.

3) Always Use Mobile Order

I can’t stress enough how helpful mobile ordering is at Disney World. It’s a game-changer, especially during busy spring break crowds. The My Disney Experience app lets you order food from your phone at most restaurants.

You can customize your order from anywhere, you don’t even need to be in the park or near the restaurant yet. You can set your own specific pick up time and skip any lines when picking up your order.

4) Leave the Parks for Lunch

I always recommend taking a break from the parks for lunch during spring break at Disney World. It’s a great way to escape the crowds and recharge. Most people don’t realize that lunch time to 2 p.m. is when wait times peak in the theme parks.

Disney Springs is another excellent lunch spot. It has tons of dining options and a more laid-back vibe than the parks. Plus, there’s no admission fee.

Leaving for lunch also gives you a chance to rest your feet and avoid the midday heat. When you return to the parks, you’ll feel refreshed and ready for more fun.

If you’re staying at a Disney resort, you can even head back to your hotel for a quick swim and lunch. Remember to make reservations if you’re planning to eat at a table-service restaurant.

5) Know How to Locate Kids and Belongings

Spring break at Disney World can get crowded, so it’s crucial to have a plan for keeping track of kids and stuff. I always make sure my family has a meeting spot in each park in case we get separated.

It’s also important to plan for the absolute worst case scenario in case you get separated.

I always make sure my kids are wearing an Airtag so I can located them on my phone if we are separated.

Taking a photo of them each morning is also helpful if I need to show someone what they’re wearing. I also teach my kids how to identify a Cast Member if they get lost.

For our stroller, I make sure we put a family tag on the back, a balloon and/or tie something colorful to the handle so we can identify our stroller more easily.

Remember, staying calm is key if someone or something goes missing. Disney’s staff is well-trained to help in these situations.

6) Plan your Transportation

Getting around Disney World during spring break can be tricky and it’s far and away what people most often forget to plan.

Disney’s transportation system is free and includes buses, boats, monorails, and the Skyliner from every resort to the theme parks and Disney Springs.

However, there is not always a direct transportation option between resorts. When booking dining reservations, particularly for restaurants that are located at another Disney resort, it’s important to plan your transportation in advance.

7) Schedule a Resort Day Mid-Trip

I highly recommend planning a day to relax at your Disney resort during your spring break trip. It’s a great way to recharge after busy park days.

Disney resorts have awesome pools, fun activities, and restaurants. You can sleep in, lounge by the pool, and take it easy. You can also resort hop and check out other resorts!

This break gives you a chance to rest your feet and avoid burnout. It’s especially nice if you’re staying for a week or more.

You might even discover cool things at your resort you didn’t know about. Many have arcades, movie nights, and other fun stuff to do.

A resort day can save you money too. You won’t be buying park tickets, park food or souvenirs that day.

8) Take Advantage of Rider Swap

Rider Swap is a great service for families with young kids at Disney World. We love using it when we travel with the kids. It lets adults take turns riding attractions while someone stays with children who can’t or don’t want to ride.

Here’s how it works: We go to the ride entrance as a group. you tell a Cast Member you want to use Rider Swap. They scan the tickets or MagicBands of the person that will ride the attraction twice.

Then our group splits up. One adult waits with the kid(s) that don’t want to or can’t ride. When the riders return, we switch. The waiting adult can ride with one child that already rode the attraction once.

9) Order Groceries and Pack Park Snacks

Ordering groceries for delivery to your Disney World hotel is a game-changer. We always order from Amazon, Whole Foods, Walmart, or Instacart and stock up on breakfast items, snacks, and drinks. This saves a lot of money and time.

Packing snacks for the parks is another smart move. We bring granola bars, fruit, crackers and trail mix in our bag so the kids have snacks throughout the park day.

We also pack refillable water bottles. Disney has free water stations throughout the parks and most quick service locations also have free water.

10) Bring a Portable Phone Charger

Like it or not, Disney vacations require a lot of phone time. Checking maps, wait times, and using the My Disney Experience App will crush your batter.

Always make sure to pack a portable phone charger for Disney World trips. I always bring my FuelRod because there are stations at every park and resort that let you swap the battery out for a new, fully charged battery for free.

11) Beat the Heat with Shows

Spring break at Disney World can get pretty warm. One of my favorite ways to cool off is by catching some indoor shows. And for dads, it’s also a great opportunity to sneak a quick nap (lol).

We love ducking into the air-conditioned theaters for a break from the sun. Some of our favorites include: The Festival of the Lion King at Animal Kingdom and For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration at Hollywood Studios.

Matthew Brandabur
Lawyer, travel agent with The Magic for Less Travel and creator of Adventures of a Disney Dad. I’m the main writer, podcast host and photographer. Disney Authorized Vacation Planner and a graduate of The College of Disney Knowledge, and certified as a Universal Studios Hollywood and Orlando Resort Specialist.
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