Credit: DisneySpring at Walt Disney World sounds like the perfect time to go.
The holiday chaos is over, summer hasn’t fully arrived yet, and the parks feel like they should be in that sweet spot where crowds are manageable and the weather is comfortable.
But every year, tons of guests walk into Disney World in March and April thinking they’ve found a “quiet season.”
And that one assumption is the rookie mistake that ruins an entire vacation.
Because spring at Disney World isn’t slow anymore. It’s one of the busiest stretches of the year.
Spring Is Not the Slow Season Anymore
A lot of families still treat spring like it’s the calm period between winter holidays and summer break.
But the reality is that spring break crowds have turned into a multi-month crowd wave. Different school districts take breaks at different times, and Disney has become such a popular destination that the crowds don’t just show up for one week.
They keep coming.
You might get lucky with a quieter week in early March or late April, but for the most part, spring is highly trafficked. And if you don’t plan like it’s going to be busy, you’re going to feel like the parks are swallowing your time. Keep in mind that every state has different spring break windows, so those crowds can linger for several weeks.
Crowds Change Everything About Your Trip
Crowds don’t just mean longer lines.
They affect everything.
Lightning Lane selections disappear faster, mobile ordering windows get pushed back, dining reservations become harder to find, and even simple things like grabbing a table or finding a shaded spot to take a break becomes more difficult.
If you show up without a strategy, you end up spending your vacation reacting instead of enjoying.
Lightning Lane Is Something You Need to Decide Early
One of the biggest spring mistakes is thinking you can “figure it out once you get there.”
If you’re planning to buy Lightning Lane access, timing matters. Disney Resort guests can purchase Lightning Lanes up to 7 days in advance, while everyone else can purchase them 3 days in advance.
During spring crowds, those early windows can make a huge difference.
Waiting until the morning of your park day can mean the most popular attractions are already booked out, leaving you with whatever scraps are left.
Dining Reservations Can Make or Break Your Day
Dining is another area where spring crowds sneak up on people.
If you wait too long to book reservations, you’ll likely find yourself stuck with awkward meal times, limited options, or walking across the park just to grab whatever you can get.
Even if you don’t care about “fancy” dining, having at least a loose plan helps keep your day from feeling chaotic.
Florida Spring Weather Still Feels Like Summer
Another rookie spring mistake is packing like it’s going to be mild.
Yes, it might feel “cooler” than July, but March and April are already warm months in Florida. By April, the parks can feel like summer, especially once the afternoon heat kicks in.
The sun is intense, the humidity starts creeping back, and you can easily end up exhausted by mid-day if you aren’t prepared with sunscreen, water, and breathable clothing.
Spring is beautiful at Disney World, but it’s not sweater weather.
Fun Things You Can Only Experience in the Spring at Disney World
Here’s the good news: spring isn’t just busy. It’s also one of the best seasons Disney World offers if you do it right.
The biggest spring-exclusive experience is EPCOT’s Flower & Garden Festival, which is basically Disney’s way of turning the park into a giant seasonal celebration.
This year, the festival begins on March 4 and runs through June, giving guests months to catch the event.
During Flower & Garden, EPCOT fills up with themed gardens, seasonal food booths, outdoor kitchens, and those massive character topiaries that turn into photo magnets every year. It’s one of those festivals that genuinely makes EPCOT feel different, and it gives spring trips an energy you just don’t get in the fall or winter.
It’s also one of the best times to visit if you want EPCOT to feel colorful, fresh, and alive.
And on top of the festival, Disney has also released a couple of spring offers that could make the trip more affordable—though they are subject to availability.
One of the deals includes up to 25% off select resort stays this spring.
Another offer includes savings of up to $250 per night on select vacation packages.
These types of deals can disappear quickly depending on demand, but if you’re already thinking about a spring trip, they’re absolutely worth checking before you lock in your plans.
Spring Trips Can Be Incredible—If You Don’t Treat Them Like an Afterthought
Spring at Disney World can be amazing.
But it’s not the season for showing up with no plan and hoping everything works out.
If you expect low crowds, wait too long to plan Lightning Lane access, skip dining reservations, and pack like you’re heading into cool weather, you’re going to feel like Disney World is working against you.
But if you go in prepared, spring becomes one of the best times of year to visit.