How We Do Spring Break at Disney World | Personal Post

Now that Hunter is in school, we have officially entered the phase of visiting Walt Disney World Resort with the masses. Up until last year, we always traveled during the off season and enjoyed the slower pace and shorter lines. But this was our second spring break trip, and we discovered a few ways to make the experience a little more enjoyable.

Now, there is no right or wrong way to visit Disney, but let me share how we do spring break at Disney World.

1. Flying vs Driving

First, let’s talk about airfare. Flying during spring break is incredibly expensive. Last year we flew, but this year we tried something different. We drove.

Before you think I’m crazy for driving 18 hours instead of flying three, hear me out. The biggest benefit was the cost. We saved over $1000. On top of that, we had our own car once we arrived. That meant we could bring groceries instead of paying for delivery, skip transportation from the airport to the hotel, and avoid several extra travel expenses.

The biggest perk of driving, though, was the freedom of having a car. During this trip we had planned to go to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. And technically I suppose we did. My parents took me there when I was seventeen, and I remember how much I loved it. Unfortunately it happened to be the same day as the Artemis launch, so after driving there, seeing the insane lines, we drove back to Disney.

One last note about driving, while I was the one to drive the entire time, the passengers said they would never do it again. Their thoughts were like we spent more time in a car than at Disney. So, definitely something to think about.

2. Crowd Control

Now let’s talk about managing the crowds. There is no magic solution during spring break, but pacing your day makes a huge difference. Our strategy is to leave the parks around noon, maybe one at the latest. The parks are sensory overload for everyone, even adults. Taking a midday break gives everyone time to reset.

We usually relax at the hotel, swim for a bit, shower, eat an early dinner, and then head back to the parks around four or five. That little break makes a huge difference in everyone’s mood and energy.

3. Ways to Relax Without Leaving the Park

If you are visiting for a shorter trip and cannot leave the parks, find quiet shaded spots to rest. Or, maybe your family watches a show you might normally skip (Hall of Presidents, Philharmonic, etc). Many of them offer twenty minutes of air conditioning and a calm place to sit.

Another way to make the crowds feel smaller is to do experiences that many people overlook. At EPCOT, we love the Kidcot stops around the World Showcase. Hunter had a blast meeting cast members from each country and coloring the postcards.

At Disney's Hollywood Studios there is an interactive game inside Galaxy’s Edge that connects to MagicBands, which we are hoping to try next time. At Magic Kingdom there are fun free activities near Pirates of the Caribbean that many people walk right past. And let's not forget the Wilderness Explorer badges you can earn at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

We also love doing the seasonal scavenger hunts around EPCOT. They typically cost $11.99 (usually discounted if you are an Annual Passholder or a Disney Vacation Club member), and they are such a fun way to explore the park with kids. During the spring, EPCOT offers the Spike the Bee scavenger hunt during the Flower and Garden Festival, and closer to Easter they also host the Eggstravaganza egg hunt. Both are simple, playful activities where you search around the World Showcase for hidden items, mark them on your map, and then turn it in for a small prize at the end.

Moreover, it is a great way to slow down, enjoy the details around the park, and keep kids engaged while walking around the World Showcase. Hunter absolutely loves the challenge of spotting everything, and I still smile every time we pull out the little Spike EPCOT plate we got one year as our prize. And finally, if you are a DVC Member, their free member lounge at Epcot and Magic Kingdom is the perfect place to caffeinate (for free) and cool off.

4. Disney Springs

If you find yourself with a little extra downtime but do not want to head back to the parks, Disney Springs is a great option. Yes, the crowds can be heavy there too, especially at night and on weekends, but it is still a fun place to stroll around, eat, grab a drink, eat some more, shop, catch a movie, or even go bowling.

Our go to stops are The LEGO Store at Disney Springs for my LEGO loving little guy and the T-REX Restaurant where Hunter loves playing in the free boneyard area out front.

And for me, no visit is complete without ice cream from Salt & Straw. I cannot pass up the lavender snickerdoodle split. Yum.

Spring break crowds are definitely different than the calmer Disney trips we were used to, but with a little planning and a willingness to slow down, it can still be a magical experience. Next year, we opted to skip Disney and possibly check out their resort at Hilton Head. TBD.