Is it Packed: Disney World in April
Spring time is finally here! Welcome to the month of April. Now you can finally shed those heavy winter jackets, tuck those boots back underneath the bed, and stow those hats, mittens, scarves, and gloves in a sturdy box so you can use them again next winter. This is a time of celebration as life is renewed across the landscape.
If you have been spending your winter months locked in doors, then April is the perfect time for you and your clan to rejoice by getting outside and enjoying all the treasures waiting for you at the Walt Disney World Theme Parks in Orlando, Florida.
The month of April is action-packed at your favorite theme park because everyone and that means everyone is ready to go outside and get some vitamin D from the glorious sunshine. While the temperatures are warming up everywhere, it is during the month of April when things really begin to look lovely in the state of Florida.
All of the flowers are blooming, and the trees and grass are a healthy shade of green. The Walt Disney World Resort has prepared many specialty events just for you and your family to experience during this time of year.
Disney World Crowds in April
Let’s first discuss the topic by covering some of the notable events that happen in April in Disney World.
Special Events
The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival: Begin your journey by leaving the frozen tundra and stepping into a beautifully manicured flower sculpture garden. Throughout the Epcot theme park stunning topiaries have been crafted to resemble your favorite Disney characters. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Daisy can be seen made from bushes, shrubs, and blooming flowers, but you may also catch a glimpse of the Toy Story gang as you continue deeper into the park.
The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival is a treat for the eyes, ears, and the taste buds. While you are exploring the beautiful floral displays, treat your taste buds to an extravagant thrill and order something special from one of the outdoor kitchens.
Using only the freshest ingredients, Disney’s culinary experts have crafted menus that will light up your world and deliver a crowd-pleasing sound of enjoyment as everyone munches on one of the extraordinary menu items. While you are walking off those tasty treats, stop into the American Pavilion to watch and listen to one of the nightly concerts.
Throughout the entire month a different popular recording artist will be giving a performance. Nightly shows last around thirty minutes and they are held at three different points throughout the evening. With musicians and bands representing a variety of genres and hailing from a wide range of decades, there is certain to be at least one act you and your travel party members will be eager to see.
There is so much to do at Epcot during the month of April that you will want to spend a day or more strolling through the streets and allowing the festival to wrap itself around you.
Using only the freshest ingredients, Disney’s culinary experts have crafted menus that will light up your world and deliver a crowd-pleasing sound of enjoyment as everyone munches on one of the extraordinary menu items. While you are walking off those tasty treats, stop into the American Pavilion to watch and listen to one of the nightly concerts.
Throughout the entire month a different popular recording artist will be giving a performance. Nightly shows last around thirty minutes and they are held at three different points throughout the evening. With musicians and bands representing a variety of genres and hailing from a wide range of decades, there is certain to be at least one act you and your travel party members will be eager to see.
There is so much to do at Epcot during the month of April that you will want to spend a day or more strolling through the streets and allowing the festival to wrap itself around you.
The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival is a treat for the eyes, ears, and the taste buds. While you are exploring the beautiful floral displays, treat your taste buds to an extravagant thrill and order something special from one of the outdoor kitchens.
Using only the freshest ingredients, Disney’s culinary experts have crafted menus that will light up your world and deliver a crowd-pleasing sound of enjoyment as everyone munches on one of the extraordinary menu items. While you are walking off those tasty treats, stop into the American Pavilion to watch and listen to one of the nightly concerts.
Throughout the entire month a different popular recording artist will be giving a performance. Nightly shows last around thirty minutes and they are held at three different points throughout the evening. With musicians and bands representing a variety of genres and hailing from a wide range of decades, there is certain to be at least one act you and your travel party members will be eager to see.
There is so much to do at Epcot during the month of April that you will want to spend a day or more strolling through the streets and allowing the festival to wrap itself around you.
Using only the freshest ingredients, Disney’s culinary experts have crafted menus that will light up your world and deliver a crowd-pleasing sound of enjoyment as everyone munches on one of the extraordinary menu items. While you are walking off those tasty treats, stop into the American Pavilion to watch and listen to one of the nightly concerts.
Throughout the entire month a different popular recording artist will be giving a performance. Nightly shows last around thirty minutes and they are held at three different points throughout the evening. With musicians and bands representing a variety of genres and hailing from a wide range of decades, there is certain to be at least one act you and your travel party members will be eager to see.
There is so much to do at Epcot during the month of April that you will want to spend a day or more strolling through the streets and allowing the festival to wrap itself around you.
Star Wars Rival Run Weekend: Before Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened, the Walt Disney World Resort used to host Star Wars Weekends in honor of everyone’s favorite science fiction saga. In the last few years though, the Star Wars Weekends specialty items have been integrated into the everyday park experiences.
In place of those lost weekends, the folks over at RunDisney have brought one of the Disney World Marathons to Hollywood Studios. Near the middle of the month of April, Star Wars fans or avid runners can participate in a race that is fun for everyone. Whether you are a seasoned runner, or you just want to have some family fun, participating in this unique event will be one for the record books, and the scrapbooks. The races usually begin on Thursday morning.
Each day, several different events take place. If you are looking for a morning walk through the park, or you are a runner just getting started on this journey, you may wish to participate in the 5K. If you wish for more of a challenge, the 10K and the half marathon will take place later in the weekend.
Once you have completed the run, be sure to wear your trophies with pride throughout the rest of your stay at the Walt Disney World Resort. Race participants will receive moisture wicking t-shirts and specially designed medals, among other things, and those pieces will quickly become some of your favorite souvenirs.
Easter Celebration: While you may not catch any unique Easter-themed parades or shows throughout the parks, you will be able to spot some fun and delicious Easter-themed surprises and treats. Throughout Epcot, children of all ages will enjoy looking out for the Easter Eggs that are hidden underneath, behind, and beside other garden, plant, and water features.
My son was delighted when he found an Easter egg with Goofy painted on it over in Canada next to the Le Cellier Restaurant. The Easter egg hunt continued from there as he was also able to locate an egg that featured Daisy and even one with Donald Duck’s face painted on it. Once you have found all the different eggs hidden throughout Epcot, be sure to visit a few of the diverse refreshment stands throughout the Walt Disney World parks and hotels.
Favorite locations like The Confectionary on Main Street U.S.A. over at the Magic Kingdom park are known for crafting special treats in celebration of the Easter holiday. Inside the Walt Disney World Resort Hotels, not only are Easter eggs hidden, but yummy snacks are for sale.
The best cupcakes you can get all year can be found in various food courts, including the food court at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort. If you are looking for something to fill your child’s Easter basket, or you just have a hankering for a chocolate Easter bunny or a caramel-filled egg, then there is no better place to visit than The Ganachery Chocolate Shop over in the Disney Springs Marketplace.
Spring Break: During the month of April most schools throughout the United States will celebrate some sort of spring break. This may be a week-long vacation, or it may only constitute a weekend. Generally, most schools like to align their spring break with the Easter holiday.
So, there is a very good chance that if you are coming to the Walt Disney World Resort during the month of April you are either observing your spring break or you will encounter others who are doing just that. In honor of spring break, the Walt Disney World Water Parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, are fully operational and ready to serve you and your family. It is during this spring break time when you may be able to get a price break on tickets to the Disney Water Parks.
Check your emails for regular updates from Disney Parks, but also pay attention to any registration packets you may receive in the mail. If you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort or Spa you may be subject to special discounts on water park passes.
If you don’t receive an email or snail mail coupon, then you may want to consider purchasing a Park Hopper + Water Park ticket for you and your family members. Cooling off in the water park pools and slides is one of the best ways to embrace the season and really relax and enjoy your spring break.
Party for the Planet: In my house, we celebrate the environment and we never miss a chance to Party for the Planet. This yearly event is held at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It occurs during the month of April in and around Earth Day. Sometimes, Earth Day falls during the middle of the week, so the celebrations may last an entire week in order to give travelers time to enjoy the perks of the party while they are visiting over the weekend.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened over twenty years ago on Earth Day, so every Earth Day is not only a chance to celebrate what you love most about being able to live on this beautiful planet, but it is also a birthday party for the park. Every year, the itinerary for the party changes, but it always includes lots and lots of fun and exciting events.
My family loves engaging in the dance parties that break out all over the park. After we shimmy and shake for a while, we like to scout out the specialty food items that have been created just for this event. Chances are, these savory dishes, unique beverages, and delectable desserts will only be available for about a week, so it is necessary to find them while we can.
When we have stuffed ourselves with satisfying morsels, we like to stop by different character meet-and-greet sessions. During the Party for Planet, characters you cannot usually see in the parks are present and in an especially good mood because it is party time!
Yes, It’s Going to be Crowded
As you may have noticed from reading through the notable events listed above, the month of April is packed with things to do and see around the Walt Disney World Resort. This means exactly what you think it means: the parks are going to be stuffed with people.
The first few days in April and the last couple of days may feature crowds that are at about a normal size, but during those middle weeks, you can expect to be crammed into the parks along with thousands of your closest friends.
To put this in perspective, when comparing the Disney annual passes, you may notice very quickly that one of the most popular times for blackout dates for passholders is during the two weeks surrounding the Easter holiday. Those are the prime spring break sessions; therefore, locals will stay away from the parks—either because their passes prohibit it or because they know how busy it is going to be there.
So, you have two choices: You can think like a local and plan your Walt Disney World trip around those middle weeks or you can brave the crowds and head into the thick of things with the rest of the spring breakers.
If you decide to plan your vacation during the first or last couple of days in the month, that is excellent, and you will be very happy with the results. The crowd levels will not be overwhelming, and the weather should be just fine and dandy. The sun will be brilliant, so be sure to pack your sunscreen and sunglasses, but don’t forget to toss some rain gear in with your essentials.
While rain is usually in the forecast during the spring months throughout the state of Florida, it can unexpectedly downpour during the month of April. Even when you have done everything right and you have checked the radar multiple times, spring showers are known to pop up at anytime throughout the day during this month.
While the showers will be the heaviest during the afternoon, it is best to have an umbrella, rain jacket, or poncho nearby during the month of April so you are never caught unaware and stranded in the rain.
Since you are looking to be at the Walt Disney World Resorts in the month of April, you should also note that this is a peak season. That means, even if you are coming at the beginning or end of the month, you will be subject to inflated prices. The cost to enter the parks daily will be at least ten dollars more a day than if you had elected to travel during the month of March.
Also, many of the deep discounts that are offered during the months of February and March will have disappeared by the time April comes knocking. For those looking to do Disney World on a budget, I do not recommend visiting the park during the month of April. The food, merchandise, hotel rooms, and even the ticket prices will be the most expensive you will see all year, outside of those incurred during the Christmas holiday season.
As for my friends on spring break or for those not on spring break but are planning to come to the parks in the middle of April, please note that this time of year is excessively busy. Long wait times are to be anticipated and character meet-and-greet sessions can become clipped because people are trying to move through the lines as quickly as possible.
Since so many other visitors are in the parks at this time, you can bet that most of the table service reservations will fill up quickly and queue lines for quick-service food will take an absorbent amount of time. In a unique twist, it is during the month of April that many Disney World Attractions are closed.
Sometimes, this is intentionally done. The rides or services may be out of order because they are being refurbished. While this is certainly a busy month, it is also an excellent time for work to be completed because the temperatures are milder than in the summer months. This makes a difference for the work crews.
At other times, the rides are closed due to the weather conditions. The April showers and the occasional high winds can make a mess of wait times for your favorite outdoor rides. Attractions like Test Track located in Epcot Center or Splash Mountain at the Magic Kingdom may close temporarily due to weather conditions. In some cases, those same rides may be forced to close all day if the weather never lightens up or ceases to be unfavorable.
Of course, there are many ways to still have the best vacation ever, even when you are in the parks during spring break. One Disney vacation tip is to make your vacation stellar by planning as much as you can ahead of time. I recommend downloading the My Disney Experience App onto your phone immediately.
This app can help you organize your vacation and it will update you on expected wait times for all the major rides and attractions throughout the parks. This is very helpful information for all travel parties.
Creating a plan and sticking to it can be tricky, but when you have this app on your phone, life can feel a whole lot easier. The My Disney Experience app can also help you handle your food needs. If you want to make a reservation for a character dining experience, the app has you covered.
You can even change or modify your reservations right on your phone. If you would rather stay clear of the table service restaurants on these busy occasions, you can always use the My Disney Experience to order food at a quick-service location. This is a true time saver.
When going to the parks on a busy day, you can count on waiting in line at a quick-service location for at least a half hour. But, if you use the mobile ordering tool on the My Disney Experience App you can order your food and pick it up at a specified time. This cuts your wait time tremendously and it allows less stress into your vacation life.
Spring Time Pleasures
In the spring of 2020, the Walt Disney Parks will be alive with blooms and buds as the Flower and Garden Festival takes over Epcot, but there will be many other ways to occupy your time in and around the resorts. The rejuvenation process will begin with a new showcase of talent.
At Disney Springs, the Cirque du Soleil tent will once again be operational. It has been a couple of years since the last Cirque du Soleil show closed its doors, but in the spring of 2020 the fantastical show will be back with an all new program. In association with Disney Animation experts, Cirque du Soleil will begin giving previews of its new show on March 20, 2020.
Then, the world premiere is scheduled to take place on April 17th, 2020. Buying tickets in advance is highly recommended as this spectacular new offering is sure to be packed on the very first day. Ticket prices range from approximately $90-$120 per person.
Attending a Cirque du Soleil show will not only be a phenomenal way to make a special memory with your loved ones, but it may be the best way to do something amazing while also escaping the crowds, the heat, and the rain. By purchasing your tickets in advance, you know your seat will be guaranteed and your crew will be treated to a delightful performance.
Also slated to open sometime in the spring is Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. This new ride is the first to feature Mickey and Minnie Mouse in a ride-through style attraction. It is housed inside the Chinese Theatre at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
I can imagine the line to ride this attraction right now. Since the Chinese Theatre is visible from the park entrance, you will be able to spot that line as it wraps around and then snakes its way toward the front of the park. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is certainly becoming the place to be.
With this new ride opening, as well as the established Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, you may need to plan to be in this park for more than a day. I would expect wait times during the month of April to be atrocious at Disney’s Hollywood Studios because there is so much to do, and everyone will want to see this new Disney Parks attraction.
When traveling to the Walt Disney World Theme Parks during the month of April come with your best attitude and an extra umbrella tucked in your book bag. While you may be forced to wait in line to experience some of your favorite attractions or to meet those lovable characters, the time and the wait will be worth it.
The month of April features some of the best events Disney Parks have to offer and once in a lifetime memories can be made during this vacation. Take your time to plan your adventure and then you are certain to achieve the happy results you desire.
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