What to Wear in Disney World in April
If you are traveling to Walt Disney World in April, you can expect hot and sunny weather. The average daily temperature during this month is 72 degrees, Fahrenheit with about ten hours of sunshine per day.
Temperatures during this time can reach a high of 83 degrees, Fahrenheit, while the average low temperature is 53 degrees, Fahrenheit. Even though April is one of the less humid months of the year, it can still feel hot and humid. It is not uncommon for there to be daily rain showers in Orlando, Florida, especially during the summer months.
However, the precipitation during April is typically less than other months of the year. While it can be hot, especially during the middle of the day, April is a lovely time to visit Walt Disney World.
So dressing appropriately for the weather (or specific events at Disney World) is of course important. And in this article, I’ll help you determine exactly what you should wear at Disney World in April.
Disney World Has a Dress Code?
It is important to note that Walt Disney World does indeed have a dress code, and they reserve the right to exclude visitors who wear distracting or attire. Their guidelines are as follows: no clothing that displays offensive messages or language, no costumes or clothing that may be viewed as a costume are allowed on anyone under the age of ten, no clothing that is made of an offensive material (transparent), is excessively torn or that exposes inappropriate portions of the body.
This would include string bikini tops, G-strings, bikini bottoms, etc. Shirts and shoes are required at all times.
Dressing for Comfort
One of the most important things to consider when packing for an April trip to Walt Disney World is your comfort. You are likely going to be spending a lot of time out of doors and walking. First of all, you are going to want comfortable shoes. Most guests average 15 – 20,000 steps a day during a typical Walt Disney World vacation!
I would also suggest that you do not pack brand-new shoes. Make sure you have worn the shoes for a few weeks prior to travel. Secondly, avoid wearing heavy, non-breathable fabrics. Shirts, shorts and socks that wick away moisture will keep you most comfortable.
That being said, the nights can sometimes be cool enough to require a long-sleeved shirt or sweatshirt, so be sure to add one and a pair of pants to your suitcase. Lastly, include in your packing, a hat or visor and a pair of sunglasses.
What if it Rains?
Another essential item for a Walt Disney World trip is a poncho. Although rain showers are less likely in April, they do happen. Even though they do not tend to last long, it can be long enough to leave you to soaking wet when all is said and done. This can be uncomfortable for some. Ponchos are more convenient than an umbrella because they fold up nice and small and can fit in a backpack or bag.
Umbrellas become cumbersome and annoying to carry around. Other guests can become irritated by umbrellas as well! Ponchos also come in handy on water rides like Kali River Rapids in Disney’s Animal Kingdom or Splash Mountain in Disney’s Magic Kingdom. All Walt Disney World parks and resorts sell Disney ponchos that are high quality and can be used again and again.
We have actually had ours for about ten years! These are going to be more expensive (approximately $9) than a poncho you can purchase ahead of time and pack in your suitcase. The nice thing about buying them at Walt Disney World is that, should they rip, Disney will replace them as long as you have your receipt. A light windbreaker that folds into its own pouch is also an option.
Accidents Happen
If you are traveling with small children, I would recommend packing an extra set of clothes. Accidents happen (we found that out the hard way!), and ponchos are not fool-proof. If you have a member of your party who is particularly sensitive to wearing wet clothes, an extra set could be a life saver.
Hydrate
Water is a necessity regardless of when you visit Walt Disney World. The heat, coupled with the amount of walking, will take its toll on you if you do not hydrate. Bottled water can be purchased anywhere at Walt Disney World, but it is pricey. You can, however, get a free cup of filtered water at any quick service restaurant or snack stand.
There are some water filling stations and lots of water fountains throughout the parks, so bringing a water bottle from home is also an option. I would recommend investing in a water bottle strap to keep your hands free. You can just sling your water bottle over your shoulder. Of course, there are also water bottles available for purchase in every park and resort.
Ingenious Products
There are some other ingenious products that I would recommend you consider packing to help fight the heat. The first is a cooling towel. Just wet the towel and drape it around your neck to instantly feel cooler. The other product is a personal, handheld fan with an attached mister.
Make sure you get one that has a strap, so you can just put it over your shoulders rather than carry it. These work great, especially for kids. Walt Disney World does sell them, but you can find them much cheaper outside the parks. Handheld fans might help as well. They fold up nice and small so they would fit easily in a bag or even pocket and they are lightweight.
Sunblock
Do not forget your sunblock! I would highly recommend you pack your own sunblock, as it is very expensive in the parks and resorts and options are limited. Since the majority of your day will be spent outside, in the blazing sun, it will be necessary to wear sunblock to protect your skin from sunburn.
Depending on where you are traveling from, you may not be familiar with the intensity of Florida sun, but I can assure you, without sunblock, you will end up with a sunburn. One of our favorite sunblock brands is Neutrogena Fresh Cooling because it cools the skin as you apply it. Handy when it is super hot!
Backpacks, Fanny Packs and Sling Backpacks
Be sure to pack a backpack, crossbody bag or waist-pack (fanny pack?!?). Backpacks are great because they have the potential to hold a lot of items, including a water bottle or two, and they have lots of pockets for smaller items.
However, backpacks can also become heavy and just make you hotter! Have you ever removed a backpack to reveal a very sweaty back? If you are going to carry a backpack, make sure you have someone in your party who is willing to share the chore with you. Crossbody bags and waist packs are great because they are small and just about everyone, including kids, can carry one without too much trouble.
The only issue with carrying a backpack or bag is what to do with it when you are on a ride. Fortunately, most rides provide a storage place for bags, whether on the ride itself or at the loading area for the ride. There are lockers available at all the Wald Disney World theme parks and water parks, for a small fee. This is not as convenient as carrying a backpack with all your stuff in it since you will have to go back to your locker when you need something, but it is an option.
Water Parks
Be sure to pack a bathing suit! Not only does every resort have a pool, but Walt Disney World also has two amazing water parks – Disney’s Blizzard Beach or Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. Disney’s Blizzard Beach has a ski resort theme, complete with ski slopes and gondolas. Its main attraction is Mount Gushmore, where you will find the world’s longest body slide. You can also meet Goofy here.
The theme of Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is a tropical paradise that is said to have been formed by a tropical storm. It boasts North America’s largest outdoor wave pool. You will also have an opportunity to meet Lilo and Stitch here. Guests wishing to explore the water parks will have to purchase a separate entrance ticket or purchase the ticket as part of a resort package.
They’ve Thought of Everything
Walt Disney World is renowned for their world-class attention to detail and they have a reputation for providing unparalleled service. They have thought of everything, including how to make the hot Florida sun and temperatures more tolerable.
While some of the attractions have queues that are outside, many of them are indoors and air conditioned. Some outside queues even have strategically placed air conditioners cleverly camouflaged by decorations. For example, when the line for Splash Mountain is long enough to overflow to the outside queue, guests will feel gusts of cold air coming from large barrels that otherwise just look like part of the theming.
Other queues, like the one for Rock-N-Roller Coaster, feature ceiling fans to keep the air flowing. The outdoor queues will, more often than not, feature some sort of overhead protection – whether it be a ceiling, umbrella or sun shade. Walt Disney World has been upgrading many of its queues to make them more interactive and entertaining.
The queue for Peter Pan’s Flight in Magic Kingdom is an example. What used to be a mostly outdoor queue is now indoors and interactive. What is great about this is, first it is air conditioned, and second, the time passes more quickly because you are having so much fun.
Walt Disney World Guest Perks
It may be tempting for some people to choose to stay in a hotel or resort off Walt Disney World property as a way to save money. But there are so many perks afforded to those who stay on property, it is worth the extra cost.
One of the perks of staying at a Walt Disney World resort is their proximity to the parks and the complimentary transportation. Transportation options include bus, the Monorail, ferryboat or water taxi, or Disney’s Skyliner.
Bus transportation is available to and from every resort at Walt Disney World and to and from the four parks. The monorail connects Magic Kingdom and EPCOT to three resorts:
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Ferryboats or water taxis are available to and from Magic Kingdom to:
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- From EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests can travel boat to:
- Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
- Disney’s Boardwalk Villas Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Disney’s Beach Club Villas
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
- Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
- Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort are connected by Disney’s Skyliner to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. With so many convenient transportation options, guests can avoid the hottest part of the day by heading back to their resort for lunch. Every Walt Disney World resort features a pool, so this would also be the perfect time to cool off with a swim.
Another perk for on-property guests is extra magic hours. On select days, Walt Disney World parks are open either earlier in the morning, or later in the evening. Guests can take advantage of these hours, by being in the park during the cooler times, and again, taking a break mid-day to go back to the resort.
Let’s Eat
Making a reservation at a table service restaurant is another great way to escape the heat. Try to make the reservation for lunch time since this will be the warmest part of the day. An added bonus is that lunch time meals tend to be cheaper than dinner. Two hours (approximately) in an air-conditioned restaurant, relaxing and being waited on will re-energize you for the second half of the day!
Speaking of Dining
When packing for a trip to Walt Disney World, it is important to consider where you have made your dining reservations (Please note, dining reservations for all table service restaurants are strongly encouraged. Guests staying on Walt Disney World property can make dining reservations 180 days prior to travel).
While most restaurants throughout Walt Disney World are considered “casual,” some are not. Disney calls them “signature.” While there are no strict dress codes, there are suggestions based on the scale of the restaurant. The only exceptions are Victoria and Albert’s and The Edison. On Walt Disney World’s website, they offer these guidelines for their upscale:
“In order to preserve the atmosphere of this dining experience, Guests are asked to adhere to our dress code. Appropriate attire for men includes khakis, slacks, jeans, dress shorts and collared shirts; appropriate attire for women includes capris, skirts, dresses, jeans and dress shorts. Attire that will not be permitted includes tank tops or hats for gentleman, swimwear, cut-offs or torn clothing. In addition, while T-shirts are allowed, T-shirts featuring offensive language and/or graphics are not.”
The purpose for these guidelines is not to turn you away if you do not adhere to them, but rather to give guests an idea of the type of restaurant it is and the atmosphere they can expect. Guests dining at Victoria and Albert’s however, will need to dress accordingly. According to the Walt Disney World Website, guests must wear proper attire:
“Men must wear dinner jackets with dress pants or slacks and shoes. Ties are optional. Women may wear a cocktail dress, nice dress, dressy pantsuit or a skirt with a blouse. Jeans, shorts, capri pants, sandals, flip-flops or tennis shoes are not permitted.”
Again, it is strongly encouraged that you dress according to the dress code when you are at a Walt Disney World restaurant, but they will not turn you away if you do not. Remember, comfort first. Since you will likely be spending a long day walking around a theme park, it is important that you are comfortable.
You are not about to walk around Magic Kingdom in a shirt and tie or evening gown. Your dress should be versatile and Disney understands that. That being said, many of the signature restaurants are not located inside a Walt Disney World theme park. If you have the opportunity to dine in one of the more upscale restaurants, dressing up can be part of the fun and can enhance your experience.
10 Restaurants that Suggest a Dress Code
- Victoria & Alberts – Grand Floridian
- The Edison – Disney Springs
- California Grill – Contemporary
- Jiko – Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Monsieur Paul – French Pavilion, Epcot
- Artist Point – Wilderness Lodge
- Narcoossee’s – Grand Floridian
- Citricos – Grand Floridian
- Flying Fish Cafe – Boardwalk
- Yachtsman Steakhouse – Yacht Club
Beyond Table Service Restaurants
There are so many cool, tasty treats to help beat the heat. If you are in Magic Kingdom, don’t miss the famed Dole Whip. You can try one at Aloha Isle, which is next to the Enchanged Tiki Room and Magic Carpets of Aladdin, in Adventureland.
Of course, there is also the Mickey ice cream bar found just about anywhere! If you are in EPCOT, check out Club Cool. Here you can sample Coke products from around the world for free. It is right in the middle of Future World, and very close to Starbucks (where they also sell iced drinks!).
My Top 5 Disney World Treats
- Dole Whip
- Mickey Ice Cream Bar
- Pop Corn
- Rice Krispy Treat (Mickey shaped, of course!)
- Something from Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie, France Pavilion in EPCOT
Other Considerations
If you are traveling with young children, consider bringing or renting a stroller as little ones tire more easily than teenagers or adults. Keep in mind that there are a lot of strollers is Walt Disney World. And many strollers look alike. It is a good idea to mark your stroller in a unique way to make it easier to find. Some families make a sign with their last name, others tie a balloon to the handle.
Also make sure you take note as to where you parked your stroller. Strollers are not allowed in the queue of any ride. Instead, Disney has created “stroller parking” areas. Unfortunately, a Cast Member is constantly rearranging the strollers to make more space or to neaten up the area, and this can lead to some confusion when leaving an attraction. It may take a few minutes to find your stroller!
Be sure to take advantage of Disney’s Fastpass service. With Disney’s Fastpass service you can reserve access to certain attractions, rides and character meet and greets ahead of time, reducing your wait time in line. Do your research ahead of time to find out which attractions are the most popular and tend to have longer lines. These are the attractions or rides you should try to get a Fastpass for.
5 Reasons to Visit Disney World in April
- The temperature
- It is not rainy season
- EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival
- Mid-level crowds
- Star Wars Rival Run Half-marathon
April is a great time to visit Walt Disney World, especially if you are trying to escape a cold, snowy climate. The temperature is hot, but not as humid as it is during the summer months and there is also less rain. There are a few events that you may want to participate in, but these do not affect crowd levels as much as other times of year. There is such a large variety of activities, entertainment, dining, and relaxing, you are sure to find something the whole family will enjoy. As long as you are prepared for the heat with proper clothing, footwear, sun protection and information, you will have a magical trip!
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