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Going to Disney World in April? Here’s What You Need to Know!

We’ve got the info you need to make your April trip to Disney World awesome!

Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival

A Disney World vacation can be magical at any time of year — as long as you plan accordingly! Between weather patterns, special events, holidays, and crowds, the prep work for your trip can vary A LOT depending on what time of year you’re traveling. Here’s what you need to know if you’re headed to Disney World in April!

Crowds at Disney World in April

Between Spring Break and Easter travel, the parks tend to see pretty heavy crowds during the first half of the month. But since the majority of Spring Breaks are scheduled in March and early April, the second half of the month generally has more moderate crowds.

Mr. Easter Bunny and Mrs. Easter Bunny

So, if you have some leniency in your travel dates, you may want to aim for closer to the end of the month to avoid the rush. And if you are traveling in early April, be sure to make your Advance Dining Reservations early to increase your odds of getting in your must-dos!

Check out three tips for mastering the Disney World FastPass+ tiers!

Park Hours at Disney World in April

While the park hours can vary by day and park, the most common opening time for parks in April is 9AM. But the closure times tend to be a little more varied! Magic Kingdom usually closes between 10PM and midnight depending on the day, while the other parks typically close between 8PM and 9PM.

Happily Ever After

So, if you’re more of a night owl, you should have some opportunities for late nights in the parks on your April trip — especially at Magic Kingdom!

Looking for even more late-night fun?? Check out our ultimate guide to the Villains After Hours events in Magic Kingdom!

Weather at Disney World in April

In April, the average high temperature in Orlando is 84 degrees and the average low is 63 degrees. And here’s something that might surprise you — there are an average of four rainy days in April, which actually makes it one of the least rainy months in Disney World.

Slinky Dog Dash

Yup, despite the common “April showers” phrase, this is one of the best months to travel to Disney World if you’re looking to avoid the rain!

Here are some tips to help you choose the right Disney World hotel for your family!

How to Pack for Disney World in April

Despite the generally warm afternoons, you could still experience a chilly morning on your trip. So, be sure to bring a light jacket or sweater that you can wear in the morning and then store in your park bag when it starts to heat up.

And it will probably be a comfortable enough temperature for most people to swim, so bring your swimsuit if you plan to take advantage of the hotel pools!

Luna Park Pool at Disney’s Boardwalk

Don’t forget to prepare for those sunny days! Make sure you have sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen (which you should take whenever you travel!) to avoid a painful and dangerous sunburn.

Check out our ultimate Disney World packing list!

Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival

Epcot festival fans rejoice — the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival runs during the entire month of April. Flower and Garden has been been a yearly highlight since it first kicked off in 1994, and there’s plenty to enjoy!

Topiaries

As you might have guessed from the name, there are plenty of gorgeous gardens to experience! There are over twenty topiary displays throughout the park, and guests can even spot some of their favorite characters in flower-form!

2020 Flower and Garden Festival

And the topiaries are just the beginning! There are intricate displays throughout the park including a bamboo garden, butterfly garden, floating gardens, and more!

Miniature Garden Display in the Germany Pavilion

And, of course, you can get your eat (and drink) on at the Outdoor Kitchens set up around the Promenade and World Showcase! Each year we see a mixture of both fan-favorite returning menu items and some brand-new additions. A few items that we’re still dreaming about from previous festivals are the Violet Lemonade, Canard Confit à l’Orange, and Fried Green Tomatoes!

Violet Lemonade

If you’re really interested in getting in the Flower and Garden spirit, you can check out one of the extra-ticketed special events or tours! In the past, offerings have included the Royal Tea Garden Tour, Gardens of the World Tour, Egg-Stravaganza Scavenger Hunt, and more!

Royal Tea Garden Tour

But you don’t have to spend extra to have a good time — the Garden Rocks Concert Series features three nightly performances that are totally FREE! Well, they’re included in the cost of park admission, at least.

Just keep in mind, these events are super popular, so you’ll need to get there early to ensure you get a spot! Or, to bypass the wait, you can opt for the Garden Rocks Dining Package, which includes dinner and guaranteed seating at the concert!

Garden Rocks!

Whether you’re going all-out at the food booths and extra-ticketed events, or just enjoying the topiaries and atmosphere, there’s plenty to love about the Flower and Garden Festival. If you’re visiting Disney World in April, we’d say this festival is a must-do!

Want to learn more about our favorite festival food? Click here to check out our “Best of the Fest” list from the 2020 Flower and Garden Festival!

Earth Day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Earth Day might not be the first holiday that comes to mind when thinking of Disney World, but it does have a close connection to one of the parks. Animal Kingdom held its grand opening on Earth Day (April 22nd), and since the park focuses heavily on conservation, they celebrate the holiday in style.

Tree of Life

The Earth Day celebration in Animal Kingdom is known as the Party for the Planet, and there are all kinds of special activities to enjoy! In previous years, we’ve seen special character interactions, unique dining experiences, meet-and-greets with animal care specialists and conservation experts, themed merchandise, unique snacks, and more!

“Up” Cake Push Pop

So, if Earth Day happens to fall during your Disney World trip, be sure to check the dates for the Party for the Planet (it usually runs three days in total) and plan a visit to Animal Kingdom to celebrate!

Click here to learn more about the Party for the Planet celebration!

There are plenty of awesome experiences to enjoy at Disney World during the month of April! Guests are treated to warm and (relatively) dry weather, the Flower and Garden Festival, and Earth Day celebrations at Animal Kingdom. Just make sure to plan accordingly (don’t forget about those Spring Break and Easter crowds!) and you’ll be in for a magical vacation!

Planning a Disney World vacation? Here are seven things you’re probably forgetting!

Have you traveled to Disney World in April? Share your tips and must-dos in the comments!

Related posts:

  1. Going to Disney World in January? Here’s What You Need To Know!
  2. Going to Disney World in March? Here’s What You Need To Know.
  3. Going to Disney World in December? Here’s What You Need To Know.

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, disney parks, disney resorts, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, Disney topiaries, disney world crowd, disney world crowd levels, Disney World crowds, Disney World Packing List, disney world park hours, disney world planning, disney world planning tips, Disney World Plannning, Disney World weather, earth day, earth day animal kingdom, epcot international flower and garden festival, epcot international flower and garden festival 2020, Epcot Topiaries, Garden Rocks Concert Series, how to pack, Party for the Planet, topiaries, walt disney world planning

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Disney Parks Other

PHOTOS! We Were Shocked By the Lack of Memorial Day Crowds in Disney Springs!

We’ve been visiting Disney Springs every day since its reopening on May 20 to bring you the latest on Disney World’s shopping and dining district. Overall, we have noticed pretty low crowds on most days!

Disney Springs

We weren’t sure what we would see today on Memorial Day, but once again Disney Springs is super quiet! Just take a look at these photos!

Typically, the Memorial Day holiday weekend is among the busier times of the year for Disney World. So this is a stark contrast to crowds we’re used to seeing!

Disney Springs

The weather seems to be playing a big role today, too. Rain is forecasted for much of the day.

A seemingly empty Disney Springs

This scene may be very different on Wednesday, May 27, when World of Disney is scheduled to reopen. We will be sure to report on those crowds so we can compare them.

World of Disney

There were even places in Disney Springs today where we didn’t see a single person!

A quiet Disney Springs!

Walking around outside, it almost looked like Disney Springs was still closed!

Disney Springs

Crowd levels overall seem to be remaining relatively low as Disney Springs continues to reopen its retail shops and restaurants. We’ll see if this pattern changes in the coming weeks, especially as we anticipate some news from Disney this week in regard to a proposed reopening of the parks. 

Have you visited Disney Springs yet since it reopened? Do you plan on doing so in the coming weeks? Let us know in the comments.

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney Springs, Featured, Walt Disney World, disney springs, disney springs reopening, Disney World, Disney World crowds, memorial day

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Disney News Disney Parks Other

Going To Disney World in February? Here’s What You Need To Know!

Here’s the info you need to maximize the magic on your February trip to Disney World!

Valentine’s Day Cupcake

By February, many of us are feeling the winter blues. And a Disney World vacation can be the perfect cure! But before you start planning, you need to BE PREPARED — Scar might be a Disney villain, but that’s a solid piece of advice that we’re going to borrow! Here are all the deets you need to know in order to set yourself up for a fabulous February vacay!

Crowds at Disney World in February

In general, the crowds at Disney World in February tend to range from light to moderate. But there are a few holidays and happenings that can cause attendance to spike!

Typically the parks will be busier during President’s Day weekend since lots of guests take advantage of the long weekend for a quick getaway! And with the Epcot International Festival of the Arts running through most of the month (more on that later!), Epcot tends to be busier on the weekends with locals visiting for the festival.

Sunshine Seasons Cupcake

In addition to these more predictable crowd boosters, some schools around the country have Spring Break or Winter Break during February. Since these dates vary by school and change from year-to-year, unfortunately, they’re more difficult to account for while planning. So just be aware that if you’re planning a trip in February, you could run into some early Spring/Winter Break crowds!

Park Hours at Disney World in February

The parks hours throughout the month of February tend to be pretty steady! Most parks will open at either 8AM or 9AM, and close at either 8PM or 9PM.

Hollywood Studios

Magic Kingdom will usually stay open a little later (usually 10PM), but outside of that, Disney World park hours are pretty consistent in February!

Weather at Disney World in February

The temperatures tend to start warming up a little bit this month compared to January, which has the lowest average temps throughout the year! In February, the average high is 75 degrees and the average low is 54 degrees. So, typically the mornings and evenings are chilly, but the afternoons can warm up a bit!

Disney’s Boardwalk

February is also relatively dry — by Disney World standards! There are an average of 4 rainy days throughout the month, which is less frequent than you could expect during the summer months.

How to Pack for Disney World in February

Okay, we just touched on how the temperature can be chilly in the mornings and evenings, but warm up during the afternoon. So that means you’ll want to pack clothes you can layer for your February trip! We suggest bringing a sweatshirt or jacket, gloves, scarf, and hat so you can wear them out in the morning, and store them in your park bag when it starts to warm up!

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

And don’t forget those closed-toe shoes! Even if you’re usually a sandals in the park kinda person, the frigid temps in the mornings and evenings can be especially hard on the feet. So make sure you come prepared!

Epcot International Festival of the Arts

If you’re traveling to Disney World in February, there’s a good chance your trip will overlap with the Epcot International Festival of the ArtsThe event usually runs through late-February, so if your vacation lands at the end of the month, be sure to check the festival dates and plan your park days accordingly. Trust us, this isn’t an event you want to miss out on if you can help it!

Festival of the Arts Sign

The Festival of the Arts has so much to see and do, including Food Studios, live entertainment, unique merchandise, complimentary seminars, and extra-ticketed workshops!

2020 Pop Eats! Food Studio

We looooove the festival Food Studios because the food is both delicious AND beautiful! Since it is the Festival of the Arts, there’s a huge focus on the presentation of the menu items at each of the booths.

In past years, we’ve seen favorites like the Sushi Donut, Smoked Salmon and Cream Gâteauand Festival of the Arts Mini-Cake!

Sushi Donut

Festival entertainment includes Performing Arts like the  Disney on Broadway Concert Series, live music, living statues, and more! And the Visual Arts are represented as well! Guests can find Artful Photo Opschalk art, and character art throughout the park!

Peter Pan Photo Op

And guests can commemorate their time by picking up some festival merchandise! In addition to classic options like tumblers, clothing, and plushes, you can also purchase work by featured artists located throughout the park!

Festival of the Arts Merchandise

If you want to take your exploration of the arts to another level, check out one of the free seminars or extra-ticketed workshops offered during the event!

Trailblazing Ladies of Disney Animation Complimentary Seminar

Even though it’s the newest addition to the Epcot lineup, the Festival of the Arts is quickly becoming one of our favorite events! It’s definitely worth checking out during your February trip!

Annual Ride Refurbishments

Another thing to consider if you’re planning a February trip — several of the rides and attractions in Disney World will be down for annual refurbishments! This is particularly important if you’re a water ride enthusiast. Both Splash Mountain in Magic Kingdom and Kali River Rapids in Animal Kingdom usually go down for refurbishment in mid-January and remain unavailable until mid to late-March.

Splash Mountain Refurbishment

And you’ll have limited access to the water parks as well! Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach go down for refurbishment in alternating months. So, if you’re traveling in February, only one of them will be open!

Valentine’s Day Treats

If you’re traveling in mid-February, you’ll see a lot of pink, red, and heart-shaped treats! We typically see Valentine’s Day themed snacks available at least a few days before and after the holiday.

Of course, there are plenty of Valentine’s Day Cupcakes available around the parks and resorts! And we’ve spotted some more inventive desserts as well — like the (almost too pretty to eat) Bella Notte Petit Cake at Amorette’s Patisserie in Disney Springs!

Bella Notte Petit Cake

If you’re traveling in February, be sure to keep an eye on menus across Disney World for fun, Valentine’s Day menu options! For instance, in the past, Kona Cafe at Disney World’s Polynesian Village Resort has offered Red Velvet Pancakes with Cream Cheese Topping as a limited-time offering!

Red Velvet Breakfast Special

And there are plenty of places in Disney World to have a date night! Several locations in Disney Springs offer Valentine’s Day specials and menus for a romantic night out on the town! So if you find yourself in Disney World with your Valentine, you can have a Bella Notte, indeed.

If you’re planning a trip to Disney World in February, you have a lot to be excited about! The (usually) manageable crowd levels, super-fun Epcot Festival of the Arts, and delicious Valentine’s Day treats can make Disney World even more awesome! Just be sure to prepare yourself for the ride refurbishments and potentially chilly temps and you’ll be in for a magical vacay!

Are you planning a trip to Disney World in February? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney parks, Disney Springs, Featured, Walt Disney World, 2020 Epcot Festival of the Arts, 2020 Epcot International Festival of the Arts, attraction refurbishments, Blizzard Beach, Blizzard Beach Refurbishment, closed typhoon lagoon, crowd levels, disney valentine’s day treats, disney world crowd levels, Disney World crowds, disney world park hours, disney world planning, disney world planning tips, disney world valentine’s day, Disney World weather, disney’s typhoon lagoon, kali river rapids, ride refurbish, splash mountain, Splash Mountain Closure, valentine’s day menus, valentine’s day menus at disney world, valentine’s day specials, walt disney world planning, weather