Easter 2013 at Walt Disney World
By Dave Shute
EASTER 2013 AT DISNEY WORLD
2013 Easter crowds (and prices!!) at Walt Disney World will hit a very high peak in the week beginning March 23, 2013, and be as high for most of the week beginning March 30, 2013.
Try your best to avoid Walt Disney World during these two weeks.
For specific 2013 Disney World Easter events (as they are announced)–ranging from where to find the Easter Bunny at Disney World to Easter Sunday services at Disney’s Contemporary Resort–see this page on MouseSavers.com.
For off property Easter services, see this for places of worship near Walt Disney World.
At Walt Disney World itself, typically Easter services are held in the Fantasia Ballroom at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny greet kids at the Magic Kingdom, and Epcot has Easter Egg hunts.
In addition, many Walt Disney World resort hotels hold “candy scrambles” Easter morning.
Check with your resort when you check in for more details.
WALT DISNEY WORLD CROWDS DURING THE EASTER SEASON
Disney World Spring Break crowds are driven by several factors.
The most important is the timing of younger kids’ school breaks, which, while distributed from early March to early May, strongly peaks the weeks before and after Easter.
If you can only attend Disney World during the weeks before or after Easter, use the Summer Itinerary.
(You can preview the Summer itinerary by clicking the image–but follow this link for the full details, including daily guides and a To-Do List, and see this for required and possible changes to it.
(And yes, I know March isn’t summer!… the “Summer Ittinerary” follows the operating patterns Disney World uses during high-crowd periods, and Disney World uses those operating patterns around Easter.)
For more help on Easter 2013 at Walt Disney World, see this.
27 comments
Wonderful site, very helpful! We will be there from 19-28 april 2013 in a standard Mermaid room at the new Art of Animation resort. What kind of special offers can be expected for the last 2 weeks of april 2013? Any gift card, free dining plan or hotel discount usually offered at this time of the year? Thank you and keep your good work.
Hi Linda, and thanks! That’s a great time to go in 2013. See this for more on the month: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2012/09/18/april-2013-walt-disney-world/ There’s been discounts then the past few years, but Disney by policy has been cutting them back, so it’s hard to say if we’ll see them again then in 2013…
We will be there march 27-April 2. What do we need to know about Easter activites and any good disney channel places to visit as we have a 7 and 10 year old. Both girls. This will be our first visit as a family. We have some character dining a booked….any other must sees?
Lisa, this is a wildly busy time of year, with very high crowds your whole trip. There are some minor Easter activities–the Easter Bunny visits the Magic Kingdom, and some of the Disney hotels have candy-finding events. But the key is to have a good plan, especially for mornings. See some of my example itineraries for how to work mornings–e.g. https://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/12/06/summer-itinerary-for-walt-disney-world-v2/ but also see this https://yourfirstvisit.net/itinerary-changes-march-2013/ and this https://yourfirstvisit.net/2012/12/04/coping-disney-world-holiday-crowds/ (The last one is about Xmas week, but also applies to the high crowds you will see.)
See this for the must see rides and attractions: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/03/09/the-comprehensive-guide-to-walt-disney-world-rides-and-attractions/ There’s not much in the parks that’s Disney Channel specific. Disney Junior is at Hollywood Studios, and there’s an Agent P game at Epcot–see this https://yourfirstvisit.net/2012/12/16/review-agent-ps-world-showcase-adventure-epcot/
Hope this helps!
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Hi, We (last minute) booked a trip to Disney, it unfortunately is the week starting March 30, 2013. Reading this I am sad to know that it is not recommended to go to Disney at this time. My husband wanted to take advantage of his only vacation time off with the kids this year. We have been to Disney once three years ago our children are now aged 12,9 and 6. I’m fearful now we have just destroyed a fun family time by going this date. How can we make it better. How can we plan so short patience and tempers don’t get the best of us. Please help me feel better about our trip. We are going to surprise the kids with this trip. Is there a must do Easter activity? I know you said not many Easter activities are going on. Feeling a little deflated just looking for some positive information. Also, for a Catholic Easter service where do you recommend? Thanks
Michelle, I haven’t heard back from you–but take a look at this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2013/03/14/the-common-sense-guide-to-easter-week-at-walt-disney-world/
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Hi Michelle! I can help–but first, tell me if you are staying at a Disney resort hotel or not, as it matters a lot…
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Hi Dave we are going from Apr 2nd to April 9th – we plan on easing into it our first day as we arrive on an early flight and spend time at the pool and maybe take a leisurely visit to downtown disney, our first day at the parks will be Apr 3rd. I’m a little nervous about crowds but we are trying to be very proactive on planning using tips from this site and others. Our kids are 10,5 and 2 and it’s our first visit. We plan on doing early mornings for most popular rides and plan on taking a break after lunch (early lunches) and then return if everyone is refreshed late afternoon for a couple of more hours – of course with a 2 & 5 year old we’ve built flexibility into that! To be honest although there a few rides that are a must (especially with my 10 yr old) I think just being there and together will be a wonderful experience even if we don’t get to do all we would like (good excuse to go back :-)). Finally, to my question – Will the crowds make it uncomfortable to walk around the parks and soak up the atmosphere or is it really the wait for attractions that will be the biggest issue? Thank you – Annette
Hi Annette, your overall approach is great! Both the lines and also the rest of the parks will be mobbed, but for some help, see this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2013/03/14/the-common-sense-guide-to-easter-week-at-walt-disney-world/
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Hi Dave, yes we will be staying at the All-Star Music Resort. Our last visit 3 years ago was a crowded last week of July with temps over 100. I’m wondering also what is the expected temp for the week we will be there.
Michelle, crowds will be higher than on yuor summer visit, but temps will be better! See this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/when-to-go/next-best-dates/weather-and-when-to-go/high-temperatures-year-round/
This is our second trip to WDW, I have a 5 and 9 year old. We are staying off resort. I am getting a little discouraged knowing our trip one of the busiest weeks. Our first day at the park will be March 31(Easter) We will be leaving April 6th. Please help me to make most of our trip, I need some advice on how to beat crowds and find best rides. I would like to do some Easter events, eerily are not doing park hopper, so is Epcot a must for Sunday.? Thanks
Hi Rachelle, for picking which day, see this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2013/03/14/the-common-sense-guide-to-easter-week-at-walt-disney-world/ I would not go to Epcot on the 31st–AK would be my recommendation…
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Do you have an opinion on which park to avoid or attend on which days? Dates again are March 30- April 4. Sounds like Rachelle and I have similar concerns.
Hey Michelle, my answer is the same–see https://yourfirstvisit.net/2013/03/14/the-common-sense-guide-to-easter-week-at-walt-disney-world/
Love this site!! Unfortunately, I can only go on the week after. Easter (of course lol). I am not doing a complete Disney trip..staying at a Marriott near Lake Buena Vista…eating some meals at local restaurants…orange picking, etc. My plan was to hit MK on the 1st bc it’s my daughters birthday, Animal Kingdom on the 3rd, and Epcot in the early evening on the 5th. Does this sound like a good plan or will we be completely deluged regardless?? Lol
Hi Casey and thanks! First you will be completely deluged. Second, even with the birthday, I’d strongly urge swapping your Monday and Wednesday plans–for why, see this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2013/03/14/the-common-sense-guide-to-easter-week-at-walt-disney-world/
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Took your advice…went to AK last night around 5pm. We literally walked on to every ride and show…zero lines and crowds were non-existent. Thank you again for your wisdom and for this site! Will do the same time at MK tomorrow and hope for the best 🙂
Casey, that’s great! And let me know how today goes….
Hi! What do you think about our plan to go to Magic Kingdom on the Friday after Easter (4/5) with rain in the forecast? My mom bought us tickets as a “treat” since I was working in the area and had brought my family with me since it was spring break. Disney during spring break wasn’t in my plans, but since it’s paid for… :). I am hanging on to the possibility that everyone will be traveling home on this day. Any hope? Love your site!!!
Oh Lauren…it’s gonna be a zoo. Yes, some people will have left, but most will depart Saturday or Sunday…and since MK has both morning AND evening extra Magic hours it’ll be crazy! 7a-9a, and after 11p, will be good, tho….and thanks for your kind words about the site.
Well, MK was a hot mess lol. We went around 5pm…waited 40 min for Ariel’s Grotto. Walked onto Tea Cups, carousel, and all shows. Average wait time for most other rides was about 40-70 min. Jungle Cruise was 110 min! We skipped all those lol. Got front row viewing for parade, projection show, and fireworks though.
Epcot on Fri was awesome..got there at 3pm and walked onto everything.
Wanna add that parking was a breeze at all the parks…traffic was ridiculous in Orlando in general. We went to Downtown Disney about five separate times..got to eat at Planet Hollywood, Trex, and Rainforest all with no wait but that’s bc it was just me and a three year old 🙂
Thanks, Casey!
Are you able to update this page for 2014 please – totally bogged down by all the information and really don’t know which days to visit which parks on – thank you 🙂
Jane, see this: http://www.easywdw.com/category/calendar/04-april-2014-crowd-calendar/
sorry meant to specify “Easter” 2014 – thanks 🙂
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