March at Disney World kicks off the start of the busy Spring Break season. Typically, the first week of March will have the lowest crowds (and the best chance for cooler temps), but the further into the month you go the busier it will get.
Here's what you need to know:
How our Crowd Calendars Work
Ready to dive in? Jump down to the March Crowd Calendar
1. For each day of the month, we tell you on a scale of 1-10 how busy the entire Walt Disney World Resort is when compared to other days of the year.
2. Then, for each park you'll see the park hours and any special events that are planned.
3. We also track refurbishments and closings (which you can toggle on and off).
4. We have a handy feature that allows you to automatically add your Advanced Dining Reservation date to your calendar.
5. And, one of the most useful features is the ability to be able to print the calendar so that you can have a paper copy for planning (or to just use as a backup).
What order should you visit the parks?
Depending on the length of your trip, here's how many days we recommend for each park:
When it comes time to decide which days are best for each park, here are some general things to keep in mind:
- Hollywood Studios is consistently the first park to reach capacity, primarily because of popular attractions like Rise of the Resistance and Slinky Dog Dash.
- Magic Kingdom is the most popular park overall. It is also the park most first-time visitors think of when they think "Disney World". Saturdays are the busiest, with mid-week typically the least busy.
- Epcot hosts nearly year-round festivals, and those festivals are popular with both out-of-state visitors as well as with locals. And, since a lot of what the festivals are famous for are alcohol and food, the areas around the Festival Booths can be a lot busier (and a bit rowdier) than what you'd find during the daytime hours on the weekdays. If that isn't the vibe you are looking for, you may want to skip Epcot during the nighttime on Friday and Saturdays.
- Even with the new Park Pass system, Animal Kingdom remains one of the "easiest" parks to fit into a trip. You should be able to plug it in wherever it makes the most sense for you.
We go into a lot more detail in our guide on The Best Days to Visit Each Park.
Planning for Disney World in March
PARK HOURS | PRICES & DISCOUNTS | SPECIAL EVENTS | WEATHER | WHAT TO WEAR | REFURBISHMENTS & CLOSURES | WHAT'S NEW | TIPS
PARK HOURS
Disney publishes its park hours about 75 days in advance, but those hours can (and very often do) change.
Note: This used to be about 180 days in advance, but since the reopening, they have transitioned to a roughly 75-day window.
As the dates get closer, it isn't unusual for Disney to tweak either the opening or closing times. And during especially busy times of the year, they may change both.
That means to avoid having your plans sidetracked, you'll definitely want to keep checking the park hours - including while on your trip.
When it comes to park hours - in general - the heavier the crowds, the longer the parks will be open during the day. Of course, that also means that the parks will be open fewer hours of the day during less busy times of the years.
In March, that means that you'll typically find the parks open longer over Spring Break. And, if Easter happens to fall during March when you are traveling, expect longer hours around then, too.
Read More:
- Guide to Magic Kingdom Park Hours
- Guide to Epcot Park Hours
- Guide to Hollywood Studios Park Hours
- Guide to Animal Kingdom Park Hours
PRICES AND DISCOUNTS
If you are looking for a good deal, early March is a pretty good time to find one.
It isn't unheard of to see discounts later in the month, however, the inventory may be more limited than during less busy times of the year.
Guide to Disney World Discounts
SPECIAL EVENTS
International Flower and Garden Festival
Epcot never looks more lovely than during the Flower and Garden Festival, which means March is the perfect time for a visit to this iconic park.
Taking place in the spring (and sometimes early summer) this festival brings dozens of larger-than-life topiaries as well as plenty of food and drink options inspired by all things garden fresh.
Overview of the International Flower and Garden Festival
50th Anniversary Celebration
Walt Disney World is celebrating 50 years!
Extending all the way from October 1, 2021 until April 1, 2023, this celebration will offer guests the opportunities for new experiences, entertainment, and of course merchandise and treats.
Complete Guide to the 50th Anniversary at Walt Disney World
WEATHER
March brings with it plenty of opportunities for shorts as well as some chances for chilly temps.
You can expect for the temps to range from lows in the upper 50s to highs in the upper 70s, but remember - those are just averages.
It isn't unusual to see those lows dip into the upper 40s and the highs to climb to the near 90s.
While not as necessary as in January and February, we still recommend you plan on layers for March, especially if you come from a warm climate.
And, don't forget about the rain.
March typically sees more rain so come prepared with multiple pairs of shoes, ponchos, and umbrellas just in case.
How to handle the weather at Disney World
CAN YOU SWIM IN MARCH?
Yes, you can!
The good news is that the pools across the resort are heated. In addition, at least one of Disney's 2 water parks is also typically open in March.
The beginning of the month might be a bit chilly, but guests from colder climates report that swimming in March isn't bad at all, especially the further into the month you go. And, in most instances, by the end of the month the thought of a pool will sound delightful after a long day in the parks.
If swimming is a must-do, and you are worried about the temps, your best bet is to give it a go during the middle of the day when the air temperatures are the highest.
Note: during especially cold stretches, Disney will close the pools and water parks.
FAQ's about the Pools at Walt Disney World
WHAT TO WEAR
When packing for Disney World in March, we still think layers are your best bet.
The mornings and evenings may be chilly, but you may find that short sleeves will work just fine during the middle of the day.
We recommend you pack and wear things you can easily take off and put back on.
This is especially true if you're planning to dine indoors, and in fact we keep a light jacket in our park bag for just those occasions.
Even when the temps outside are hot, the restaurants and even some attractions can be chilly, so plan accordingly if you're the type of person that gets easily chilled.
Ultimate Packing List for Walt Disney World
REFURBISHMENTS AND CLOSURES
Most of the routine refurbishments are wrapping up in March, however, you'll likely still find a few things unavailable.
We keep track of those on the calendar below.
To see what will be closed on your trip, toggle the "attraction closings" tab.
WATER PARKS
Over the winter, Disney typically closes Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon (one at a time) for refurbishment.
These scheduled closings typically take place between the end of October and mid-March.
Make sure you check the calendar below to see what park will be open during your visit.
WHAT'S NEW?
At this time, no major new attraction, restaurant, or show is scheduled to open in March.
TIPS FOR DISNEY WORLD IN MARCH
- Layers, layers, layers. The weather can fluctuate greatly, so make sure you pack things you can take off and put on easily.
- Keep checking for discounts. Even if you've already booked discounts can still be applied.
- If Easter falls during March, expect even heavier-than-average Spring Break crowds.
