Should You Celebrate Easter at Disney World?

Does Disney do anything special and how crowded will it, really, be?

We put a lot of emphasis on celebrating Halloween and Christmas at Disney World, but no one really talks about the smaller holidays at Disney World. Meanwhile, weekends like Thanksgiving, New Year’s Eve, and Fourth of July are some of the busiest times at the happiest place on Earth. 

So, what about Easter? It may be a smaller holiday, but does Disney do anything special? And, what do the crowds look like during Easter weekend? Here’s everything you need to know about going to Disney World during Easter time. 

What Is the Crowd Level During Easter at Disney World?

If you look at our crowd calendar, you’ll notice that Easter weekend (March 29-31) is red, which means “heavy crowds.” In fact, even the days before and after Easter are red. 

That’s not because Easter is a popular holiday to celebrate in Disney, but rather because many school students’ spring breaks fall over the Easter holiday — so parents use this time to take a vacation. We’d expect lots of people and long lines for a few days before and after Easter. It’s impossible to know which days, however, because different school districts have different spring break dates. 

But, if you’re locked in on hopping to Orlando for Easter, what can you expect in the parks? 

Does Disney World Do Anything Special for Easter?

Disney does not go all out for Easter — so don’t expect Halloween or Christmas-level decorations and theming around the parks — but, they do have some festivities.

The best place to find Easter decor and activities is, actually, at the resorts. 

Credit: Disney

Disney Resorts at Easter

You can find Easter egg displays — similar to Disney’s Christmas gingerbread displays — at  Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, and Disney’s Beach Club Resort this year. Each giant egg is expertly themed and designed by a member of Disney’s culinary team — even the pastry team is in on the eggs. The Easter egg displays are a can’t-miss attraction that are open starting March 3.

In addition to the egg displays, the resorts and Disney Springs also offer an array of Easter-themed foods. While the 2024 Foodie Guide hasn’t been released yet, you’ll find lots of sweet treats shaped like bunnies, carrot cakes, and, of course, Mickey treats with an Easter flair. The Grand Cottage at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will be open again this year selling special treats through April 1.

However, the Disney World parks don’t tend to get in on this offering, so you’ll have to resort hop if you want to enjoy the themed food and drinks.

You can check the MyDisneyExperience app closer to Easter to find the menus, but, for reference, in 2023 the following restaurants had special menus.

• World Premiere Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort

• Intermission Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort 

• End Zone Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort

• The Mara at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge 

• Landscape of Flavors at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

• Everything POP Shopping & Dining at Disney’s Pop Century Resort

• Beach Club Marketplace at Disney’s Beach Club Resort 

• Beaches & Cream Soda Shop at Disney’s Beach Club Resort 

• BoardWalk Deli and Carousel Coffee at Disney’s Boardwalk 

• Centertown Market and Spyglass Grill at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort 

• Contempo Café at Disney’s Contemporary Resort 

• Steakhouse 71 at Disney’s Contemporary Resort 

• Barcelona Lounge at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort 

• Three Bridges Bar and Grill at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort 

• Gasparilla’s Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa 

• Good’s Food to Go at Disney’s Old Key West Resort 

• The Artist’s Palette at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa 

• Pineapple Lanai at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort 

• Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory and Riverside Mill Food Court at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter and Riverside

• Le Petit Café at Disney’s Riviera Resort

• Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera at Disney’s Riviera Resort

• Roaring Fork at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

• Geyser Point Bar & Grill at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

• Market at Ale & Compass at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort 

• Amorette’s Patisserie at Disney Springs 

• The Ganachery at Disney Springs 

• Swirls on the Water at Disney Springs 

• Vivoli Il Gelato at Disney Springs 

Don’t worry, the parks do partake in some Easter festivities. 

Disney Parks at Easter

At Magic Kingdom, Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny make an appearance both in a parade and for a meet and greet. It hasn’t been announced when they will hop into Magic Kingdom, but it's rumored it might only be on the weekend (March 30 and 31). The Easter bunnies tend to pop up near Liberty Square or near City Hall on Main Street, U.S.A., according to PlanDisney.

The bunnies also take part in the special, short Easter parade that precedes the Festival of Fantasy Parade. Once we get closer to Easter, you can check “Today’s Showtimes” in your MyDisneyExperience app to learn more about the parade. 

Of course, Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival will be taking place during Easter. That event is already quite springy and bright, thanks to the gorgeous topiaries and exhibits.

In addition to the festival, however, Epcot is once-again hosting its Egg-stravaganza Scavenger Hunt. Each country in World Showcase will have a different character egg for you to spot. When you find an egg, you’ll add a sticker to your map — whether or not you collect all the stickers, you can still go home with a prize. There is a catch, though, unlike Epcot’s Kidcot, which is a free way to entertain your kids in World Showcase, the scavenger hunt will cost you $9.99 to participate. So, even if you don’t finish the hunt, make sure you get your prize before heading out. The Egg-stravaganza Scavenger Hunt starts in March and runs through April 9.

Disney Parks Hours for Easter

Disney World will be open for extended park hours on Easter Sunday and through the first week of April.

From Mach 31 to April 6, Magic Kingdom will be open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily — with early entry for hotel guests starting at 7:30 a.m. Magic Kingdom will also be open for extended evening hours to certain Deluxe and Deluxe Villa resort guests on April on April 3. Those guests can stay at the park until 1 a.m.

On March 31 and April 6, Hollywood Studios will be open from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. — with early entry beginning at 8:30 a.m. But on April 1 through 5, it's open from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. — with early entry starting at 8 a.m. There is also a special, ticketed Disney After Hours event at Hollywood Studios on April 3. Guests who buy a ticket can stay at the park until 12:30 a.m.

Easter Sunday through April 6, Animal Kingdom will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily — with early entry beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Epcot's hours have not changed. The park will still open at 9 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. — with early entry available at 8:30 a.m. Epcot does have a Disney After Hours event scheduled for April 4 — so ticketed guests can stay at the park until 1 a.m.

And, there you have it, that’s all she wrote on Disney’s Easter weekend. So, if you were hoping for a big celebration on your spring break, this might not be the weekend for you — we’d recommend an October, November, or December trip for that. However, if you already have your Easter trip booked, no need to worry, there are plenty of fun things you can find once you’re on property — it’s why Disney’s app is your best friend!