So you are planning a vacation to Disney World in March 2016?
March is a wonderful time to visit Walt Disney World!
Weather
The weather in Disney World during March can be beautiful. The average high is about 78 degrees, the average low is about 54 degrees and the average rainfall is about 4.01 inches. March is the fifth rainiest month of the year with generally mild temperatures. Hurricane season has not yet begun, however there are the occasional severe storms with tornadoes during this time of year. Remember that although it can reach the upper 70’s by afternoon, low 50’s waiting for the bus in the morning can be very chilly, especially given the high humidity levels in Florida.
Crowds
In years past, March typically began with moderate crowds and by mid-month when a lot of schools begin their Spring Breaks, the crowd levels became high. In 2016, crowd levels are expected to be high throughout the month due to the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, St. Patrick’s Day, Spring Break, Easter, and an overall increase in attendance seen in the last several months. Pack your patience!
March 1 – March 5
Average Crowd Level 4.2 out of 10
March 6 – March 12
Average Crowd Level 7.6 out of 10
March 13 – March 19
Average Crowd Level 8.9 out of 10
March 20 – March 26
Average Crowd Level 9.1 out of 10
March 27 – March 31
Average Crowd Level 10 out of 10
Park Hours
Magic Kingdom
Open most days from 9am – 10pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Epcot
Open most days from 9am – 9pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Hollywood Studios
Open most days from 9am – 8pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Animal Kingdom
Open most days from 9am – 6pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
For specific hours on each day during March, please click this link. Remember that park hours are subject to change and are often adjusted two weeks prior.
Events
A wonderful part about visiting Disney World in March is the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. In 2016, the event will run from March 2 – May 30 and features over 100 topiaries, interesting gardening demonstrations, beautiful flowers, weekend music concerts and several outdoor kitchens serving delicious foods and beverages. For more information about the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, please click here.
For an exciting St. Patrick’s Day celebration, head over to Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant in Disney Springs for music, food, and fun.
If you are visiting around Easter, Disney always has additional offerings to celebrate the holiday. There is usually an Easter parade in Magic Kingdom, meet and greets with Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny, and the Epcot Egg-stravaganza Easter Egg Hunt. And remember Disney Floral can help you decorate your resort room and provide gifts for the occasion, just click here for more information.
Refurbishments
Periodically throughout the year, Disney closes attractions for refurbishments and enhancements. Here are the currently scheduled closures during March (subject to change without notice):
Magic Kingdom
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: April 4 – July 15, 2016
Jungle Cruise: March 1 – 3, 2016
Epcot
Frozen Ever After: October 5 – May 1, 2016
Soarin’: January 4 – June 1, 2016
The Circle of Life: February 7 – April 2, 2016
Hollywood Studios
Pizza Planet: January 11 – TBD
Star Wars Land: Opening TBD
Toy Story Land: Opening TBD
Animal Kingdom
Boneyard: February 22 – March 17, 2016
Flights of Wonder: January 25 – March 17, 2016
Pandora – The World of AVATAR: Opening TBD
Rivers of Light: Opening in 2016
Water Parks
Typhoon Lagoon: Park Closed January 4 – March 12, 2016
Disney Springs
Fulton’s Crab House: May 1 – December 31, 2016
Planet Hollywood: January 1 – June 1, 2016
Resort Hotels
Art of Animation: Schoolyard Sprayground January 1 – March 11, 2016
Bay Lake Tower: Bay Cove Pool February 1 – March 18, 2016
Boardwalk Inn: Flying Fish Café February 1, 2016 – September 30, 2016
Caribbean Beach Resort: Aruba Pool February 22 – April 15, 2016
Contemporary Resort: Bay Cove Pool February 1 – March 18, 2016
Polynesian Village Resort: Polynesian East Pool To Be Completed In 2016
Pop Century: Bowling Pin Pool February 16 – March 1, 2016
Walt Disney World Dolphin: Guest Room Refurbishments 2016 – 2017
Wilderness Lodge: Hidden Springs Quiet Pool, Resort Beach, Playground and Fire Pit To Be Completed In 2017
Planning Tips
If you are traveling to Disney World in March 2016, your planning is probably well under way at this point. Here’s a checklist to make sure you are on track:
- Make sure you have created your My Disney Experience account. If you haven’t, click here to sign up now.
- If you haven’t already made your dining reservations, be sure to make them now by clicking here.
If you are staying on site, be sure to customize your MagicBand on your My Disney Experience account by picking the color and adding your name. And if you really want to make your MagicBand special, personalize it with your own custom designed MagicBand Skin from Magic YOUR Band. Click here to get started!- Now is a great time to research what attractions you and your family would like to see at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Because Walt Disney World is so large, it is very difficult to see everything during one trip, so be sure to get everyone’s top priorities. This is also a great time to begin looking at menus for counter service restaurants so that you have an idea of which locations serve foods that your entire family will enjoy.
- Whether you are staying on site or off-property, be sure to purchase your admission tickets and link them to your My Disney Experience account.
Once your tickets are linked and at exactly 60 days in advance of your check in date (midnight EST time) if you are staying on site or 30 days in advance for all other guests, login to your My Disney Experience account and book your Fastpass+ reservations.- If you are staying on site, be sure to check in online at 60 days out from your arrival date.
- Double check your flight times and if you will be using Disney’s Magical Express for your airport transportation make your reservation at least 60 days in advance by clicking here.
- It’s never too early to start creating a packing list so that you don’t forget anything.
- Need more help planning? Please check out my new book 501 Ways to Make the Most of Your Walt Disney World Vacation, for hundreds of insider tips and secrets for having the most magical Disney World vacation possible!
Special Offers
If you haven’t already made your March 2016 reservations, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save money:
Join The Fun
Disney Vacation Planner Jennifer Hardy and I have teamed up to create a new Facebook Group called Next Disney Vacation! It is the perfect place to talk about your next Disney vacation, ask your questions, get them answered, and share the magic. Everyday you’ll find posts, photos, trivia, tips, and more that we find all throughout the Disney Universe. If you’re counting the days until your next Disney vacation or just dreaming of one, we would love to have you join in the fun! Please click here to be a part of our group!
Have a magical vacation!
At Epcot, guests can dine on Thanksgiving menus during lunch and dinner seatings at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Biergarten Restaurant, Coral Reef Restaurant, Le Cellier Steakhouse, Restaurant Marrakesh, and Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room, as well as quick service at Sunshine Seasons.
Heading to Disney World for Thanksgiving?
Disney World Enthusiast 