Disney World in April 2026 (Dates, Weather, and Crowds)
If you’re visiting Disney World this April, you could encounter major crowds, depending on which week of the month you visit. The good news is that the weather will probably be gorgeous except for a few scattered thunderstorms. Those visiting the first two weeks of the month are going to want to pack their patience. We’ll discuss why in the crowd section below. That said, this month is a delightful time to visit. Easter Sunday falls on the 5th of the month, which means you might have a rare opportunity to meet Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny at Magic Kingdom on the days leading up to the holiday. Additionally, many of the resorts host elaborate Easter egg displays created by their cast members. It’s a fun offering to incorporate into a resort hop for anyone interested.
Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival continues throughout the month. Then, about mid-month, we’ll see the runners come in for the runDisney Springtime Surprise weekend. We’ll discuss what to expect in more detail below. As always, remember that this is a living guide that is updated as needed until the entire month has passed. Let’s take a look at what we have to date.
What About the Crowds This Month?
Crowds are imminent in April, especially the first two weeks of the month. We have found that the week leading up to Easter, followed by the week after, are among the busiest times of the year. They aren’t quite as bad as the week between Christmas and New Year’s, but you would probably never know it. We had friends visit for about two weeks during the Easter season a few years back. During their stay, I spent more time in the parks than I normally do during the more crowded seasons. It was so busy that we left early nearly every day. Of course, we are regulars who aren’t tied to a schedule of when we can visit. Bottom line, you’re going to want to invest in Lightning Lanes to get things done. If Lightning Lanes aren’t in your budget, start early, take breaks, and stay late.
Things will let up slightly after the 12th, only to pick back up by the 16th, when runners come in for the runDisney Springtime Surprise race weekend. This will be the last race weekend until October. If you’re looking for the lowest crowds in April, expect them between April 21st and the end of the month. Really, anytime between late April up until the weekend ahead of Memorial Day in May will be one of the best times of the year to visit. It could be hot (but not August-September hot), and you will likely see large groups of dance teams and cheerleaders who are in town for competitions. I don’t necessarily think these larger groups have a major impact on crowds, but they are noticeable as “large groups of teenagers.”
What About the Weather in April?
April is pretty much the precursor to summer. You might have a few chilly evenings that require a lightweight jacket or sweatshirt, but for the most part, it will be warm. It could even be borderline hot. My April wardrobe is typically shorts and short sleeves. It’s also a great month to hit the pools. Don’t forget to bring plenty of sunscreen. While you’re at it, pack a poncho or rain jacket. If the area is not in a drought, we’re getting close to “daily afternoon thunder shower” mode. It’s that time of year when rain usually becomes part of the regular forecast.
April 2026 at Disney World
Here is our timeline for the month:
Major Dates, Holidays, and Events
- April 5th: Easter Sunday (Expect significant crowds. The week before and after Easter Sunday is often the busiest time of the year aside from the Christmas holidays.)
- April 16th-20th: runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend (See entire 2026-early 2027 runDisney schedule.)
Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival: This festival celebrates the return of Spring, gardening, and flowers! I personally consider it to be the most wonderful time of the year at Epcot. You’ll find incredible topiary displays throughout the park, the Garden Rock concert series held nightly, and outdoor kitchens offering a variety of fresh eats, among other things. We’ll have our 2026 Epcot International Flower and Garden Guide available as soon as we have more information about the upcoming offering.
Extended Evening Hours
We’ll list the dates for extended evening hours in April as they are posted:
April Hours TBD.
Extended Evening Hours are offered twice weekly for deluxe and deluxe villa resort guests.
Disney After Hours Dates in April
Disney After Hours will be held on the following evenings this April. This event will not affect park hours. However, you might see more crowds at the park between 7:00 p.m. and regular park closing times as guests begin to arrive for the event:
- Magic Kingdom: April 13th and April 20th
- Epcot: April 2nd, 9th, 15th, 23rd, and 30th
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: April 29th
If you would like to learn more, see our guide to Disney After Hours in 2026.
Temporary Attraction Closures for April 2026
Magic Kingdom: The following attractions are currently closed for refurbishment. As of this update, a reopening date has not been announced.
- Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin is closed for a lengthy refurbishment and is expected to reopen in the Spring of 2026.
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is closed for a lengthy refurbishment and is expected to reopen in the Spring of 2026.
- Pete’s Silly Sideshow may still be closed for refurbishment. The characters who normally meet at this location are still available within Storybook Circus.
- Cinderella Castle is being repainted in 2026. Disney has noted that you might see cranes around the castle on or before noon each day. There could be slight entertainment changes to Let the Magic Begin (welcome show), Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire (castle stage show), and Happily Ever After. You’ll want to check the entertainment schedule in the My Disney Experience app on the day of your visit.
Epcot: Nothing is posted for the month.
Hollywood Studios: Nothing is posted for this month.
- Reminder: The Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster closed in March. A new version of the attraction is expected to open in the summer. This attraction will be closed in April.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Nothing is posted for the month.
- Reminder: The entirety of Dinoland U.S.A. closed in early February 2026. A new land is being constructed in that area of the park.
For all scheduled refurbishments for the year, see our list of Disney World Ride Refurbishments. For ongoing and upcoming refurbishments at the various resorts, see our list of Disney Hotel Refurbishments.
Final Thoughts
We will update this calendar as more announcements are made. As always, we hope that our timelines will serve not only as a current reference but also as a future one. If you’re thinking about visiting in April of 2027, the majority of the information outside of refurbishments and slight date changes will be similar. Remember that Easter changes each year, and the weeks before and after are the worst because more people can travel around holidays.
If your dates aren’t restricted to a specific time of year, you might enjoy our guide: The Best and Worst Months to Visit Disney World. It is the best place to start regarding the various seasons. For overall planning, our step-by-step Disney World Planning Guide breaks everything down in a simple format. You might also enjoy our guide that teaches you how to create your own budget for Disney World. Make sure to check back with Resorts Gal soon for the latest Disney news, planning, and reviews. You might also enjoy joining our newsletter list.
Disney World Guides for Other Months
If you’re interested in learning about another month specifically, you might enjoy these guides:
- Disney World in January
- Disney World in February
- Disney World in March
- Disney World in April (You are here.)
In the Comments
Are you planning to visit Walt Disney World in April? Do you have any questions that we didn’t touch on in this guide? If so, let us know below in our comments section.
