The Disney World MISTAKE You’ll Make in March

You forget your socks. You fully bought that MagicBand+ and left it at home. Or you completely forgot a virtual queue would be required for a popular ride. These are just some of the MANY mistakes you can make in Disney World.

Slinky Dog Dash

But those mistakes don’t even begin to scratch the surface of the possible mishaps you could experience if you visit Disney World in March. Did you know some major things will be ENDING or CLOSED in March, while others will be reopening? It’s a big month for the parks, so let’s go over what you need to know.

Here’s a list of the MAJOR mistakes you could make in Disney World in March:

1 — Not Expecting Spring Break Crowds

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again — Spring Break crowds in Disney World are NO JOKE. Mid-March (starting around March 15th) can be particularly bad as more kids get out of school and start to make their way to the Most Magical Place on Earth.

So what do you need to be prepared for? Well, for starters, get ready for bigger crowds in general. That means you’ll likely find a whole bunch of people in the walkways throughout the parks — don’t expect to go and see empty streets!

Spring Break crowds from Disney World in 2022

But it’s not just about the crowds themselves, it’s about the effect the crowds can have on other things in the parks. So if you’ll be traveling during March, particularly during peak spring break season around the middle of March, expect longer wait times through the parks.

You might think Genie+ will be the solution to this, and it could help you skip the lines at lots of rides BUT you’ll want to get Genie+ early. You can purchase Genie+ starting at midnight on the day of your visit. Remember that Genie+ selections are limited in availability so things could fill up faster than at other times of the year. Our recommendation would be to buy Genie+ EARLY (as soon as you can) and prioritize your must-do rides so you don’t run the risk that the service itself or the rides you want sell out later in the day. (We have seen Genie+ sell out at Disneyland before!)

©Disney

You’ll also want to get your Pay-Per-Ride selections fast. Those could sell out earlier in the day so be sure to buy the ones you want as soon as you can (7AM for Disney World hotel guests, park open for all other guests).

You may also find that pick-up times for Mobile Orders fill up faster, so you’ll want to place those orders WELL in advance of mealtime to make sure you can pick the return time you want.

Mobile Order Sign

Bigger crowds can also mean longer security lines, longer lines at the bathrooms, and longer waits at merchandise stores, so just be prepared for that too!

Click here to see how you could SKIP the merchandise checkout lines

2 — Not Watching the Weather

The weather in Disney World can change a LOT. Some days it could be dangerously hot, other times it’s surprisingly cold, and sometimes rain totally floods your plans.

According to The Weather Channel, the average temperatures in Orlando in March usually feature lows in the 50s and highs in the upper 70s and low 80s.

©Weather Channel

Of course, all of that is subject to change. So be sure to check the weather a bunch of times before your trip arrives so you know just what to pack.

Click here for the ULTIMATE Disney World packing list for 2023

3 — Not Being Prepared for a MAJOR Ride Closure

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is CLOSING for refurbishment in late February (February 21st to be exact) and it’ll remain closed until it reopens in the summer, so that means it’ll be down ALL of March (and beyond that). That’s a major adjustment you’ll want to be prepared for.

Rock ‘n Roller Coaster

If Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is a must-do for you, it might be time to adjust those plans. And even if the ride isn’t a must-do, remember that a big ride closure like that can lead to longer waits at other rides in the park as guests that would normally be waiting in that line must spread to other attractions. So, consider knocking out the popular rides earlier in the day or later at night when crowds can lessen, or grab Genie+ to skip the waits.

Click here to read more about EVERY single ride CLOSURE in 2023

4 — Not Preparing for Limited-Time Snacks

If you go into Disney World thinking that all of the snacks will be the same as your last trip, you could totally MISS new eats. March typically brings quite a bit of fun to the parks with St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th. Though treats for St. Patrick’s Day haven’t been released for 2023 yet, we did get a number of especially GREEN items in 2022 and we expect 2023 could be similar. You’ll want to keep an eye out for those throughout the parks and resorts.

How fun!

Also, note that a St. Patrick’s Day festival will be going on from March 16th-19th at Raglan Road in Disney Springs. If you want to experience it for yourself, check out the bands, food, and more on those days. But note that things can get BUSY, so if you’re all about seeing Disney Springs while it’s emptier, you might want to avoid visiting on those days.

5 — Not Remembering a Festival Will Be Starting

Over at EPCOT, March will also bring a festival of a different kind — the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival! The Flower and Garden Festival will begin on March 1st and last all the way through July 5th.

Buzz Lightyear Topiary

There will be special topiaries, food and drinks at limited-time booths, the Garden Rocks Concert Series (and Garden Rocks Concert Series dining package), a scavenger hunt, merchandise, and MORE. Don’t forget to stop by EPCOT during the Festival to see what it has to offer, but remember that a Festival can bring more crowds to EPCOT on the Festival’s opening day and weekends (generally Friday-Sunday), so consider visiting during the weekdays for slightly lower crowds.

Click here to learn all about the Flower and Garden Festival!

If you’re planning a visit to the Flower & Garden Festival, you’ll want to pick up our DFB Guide before you go! Our downloadable ebook has ALL of the details, touring tips and advice you need so you don’t miss a thing at this year’s fest!

Get our DFB Guide to the festival!

AND you can use code WDW2023 for 25% off!

Get the DFB Guide to the Flower & Garden Festival Here!

6 — Forgetting That It’s the END of the 50th Anniversary

Right now, the 50th Anniversary of Disney World is being celebrated, but the festivities won’t be sticking around forever. The 50th Anniversary fun only lasts through March 31st, so March will be your last chance to see some special things in the parks.

50th Anniversary Grand Finale Ears

There are special character-themed statues throughout the parks, Beacon of Magic overlays on park icons at night, unique merchandise, a Celebration Cavalcade in Magic Kingdom, unique snacks, and more. Disney hasn’t announced just how many things will be disappearing after March 31st, but we expect at least some (if not many) of the things that arrived for the 50th could go away.

Glimmer and Shimmer Churro

So, don’t skip out on the 50th Anniversary snack you want to try or merch you want to get thinking you’ll grab it next time because there might not be a next time once the celebration ends!

See our COMPLETE GUIDE to the 50th Anniversary here

7 — Not Booking the Dining Promo Card in Time

The Disney Dining Plan might not be back, but you can take advantage of a different dining offer right now — the Dining Promo Card. The Dining Promo Card is basically a gift card that you can use at select Disney World restaurants.

If you book a qualifying Disney hotel reservation by March 27th, 2023, you’ll receive the promo card in your email once you check into your reservation. The card’s value depends on your vacation arrival date, how long you’re staying at the hotel, and which hotel you choose. Depending on your stay, you could get upwards of $750 or even more on the Dining Promo Card to use during your stay.

Mickey AND Minnie?!

To qualify, you’ll have to book a minimum 4-night stay at a Disney World hotel with at least 4 days of park tickets. You get one gift card per ROOM, not per person.

But the Dining Promo Card offer won’t be around forever. It’ll only be available for guests who are visiting between June 25th and September 14th, 2023, but you’ll need to book that qualifying trip by March 27th, 2023. So don’t miss your chance to book a trip and get that Dining Promo Card at no extra cost.

That’s a LOT of Food

To learn more about the Dining Promo Card and how to best use it, check out our posts below:

8 — Missing Major Restaurant Changes

Major restaurant changes are also coming to Disney World in March and you need to be prepared for them. First, buffet-style service will return to Chef Mickey’s at Disney Contemporary Resort on March 1st.

Chef Mickey’s

Also, princesses/character dining will be returning to Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom on February 28th, 2023, so you’ll be able to take advantage of this change if you’ll be visiting in March. (Currently, only Cinderella greets guests and it’s in a meet-and-greet done BEFORE the meal.) But note that a price increase will come with this princess change.

You Are Most Cordially Invited to enter Cinderella’s Royal Table!

Also, at Hollywood & Vine in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the restaurant’s theming will CHANGE in March. While breakfast’s Disney Junior theming remains the same, Minnie’s Seasonal Dining at Lunch and Dinner will change in March.

Minnie’s Silver Screen Dine (themed to the glamor of Hollywood) lasts through March 15th. On March 16th, the Springtime Dine (themed, as you guessed, to spring) will begin and last through May 24th.

It’s Minnie!

Also, note that Trail’s End Restaurant at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground is set to close in the spring of 2023. It will reopen later in 2023 as a marketplace concept with expanded quick service options and the table service option will NOT be offered. Disney hasn’t announced exactly when this will take place, but since March is springtime, you may want to get in those last few visits to Trail’s End BEFORE that closure.

Trail’s End

More changes could be on the way, so we’ll continue to look for updates.

Click here to read about every single restaurant CLOSURE in 2023

9 — Missing Important Time Changes

Disney World’s calendars can change a lot when it comes to park operating hours or the times of certain entertainment shows. It’s important that you review the hours for each day in March so you know what park will open first, which will stay open the latest, etc. That can help you know how to best plan your trip and select the best Park Passes for each day. Click here to see the FULL list of park operating hours for March of 2023.

Walt Disney World

One important change we want to note for 2023 is that Fantasmic! showtimes will change partway through the month. From March 1st through March 11th, the show will be available at 8PM & 9:30PM. But on March 12th (through March 31st) that changes to 8:30PM & 10PM.

Fantasmic!

Keep that in mind when planning other things in your day!

Click here to see the full list of Fantasmic! showtimes for 2023

10 — Forgetting About a Major Ride REOPENING

Though Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster will be closed in March, another Disney World ride will REOPEN that month. Kali River Rapids in Disney’s Animal Kingdom has been closed since early January for refurbishment. But if you’re itching to get WET, the ride is expected to reopen in mid-March so be on the lookout for that!

Kali River Rapids will reopen soon

A reopening date has not been “officially” announced by Disney, but the calendar does begin to list hours for the ride starting March 17th, 2023, so we expect it could open around then.

11 — Not Realizing a NEW Restaurant is Opening

March will also bring a brand NEW restaurant to Disney World! Roundup Rodeo BBQ will be opening in Disney’s Hollywood Studios on March 23rd.

The family-style table service restaurant will be themed to Toy Story, feature BBQ eats, and will likely be a popular pick for many families to visit. So if you’re hoping to go, book that reservation ASAP. They become available on February 21st.

Click here to learn EVERYTHING you need to know about Roundup Rodeo BBQ

12 — Forgetting About Other Changes

Finally, there are other changes happening in March that you could totally forget about, but you shouldn’t! First, the Annual Passholder-exclusive popcorn bucket will only be available through March 31st, 2023, so you’ll want to pick that up while you can!

Find it at:

City Hall Popcorn Cart at Magic Kingdom park
Popcorn Cart near Creations Shop at EPCOT
Feeding Ground Popcorn Cart at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park
Hollywood Popcorn cart at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
West Side Cart at Disney Springs

Annual Passholder popcorn bucket

Also, the High Rock Spring Pool and On the Rocks Pool Bar at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort (as well as the leisure pool at Treehouse Villas) have been closed since early January 2023, but they are set to reopen in late March.

And March 30th is the last day to save up to $100 per night on a Disney World trip (with a room-and-ticket package) through one special offer. For example, Disney specifically notes that you could save $400 on a 4-night, 4-day Walt Disney Travel Company room-and-ticket package at select Disney resort hotels, but the exact savings will depend on just how many nights you stay and where you stay.

Pop Century

The deal only lasts through March 30th, 2023 though, so you’ll need to make sure your vacation happens SOON!

Click here for those offer details

And that’s a look at the MISTAKES you could make in Disney World in March. For more help planning your trip, see our posts below:

And stay tuned for more news!

Click HERE to See All the Updated Details for EPCOT’s International Flower and Garden Festival!

Ready to Plan for Your 2023 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival Trip?

Pre-Order the DFB Guide to the 2023 EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival e-Book today! This 220+ page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever.

Your purchase includes several bonus items as well — including a full schedule of events at the Festival and a printable Outdoor Kitchens Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World!

Pre-Order your 2023 edition today! Don’t miss a moment of the fun!

Disney by Mark