Spring Break Family Vacation Ideas
Fun ideas for a Disney vacation
Updated: September 12, 2022
You made it! While just getting the kids back in school might be your first priority after the summer break, the next thing on your list should be thinking of Spring Break family vacation ideas. While it may seem early, with pent up demand for travel after the pandemic, it is never too early to start planning. It is also important to schedule time off and be reminded why spending money on a family vacation is a great investment. As always, we are here to help you save precious time by providing our favorite spring break family vacation ideas — plus — when you book your family vacation with one of our amazing travel agents, we not only save you time, but often money too, and help you make the most of your family vacation plans!
Walt Disney World vacation packages
The first, and probably most popular, spring break family vacation idea is Walt Disney World resort. With over 30 different options for resorts on Disney property, we can find something for any family. When deciding on the best resort for your family, be thinking about what is most important for your family’s vacation this trip. Is it to be in close proximity to your favorite park? Is it to have a villa or suite large enough to fit everyone you’re bringing along? Is it extraordinary theming and amenities? Or is it budget? Don’t forget about our top 5 reasons we recommend staying on Disney property!
If Walt Disney World is on your radar for Spring Break here are some things to keep in mind.
Weather - High temperatures average out between 75-81 degrees F. This is still a little before the rainy season, so expect lots of Florida sunshine. (However, it is Orlando, so don’t be surprised if a pop-up rain shower occurs!)
Crowds - You will see above average crowd volumes during this time because kiddos are out of school. Because every school has different dates off for Spring Break, some of the crowds are alleviated compared to set holiday crowds like Christmas Day.
Resort availability - By staying on Disney property, you have added convenience to the parks, high-quality customer service, and a holistic Disney vacation experience. Plus there are a number of added perks like entering the parks early before other guests, booking dining reservations for the duration of your trip at 60-days prior to arrival, and being able to book Genie+ Lightning Lane reservations at 7:00 am. All of your transportation around the parks and resorts is also included in your stay from buses and boats to the monorail and Skyliner Transportation System. Deluxe Category resort guests also have access to extended evening hours on select nights at Magic Kingdom Park and/or EPCOT during their stay. Resort availability is subject to change until a deposit is booked on your vacation package. There is no downside to booking early and this helps ensure we can get the resort and room type you prefer.
What’s new? The newest attraction that opened May 27, 2022 is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in EPCOT. This is also a brand new type of attraction that challenges the physics of a typical roller coaster. I rode this in August and thought it was one of the coolest roller coasters I’ve ever been on! Imagine aspects of Space Mountain, Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout, and Rise of the Resistance all coming together to make one super-awesome ride. It isn’t for the faint of heart or weak stomached though, so know your traveling party when deciding who will ride.
Other honorable mentions that might still be new to you if you haven’t traveled to Walt Disney World in the last few years: Space 220 restaurant, expanded France pavilion in EPCOT with Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and creperie, the 50th Anniversary Celebration will continue through about April 2023, and Rise of the Resistance in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Plus, Disney Imagineers are always hard at work and new attractions like Tron will be opening in Spring 2023 and in 2024 Splash Mountain will be reimagined as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Seasonal Events - Also going on this time of year is the annual EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival. You’ll see incredible topiaries, exquisite gardens & floral arrangements, enjoy special Festival food & beverages, see live music performance, and partake in classes and demonstrations.
Disney Cruise Line vacation
My favorite Spring Break family vacation idea involves the Disney Cruise Line. The value provided by a Disney Cruise Line vacation is unparalleled. I personally have sailed 5 different times and have loved each one. We most recently returned from the Inaugural Disney Wish sailing August 5, 2022 which was a gorgeous, brand new ship. I’ll try not to ramble on too much here since I’ve already written a whole post about my top 10 reasons to go on a Disney Cruise, but know that this is one of my all time favorite Disney vacation experiences.
If you’re not too particular about the cruise itinerary and your stateroom cabin location, we could definitely make plans for this Spring Break. But just like other Disney Destinations, the earlier you book the better chance you have for the sailing and stateroom you desire. You can also consider doing a “land & sea” trip where you do a few nights at Walt Disney World and a few nights on a Disney Cruise Line sailing. This gives you the best of both worlds for a vacation full of magical memories!
Aboard the Disney Cruise Line, you’ll experience enchanting entertainment like Broadway caliber shows, Disney character experiences, and fireworks at sea. Every night you’ll dine with the same servers who get to know you and eat chef created cuisines. You can enjoy 24/7 self-serve coffee, tea, soda, water, and soft-serve ice cream, plus a number quick-service dining options on the pool deck for when you are just craving a slice of pizza or the Disney Cruise Line world famous chicken fingers! You’ll be laughing and making memories as a family with themed activities, games, trivia, karaoke, and more. Kids can also enjoy time in the amazing kid’s clubs themed after some of their favorite Disney franchises like Star Wars, Marvel, and Walt Disney Animation. All of this listed is included in your vacation cost! Plus, the cleanliness and world-renowned service of the Disney Difference.
Depending on your schedule, family preferences, and budget, we can find sailings from 3 or 4 days to over a week long sailing. (Speaking from experience, a 3-day is just not long enough — you’ll be wanting more!) Itineraries traveling over Spring Break are to the Bahamas, including stops at Disney’s award winning private Island, Castaway Cay, as well as Western and Eastern Caribbean. If you’re looking for some more adventure, the summer months offer sailings to Alaska or the Mediterranean (Spain, England, France, Denmark, Norway, Russia, Ireland, Sweden, and more depending on the itinerary and length of cruise.)
Adventures by Disney vacations
Speaking of “more adventure,” that brings us to our third recommendation for your spring break family vacation ideas — Adventures by Disney.
“Adventures by Disney is the highest rated vacation for value and has the most return clients than any other Disney Destination.”
Courtesy of Adventures by Disney
There are so many itineraries to choose from with Adventures By Disney. You can stay state-side and enjoy vacations to California, New York, Arizona, Wyoming, and Utah. Or travel abroad with numerous international vacations from European favorites like Spain, France, England, and Ireland to Greece, Iceland, Africa, Egypt, Japan, and more! Plus, the river cruise sailings are tremendously popular and offer you a taste of a few different destinations aboard an intimate cruise atmosphere.
The most incredible part of an Adventures by Disney vacation is the immersive culture experiences and storytelling that Disney provides. Imagine spinning your own pizza dough in Italy, learning to shoot a bow and arrow like Merida, or visiting the rich cultural history of China. There is an itinerary for every family! We can even add on extended visits to some of Disney’s international theme parks like Disneyland Paris.
As we like to say here at Spirit of Adventure Travel, Adventure is Out There! There are numerous benefits for traveling outside of the country for both adults and kids. It provides a sense of confidence, more acceptance and understanding to other cultures, allows you to spend quality time together (often “unplugged”), plus there are developmental benefits for traveling with young children.
Vacations to Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa
Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko’Olina Hawaii is another great Spring Break family vacation idea. This beautiful Hawaiian paradise provides the relaxation you may be craving on your Spring Break vacation, with the fun, service, and reliability of a Disney vacation.
While there is plenty to do on property that is included with your nightly stay such as swimming at the pool, going down the water slide, or floating (all day perhaps) in the lazy river, there are also a number of water activities you can rent daily, such as paddle boards, along Disney’s private beach. We can also coordinate off-property excursions if you like, such as surfing lessons, golfing, or visiting Pearl Harbor.
If you’re traveling with younger kids, they’ll love visiting Aunty’s Beach House for singing, games, crafts, and fun activities with other kids their age. This is also included with your resort stay. This allows parents some quiet time on the beach or maybe a visit to the spa. Not to be missed activities at the resort include authentic story time by the fire pit, various pool party activities (p.s. you never know what characters might show up!), Disney themed crafts, and the character breakfast at Makahiki.
Family vacation to Disneyland Resort
Last, but certainly not least, on our list of spring break family vacation ideas is Disneyland Resort in California. If you’re interested in visiting the Disney Parks, but maybe want a little less tiring experience, Disneyland is a great place.
The two parks, Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure, are easy to “park hop” between due the close proximity. No bus or monorail needed to get you from one to the other, you can walk! It is a much more compact property that offers favorite classic attractions like Space Mountain, It’s a Small World, Haunted Mansion and Soarin’ (all arguably better in Disneyland compared to Walt Disney World), plus the Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge area that you love at Walt Disney World, but offers completely different experiences like Cars Land, Pixar Pier, and Avengers Campus that can only be found in California.
It was also just announced that in early 2023 the reimagined Mickey’s Toontown area will be reopening! I’m totally nostalgic for this themed land of the park and cannot wait to see it back open. They will also be adding Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway here. Thinking back to the anticipation of Spring Break 2020, (sigh) this new Mickey Mouse attraction was getting ready to open in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This attraction was a first of its kind that challenges the boundaries of 2 1/2-D (not quite 3-D but no glasses required) and fun fact: it includes more hidden Mickey’s than any other attraction in the world!
As the Walt Disney Company prepares for its 100th anniversary, there is more to come for special ways to commemorate this centennial celebration! There are hints of new parades and nighttime spectaculars at Disneyland Resort in honor of this momentous occasion.
If you’re still undecided about your Spring Break family vacation plans, contact us! We’re happy to talk to you about your family, the goals for your ideal family vacation, and provide recommendations on Disney Destinations and itineraries that might be best for you. We are here to help you, provide a stress-free planning experience, and give you back the gift of time, so that you can make magical memories with your loved ones.
