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Spring break in Orlando isn’t one week. Schools across the US, Canada and the UK close at different times between mid-February and late April, and each wave reaches the theme parks. In 2027, official school calendars show the most breaks overlapping from mid-March through Easter weekend (March 26–28), with more in April, so that’s when the parks are likely to be busiest.
This guide uses official 2026–27 school calendars, the 2027 event dates Disney, Universal and SeaWorld had published as of October 8, 2026, and NOAA climate normals. Hours, events and hotel policies change, so confirm on the official pages before you book.
Quick answer: Going by official school calendars, the heaviest crowds are most likely from Friday, March 12 through Easter Sunday, March 28, 2027. Orange and Osceola County schools, UCF and Toronto schools are all off the week of March 15, then Chicago, Good Friday closures and Surrey’s Easter holidays follow. Early March, the week after Easter and mid-April look like your best bets. Book early with free cancellation, and remember that Volcano Bay is due back on or before April 1 and Typhoon Lagoon is closed.
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When is spring break in Orlando in 2027?
There’s no single date. Orlando’s two county school districts break in mid-March, other districts follow over the next six weeks, and English schools close for Easter. Dates from official calendars, checked in October 2026:
| School system | 2027 break | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Orange County Public Schools (Orlando) | Mar 15–19 | Students also off Fri, Mar 12 |
| Osceola County schools (Kissimmee) | Mar 15–19 | Students also off Fri, Mar 12 |
| University of Central Florida | Mar 15–21 | No classes; offices open |
| Toronto District School Board | Mar 15–19 | Also closed Mar 26 and 29 |
| Chicago Public Schools | Mar 22–26 | Spring vacation |
| Surrey, England (council schools) | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Term resumes Apr 12 |
| Gwinnett County, Georgia | Apr 5–9 | Spring break |
| New York City public schools | Apr 22–30 | Also closed Good Friday, Mar 26 |
Three of these breaks are local. Orange and Osceola County students are off from Friday, March 12 through Sunday, March 21, so local day-trippers and annual passholders can add to the out-of-town crowd. UCF breaks the same week.
Easter drives the second wave. Easter Sunday is March 28, 2027, so Good Friday is March 26 and Easter Monday is March 29. Toronto’s schools close on both of those days, New York City’s close on Good Friday, and in England the spring term ends before Easter: Surrey’s council schools finish on March 25 and return on April 12. Academies and some other English schools set their own dates.
District not listed? Compare its calendar with the table: the more breaks your dates overlap, the busier the parks are likely to be.
Spring break crowds in Orlando, week by week
Disney and Universal don’t publish crowd forecasts; this is our reading of the calendars, not a prediction.
Mid-February to early March: the first wave
Presidents’ Day is Monday, February 15, 2027. The same week is New York City’s Midwinter Recess (February 15–19) and Surrey’s February half term. The Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend follows on February 25 – March 1, with every race listed as sold out at the time of writing, so Disney-area hotels may fill with runners.
March 1–11: before the local break
Of the calendars above, none has a break in the first part of March. The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts ends March 1 and the Flower & Garden Festival opens March 10. Until daylight saving time starts on March 14, the sun sets around 6:25 to 6:35 p.m.
March 12–21: the likely local peak
This looks like the week to plan around. Orange and Osceola County students are off from Friday, March 12, UCF (March 15–21) and Toronto (March 15–19) are on break, and Universal Mardi Gras runs through March 27. If these are your only dates, use every crowd tool you have: arrive for early entry, buy Lightning Lane passes as soon as your window opens and book dining early.
March 22 – April 11: Easter, Chicago and the UK
Chicago’s spring vacation (March 22–26) leads into Easter weekend, and Surrey’s Easter holidays start March 26. Universal Mardi Gras closes on March 27. Gwinnett County, Georgia, is on break April 5–9. Volcano Bay is due back by April 1, which should help on hot days.
April 12–30: the late wave
Mid-April has fewer overlapping breaks on our list, so it’s a good window if you’re flexible. New York City’s Spring Recess (April 22–30) may then bring a final late-April bump. Ticket prices vary by date, and cheaper dates can hint at lower expected demand. For the rest of the year, see our month-by-month guide to the best time to visit Orlando.
Spring break events in Orlando in 2027
These are the dates the parks had published at the time of writing. The festivals below are included with admission to that park; food and drink cost extra.
| Dates | Event | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 6 – Mar 27 | Universal Mardi Gras | Universal Studios Florida; concerts on selected nights |
| Jan 29 – May 16 | SeaWorld Seven Seas Food Festival | Select dates; food extra |
| Feb 25 – Mar 1 | Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend | Races sold out |
| Through Mar 1 | EPCOT Festival of the Arts | Overlaps the February breaks |
| Mar 10 – May 31 | EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival | Gardens, topiaries, outdoor kitchens |
| Mar 17 | St. Patrick’s Day at SeaWorld | Part of Seven Seas |
EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
Disney lists the 2027 festival from March 10 to May 31. It’s included with valid EPCOT admission, though Disney notes that a park reservation may be required depending on your ticket type. The 2027 lineup hadn’t been announced at the time of writing. The 2026 edition had gardens, character topiaries, Garden Rocks concerts at America Gardens Theatre and festival-only Outdoor Kitchens.
Going for the first time? Our EPCOT tips for first-timers cover getting there, early entry and how to pace World Showcase.
Universal Mardi Gras
Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavours of Carnaval runs from February 6 to March 27, 2027 at Universal Studios Florida. It’s included with a theme park ticket or annual pass (blockout dates apply). There’s a parade of floats, international street food and merchandise for purchase, and live concerts at the Music Plaza Stage on selected nights. Universal hadn’t named the 2027 concert lineup at the time of writing.
SeaWorld Seven Seas Food Festival
SeaWorld Orlando lists its Seven Seas Food Festival on select dates from January 29 to May 16, 2027, with food and drink from around the world, local craft beers and live performances. SeaWorld’s festival page (still showing the 2026 edition at the time of writing) says admission is included with a park ticket, while food and drinks are extra. Themed days include a St. Patrick’s Day celebration on March 17 and Cinco de Mayo on May 5.
Orlando weather in March and April
Spring is warm and fairly dry in Orlando. According to NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for Orlando International Airport, March averages a high of 78.9°F and a low of 55.8°F, and April 83.6°F and 60.7°F. The daily normal high climbs from 77°F on March 1 to 86°F by April 30.
| Measure | March | April |
|---|---|---|
| Average high | 78.9°F | 83.6°F |
| Average low | 55.8°F | 60.7°F |
| Rainfall | 3.03 in | 2.58 in |
| Days with rain | 6.8 | 6.3 |
| Days at 80°F or above | 16.8 | 23.9 |
| Days at 90°F or above | 0.8 | 3.6 |
March nights rarely get down to about 40°F (0.8 nights a month on average), but early mornings near 55°F feel cool. Pack a light layer for nighttime shows and a poncho for the occasional shower.
Daylight saving time begins on Sunday, March 14, 2027. According to the US Naval Observatory, sunset in Orlando moves from 6:33 p.m. on March 13 to 7:34 p.m. on March 15, reaches 7:41 p.m. on Easter Sunday and is around 8 p.m. by the end of April.
Water parks and pools during spring break 2027
Two of Orlando’s big water parks are affected this spring.
- Universal Volcano Bay: scheduled to close for maintenance on October 26, 2026. Universal now plans to reopen it on or before April 1, 2027, and says dates are subject to change.
- Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon: temporarily closed, with no reopening date on Disney’s page. Disney suggests Blizzard Beach instead.
- Disney’s Blizzard Beach: Disney says its pool and water areas are heated to about 81°F, and its wave pool, Melt-Away Bay, is heated too.
- Disney water park closures: Disney says at least one of its water parks is open each day except in bad weather. Full-day closures appear on the park calendar at least a day ahead, but same-day closures can happen with little notice.
With average March lows in the mid-50s, an unheated hotel pool can feel cold in the morning. If swimming matters, check that the hotel says its pool is heated. Our Orlando water parks guide covers seasons, heated parks and tickets.
Park hours, early entry and line-skipping perks
Disney and Universal post operating hours on their park calendars, and spring hours may not be published when you book, so check again a few weeks before your trip.
- Disney Early Theme Park Entry: guests of Disney Resort hotels and select other hotels can enter Disney’s theme parks 30 minutes early every day of their stay, and Disney says the benefit continues through 2027. Several non-Disney hotels near Disney Springs are on Disney’s list.
- Lightning Lane purchase window: guests of Disney Resort hotels and other select hotels can buy Lightning Lane passes from 7 days before their stay, and everyone else from 3 days before. Our Disney Lightning Lane guide explains which hotels get the longer window.
- Universal Early Park Admission: Universal says guests of its hotels can enter one of its theme parks up to an hour early (valid admission required, selected attractions). Universal also runs complimentary shuttle buses or water taxis to the parks from select hotels.
Where to stay for spring break in Orlando
The best base depends on which parks you’re visiting; our guide to the best areas to stay in Orlando compares them. In spring break season, a crowd advantage such as early entry or a walk to a park matters most. Two options sold on Booking.com:
Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando – Disney Springs Area: early entry and free breakfast
The Drury Plaza sits on Hotel Plaza Boulevard, half a mile from Disney Springs by the hotel’s count. It appears on Disney’s Early Theme Park Entry list (as Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando Lake Buena Vista), so you get the 30-minute head start at all four Disney parks, and the hotel runs a free hourly shuttle to all four. Lightning Lane passes follow the 3-day window, because the Drury isn’t on Disney’s 7-day list.
The inclusions add up: free hot breakfast from 6 to 10 a.m., the free 5:30 Kickback with evening snacks and cold drinks, free Wi-Fi, a saltwater pool and an arcade.
- Getting to the parks: by our road routes, it’s about 5.3 miles to EPCOT’s main entrance area, 6.3 miles to Magic Kingdom’s Transportation and Ticket Center and 7 miles to Animal Kingdom’s guest parking. The hotel’s own figures are 6, 5 and 8 miles.
- Good to know: no resort fee. Drury’s hotel page lists self-parking at $28 plus tax per night, but the hotel’s FAQ page still says $25 plus tax, so confirm when you book. Check-in is at 4 p.m. Rates vary by season, availability and how far ahead you book.
Check your spring break dates for Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando on Booking.com
Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort: suites next to Volcano Bay
Cabana Bay is a retro-styled Universal hotel with two large pools, a winding river and a bowling alley (fees apply). Standard rooms have two queen beds in 300 square feet. Family Suites have 430 square feet, sleep up to six with two queens and a pull-out sofa, and add a kitchenette with a mini-fridge, microwave and sink, which helps with quick breakfasts during a busy week.
Guests get Early Park Admission, and Universal says walking paths connect the hotel to Volcano Bay, CityWalk, Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, and complimentary shuttle buses run to the CityWalk hub. If your break falls after Volcano Bay reopens (on or before April 1, 2027), the water park is a short walk away.
- Good to know: overnight self-parking is $26 plus tax per night, per vehicle, according to Universal’s hotel policies, and pets aren’t allowed. Universal Express isn’t among the perks Universal lists for Cabana Bay. Rates vary by season, availability and how far ahead you book.
See available rooms at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Spring break hotel booking tips
- Book early with free cancellation: hold a refundable room as soon as your dates are set, especially for March 12–28.
- Read the fee lines: resort fees, nightly parking and tax change the total. Orange County’s hotel tax is 12.5%, and Osceola County’s is 13.5%.
- Check the perks against official lists: a “Good Neighbor” label is not Early Theme Park Entry, so check Disney’s own list. Brand loyalty perks usually apply only when you book directly with the brand.
- Ask about the pool: confirm whether it’s heated if you’re going in March.
- Pick the right trip length: busy days mean fewer rides per day, so our guide to how many days you need in Orlando helps you add a buffer. Our Orlando vacation cost worksheet helps you build a budget.
If you can travel before spring, our guide to Orlando in January covers a quieter, cooler alternative.
Traveling earlier? our guide to Orlando in February covers Presidents’ Day crowds, Mardi Gras and Festival of the Arts.
Month guides: Orlando in March and Orlando in April cover weather, events and Easter crowds.
Frequently asked questions
When is spring break in Orlando in 2027?
Orange County Public Schools and Osceola County schools are off March 15–19, 2027, and their students also have Friday, March 12 off. UCF’s break is March 15–21. Visitors arrive in waves from mid-February to late April, and school calendars suggest the busiest stretch runs from March 12 through Easter Sunday, March 28, as Toronto, Chicago, Good Friday and Surrey’s Easter breaks pile up.
What is the busiest week of spring break at Disney World?
Disney doesn’t publish crowd forecasts, but school calendars point to the week of March 15, 2027. Local Orange and Osceola County schools, UCF and Toronto schools are all on break then. The week leading up to Easter (March 22–28) is the other likely peak, as Chicago’s spring vacation, Good Friday closures and the start of Surrey’s Easter holidays overlap.
Is Volcano Bay open for spring break 2027?
Only for later breaks. Universal is closing Volcano Bay for maintenance from October 26, 2026 and plans to reopen it on or before April 1, 2027, though dates can change. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is also temporarily closed. Blizzard Beach is Disney’s open water park, and Disney says its pools are heated to about 81°F.
What is the weather like in Orlando during spring break?
Warm and mostly dry. NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for Orlando International Airport give March an average high of 78.9°F and low of 55.8°F, and April 83.6°F and 60.7°F. Each month averages about six or seven days with measurable rain. Pack a light layer for cooler March evenings.
What events are in Orlando during spring break 2027?
Universal Mardi Gras runs February 6 to March 27 at Universal Studios Florida, and the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival runs March 10 to May 31. SeaWorld’s Seven Seas Food Festival runs on select dates from January 29 to May 16, with a St. Patrick’s Day celebration on March 17. All three are included with park admission.
How far ahead should I book a hotel for spring break in Orlando?
As soon as your dates are set, especially for March 12–28. Choose a free-cancellation rate so you can switch if a better deal appears. If you’re staying at a Disney Resort hotel or another hotel on Disney’s 7-day list, you can also buy Lightning Lane passes from 7 days before your stay instead of 3.
Bottom line
Spring break in Orlando is likely to be busiest from March 12 through Easter Sunday, March 28, 2027, when local schools, UCF, Toronto, Chicago and Easter-week travelers overlap. If you can, aim for early March, the week after Easter or mid-April. Plan around Volcano Bay’s reopening and Typhoon Lagoon’s closure, and book a hotel with early entry or an easy walk to the parks.
Compare spring break rates for Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando – Disney Springs Area
Sources checked in October 2026: Orange County Public Schools 2026–2027 School Calendar, Disney: EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, Universal Orlando: Universal Mardi Gras, Universal Orlando: Volcano Bay, NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 climate normals, Orlando International Airport