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If you’re planning a trip to Disneyland in April, you’ve come to the right place. This article will provide you with all the information you need on what to expect when visiting the iconic theme park during this time of year. From what attractions will be open to what temperatures to expect, we’ll cover it all so that your vacation is enjoyable and worry-free. Read on for more details!

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Disneyland in April

April is a great time to visit The Disneyland Resort. It is also a pretty popular time to go, especially around Easter.

A lot of people in Southern California and surrounding states choose to spend their Spring Break at Disneyland.

If you know what to plan for, you will be prepared to experience all that the Happiest Place on Earth has to offer.

Use this article to help plan an awesome vacation! If you’re thinking about Disneyland in May, check out my tips and tricks HERE.

Available Hotels Near Disneyland

Discount Disneyland Tickets

Before we get started on my tips for Disneyland in April, I wanted to let you know where you can get discount tickets and vacation packages.

I always book through my travel partner, Get Away Today, and have since the 1990s. They have the BEST customer service and offer tickets cheaper than what you can find directly from Disney, and also offer free nights at select hotels near the Disneyland Resort throughout the year.

The best thing is that they have an amazing layaway plan, allowing you to pay for your vacation over time and a Peace of Mind plan that lets you make changes and cancellations to not only your hotel reservations but any Disneyland tickets purchased from them as well.

Check Disneyland ticket prices here and Disneyland vacation packages (including hotel stays) here. Use the code: Clubhouse10 for even more savings!

After purchasing your tickets, don’t forget to make theme park reservations here.

Special Events at Disneyland in April

• Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival: This event will continue at Disney California Adventure Park until April 25th.
• Easter Egg Hunt: Maps for this event can be purchased at multiple locations throughout Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, and Downtown Disney District for $9.99.
• Dapper Day: This popular event will take place April 16th with the Dapper Day Expo at the Disneyland Hotel.
• Disney 100 Celebration: This celebration continues through April and includes a special World of Color show, fireworks show, and Magic Happens parade.

Disneyland Crowd Calendar in April

In general, most crowd calendars have been unreliable these days, but you can still count on a few times during April to be extra busy.

April has a lot of busy days due to the Easter holiday and Spring Break season, which tends to begin in early March and die down toward the middle of the month.

The best days to go to Disneyland in April will be toward the end of the month. Late April will be the best time and will most likely be your best bet if you want to visit the parks with fewer crowds.

Going during a busy time can still be manageable if you plan ahead.

Another good thing you can do to beat the crowds is to consider using Disney Genie, Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lanes. More on that later.

It’s also a good idea to see if park hopping is a good option for you.

If you’re wondering about visiting Disneyland at other times of the year, you can find a guide for each month of the year here.

How to Beat Spring Break Crowd Size at Disneyland

A lot of schools in and around Southern California are out for Spring Break at different times during April, which can cause higher crowd levels.

You can still have an amazing time though with a little planning. Here are a few things that can help you beat the spring break crowds:

Rope Drop

One way to get the most out of a busy day at Disneyland any time of year is to get to the Parks before rope drop. What is Rope Drop? Disneyland allows guests to enter the parks 30-40 minutes before the official park opening time.

There is a large rope at the end of Main Street in Disneyland Park and Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure Park that will “drop” at the official park opening time. Guests will line up behind this rope and then go to their favorite attractions at “rope drop”.

Arriving at this time lets you ride many rides before crowds begin to grow around lunchtime.

You can use pre-rope drop time to grab a bite to eat and check out some souvenirs.

Stay at a Disney Hotel

A perk of staying at Disney’s Pixar Pier Hotel, the Disneyland Hotel, and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is that you get early entry into both theme parks every day. Read my review of the Disneyland Hotel here.

Just arrive 30 minutes prior to park opening and show your hotel reservation or key and you will have early access to select areas in Disney California Adventure Park as well as Tomorrowland and Fantasyland at Disneyland Park.

Use Rider Switch

Rider Switch is a feature that allows guests to ride attractions, even if they are with small children or with other members of the party who do not wish to ride.

Using Rider Switch, if you qualify, is a great way to avoid waiting in long lines when Spring Break crowds are heavy.

Purchase a Dining Package or Dessert Party

Disneyland offers special dining packages with reserved seating areas for parades and Fantasmic! viewing. You can also purchase tickets to the World of Color Dessert Party that will help you avoid the stress of finding a place to watch these shows when there are extra crowds.

I recently did this during the holiday season and loved our experiences. Read about the Hungry Bear Fantasmic Dining Package, Parade Dining Package, and World of Color Dessert Party to see if I think they are worth the extra cost. Keep in mind that you will need a valid ticket and theme park reservation to experience these dining packages.

The average high temperatures at Disneyland in April are in the mid to upper 70s and lows are in the 50s.

The weather forecast for Disneyland in April shows mostly sunny or partly cloudy days with a few rain showers here and there.

The weather is always unpredictable and can change. Make sure you check the current weather forecast for the average temperature before you leave, so you know what to expect.

What to Pack for Disneyland in April

Knowing what to pack in April for Disneyland is important. You don’t want to be unprepared and end up having to use your vacation budget on things that could easily have been brought from home with a little planning.

Make sure you check out my post on How Amazon Can Save You Money at Disneyand my list of Disney Park Bag Essentials before you go!

Here are a few things you might want to consider packing if you’ll be traveling to Disneyland in April.

Pack and Umbrella or Poncho & Stroller Protection

Although the weather forecast for Disneyland in April currently doesn’t call for much rain, we all know that the weather is unpredictable and you can most likely plan on at least one rainy day..

Be prepared with a small travel umbrella or a poncho. These things can easily be kept in the car or hotel room if rain isn’t in the forecast that day.

A poncho can come in handy though, to wear on rides like Splash Mountain or Grizzly River Run to keep your clothes dry.

If you have a stroller with you, You’ll also need to think about keeping it, and your child, dry if rain strikes.

Some strollers have covers you can buy, that are specifically made for them, but there are also universal covers to purchase like this one from Amazon.

Another inexpensive option is to buy a shower curtain liner from Dollar Tree and use cloths pins to hold in place over the stroller. It costs $2.00 and works like a champ!

Pack Sun Protection

The California sun can be brutal, even in the Spring months. Make sure that you are ready for the UV rays by packing some sunblock and a hat. 

What to Wear at Disneyland in April

The mornings and evenings at Disneyland in April can be kind of chilly, but the days will be warm. This makes packing clothing for Disneyland in April a little tricky.

Pack a pair of jeans or leggings to stay warm and comfortable during the cooler temperatures.

Wear a short-sleeved top and bring a lightweight jacket or sweater that can be kept in a backpack or worn around your waist during the day. Check out my Amazon Shop for some cute options.

Pack Disney Apparel

Before any Disney vacation, I like to check out Jane.com for adorable and affordable Disney vacation t-shirts!

I have found so many cute shirts for only $13.99! Their deals change daily though, so make sure to check back often or follow me on Instagram to keep up on all of the amazing Disney-themed merchandise!

Disneyland Park Hours in April

Here are the typical hours for Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park in April. As always, these hours are subject to change so check Disneyland’s website for current information.

Disneyland Park

• Open 8:00 AM – 10:00, 11:00 PM or 12:00 AM
• Early Entry for Disney Hotel Guests 7:30 AM
• Park Hopper Hours 11:00 AM – 10:00 or 11:00 PM

Disney California Adventure Park

• Opens at 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
• Early Entry for Disney Hotel Guests 7:30 AM
• Park Hopper Hours 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Disneyland Ride Closures & Refurbishments in April

I love that Disneyland takes pride in their park and attractions. Because of this, there are usually a few rides at both Disneyland park and Disney’s California Adventure park that are closed for refurbishment at different times throughout the year.

But, you can stay up to date with ride closures by checking Disneyland’s website. 

Disneyland seems to update their list one or two months ahead of time, so check back for April’s closures in February or March.

Projected April Ride Closures:

• Indiana Jones Adventure – DL
• Mint Julep Bar – DL
• Tarzan’s Treehouse – DL
• Fairfax Market – DCA
• Grizzly River Run – DCA
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic – DCA
• Silly Symphony Swings – DCA

Plan Your Disneyland Vacation for the Month of April

As I mentioned above, I always book my Disneyland and Walt Disney World vacations through Get Away Today because they are an authorized Disneyland ticket seller and are almost always running a sale on tickets and hotel rooms.

Check prices for yourself here and use the Get Away Today promo code: Clubhouse10 to get an extra $10 off any 2-night or longer Southern California vacation package. (Hotel and 2 ticket minimum purchase to qualify for the discount.)

Hotel Near Disneyland I Recommend:

• Disneyland Hotel
• Marriott Courtyard Theme Park Entrance
• Howard Johnson Hotel & Water Playground
• Cambria Hotel & Suites
• The Viv Hotel
• Embassy Suites Anaheim South
• Great Wolf Lodge
• Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel

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