***April 2016 Thread***

[Luv_Tink]

I was just checking park hours for our trip, April 9-16. We're planning to go to the parks Monday (4/11) thru Friday and so far it's looking like park hours will be 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. My kids will be happy since it means no super early morning or really late nights. I hope this also means that crowds won't be too crazy. I'm trying to decide if we should rearrange our non-park days (Sat & Sun) in order to take advantage of longer park hours. We have five day hoppers, that should mean we can do everything we want to if we stick to the plan of doing the parks M-F.

I was able to pull the entertainment schedule thru Wednesday and it looks like there's no daytime parade at either DL or CA. Does anyone think they will add these in later? I also saw that Big Thunder Mountain, Jungle Cruise, Autopia, and the Monorail will all be down for refurbishment which is a bummer.

 

[ElenaJane]

I was just checking park hours for our trip, April 9-16. We're planning to go to the parks Monday (4/11) thru Friday and so far it's looking like park hours will be 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. My kids will be happy since it means no super early morning or really late nights. I hope this also means that crowds won't be too crazy. I'm trying to decide if we should rearrange our non-park days (Sat & Sun) in order to take advantage of longer park hours. We have five day hoppers, that should mean we can do everything we want to if we stick to the plan of doing the parks M-F.

I was able to pull the entertainment schedule thru Wednesday and it looks like there's no daytime parade at either DL or CA. Does anyone think they will add these in later? I also saw that Big Thunder Mountain, Jungle Cruise, Autopia, and the Monorail will all be down for refurbishment which is a bummer.

I wonder if they just announced that the Monorail and BTMR is going to be down. All the usual websites that list Disneyland refurbishments don't mention those at all! We will be going 4/26. I will be super bummed if BTMR is still down. I hope they add in a daytime parade for you!

 

[realrellim]

The monorail and other closures are new. Autopia has been closed for a refurbishment, though they were originally suggesting it would reopen 4/4. I'm going to cross my fingers that they manage to open by their original target date.

And I'll readily admit that I'm feeling pretty frustrated that so many things will be closed when we're there. I'd hoped they'd put a little more effort into getting the Autopia refurb done on time or even early after they announced all the closings for the Star Wars land work. Instead they're adding to the list for reasons I can't begin to understand.

 

[mfleeting]

I hope Autopia is open on time. That's the one ride we didn't do last time that the kids are now saying they want to try.

 

[Luv_Tink]

I did another check today and it looks like Big Thunder is a short closure from 4/11 thru 4/14. So I guess we will make it a priority on our last park day. My kids are super bummed about Autopia and Jungle Cruise still being down though so hopefully they reopen on time or while we're there.

 

[tammytam]

Hello fellow April visitors!

I finally posted for the first time.. so had to go searching for this thread I thought I would introduce myself! I am taking my daughter, just the two of us, during the last week in April (Apr 23-30). We have 5 day hoppers.. so we'll be in the parks Apr 24-29 with one rest day in there somewhere. My daughter will be almost 8 (her first time visiting!).. and I haven't been to Disneyland since 2007, which was a quick, impromptu trip for a day or two (it's bad I don't even remember!). And before that I was there in 1989 when I was 8 years old . So I basically feel like I'm doing all of this for the first time! We're staying offsite at the Tropicana.

I am surprising my daughter on the morning we leave... so I've had to contain my excitement! I'm a bit bummed at some of the closures (Jungle Cruise, Grizzly, Matterhorn, etc).. but if they stick to the posted schedule we should be able to ride the Matterhorn on our first day (fingers crossed!) and Autopia on our last day.

 

[jewdmeister]

Jumping on the bandwagon at the last minute!

I recently moved to SoCal so I'll be in DL on 4/2 as a belated birthday gift (birthday is 3/30) but not sure if we'll be park hopping to CA yet. My boyfriend and I were just there in August so no need to cram too much into one day.

My main goal is to meet Chewbacca! I met him in WDW a good 24-25 years ago and I'm just as excited now as I was then

I believe the food and wine festival is going on at that time at CA...has anyone ever went to that?

 

[yupikgal]

Ok...I'm going to add my husband and I to this list! We are celebrating our 25th on April 12th. I think we may miss celebrating it at DL unless we decide to go with a 4 day pass instead of 3. I haven't booked anything yet except for a hotel, and I may need help with this too! Yesterday I almost booked a Hawaiian vacation, but honestly, I don't know if I could miss out on DL, since it's my happy place! (I can't quit you, DL!)

The full dates of our anniversary trip are April 8-16th, but part of it will probably be spent in Las Vegas or a beachy town in Southern Cal. Part of my dilemma is trying to find mileage seats, my DH has a lot less than I do, so I have to do miles + $$, and sometimes it's hard to coordinate.

Right now I have us booked at the NEW Homewood Suites Convention Center on Harbor. Has anyone stayed there and how did you like it? It's only been open since November, apparently! I have also considered staying on property at the Paradise Pier, but it's twice the amount, we could use that extra $$ for nice dinners, etc.! Another favorite is the Candy Cane Inn. I also considered staying at the Sheraton Park at club level, has anyone ever done this?

As far as closures, luckily I am not a "big ride" type of person as far as roller coaster type rides, etc. What is sad for me is that the railroad will be down, and then apparently, the monorail, although the monorail would be open if we go to DL straight away. I love that "ride"! I also love Jungle Cruise, and it's supposed to be opening back on April 4. according to the schedule. Here's a site that I found with updated closure info: https://touringplans.com/disneyland-resort/closures

I'm getting so excited!! We weren't going to go anywhere for our anniversary, but how could we not?? It's a big one! Also excited for the F & W festival's return, the last time we went was 2010, which apparently was the last year they had it!

 

[taiko225]

Last minute trip for me as well.... Doing a Mileage run... need to stop in CA for 2 days.... so what better to do than Disneyland while it is till celebrating it's 60th anniversary? Done it last Aug... but I want to do it again.. Air ticket booked, hotel settled, tickets also available from one of my CM friend... Now start counting down. Plan to do 1 day on 12Apr.... park hopping as I got no choice... leaving on 13Apr morning.
A bit disappointed to find out that monorail, railway and BTMR are all gonna be closed on that day. Anyway I will try to checkout the Star wars launch bay... and get some photos with them.... super excited.

 

[CruzTerri]

My family and I are making another trip. We were rained out the end of January so we have rescheduled for April 22, 23 & 24. We've already made reservations are Ariel's grotto for Saturday morning breakfast. We are staying at the Hilton Anaheim this trip. Now to make other arrangements, woo hoo. I sure hope that there isn't anything going on that weekend. Ugh, just my luck if there is.

 

[ej119]

I just found out that my DH and a bunch of my friends will be out of town the weekend of April 23, so I made an impulse decision and I'm going to DLR!! I just purchased my first annual pass (which I wish I would have done that before my trip in January) and I'm staying at the Anabella Hotel for the first time. I'm very excited for the DCA Food & Wine Festival, but this will be my first solo trip so I'm a little nervous.

 

[jewdmeister]

Ok change of plans!

I'll be in both parks 4/2 and 4/3 now but going off the crowd expectations, I'm a little worried about standing in line all day. We've never been to DCA so I have a feeling that we'll spend most of our time there.

We're also going to be joined by another couple at that time, the girlfriend also celebrating her birthday being on that Saturday. They've kinda taken over the planning (another story for another day) which my inner planner is secretly hating. They made reservations for Ariel's Grotto for dinner and judging from reviews, I'm not too excited to attend. I would have picked BB but alas, they've taken over all the planning.

Oh well! Disney is Disney

 

[kyrkea333]

And count us in, too! After cancelling two trips last year after my chronic back pain was diagnosed as a cancer called multiple myeloma, I have convinced my family that I'm strong enough to go now! We are going to be there from April 23rd to May 1st, and I am sooooo excited! My strength is probably about 75% of normal, but I've convinced them all we can do it, even if I need a wheelchair for part of the day. My daughter is going to be heading away for school in the fall, so this might be our last opportunity to have a family Disneyland trip. It is going to be awesome!

 

[kyrkea333]

Hello fellow April visitors!

I finally posted for the first time.. so had to go searching for this thread I thought I would introduce myself! I am taking my daughter, just the two of us, during the last week in April (Apr 23-30). We have 5 day hoppers.. so we'll be in the parks Apr 24-29 with one rest day in there somewhere. My daughter will be almost 8 (her first time visiting!).. and I haven't been to Disneyland since 2007, which was a quick, impromptu trip for a day or two (it's bad I don't even remember!). And before that I was there in 1989 when I was 8 years old . So I basically feel like I'm doing all of this for the first time! We're staying offsite at the Tropicana.

I am surprising my daughter on the morning we leave... so I've had to contain my excitement! I'm a bit bummed at some of the closures (Jungle Cruise, Grizzly, Matterhorn, etc).. but if they stick to the posted schedule we should be able to ride the Matterhorn on our first day (fingers crossed!) and Autopia on our last day.

We'll be there almost the same time as you, staying at the BW Park Place Inn. Enjoy the time with your daughter!

 

[AKGAL]

Hi everyone. I am excited to be back planning I will be there April 22 (late arrival) leaving late on the 26th. That will give me 3 1/2 days at the parks. This is a surprise trip for my daughter. We are traveling to Seattle for her check in at Children's hospital. She thinks we will be there for a few days. My plan is to pack for her in m carry on and let her know after our appointment and we are in the airport heading south. DH was suppose to be with us but he let me know he can't make it due to work so it will be a girls trip all the way. Right now I am booked in a deluxe GC room. Wondering if I should change over to DLH or PPH concierge level. Last time we were here it was PPH conceirge level with a great view to DCA. This was before the WOC show. They were building it when we were there. What does every one think? Is the GCH really worth it or would it be better to move the reservation. I am a dawn to dusk type of park goer. So I will take advantage of all the early entry. I thought it would be cool to do the early walk through DCA park is this only for GCH guests?

 

[yupikgal]

Update: I booked 3 hotels in Anaheim, but tomorrow I'm thinking I'm cancelling 2. We stayed at the BW PPI in November, and I booked us there again because of the proximity to the parks! So handy if you get tired or need to change shoes, etc. The other options were the Candy Cane Inn or NEW Homewood Suites at Convention Center.

Our dates are still April 8-10 in Disney, and heading to Vegas from the 11th-16th.

Also, we decided to go to Vegas afterwards to celebrate our actual anniversary & rest of the trip.

Airfare is booked both ways-flying into SNA and back out of Vegas.

Can't believe this time next week we will be at the airport getting on the jet!! Our PDX-SNA flight is so booked, we couldn't even reserve seats! they said we can call 24 hrs in advance to book (that means I'll have to be up calling at 12:30a!!)

 

[ElenaJane]

Hey guys!! Guess what.....

WE ARE ALL DOING TO DISNEYLAND THIS MONTH!

 

[TACK]

I just found out that my DH and a bunch of my friends will be out of town the weekend of April 23, so I made an impulse decision and I'm going to DLR!! I just purchased my first annual pass (which I wish I would have done that before my trip in January) and I'm staying at the Anabella Hotel for the first time. I'm very excited for the DCA Food & Wine Festival, but this will be my first solo trip so I'm a little nervous.

Hey, I go by myself all the time and it's surprising how easy it is. It's the only destination I can go and not feel like I'm all by myself. Even if I am sitting on a bench or waiting in a line, there is always a good possibility of someone who will engage you in conversation. Being by myself will never stop me from going to Disney. Enjoy your trip !

 

[mcm574]

Hey guys!! Guess what.....

WE ARE ALL DOING TO DISNEYLAND THIS MONTH!

I have been planning my trip for literally a year - so excited it's finally upon us! I just sent my planning spreadsheet to the family members who are joining us. Okay, truth be told, I pulled one of the three tabs out of the existing spreadsheet and simplified it a little... but I know it's still going to look crazy to them. But I don't care!!!

 

[sharona]

Counting down... 14 days, 8 hours, 55 minutes... til our plane departs!!!!!