Disneyland in April???

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Have visited WDW many times, but not DL since the early 1970's. We have a chance to visit my grown daughter in LA with another daughter's teenage children in April the week before Easter. I wouldn't even consider WDW at that time. Would I encounter the same crowds at DL? Should I even consider a visit? TIA

 

[SMD]

The week before Easter is the most common week for spring breaks for local schools. There is also F&W going on right now through Easter. DLR is smaller and park hopping takes a few minutes. On the other hand, the walkways are smaller and it will be shoulder to shoulder moving between attractions. I guess it depends on what your reasons for not going would be. DLR is always crowded, but during spring break you have longer hours and a full weekday entertainment schedule

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Thank you, SMD. I guess what I'm asking is whether it will be so crowded as to be not worth it... I know that's subjective, but I'd rather not go if it means fighting crowds AM to PM. We visited WDW during the 4th of July week a few years ago and vowed never again, despite following TP, UG, and other online advice as to which park to visit/avoid, etc. It was just wall to wall crowds - no matter which park we visited the days just prior to the 4th. Took at least an hour to exit on the 2nd & 3rd - with CM's barking orders LOUDLY! and masses of people exiting like cattle... Was anything but enjoyable. Should I expect the same? Have seen/heard similar horror stories about WDW during Spring Break. Just wondering if I can expect same at DL? Would appreciate input from those who have visited on both coasts for their perspectives. Thanks!

 

[marydis]

Hi, We are visiting Disneyland for the 1st time the week after Easter...... I have a touring plans account and according to them the crowds are heavy both before and after Easter.

Sun, April 9, 2017 8 out of 10 7 8 PEAK
Mon, April 10, 2017 9 out of 10 9 9 PEAK
Tue, April 11, 2017 9 out of 10 9 9 PEAK
Wed, April 12, 2017 9 out of 10 9 9 PEAK
Thu, April 13, 2017 9 out of 10 9 9 PEAK
Fri, April 14, 2017 8 out of 10 8 8 PEAK
Sat, April 15, 2017 8 out of 10 8 8 PEAK
Sun, April 16, 2017 10 out of 10 10 9 PEAK
Mon, April 17, 2017 9 out of 10 9 8 REGULAR
Tue, April 18, 2017 9 out of 10 9 8 REGULAR
Wed, April 19, 2017 9 out of 10 8 9 REGULAR
Thu, April 20, 2017 9 out of 10 9 8 REGULAR
Fri, April 21, 2017 8 out of 10 8 7 PEAK

 

[DLgal]

The OMG crowds have already descended. Just left DCA and it was insane. It will continue to be packed until late May because Disney had the bright idea to offer a super cheap 3 day ticket to So Cal residents that can be used until May 24th.

 

[SMD]

The So Cal ticket offer is blocked the week before Easter. Of course that means they expect it to be crowded. I don't mind crowds. I don't mind CMs directing crowds, and would prefer it to the alternative. As a local who mostly tours with locals we have no problem dividing a conquering crowds because we know if we are separated we'll meet up wherever we were headed. If you like to walk side to side with your whole family, or keep everyone in your line of sight at all times, and if you get easily frustrated with people pausing in walking paths or stepping in front of you, then not only is spring break not for you, DLR is probably not for you. But anyone who is looking to have a good time, has a decent idea of what they want to do and is flexible can have a great trip at any time of the year.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Yes, it will probably be very crowded, and DL in particular is difficult to navigate in crowds due to smaller walkways than the other parks. The park can become pretty gridlocked, and the current construction closures are exacerbating that.

Whether it's still enjoyable to go or not is (of course) highly subjective. We don't mind crowds and enjoy longer hours and full entertainment offerings, so our priorities differ.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Thank you all for your advice. I think we'll be visiting another time.

 

[tarheelalum]

The last three days of April are usually pretty good. Most of the spring break crowds have left and it has returned to regular crowded. But I agree with DLgirl. This weekend has been packed. Very, very crowded.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Good to know - thanks!

 

[Elima2015]

We visited last year the last week of April and we had a great time. I don't have much to compare it to, but I did not feel like whatever crowds were there impeded our ability to have a good time. We rode everything we wanted to, saw the nighttime parade and fireworks and WOC, did several character meet and greets. I would go again at that time.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

We visited last year the last week of April and we had a great time. I don't have much to compare it to, but I did not feel like whatever crowds were there impeded our ability to have a good time. We rode everything we wanted to, saw the nighttime parade and fireworks and WOC, did several character meet and greets. I would go again at that time.

That is great to know - thank you!

 

[seidelhd]

We are going to be there the first week of April, likely going to DL April 2 and 4. Can you run the Touring Plans Crowd Calendar for those days, please? Thanks.

 

[Traver Freeman]

The last three days of April are usually pretty good. Most of the spring break crowds have left and it has returned to regular crowded. But I agree with DLgirl. This weekend has been packed. Very, very crowded.

This past weekend was a special weekend with the Pirates 50th, so it was a big "to do" and would have been a very bad weekend to go.

As a whole though, Disneyland has been more crowded this past year while WDW has been less crowded from all the reports I've heard. I think with the Zika scare a lot of people were switching which Disney park they vacationed at this year. DLR has also had a lot of promotional things going on. Chinese New Year was new this year. They've had food booths up constantly for one reason or another even outside of food and wine festival. The 60th was last year and a lot of special shows were still going on until recently. Lots and lots of reasons it's been crowded lately.

We're hoping our upcoming WDW trip is far less crowded that DL

 

[Winnowill]

We are going to be there the first week of April, likely going to DL April 2 and 4. Can you run the Touring Plans Crowd Calendar for those days, please? Thanks.

4/2: 6 out of 10, both parks
4/4: 7 out of 10, both parks

 

[tarheelalum]

This past weekend was a special weekend with the Pirates 50th, so it was a big "to do" and would have been a very bad weekend to go.

As a whole though, Disneyland has been more crowded this past year while WDW has been less crowded from all the reports I've heard. I think with the Zika scare a lot of people were switching which Disney park they vacationed at this year. DLR has also had a lot of promotional things going on. Chinese New Year was new this year. They've had food booths up constantly for one reason or another even outside of food and wine festival. The 60th was last year and a lot of special shows were still going on until recently. Lots and lots of reasons it's been crowded lately.

We're hoping our upcoming WDW trip is far less crowded that DL

I go pretty often and I would not say it's been more crowded this year. It's been packed for years now because disney wants it packed to maximize profits. Around pirates it was a little extra crowded this weekend but that was due to its birthday celebration. Overall it was just regular crazy crowded. That is the norm at Dland nowadays from my experience.

 

[seidelhd]

4/2: 6 out of 10, both parks
4/4: 7 out of 10, both parks

Thank you. I was hoping for less than 8-9s.

 

[Traver Freeman]

I go pretty often and I would not say it's been more crowded this year. It's been packed for years now because disney wants it packed to maximize profits. Around pirates it was a little extra crowded this weekend but that was due to its birthday celebration. Overall it was just regular crazy crowded. That is the norm at Dland nowadays from my experience.

We've been passholders now for almost 3 years. We've felt it's been busier the past year than the first year and half we had passes. But maybe we just picked really good days before, and not so much lately? Like I said, we had a really great day about 2 weeks ago that was pretty low crowds.

 

[tarheelalum]

Thank you. I was hoping for less than 8-9s.

I would expect 7/8 and be happy if it's anything less.

 

[SMD]

Keep in mind that TP redid their numbers and a 6 or 7 this year very well could be what an 8 or 9 were last year.

Last year Easter was in March, a full 3 weeks earlier than this year. I wouldn't expect a steep drop off before the last week of April to get to last year's crowd levels, which the last week of April was a month after Easter.