Yeah, that's what I'm debating, so helpful to hear this. We'll be there in early April, not during any breaks/holidays. On our first day (Sunday) we arrive from a domestic flight to CDG in the morning and likely will get to the park around 11-12. I was hoping to do the Studios that day and ride Ratatouille and Crush and eat at Remy's, plus whatever else we feel like. We really want to hit the rides that are different than DLR and WDW. It won't help with Crush since there's no FP, but it might with Ratatouille if the FP are gone by the time we arrive. That's the day it seems more useful, but for around $300? Maybe if we save on other parts of the trip.
Our second day is a Monday and we'll have EMH, so I don't think it will be as necessary. If we did it I'd only do the "all the rides once" unless we get a free upgrade (we're right on the cutoff for that promotion).
As most European countries have a Spring Break end of April, there are less people squeezing in a long weekend early in this month. So my guess is, Sunday you might still encounter some local crowds, but Monday should be good.
My strategy would be as followed, if I didn't have any FP purchased:
The official opening hours aren't known yet for April, but last Sunday of March, the Studios are open till six. So most likely closing time will be six in April as well, maybe seven. Which is good, so you can get to the hotel relatively early and get a good night sleep before your full day. That gives you 6-7 hours in the Studios which should plenty to do all the highlight rides and a show, plus a meal at Remy.
- Book Remy's for either very late lunch or very early dinner,
- Ride or get FP for Ratatouille.
- Rock 'n Roller Coaster next
- Tower of Terror is an exact duplicate of DL's before the Galaxy layover, so you could skip this one.
- Ride Crush right before closing. Both Ratatouille and Crush have a single rider's line.
- There are no real seasons, the Marvel Summer of Super Heroes seems to be a repeat of last year, so no specific reason for extra crowds from locals in April.
- The Marvel show is nice, but if Mickey and the Magician is back up then and you enjoy shows, I would definitely squeeze in this show.
- Most likely the characters in the Studios are still booked via the app called 'Lineberty', but probably by the time you arrive at the Studios, those will be sold out.
Which would give you a full day at Disneyland Park. Opening at 8:30am for EMH and closing at 10pm
During EMH:
- Peter Pan
- Meet Mickey and/or a princess (if rides are a priority, skip or switch this with Buzz & Space Mountain)
- Buzz Lightyear
- Space Mountain
- Whatever else you can to do before regular opening hours start. Or line up early at the entrance of Frontierland (to get ahead of the crowds for Big Thunder Mountain)
- Ride Big Thunder Mountain, get a FP when you are done to ride it again later in the day.
- Phantom Manor.
- Get quick service lunch.
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Indiana Jones.
- Walk around, do some kiddie rides or walk throughs
- See the parade
- Do whatever you missed
- Have dinner
- Continue to do whatever you missed, or repeat favourites
- See the fireworks
The purchased Fastpass will help you to repeat favourites, also making it worth to maybe hop back to the Studios to do some repeats there on Monday evening.