Now that the 60th Anniversary is over - April Trip?

[eeyore70]

Hi Everyone,
WDW addict here, but after seeing the recent Disunplugged Disneyland videos I am thinking a first time visit to Disneyland is needed!! Now I keep seeing that so many of the really neat things (paint the night, hyperspace mountain, fireworks, etc) are now gone since the anniversary is over. The only time I can go is during spring break in April. Please give me reasons to go and that the crowds won't be insane. What are typical waits during spring break? Thanks for any feedback!!

 

[GatorChris]

Well, the crowds will definitely be insane during Spring Break. When you're in DL, crowds feel a lot bigger than they are because the paths aren't huge like they are at WDW. Lines will be busy as well, but they may not correlate with the crowds you see. The WDW perception will mess you up - it messed me up for my first 2 or 3 trips.

It's hard to say if they will have any new fireworks up and going. And the train, riverboats, and F! will still be down at that point. Still, there's plenty to see that's different from WDW. If anything, go to see Cars Land. It's pretty amazing, as is World of Color. Go and enjoy and don't worry about the crowds.

 

[figment_jii]

When you say "April", when do you mean specifically? Based on the AP Blockout dates, DLR is expecting the bulk of the Spring Break crowds to show up before Easter (the last day of the SoCal and SoCal Select AP blockout is on Easter Sunday) and pretty soon we should know what kind of 1-day pricing is in effect for April (peak pricing also indicates DLR assumes large crowds). So if you can wait to go until after Easter, I think there is a chance you'll encounter lower crowds (that's not to say no crowds or low crowds, but lower than the height of Spring Break which is probably going to be the two weeks before Easter).

During the peak times of the day, during the peak of Spring Break, crowds will be high and waits will be long. I would expect to see the big rides (e.g., Space Mtn, RSR, TSMM) with waits over 90 minutes (120 might not be uncommon, especially for RSR). I would guess most other attractions will be in the 30 to 60 minute range depending (e.g., HM, PotC, Soarin', Star Tours, etc.). There will also be long waits at QS locations and there might not be much in the way of walk-up TS locations in the parks.

 

[eeyore70]

When you say "April", when do you mean specifically? Based on the AP Blockout dates, DLR is expecting the bulk of the Spring Break crowds to show up before Easter (the last day of the SoCal and SoCal Select AP blockout is on Easter Sunday) and pretty soon we should know what kind of 1-day pricing is in effect for April (peak pricing also indicates DLR assumes large crowds). So if you can wait to go until after Easter, I think there is a chance you'll encounter lower crowds (that's not to say no crowds or low crowds, but lower than the height of Spring Break which is probably going to be the two weeks before Easter).

During the peak times of the day, during the peak of Spring Break, crowds will be high and waits will be long. I would expect to see the big rides (e.g., Space Mtn, RSR, TSMM) with waits over 90 minutes (120 might not be uncommon, especially for RSR). I would guess most other attractions will be in the 30 to 60 minute range depending (e.g., HM, PotC, Soarin', Star Tours, etc.). There will also be long waits at QS locations and there might not be much in the way of walk-up TS locations in the parks.

First week of April.

 

[figment_jii]

Well...in that case...there will be crowds. As long as you go expecting crowds, they can be managed.

On a fun note, assuming they do it again this year, the Egg-Stravaganza might be happening during that period. It was fun!
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...travaganza-continues-in-2016-at-disney-parks/

 

[gottalovepluto]

No guarantee on the timing or even if it's coming back but April 2016 was when DCA hosted a Food and Wine festival for the first time years. Considering they are doing a festival almost double April's size in DCA this Holiday Season the odds just might be in your favor you'll see that again come April 2017! As said above crowds can be managed, lots of tips here on the boards to help (like get to the parks at opening and/or be in the parks until close).

Here's a link to the festival from last April: http://www.wdwinfo.com/Disneyland/events/foodandwine.htm

 

[MinnieMouse84]

I'll be there April 11-12. Probably the height of spring break. I'm not looking forward to the huge crowds, but I think it'll be worth it. Hope you have a great time!

 

[heffalumpz]

I went in mid-April in 2014, and late April in 2016. In 2014 we went on weekdays, and it wasn't horrible! We went on a weekend in 2016 and the Saturday was PACKED. But the good thing about DLR is that with the old fastpass system and some strategic planning, you can still get a lot done when it's packed! Also, the weather in April is LOVELY.