Travelling in April...

[RRK15]

Hello Everyone!!

My husbands, myself and our daughter are travelling to Disneyland for the first time.

We have already booked our trip - we are going from easter monday to that following sunday! I'm bit worried as I've been told (after booking) that that time of year is fairly busy due to spring break.'

I was hoping to hear from others who have travelled at that time and how their experience was? I can't go back and change the trip but unfortunately my level of exciting has gone down as I'm worried about it being too busy to really enjoy ourselves.

Anyone been during that time of year that can tell me their experience please?

Thanks in advance

 

[Drusilla99]

The truth is, DL is always crowded. I go at least once a month and I've gone during the week following a Easter many times. That week is crowded, but definitely not as crowded as a weekday in the summer, or most Saturdays during the year. Know what you want to ride, use the fastpass system & you will have a great time.

 

[DG24]

It will not be as bad as Late March spring break, that is bad, or as bad as christmas. I second the get a good plan and you will have fun, have you considered ride max or touring plans, they both give tuns of advice to get in the most avoiding the crowds, for the $20 or so it has always been well worth it to me for all the tips, what gates to stand at, what way to travel clockwise or counter clockwise. Why not head to PP or Dumbo first thing in morning if you arrive 30 minutes late to the gate. They both give so many hints that it is well worth the money, especially if you already put $2000 out and your afraid you made a mistake, $20 is nothing and can save the day.

 

[RRK15]

The truth is, DL is always crowded. I go at least once a month and I've gone during the week following a Easter many times. That week is crowded, but definitely not as crowded as a weekday in the summer, or most Saturdays during the year. Know what you want to ride, use the fastpass system & you will have a great time.

True I guess it would be busy regardless.. Glad I didnt plan for the summer!! I wish I knew what rides to go on but it being our first time I'm not sure which are the best., we might just wing it!! Thanks for replying

 

[RRK15]

It will not be as bad as Late March spring break, that is bad, or as bad as christmas. I second the get a good plan and you will have fun, have you considered ride max or touring plans, they both give tuns of advice to get in the most avoiding the crowds, for the $20 or so it has always been well worth it to me for all the tips, what gates to stand at, what way to travel clockwise or counter clockwise. Why not head to PP or Dumbo first thing in morning if you arrive 30 minutes late to the gate. They both give so many hints that it is well worth the money, especially if you already put $2000 out and your afraid you made a mistake, $20 is nothing and can save the day.

Thanks for your advice! Is there a travel plan you recommend? Also, whats ride max? We are there for 3 days and really dont know anything about disney!

 

[Drusilla99]

What are the ages of your group? Do you like roller coasters &/or dark rides?

 

[DG24]

Ride Max is a program that you pay about $20 to $25 for, you punch in the day and park you are going to, then you tell the program I want to ride, these rides and it will punch out exactly how to plan the day and how to get the most rides in, you can tell the program you want to eat at this time for this long, or you want a 3 hour break at this time. But other wise the program runs a print out of ever ride you want to ride and how is the best way to do it. I used this for years, or should say my mom did. I find it a bit to structured, but if you really look for patterns you will see the best times to ride and when.

Second one is touring plans, again you pay a fee, around $20 to $25, I'm not sure. This is totally different, you can pick a set plan like adults only, mix family, thrill seeker teenagers, the plans are all set and you just print it. This year they came out with one that is a little more like ride max, you tell it what you want and they send out a plan you can print.

Both of these have other very good information, like one has how crowded the parks will be on any giving day. They both have information on where to sit for parades and what fastpasses are not connect.

I still purchase both even after many years, although I admit I dont use them, since I know what is best for my family and I never stand in lines. I could pm you how i tour but it may be totally different than what your family wants out of Disney. I do read all the tips, changes in things around Disney like frozen fun and the new FP for fantasmic, but to do the rides, never I can get every ride in both parks done every day without the plans, but I have been going twice a year for 24 years. I do highly recommend either one of these for a first timer, doing only 3 days and wants as much as possible out of the trip.

 

[RRK15]

What are the ages of your group? Do you like roller coasters &/or dark rides?

My daughter is 3.. and my husband and myself are in our 30s.. He might like roller coasters and dark rides.. unfortunately we both can't go at the same time due to one of us having to be with our daughter and I myself would not go alone lol

 

[RRK15]

Ride Max is a program that you pay about $20 to $25 for, you punch in the day and park you are going to, then you tell the program I want to ride, these rides and it will punch out exactly how to plan the day and how to get the most rides in, you can tell the program you want to eat at this time for this long, or you want a 3 hour break at this time. But other wise the program runs a print out of ever ride you want to ride and how is the best way to do it. I used this for years, or should say my mom did. I find it a bit to structured, but if you really look for patterns you will see the best times to ride and when.

Second one is touring plans, again you pay a fee, around $20 to $25, I'm not sure. This is totally different, you can pick a set plan like adults only, mix family, thrill seeker teenagers, the plans are all set and you just print it. This year they came out with one that is a little more like ride max, you tell it what you want and they send out a plan you can print.

Both of these have other very good information, like one has how crowded the parks will be on any giving day. They both have information on where to sit for parades and what fastpasses are not connect.

I still purchase both even after many years, although I admit I dont use them, since I know what is best for my family and I never stand in lines. I could pm you how i tour but it may be totally different than what your family wants out of Disney. I do read all the tips, changes in things around Disney like frozen fun and the new FP for fantasmic, but to do the rides, never I can get every ride in both parks done every day without the plans, but I have been going twice a year for 24 years. I do highly recommend either one of these for a first timer, doing only 3 days and wants as much as possible out of the trip.

Those are great tips!! I wish I could go with the apps but I feel like I would have to be on time and with a 3 year told that might be hard I might still look into them though so I do appreciate you telling me about them.. Any tips would be great?? My daughter is 3 (if that helps). If you travel with a toddler I would appreciate you pm'ing me your tour plan!

 

[Drusilla99]

If it was me, I'd probably get a fp for a roller coaster you guys want to go on first. Then hit too town fantasyland, POTC, jungle cruise, or something like that. Then after you've taken your daughter on a couple rides, you guys can take turns using your fp's & ask the cm about the parent switch, it may work so the waits not that long. Hope that helps

 

[DG24]

Check your DD's hight, you may be amazed what she can go on and what she wants to go on. My sister went on everything before 4, in DL. Myself, I still need a car seat to legally drive. Honestly I was pulled out of line on screaming in jan to see if I was tall enough and I'm 24. She should be able to do Matterhorn, POTC, jungle, HM, she maybe able to do splash if tall enough. Space for a three year old is iffy, I was a dare devil and loved roller coasters even at a young age, but most kids don't. The only other ride is Indy and your not missing much there, way to bumpy, so send hubby by himself to space and indy.

In dca she there will be a lot she won't make, screaming, tot, RS, grizzly, soaring, goofy. Again send hubby by himself, or do a rider swap.

Oh here is a tip, I have not seen then in a while but they use to give cards to the kids if they were to small. A few years ago we had a stack of them for niece. They can be used for her and family when she is tall enough to go on the ride, acts like a fastpass. If you go back in two or three years you will have a stack of them to use.

 

[SnowBelleAlice]

Just wanted to correct this misstatement about summer being awful - wrong, July - mid August is lovely!
OP - enjoy your visit, you're lucky you found this board!

 

[CassieScraps]

That is the same week we are going.

I expect it is going to be crowded, but a plus side is that it's a blackout period for the lower level passes, so that might help. My daughter is 4, so we are still in the "winging it" stage. I wouldn't go in with a strict plan. Definitely do the rider swap thing so both you and DH can ride the big people stuff. Maybe look into a babysitting service to watch your DD in the hotel one evening so you and hubby can do a night out.

 

[RRK15]

That is the same week we are going.

I expect it is going to be crowded, but a plus side is that it's a blackout period for the lower level passes, so that might help. My daughter is 4, so we are still in the "winging it" stage. I wouldn't go in with a strict plan. Definitely do the rider swap thing so both you and DH can ride the big people stuff. Maybe look into a babysitting service to watch your DD in the hotel one evening so you and hubby can do a night out.

Fun the same time!! Where are you staying?

What does blackout for the lower level passes mean?

Also how does the rider swap work?

Sorry I've never been so dont know anything about Disney!

 

[CassieScraps]

We are staying off property at the Anaheim Islander. It's going to be 8 of us, me, my mom, my 4 kids and my 2 nephews, so we needed a big suite, lol. My little princess is finally tall enough for some of the good rides, but I don't know how many she's going to be up to doing.

I just double checked and it's a black out on the Southern California passes, not the Deluxe. The Premium doesn't have black out dates. But that is still helpful crowd wise because the So Cal residents that have those passes and are out of school on break, most likely won't be at DL.

The rider swap is basically like a single rider fast pass. You wait in line and once you get to the head of the line you ask for a rider swap and one of you rides, then when they are done, the other person rides. Not quite as fun as riding together, but it can save some time.

Here's a list of rides that have the option: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/#/search=rider switch/sort=relevance/


Only 26 days!!! I'm getting so excited!!

 

[Carolynleanne]

Hello Everyone!!

My husbands, myself and our daughter are travelling to Disneyland for the first time.

We have already booked our trip - we are going from easter monday to that following sunday! I'm bit worried as I've been told (after booking) that that time of year is fairly busy due to spring break.'

I was hoping to hear from others who have travelled at that time and how their experience was? I can't go back and change the trip but unfortunately my level of exciting has gone down as I'm worried about it being too busy to really enjoy ourselves.

Anyone been during that time of year that can tell me their experience please?

Thanks in advance

Don't worry about it Just go with an idea of what your MUST DO's are and take it ALL in. You'll have a blast

 

[RRK15]

Don't worry about it Just go with an idea of what your MUST DO's are and take it ALL in. You'll have a blast

Thank you! First time going so we're not sure what the must dos lol might just wing it!

 

[GeneralTso]

Here's the thing--you're going to have a fantastic time.
Yes, it's crowded. It's always crowded, I swear. You just make the best of it. Use Fast Passes, take breaks in the afternoon.
Don't stress about it. Go with the flow. It's magical!