Making the Most of Your Visit to Disneyland In April- 2023

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Are you visiting Disneyland park in April? I know you’re going to have the best time! I’ve got all the information you’ll need for a fantastic trip! Warm weather, The Food & Wine Festival, and Easter make it a great time to visit. Although crowds will be high due to Spring Breaks across the country, you’ll still be able to have a wonderful time!

At the end of this post, I’ve got some tips to help you conquer Disneyland like a pro. It’s a good idea to check them out before your vacation.

If you’re still deciding when to visit Disneyland, check out this episode on my podcast. It will help you pick the perfect time of year to visit the Happiest Place on Earth in sunny Southern California.

Discount Disney Park Tickets and Hotels

Please be aware that all Disney parks require park tickets and a theme park reservation. Make sure you have both! Please don’t pay the full price for your Disneyland tickets or hotel. My partners at Get Away Today have the very best deals on tickets and hotels. Their customer service is top-notch, and they even have layaway plans. You can find them by clicking on the image below or by calling 1-855-GET-AWAY. Make sure you tell them Melissa, from Mix In Some Magic sent you for the best deal!

They have great deals on hotels! Many of their properties offer a free night with a stay, free parking, extra discounts, or a complimentary breakfast! You save the most money when you purchase a vacation package and bundle your hotel rooms with one of their discount resort ticket offers.

If you book a package with park tickets and a hotel room, you can use my code MIX10 to save an extra $10. That’s more churro money, friends!

I have a bunch of hotel reviews that might be helpful for you if you’re still trying to decide where you’d like to stay.

Disneyland In April- Crowds 

Disneyland in April can get crowded due to Spring Breaks. Spring Break season is an ideal time to visit for many families(maybe yours!), so their children don’t miss school. The good news is Disneyland will have longer hours and scheduled entertainment more often, so you should have plenty of time in the park.

Don’t let higher crowds scare you away! You can still have a great time, even when it’s crowded. I do recommend arriving at security at least 60 minutes early. You’ll want to take advantage of the lower wait times in the morning! The afternoons bring long lines. I have many other tips to help you enjoy Disneyland when it’s crowded here. 

The best days to visit for low crowd levels are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. My Disneyland crowd calendar will be helpful for you, but keep in mind: this is my best guess at crowd levels. I don’t have a magic crystal ball, so I use this calendar for planning purposes only. 

Disneyland in April- Weather

Disneyland in April usually has mild weather. The days are starting to warm up, nights aren’t as chilly, and the rainy season has mostly come and gone.

The average high is 74 degrees F, with an average low of 54 degrees F. You may still want to pack a jacket for those chilly evenings. Keep an eye on the weather leading up to your trip so you can be prepared for a rainy day! By the end of the month, it can be pretty warm!

I have a complete guide to what to wear to Disneyland in April. You can find it here.

Disneyland In April- Events

Many fun things are going on at Disneyland in April, including some special events.

Food and Wine Festival

Disney California Adventure Park hosts the Food and Wine Festival from early March through late April. This fun event is an excellent opportunity to feast on California’s finest food and wine in sample-size portions. They have culinary demonstrations and fun activities for the entire family! You can find more information here.

Event Highlights(Included with admission)

• Culinary Demonstrations – Local, visiting, and Disney chefs prepare a few secret recipes on stage––available weekends only!
• Festival Marketplaces – Over a dozen outdoor kiosks offer an assortment of mouthwatering bites, wine, and beer.
• Family Programming – Throughout the festival, find something fun for everyone in the family, including special activity zones and demonstrations.
• Cocktails at Sonoma Terrace hosted by CORKCICLE® – Enjoy an expanded menu of craft brews, signature cocktails, savory snacks, and more.
• Live Music – Groove-to-toe-tappin’ musical performances presenting the perfect side dish to complement the bon viveur vibe.

Bookable Experiences(additional fees apply)

• Carthay Circle Winemaker Receptions – Over the course of 3 exciting nights, enjoy hand-selected California wines masterfully paired with an array of small plates.
• Wine, Beer, and Mixology Education & Tasting Seminars – Discover something special when sommeliers, brew masters, and mixologists divulge their industry expertise during these fascinating 45-minute sessions.

Dapper Days

Dapper days is a popular event held at Disneyland sometime in mid-April. The Dapper Day Expo takes place at the Disneyland Hotel. Dapper days celebrates the vintage style and clothing worn at Disneyland when it opened in 1955. But you can wear anything that makes you feel stylish.

From the Dapper Days website:” DAPPER DAY events celebrate sophisticated dressing and timeless style from yesterday and today, with a bit of fun. Everyone is encouraged to participate by dressing up a little – or a lot! Due to the 1950s feel of Disneyland, many guests enjoy working mid-century-inspired ensembles for our DAPPER DAY outings to that park, but this is optional. We are not trying to recreate a specific period. Just as people once dressed in their Sunday best in the 50s and 60s when visiting Disneyland, we’re continuing that tradition of “stepping out in style” with a fun contemporary flair.”

Even if you don’t participate in this event, it’s fun to be in the parks when it’s happening. People are so creative and bring their “A Game”! I love checking out all the different outfits.

Easter

Disneyland celebrates Easter with an Easter Egg scavenger hunt throughout both parks. You can purchase a game board from participating shops and search for the hidden eggs. Once you’ve found them all, turn in your game board for a prize!

Throwback Nite

Throwback Nite is an after-hours party at Disneyland on April 18th and 20th this year. After-hours events have a limited capacity, and one of the best things about them is the low wait times for attractions! If you’re visiting for Throwback Nite, take advantage of those short lines!

Disneyland In April- What To Expect

Most of the rides and attractions should be up and running. Expect higher crowds because of Spring break. You can expect both parks to be open longer due to higher crowds. Take advantage of the longer park hours by staying later if you can! Arriving in time for rope drop will make all the difference during higher crowd days! Don’t let higher crowds scare you away. April is a great time to visit, and you can still have a great time, even in a crowded park.

Disneyland In April- What to Pack

A well-packed bag is beneficial anytime you’re on a Disney trip. Don’t get stuck paying a small fortune for something you easily could have brought from home or purchased at a much lower price at home. Here’s a list of Disney park bag essentials I like to have while I’m inside the parks. I also save a ton of money by buying things on Amazon before my trip. Here’s my Disney trip Amazon list.

Disneyland Tips and Helpful Info:

A trip to Disneyland is a magical experience, but it can also be overwhelming with the crowds and long lines. Here are some insider tips and tricks for making the most out of your visit to the happiest place on earth:

1. Get there early: Arriving at the park before it opens can save you a lot of time waiting in line for popular rides. Plus, you can take advantage of the shorter lines for some of the more popular attractions before the crowds arrive. Check out this post for info on rope-dropping Disneyland. 
2.  Use Genie Plus: The Genie Plus system allows you to reserve a spot in line for popular rides, so you don’t have to wait in the regular line. Read this post for more information on Genie Plus at Disneyland. 
3.  Take advantage of single-rider lines: If you are okay with riding alone or being separated from your group, single-rider lines can be a great way to save time waiting in line. Check out this attractions guide for more info. 
4.  Pack snacks and water: Bringing your own snacks and water can save money and keep you hydrated and energized throughout the day. Here’s info on what food you can bring into the park.
5.  Take advantage of the parades and shows: The parades and shows at Disneyland and California Adventure are not to be missed! Check the schedule for times and plan your day accordingly.
6.  Visit during off-peak times: Visit the park during off-peak times, such as weekdays or off-season. This can help you avoid crowds and save money on tickets and accommodations. Find my guide on when to visit Disneyland to help you pick a time to visit.
7.  Download the Disneyland app: The Disneyland app is an excellent tool for checking wait times, finding your way around the park, and even making dining reservations.
8. Make sure you have a well-packed park bag! You want to avoid paying extra for something at the Disney theme parks that you could easily bring from home! Here’s my guide to what to pack in your park bag. 
9. Don’t miss my top 10 Disneyland tips!
10. Bring a good attitude and go with the flow. Your attitude is part of having a great vacation at the Happiest place on earth! Make sure you’re family has a positive outlook, and you’ll have a great time.

Check out my downloadable touring plans if you’d like a step-by-step guide to the parks! have a planning phone call that’s super popular! In this phone call, I can answer your Disneyland vacation questions and give you lots of tips and info tailored to you and your group!

April is an excellent time to visit the Disneyland theme parks! Even though it can be a busy time of the year, I know you’ll have a great time! Make sure to check out my podcast for lots of Disney planning information! You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Just search for “Mix In Some Magic” Follow me on Instagram for more Disney tips and lots of Disney tips and fun!