If you’re considering spending Spring Break at Disneyland, it’s important to research the park hours, crowd conditions, accommodations, options, and special events before taking the plunge. While there are plenty of shows, parades, and live entertainment to keep visitors happy and occupied, Spring Break is one of the busiest times of the year to visit Disneyland.
Crowds:
The number one issue to consider when planning a Spring Break trip is how you feel about crowds. Spring Break is one of the busiest times of the year at Disneyland and California Adventure. Both parks will be crowded, so you should anticipate waiting in line for most rides and attractions. Popular rides like the Splash Mountain, Dumbo, or Peter Pan’s Flight will have very long waits. Be prepared with a book, video game, or iPod to pass the time.
If you don’t mind crowded conditions, you will find plenty to enjoy at Disneyland during Spring Break. However, if navigating large crowds doesn’t appeal to you, consider visiting either a little before or after the actual Spring Break week.
Tips for Spending Spring Break at Disneyland:
- Stay at the Resort: Choose one of the three official Disneyland resorts, and you’ll save a considerable amount of time getting to the parks. You can walk to the theme park entrances and not worry about traffic or parking. This is helpful any time of year, but it’s absolutely essential during busy times like Spring Break, Christmas, and Independence Day.
- Park Wisely: If you’re not staying onsite, allow plenty of time to drive to Disneyland, and if possible, park in one of the closer lots. The best lot for parking is ‘Mickey and Friends,’ as it offers the shortest walk to the park entrance. If ‘Mickey and Friends’ is full, head to the new ‘Toy Story’ lot for the best results.
- Arrive Early: Arriving at either Disney’s California Adventure or Disneyland before the parks even open will give you a head start for the day. Even if you can’t get on a ride yet, you can begin making your way through the entrance and security areas. The earlier you arrive, the more you’ll be able to experience before the parks get crowded.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes: Disneyland is not terribly large, but you may find yourself traveling back and forth across the park to get from one favorite ride to another. You’ll also be on your feet as you wait in line, so skip the thin flip-flops and opt for comfortable footwear.
- Leave in the Afternoon: Once lunchtime arrives, both Disneyland and California Adventure may be packed to capacity. Once the parks become crowded, head back to your hotel to swim, nap, or relax. You can return to the theme parks in the evening when they’ll be open late for Spring Break. You’ll arrive refreshed just as the people who braved the parks all day are heading home.
- Bring Everything You Need: Pack everything you think you’ll need for each member of the family. You can leave the items you don’t want to carry around in a locker at either of the theme parks and simply retrieve what you need. If you leave something essential in your car, it’s a long trek back to the parking area.
- Take Advantage of Magic Mornings: If you’re staying at one of the three onsite resorts, take advantage of the Magic Morning offered during your stay. You’ll get early access to the park when it isn’t crowded with locals and off-site visitors. You may find that you get to experience more rides and attractions during a Magic Morning than you would for the rest of the day.
- Use FastPass: Take advantage of Disneyland’s free FastPass system to minimize your waiting time. Simply insert your theme park ticket into a FastPass machine at your favorite ride (machines are located at most of the popular attractions). The machine will issue a paper ticket with a return time. Return to the ride at that time, and you can skip the regular line. This is helpful any time of year, but especially during Spring Break.
- Visit Slow Loading Rides First: Some rides, like the Dumbo the Flying Elephant, need to come to a complete stop each time new guests board, resulting in longer waits. Rides that are in continuous motion, like ‘It’s a Small World,’ tend to have shorter lines. Plan your day accordingly to make the most of your time.
- Be a Night Owl: Many Spring Break party-goers will be heading to the Downtown Disney area or local clubs in the evening. Head to the theme parks instead, and you’ll find they’re easier to navigate after dark. At least one park will be open late each evening during Spring Break—often very late. The later you stay, the thinner the crowds will be.
- Bring Your Autograph Book: While you’re busy preparing for the crowds, Disneyland planners are too. You’ll spot plenty of characters out and about in the parks, and some rare characters only appear when the parks are busy. Spring Break is an ideal time to meet some of your favorites.
Spring Break at Disneyland is busy, but if you stay onsite and plan ahead, you should be able to see and do everything you want during your vacation. Spending Spring Break at Disneyland is a unique way to immerse yourself in the fun and excitement of both theme parks while enjoying some of Disney’s best entertainment offerings.
