Disneyland in April: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

April weather is excellent at Disneyland, with cloudless skies and moderate temperatures. It seems like the perfect time to go, except for one thing: spring break and Easter crowds. Also in April you can attend some fun but unofficial park events or eat yourself silly at the food festival, all of which are described below.

It can be tough to predict crowd sizes at Disneyland in April, because Easter can fall anytime between late March and late April, and the holiday draws lots of people through its gates. And when the kids are out of school for spring break, both of Disneyland’s theme parks will be so busy that you'll need all the strategies for reducing wait time you can muster.

The rest of the month, crowds will be more manageable especially in the middle of the week. To see this year's crowd predictions, use the handy calendar at IsItPacked.com.

If you could go toward the end of the month, it’s likely the parks would be delightfully uncrowded. Otherwise, if you want to visit Disneyland in spring and your schedule is flexible, the best thing to do is think about going in a different month.

Disneyland Weather in April

Anaheim's spring weather is variable, but rain becomes less likely in April, and it can be dry and very pleasant.

• Average High Temperature: 67 F (20 C)
• Average Low Temperature: 53 F (12 C)
• Rainfall: 1 in (2.5 cm)
• Daylight: You will have almost 13 hours of daylight to enjoy the parks

At the extremes, Anaheim's record low temperature was 30 F (-1 C), and its record high was 108 F (42 C). 

If you want to compare April weather to other months, check this guide to Disneyland weather and climate.

What to Pack

The best way to decide what to wear is to check the weather forecast a few days ahead.

Midday, Disneyland feels hotter than you might expect. It cools off fast at dark and if you're going to watch Fantasmic! or World of Color up close, you'll be thankful for a water repellent jacket. Layers work best, clothing-wise. Make the innermost layer one that you'd be comfortable in if it's a little hotter than the forecasted high.

Cotton clothing can be comfortable, but if you want to go on water rides, fabrics that dry quickly are a better choice. You can also take a plastic poncho to keep your clothing dry. If the extras seem like too much to carry, you could rent a locker for just a couple of dollars.

April Events at Disneyland

• Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival begins in late February and runs through most of April. You will find more than a dozen marketplace stands near the World of Color viewing area. They serve food items inspired by fresh, California-grown ingredients and you can also sample locally brewed craft beers and wines. You can walk up and buy just one item (or a few) but if you plan to sample a lot, get a Sip & Savor pass which gives you eight coupons for a price less than you would pay for the same number of items a la carte. You could also enjoy other culinary experiences, including cooking demos by some of TV’s super-star chefs or a Jr. Chef experience designed just for kids.
• DapperDay: Another unofficial event happens at Disneyland in April. For this one, visitors dress up in their cutest clothing to visit the park, often choosing retro outfits that visitors might have worn on opening day. You can find this year's date and discounted tickets for large groups on the Dapper Day website.

April Travel Tips

• After April 1, it's hard to get significant ticket discounts. To find a few ways to save, you can use the Disneyland discounts guide.
• Hotel availability will be low, and rates will be high until the end of the month after spring break ends.
• Expect a full entertainment schedule and late park closing times for most of the month. California Adventure hours are often shorter. Check the official April hours up to 6 weeks in advance.
• Touringplans.com keeps a list of rides expected to close for refurbishment. But with lots of visitors expected, major closures are unlikely, although rides may close briefly for routine maintenance.