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What To Know About Spring Break at Disneyland 2024

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One of our favorite Spring Break destinations is Disneyland. We spend Spring Break at Disneyland almost every year.  Over the years we have learned a lot about spring break visits to Disneyland. Today I am excited to be sharing what I have learned with you so you can enjoy your spring break, and make the most of your time at Disneyland.

Spring Break At Disneyland

Spring break is a popular time for Disneyland vacations. People dream of escaping the cold weather to sunny southern California, and what better place to do it than at Disneyland?

But how are the crowds? When are most people on spring break? Can you still book a trip? We have the answers for you in this complete guide to Disneyland during spring break.

Disneyland Spring Ticket Deal 2024

Disneyland has released a spring ticket deal for 2024 for Southern California Residents. Here are the details:

SoCal Resident Spring Ticket Deal

This is a common spring deal, and it is back again in 2024, with some minor changes. The SoCal Spring Ticket Deal is available to Southern California Residents living within specific zip codes. These tickets can save you over $100 per ticket. AND these tickets are available through Disney ticket partners like Get Away Today (where you can save a few extra bucks off Disney prices).

This year the tickets are limited to 3-day tickets. Here is the important information you need about these tickets.

  • Available to Southern California Residents residing in zip codes 90000-93599
  • Proof of Residency Required
  • Tickets must be used by June 2, 2024
  • Tickets are available for purchase until May 29, 2024
  • Tickets labeled Mon-Thurs or Mon-Sun based on days of the week they may be used.
  • Reservations are required to enter one of the theme parks
  • Both one park and parkhopper tickets are available
  • You may pre-purchase with Disney Genie+
  • These tickets may be upgraded to a Magic Key Pass
  • These tickets do not need to be used within 13 days of first use, just by the expiration date, and do not need to be used consecutively

When is Spring Break at Disneyland?

Spring break varies by region. Most of the surrounding areas have spring break starting anywhere from mid-March to late April. The majority of Californians seem to have their spring breaks either the week before or after Easter (which is on March 31st this year).

In Idaho, where I live, most schools have their spring break either the last full week in March or the week after.

As far as Disneyland crowds are concerned, you can expect to see higher crowds at Disneyland starting around March 10th clear through the end of April.

Spring Break Crowds at disneyland

Spring break crowds at Disneyland will vary based on what week you go, but you can expect a good amount of people during most of March and April. Do not let this sway you from going though. With a little planning, and use of tools like Genie+ you will be able to get a lot done.

Disneyland has made it clear it is trying to draw more non-local visitors, and spring break is a great time to do that.

How To Handle Spring Break Crowds

Don’t go? Just kidding. I always try and remember a crowded day at Disney is still better than a day at home.

Extra day free Disneyland ticket deal. Click to book

Every Disneyland regular has their own way to handle the Disneyland crowds. Our family usually tries to get there before the park opens for rope drop, take a mid-day break, and return after dinner.

Others prefer to just go in the morning and stay until Dinner, even with the large afternoon crowds.

We personally find it is nice to miss the hottest, most crowded part of the day.

Even trying to avoid the busiest times of day, you will still have to endure crowds. It will be important to prioritize your activities, have a flexible game plan, and utilize Disneyland’s Genie+.

Special Offerings During Spring Break at Disneyland

I love that Disneyland has special offerings during spring break. Spring 2024 is no exception. Here is what we have to look forward to in Spring 2024 at Disneyland Resort.

Food and Wine Festival Returns

One favorite for Spring Break is the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival. Here you can sample food and beverages inspired by California and its culture.

(Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort)

This event is included with your admission to California Adventure Park, though you will have to purchase the food offerings, or a Sip and Savor Pass.

Be sure to check out all of the details in my Food and Wine Festival Guide, which I will update as information is released.

Season of the Force Kicks Off April 5, 2024

If you are a Star Wars Fan and have a mid-April Spring Break, you will be able to catch the beginning of Season of the Force, a celebration of all things Star Wars.

This includes Hyper Space Mountain, specialty foods, and a special, after dark, ticketed event -Star Wars Nites- on select dates during the celebration.

What To Look Forward To In Spring 2024 at Disneyland

Spring 2024 is set to be a great season at Disneyland.

Magic Happens

Magic Happens Parade is an energetic celebration of Disney and Pixar films and characters. This parade will return from its seasonal closure in February and will run through Spring Break season.

(Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort)

Wonderous Journey Fireworks

Returning for a short Spring-Break run, a must-see during your Disneyland spring break is the Wonderous Journey Fireworks. The show includes projections and music on most nights. On weekends and peak season (which we expect spring break to be) it will also include fireworks – weather permitting.

The show contains references to EVERY Disney animated movie, and includes Baymax and the Blue Fairy flying around the castle (at different points – not together).

The limited-time run will take place March 22 – April 14, 2024.

Planning Tips For Spring Break 2024 at Disneyland

If you are planning a spring break visit to Disneyland in 2024, here are a few things to look at when planning your visit.

Park hours for spring break at Disneyland

Disneyland’s park hours during spring break may vary. You will usually find they open the parks to all guests at 8 am. Remember that Early Entry is available for guests staying at one of the Disney-owned properties.

As for closing times, Disneyland tends to close at 11 pm the first week or two, but starting the last week in March, it begins closing at midnight. DCA closes at 9 pm or 10 pm most nights.

When you go, also be sure to listen and watch for announcements noting a change in park hours. We have gone a few times during the weeks that were supposed to close at 11pm, only to have them extend the hours to midnight.

Downtown Disney is usually open from 8 am – 1 am.

Weather at Disneyland during Spring Break

Weather during spring break can be pretty unpredictable. But if you are like me and coming from a state that is still in the 40-50 degree range most days, you can bet most days will feel pretty nice.

We have had rain, sunshine, highs of 60’s and highs in the 90s during our spring break visits. Many times all in the same trip.

I strongly suggest watching Anaheim’s forecast in the days leading up to your trip. Even if the forecast looks awesome (80’s and sunny all week- YES PLEASE!) be sure to bring a sweatshirt and maybe even some pants. Once that sun goes down, it can get pretty cool real fast.

When to book Spring Break packages

If you are visiting Disneyland during spring break, I suggest booking your vacation as soon as possible. You will have the biggest choice of hotels, especially if looking for hotels for large groups near Disneyland.

Even if you have put off booking your spring break vacation, I have been able to find some great deals through Get Away Today. In 2019 we booked only a month or so in advance and secured an amazing rate at both Paradise Pier (soon to be Pixar Pier) and Courtyard Theme Park Entrance.

Fountain on Buena Vista Street featuring Carthay Circle Restaurant in the background.

Ride closures during Spring Break

Normally during Spring Break at Disneyland you will find most rides open. If your spring break is at the mid-March or late April time frame you may still have a few closures as the park preps for Spring break, or (late April) preps for summer.

Even though most rides are scheduled to be open, it seems spring break is always full of unexpected closures.

Some people claim it is because it is the first time many rides have operated so heavily since their seasonal maintenance, others claim it is the bipolar weather, but no matter what, Spring Break seems to have several unexpected closures.

Some may last for only an hour or two, others a day or more. So if there is something you “have to ride” and it is open on day 1 of your visit, I suggest getting on it.

Disneyland Tip: Find out what to do if a ride breaks down at Disneyland, especially while you are on it.

You can also check the customer service Kiosks for current ride closures and reopenings. Scheduled maintenance appears on the daily park schedule for the upcoming 6 weeks.

Special Spring Break Events for Easter

Closer to Easter, Disneyland hosts the Egg-stravaganza, an easter egg hunt type of activity that lets you find hidden eggs. The maps and stickers usually cost around $10 and it is a fun activity.

Details for 2024 have not yet been released, but watch the Disney Parks Blog for more information. I am really hoping they continue this activity this year. I expect that this activity will take place in Downtown Disney this year, as that is where the other events like this have been moved to.

Also around Easter you will see a lot of your favorite Disney rabbits come out to do more meet and greets. This includes the White Rabbit, Roger Rabbit, and more.

Book a vacation for spring break at Disneyland

YES!!! There are some great deals out there for Spring Break.  I suggest using my partners at Get Away Today   They can do everything from booking your hotel, to adding on tickets for Universal or LEGOLAND.

Are you spending your spring break at Disneyland? What are you most looking forward to?

11 thoughts on “What To Know About Spring Break at Disneyland 2024”

  1. I would love to do Disneyland over Spring Break! Unfortunately the past few years our Spring Break has been the first week of March and a lot of refurbs are still going on. We are pushing back a week next year so maybe I can swing it! It sounds amazing!

    Reply
    • There are a lot of refurbs, but the crowds are really low that time of year too. One of those things you have to pick and choose what is most important.

      Reply
  2. I am going to Disneyland for the first time EVER from 4/13 to 4/19. Your article was great and made me feel a bit better but considering I have a 3 day hopper, will we still have a shot at the good rides or will it be INSANE? I have MaxPass and am a veteran of WDW where I have seen massive crowds on times like Memorial Day Weejend! Thanks!

    Reply
    • You will totally be able to do the good rides (aren’t they all good rides?) with 3 days. Just be sure to get to the parks about 45 minutes before opening and make use of those early hours before it gets too crowded.

      Reply
  3. Do you know if there are fireworks every night in the Spring. We are likely going Monday and Tuesday the 2nd to last week of March, but I would love for my sonto experience the fireworks!

    Reply
    • Once Spring breaks pick up (usually mid-March), the fireworks are usually nightly. But this is the first spring break since the reopening, so I can’t know if they will continue that or not.

      Reply

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