As spring break continues (and with summer right around the corner), Disneyland is extremely busy. And all those guests arrived despite higher ticket prices during school vacations and several major rides closed for refurbishment, including Jungle Cruise and both Toy Story-themed attractions.
Still, Bluey continues to attract families with preschoolers to Disneyland (even if they can’t sit through the entire 40-minute show), and the Food & Wine Festival is bringing foodies to DCA.
So, let’s see what’s happening this week at the Happiest (and busiest) Place on Earth!
Spring Break Crowds Linger
Back in the olden days nearly every public school had spring break during the same week, but thanks to variable school calendars and kids starting school earlier in the summer, spring break now stretches across several weeks… in other words, if you thought the parks wouldn’t still be extra busy after Easter Sunday, think again.
And it wasn’t any better in California Adventure.
Wait times ballooned to over an hour at many rides, with extended queues stretching into walkways.
But there’s hope on the horizon…
Spring Ticket Prices
Ticket prices have dipped slightly since Easter, but it’s still a pricey day out for a family to visit the parks in April. Luckily, the story changes in May (the “break” between spring break and summer break).
In April, 1-day adult tickets range from $104 (that elusive Tier 0 price) to $199 for one park and from $174 to $289 for a park hopper ticket;1-day kids tickets (ages 3-9) range from $98 to $199 for one park and from $168 to $279 for a hopper.
In May, 1-day adult tickets also range from $104 to $199 for one park and from $174 to $289 for a park hopper ticket, but Disneyland’s special kids ticket offer kicks in on May 22, putting 1-day kids park hopper tickets at only $50 (only select May dates are still available). For comparison’s sake, a regular-priced kid’s park hopper in May ranges from $168 to $279.
The kids ticket deal is valid beginning on May 22 but it extends through September 7. The catch is that adult tickets are generally priced higher during summer months, so you may need to do a bit of Disney math to see what makes the most “dollars and sense.”
Check out our guide for details about the kids ticket offer and other SoCal deals:
MiceDeals: Limited-Time SoCal Theme Park Offers to Save You Money!
Disney Layoffs
In a continuation of a 2023 company-wide-multi-billion-dollar cost-cutting plan, 1,000 Disney employees are expected to lose their jobs, a result of the reorganization that saw Disney’s departments consolidated into three divisions: Entertainment, ESPN, and Parks and Experiences.
When Josh D’Amaro took over the CEO job from Bob Iger last month, it set off a domino effect of leadership changes:
- Dana Walden was named President and Chief Creative Officer (a new position)
- Alan Bergman became Disney Entertainment Chairman (previously co-chair with Dana)
- Thomas Mazloum replaced Josh as Parks and Experiences Chairman
- Jill Estorino replaced Thomas as Disneyland President
- Tasia Filippatos replaced Jill as President of Disney Parks International
- Lisa Baldzicki replaced Tasia as President of Disney Consumer Products
But this current round of job cuts are expected to primarily impact the company’s marketing division, which is led by Asad Ayaz, who was just named Disney’s first-ever Chief Marketing and Brand Officer in February.
With the company’s new streamlined structure, it’s certainly possible Asad may need fewer people in the marketing division; however, large-scale layoffs are never a great look for a CEO, but especially so early in his tenure. Hopefully, this is the last of the 2023 job cuts and not a sign of what’s to come.
You can read more about the layoffs here:
RELATED READING:
- Disney CEO Shake-Up: Bob Iger Steps Down & Josh D’Amaro Takes Over—What to Know From the Shareholders Meeting
- Disney’s Succession Gamble: Is Josh D’Amaro Ready to Lead After Iger?
D23 Ticket Update
Following the chaotic sales rush on April 2, the following ticket types for D23: The Ultimate Fan Experience are still available. But note that D23 Gold Membership is required to purchase:
- 3-Day D23 Ultimate Preferred Fan Pass (Floor Seating + Pin RSP)
- Friday D23 Fan Pass
- Sunday D23 Fan Pass
- Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Afternoon Only D23 Fan Pass
You can find details (including step-by-step purchasing instructions) in our guide:
D23 Expo 2026: Dates, Tickets, Prices & What to Know Before You Go
The March to May the 4th
As we approach May the 4th (AKA Star Wars Day), Disneyland is celebrating with all-new Star Wars–themed popcorn buckets, sippers, and other novelties, which will launch in Galaxy’s Edge and at select locations throughout the park.
These items will also be available during Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite (limit two per person, per transaction; no discounts apply).
The Salvaged Protocol Droid Bucket with light-up eyes will be available starting April 28 at the following locations (limit two per person, per transaction; no discounts apply):
- Popcorn Cart near Star Trader
- Galactic Grill’s Seasonal Novelty Release (through Mobile Order)
- Alien Pizza Planet
- Kat Saka’s Kettle
- Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Beverage Carts
Rechargeable Luke Skywalker or Darth Vader Lightsaber Swizzle Sticks will be available starting April 28 at the following location (limit two per person, per transaction; no discounts apply):
- Galactic Grill
- Galactic Grill’s Seasonal Novelty Release (through Mobile Order)
- Ronto Roasters
- Milk Stand
- Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo
During Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite, the Lightsaber Swizzle Sticks will also be available at Harbour Galley, Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree, and Stage Door Cafe.
Bantha Sipper with sound effects will be available at the following locations (limit two per person, per transaction; no discounts apply).
- Milk Stand
- Galactic Grill
- Galactic Grill’s Seasonal Novelty Release (through Mobile Order)
- Alien Pizza Planet
- Tomorrowland Fruit Cart
A DJ R-3X Mug will be available beginning April 28 at Oga’s Cantina (limit two per person, per transaction; no discounts apply).
Jabba’s Sail Barge Bucket with light up elements and hidden characters will be available starting May 4 at the following locations (limit two per person, per transaction; no discounts apply):
- Popcorn Cart near Star Trader
- Galactic Grill’s Seasonal Novelty Release (through Mobile Order) (May 4, 5, and 6)
- Alien Pizza Planet
- Kat Saka’s Kettle
- Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Beverage Carts
Wondering how May the 4th became a theme park holiday? Find out here:
Food & Wine Festival
The Disney California Food & Wine Festival still has a couple more weeks to go, and we went back for a second serving of some of our favorite items from this year’s menu.
We also tried the Cherry Cola Cold Brew: Joffrey’s Coffee 70th Anniversary Blend, oat milk, and vanilla crème and cherry syrups topped with a cherry cola cold foam and a maraschino cherry (Non-alcoholic)
Musubi Fried Rice: AULANI Resort-inspired steamed rice with egg, glazed spiced ham, umami mayo, and furikake… AND it’s dairy free for Dusty.
Carbonara Pizzetta: White sauce, Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Bacon, and black pepper drizzle. We liked this one so much, we had it twice. The cheese was baked to crispy perfection, and the bacon adds just the right amount of fatty flavor and salt to complement the cheese.
Junior LA Street Dog with jalapeño mayo, pepper and onion relish, and covered in Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Bacon bits.
Cherry Cobbler Pot de Crème: Vanilla custard, cherry filling, and oat crumble (ALSO Plant-based, so Dusty can have this one too!)
You can find the full festival line-up here:
UPDATED! Eat This: The 2026 Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Guide
Constructionland
Disneyland
Half of Main Street is still covered in the printed tarp…
…Jungle Cruise also remains under wraps…
…And the boat dock in Fantasyland is also still behind tarps.
California Adventure
In California Adventure, the entrance to Carthay Circle is partially blocked by a construction wall, but this is just for cement work, so it should be removed soon.
There’s not much visible change to the construction site in the expanded Avengers Campus, but there’s plenty of work on the two new attractions going on inside.
Downtown Disney
Progress is continuing on the new Earl of Sandwich building at the west end of Downtown Disney.
We can even see the preparations for the installation of exterior signage.
For the moment, it’s quiet behind the Porto’s construction wall.
And the Downtown Disney monorail station is closed while the attraction is down for refurbishment.
Disneyland Blues
Last week, we showed you the water features on Tom Sawyer Island that aren’t working, and this week, it’s the Adventureland Treehouse water wheel that’s gone dry.
The wheel has actually been broken and the stream dry for quite some time.
Disneyland Refurbishment Calendar (updated 4/10/26)
Currently Under Refurbishment
- Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind: January 5 – TBA
- Jungle Cruise: February 17 – TBA
- Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin: March 30 – TBA
- Disneyland Monorail: March 30 – TBA
- Toy Story Midway Mania!: April 6 – TBA
- Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters: April 13 – TBA
Upcoming Refurbishments
- Silly Symphony Swings: April 27 – TBA
- Pirates of the Caribbean: May 4 – TBA
- Blue Bayou Restaurant: May 4 – 20
This & That
Live @ Five
There was twice the fun last week, when Mike popped in on Thursday for a walk through Hollywood Studios in Orlando…
… and then Dusty gave us a surprise Live @ Five on Friday from Disneyland, where he gently eased us into the spring break madness with a relaxing ride on the Mark Twain, before heading into the breach.
Meet WALL•E and EVE
Disneyland guests can meet WALL•E and EVE from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Wednesday in April at Pixar Place Hotel (you do not need to be a hotel guest to meet them).
Downtown Disney Art Walk
To celebrate 70 years of the Disneyland Resort, artists were asked to draw inspiration from a Walt Disney quote, key word, and defining park offerings for each of the park’s seven decades.
So far, only the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s are represented, but the collection will grow throughout the month as additional artists add to the Art Walk with live art demonstrations.
Disneyland After Dark Ticket Tracker
Tickets for Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite went on sale last week. Both dates are priced at $169 per person.
Tickets are also still available for Disney Channel Nite on Tuesday, April 14 and Thursday, April 16 (both priced at $159 per person).
All dates for Star Wars Nite have finally sold out.
We Scare Because We Care
The Monsters Inc. Scream Canister Bucket dropped last Thursday, April 9. The price at popcorn carts in California Adventure is $29 with a choice of popcorn or cotton candy (limit 2 per person per transaction; no discounts apply).
The bucket is also available for $26.99 at Clarabelle’s Hand-Scooped Ice Cream with cotton candy, and at Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta with a bag of chips (limit 2 per person per transaction; no discounts apply). Mobile ordering is also available.
Did You Know?
New Disneylandia buttons dropped last week in Disneyland and California Adventure (the translation is “Disneyland is happier with…”)
You can get the personalized buttons at Guest Relations in both parks.
Star Sighting
We spotted spotted Bitsy from Super Kitties over the weekend. She meets guests after the Confection Purrfection with Super Kitties cupcake decorating activity at the Hollywood Backlot Stage in California Adventure.
Bitsy’s scheduled meeting times are 1:45 p.m., 2:45 p.m., 4:15 p.m., and 5:15 p.m., but always check the Disneyland app on the day of your visit in case the times have changed.
Disney Don’t
You may have seen social media posts about an unfortunate incident that happened during the Paint the Night Parade last week.
A video shows a park guest hopping onto the Mack float for a photo. Please don’t do this! Not only is it dangerous, but reckless behavior like this could force Disneyland to cut even more entertainment, which nobody wants. The video shows that the parade immediately stopped and a Cast Member was looking for the culprit, but it’s uncertain whether the guest was caught.
View this post on Instagram
Walt Disney Storybook Mansion Tours Return!
Step inside the Walt Disney Storybook Mansion in the Hollywood Hills for a rare opportunity to walk in Walt’s footsteps at one of his most storied homes.
This intimate, small-group tour, led by Dusty Sage, explores the rooms where Walt entertained friends, dreamed up projects, and lived during a pivotal chapter of his career. You’ll hear the history, the Hollywood connections, and the personal stories that make this house far more than just another celebrity address. Space is limited, and access to this home is exceptionally rare.
🎟️ Walt Disney Storybook Mansion Tour Tickets HERE
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Let’s Hear From You!
Have you battled the spring break crowds or are you waiting for May before venturing to the parks? What do you think about the layoffs? Are you considering the final chapter of Bob’s company-wide restructuring or do you think Josh could (or should) have cancelled those plans? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
