Easter at Disneyland is a whimsical, weeks-long affair filled with fun activities, limited-edition merchandise, some delicious food, and, of course, a classic Easter egg hunt with a dash of pixie dust. Though Easter falls on April 9 this year, you can actually enjoy some of the egg-cellent offerings in the days leading up to the holiday, with much of the springtime soiree happening from March 13 to April 9, 2023.
So, if you’re wanting to welcome spring with a Disneyland Easter, read on as we break down everything you need to know about visiting The Happiest Place on Earth during this popular time, including how to score a deal on discount tickets. (Updated March 23, 2023)
Disneyland Easter Basics
If you’ve never experienced Easter at Disneyland, you’re probably wondering what you can expect when it comes to crowds, weather and special seasonal offerings. Let’s crack into each to see if a trip to Disneyland during Easter is right for your family.
Is Disneyland busy during Easter?
Holidays are some of the most popular times to go to the Disney Parks and Easter at Disneyland is no exception, particularly with Spring Break in full swing. If we’re being upfront (which we always try to be), Easter is a really fun time at Disneyland.
However, it can also get very crowded. March and April, in general, are busy months at Disneyland, and you can blame it all on Spring Break. Just like their east-coast counterparts, Disneyland and California Adventure are popular family vacation destinations when school isn’t in session.
As a result, while Disneyland is still a lot of fun around Easter, you should be either prepared to spend a lot of time in lines or ready to pay for Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane access.
How is the weather during Easter at Disneyland?
April typically has solid weather, with average temperatures in the mid-70s during the daytime (around 24°C) and the mid-60s in the evenings (around 18°C). So, if you get cold easily, we suggest you bring a light jacket along.
Since some days can get up into the 80s, you may need to bust out some shorts and sunscreen. Be sure to check the weather before your visit and reference our Disney packing list so you’re ready for the forecast ahead and aren’t left unprepared. After all, nothing kills the magic like being uncomfortable.
Is Disneyland decorated for Easter?
Unlike during Halloween and Christmas, Disneyland Resort doesn’t typically get dressed up specifically for Easter. So, if you’re hoping for awnings dripping with pastel ribbons and wreaths of colorful blooms down on Main Street, U.S.A., you’re going to be disappointed.
That being said, there is still a pixie dusting of decorations to enjoy, namely character-inspired Easter eggs hidden throughout the park. Mother Nature also helps to put on a show, as the park’s many flowering trees are also in full bloom.
Add in appearances by your Easter-appropriate Disney characters (bring out the rabbits!) and possibly a special visit by the Easter Bunny, too, and you’ve got just the right amount of springtime atmosphere.
How to Celebrate Easter at Disneyland
It wouldn’t be an Easter celebration without an egg hunt, sweet treats and delicious brunch or dinner. Needless to say, as this is Easter, Disney-fied, you’ll find all that and more during Disneyland at Easter season.
Disneyland Easter Activities & Entertainment
There are a few different Easter activities that you can enjoy during the spring at Disneyland, from a traditional Easter egg hunt with a Disney twist to a visit by the Easter Bunny himself. It’s a basketful of family fun – let’s get into it!
Eggstravaganza Disneyland Easter Egg Hunt
For a quintessential Easter tradition, don’t miss out on Eggstravaganza, a beloved Disney Easter egg hunt spanning both theme parks and Downtown Disney. This springtime scavenger hunt is a fan favorite year after year and will be returning in the weeks leading up to Easter, from March 13 to April 9, 2023.
For your search, you’ll first need to buy a map. Game boards are available for $9.99 plus tax at merchandise locations throughout Disneyland Park, California Adventure Park and Downtown Disney District.
Each egg hunting ground is unique. So, if you want to track down those colorful, character-covered eggs at all three Disneyland destinations, you’ll need to purchase a separate map for each. Along with your map, this Disneyland Easter egg hunt comes with egg-shaped stickers featuring a different Disney character.
Eggstravaganza Map Sale Locations
Downtown Disney District and Disneyland Hotels
- Acorns Gifts & Goods (located at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa; both Disney California Adventure Park and Downtown Disney District game boards are sold here)
- The Disney Dress Shop
- Disney’s Fantasia Shop (located at the Disneyland Hotel; only Downtown Disney District game boards are sold here)
- Disney’s Pin Traders
- Mickey in Paradise (located at the Paradise Pier Hotel; both Disney California Adventure Park and Downtown Disney District game boards are sold here)
- WonderGround Gallery
- World of Disney
Disneyland Park
- 20th Century Music Company
- Adventureland Bazaar
- Disney Showcase
- Disneyana
- Emporium
- Le Petite Chalet
- Little Green Men Store Command
- Pioneer Mercantile
- Pooh Corner
Disney California Adventure Park
- Acorns Gifts & Goods (located at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa; both Disney California Adventure Park and Downtown Disney District game boards are sold here)
- Elias & Co.
- Gone Hollywood
- Humphrey’s Service & Supplies
- Mickey in Paradise (located at the Paradise Pier Hotel; both Disney California Adventure Park and Downtown Disney District game boards are sold here)
- Ramone’s House of Body Art
- Rushin’ River Outfitters
- Seaside Souvenirs
- Trolley Treats
Now, the hunt begins! Wherever you’re searching, keep an eye out for hidden eggs that match your stickers. They could be balanced on a windowsill, tucked on rooftops, placed near attractions or even nestled in a tree or bush!
However, unlike your family’s Easter egg hunt back home, there’s no candy in these eggs (tragic, we know). So once you spot one, rather than adding it to your basket to crack into later, simply take the corresponding sticker and place it on the map to match the area where you found it.
Once you’ve completed your game board, take your finished map to your park’s redemption location. These include:
- Disneyland Park – Plaza Point
- California Adventure Park – Elias & Co.
- Downtown Disney District – Disney’s Pin Traders or World of Disney
Once there, you’ll be rewarded with an egg-citing prize: one of six collectible, Disney character-themed eggs. For those hoping to catch ’em all, never fear – duplicates aren’t a problem, since you get to choose a different egg for each map you turn in. So, get out there and collect them all to become the egg master!
We love this activity for anyone, but especially families. You can be very casual about it, spotting eggs as you play in the parks, or you can go all-out and just hunt for eggs all day long.
How you do it is up to you! There is no time restraint other than the overall deadline of turning in your map, which for this year is April 9, 2023. Keep in mind that supplies are limited for maps and stickers and they can run out, so be sure to buy right away if you want to play.
Disneyland Character Meet-and-Greets with an Easter Twist
No matter what time of year it is, one of our top things to do during any visit to Disneyland is to see our favorite Disney characters. Typically, along with appearances by Mickey and Minnie in their springtime finery, Easter also brings out a slew of Disney bunnies.
As a result, this can be a great time to spot some rarer Disneyland characters, such as Bambi‘s Thumper, Roger Rabbit, the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland, Rabbit from The Hundred Acre Wood and even Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, the original Disney bunny. And of course, don’t miss what is typically the headlining act: Mr. Easter Bunny himself.
Disneyland Easter Merchandise
So, does this mean we consider shopping for spring-y souvenirs a fun Easter activity? Yes, yes it does. Although there isn’t as much on offer as on other holidays, the Easter Bunny brings a decent amount of exclusive merchandise to Disneyland.
The most common seasonal souvenirs we find during Easter at Disneyland are spring-inspired character plushies, which we don’t mind at all since we collect them (like lots of other people do).
In addition, guests can usually find apparel, pins, toys and kitchen items – all with an Easter theme. And of course, don’t forget those limited-edition Minnie Ears! Overall, expect there to be some merchandise, just not a ton of it.
Limited-Time Dining for Easter at Disneyland
For many, the perfect addition to a classic Easter egg hunt is a fanciful spread of sweets served at an equally classic Easter brunch or dinner. Thankfully, you’ll find it all at Disneyland during Easter – although, perhaps, not as much as you would during holidays like Christmas and Halloween.
Still, Disneyland at Eastertime offers a bounty of seasonal dishes and drinks, as well as a few special meals. Let’s dig into your options!
Disneyland Easter Eggs & Other Desserts
While you can’t hunt plastic eggs chockful of candies for Easter at Disneyland, you can enjoy egg-shaped, chocolate-coated fudgy confections over at Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen in Disneyland Park, as well as other spring-inspired treats at locations throughout the resort.
Here comes Peter Cottontail…in the form of a crunchy Bunny Cereal Treat, crispy rice dipped in white chocolate with a fluffy marshmallow tail and coconut flakes. This and other adorable desserts are available at:
Disneyland Park
Candy Palace, Candy Kitchen and Pooh Corner (Through April 9)
- Easter Eggs: Chocolate and peanut butter flavors
- Bunny Cake Pop
- Bunny Crisped Rice Treat
- Strawberry Mickey Wand
Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe (Through April 9; Mobile Order available)
- Tuna Sandwich with Chips: Tuna salad, lettuce, and tomato on a brioche bun served with house-made chips
Disney California Adventure Park
Smokejumpers Grill (Through April 9; Mobile Order available)
- Fish & Chips: Beer-battered local rockfish and crinkle-cut fries served with remoulade, slaw, and lime (New! Kid’s version available)
Trolley Treats and Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff (Through April 9)
- Bunny Cake Pop
- Bunny Crisped Rice Treat
- Strawberry Mickey Wand
Disney Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
GCH Craftsman Grill (Through April 9; Mobile Order available)
- Mickey Mouse-shaped Easter Donut
- Bunny Cupcake
GCH Craftsman Grill (Through April 9)
- Easter Basket Cookie
- Bunny Crisped Rice Treat
- Easter Cookie
- Carrot Cake Loaf
- Easter Cookie Treat Box
- Waffle Cookie Shot with choice of milk, low-fat milk, chocolate milk, or strawberry milk (Alcoholic version available)
Downtown Disney District
Marceline’s Confectionery (Through April 9)
- Bunny Cake Pop
- Bunny Crisped Rice Treat
- Strawberry Mickey Wand
Stop here for essential seasonal bites like Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing or a traditional Chocolate Bunny. Wash it all down with a shot of milk or booze – in a cookie glass. Yum!
Disneyland Easter Brunch & Dinner
Looking for a nice place to eat on Easter Day? Whether you’d rather fuel up for the day with an Easter brunch or end the night with a full dinner buffet, it’s available at Disneyland, including a couple of character breakfasts.
Currently, both Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel and Storytellers Café at the Grand Californian Hotel will serve both an Easter brunch and dinner, with special guest appearances by Disney characters at both. Keep in mind that these reservations are limited. So, you may want to consider trying for a walk-in if you don’t already have a table reserved.
Though nothing has been announced yet, Catal Restaurant at Downtown Disney has also offered an Easter brunch starring the Easter Bunny in the past, so keep an eye out for that.
If you can’t score a reservation at any of those, you could also enjoy a meal that’s just as delicious and worthy of Easter at restaurants like Disneyland’s Plaza Inn or Blue Bayou Restaurant and Carthay Circle Restaurant or Lamplight Lounge at California Adventure.
Conclusion
Well, folks, those are all of the egg-citing offerings available for Disneyland Easter 2023. If you’re hoping to visit, don’t miss out on our discount Disneyland tickets to save some cash for even more springtime fun. Most of all, thanks for reading and we hope you have a magical vacation!
