Calendar of special events in April at Disneyland and Disney World
Some big things are happening in the Disney Universe this April 2016, including the closing of attractions and the opening of others at Disneyland and Disney World, and one movie remake coming to the screens.
 |
| From a Disney publicity video, a look at River of Lights floats. |
April 1, Disneyland: Disney’s California Adventure again kicked off its Food & Wine Festival on the weekends. And, it just added a special seminar with Disney Legend Kurt Russell.
April 2, Disneyland: Super Hero HQ closes its doors at Tomorrowland in Disneyland.
April 2, Disney World: Lights, Motor, Action Stunt Show at Hollywood Studios closes to make way for the new construction of Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land.
April 14-17, Disney World: The first ever Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side will take place at at the resort.
April 14, Disney World: A new ticketed event, Disney After Hours, allows guests to stay in the Magic Kingdom park for three hours after closing on selected nights. The price? $149 per person, plus tax. Magic Kingdom is trying out Disney After Hours The company typically does a very good job of finding the right price point — low enough to make it appealing but high enough to make a profit and keep the crowds down. Here are the dates for the event, April 14 and 21, and May 8, 12 and 19, 2016 from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. and April 28 and May 5, 2016 from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
April 15, Movie: “The Jungle Book,” Jon Favreau directs this adaptation of Rudyard Kiplings’s tale of a boy named Mowgli is raised by wolves. The trailers look fantastic.
April 15: Tokyo Disney Sea: For those of you in Japan, or heading to Japan, Tokyo Disney Sea announced a 15th anniversary celebration lasting from April 15 to May 17, 2017.
April 22, Disney World: Animal Kingdom comes to life on at night starting on Earth Day. The park traditionally has been one which closed around sunset, but now there will be a new of new events, including:
- “Rivers of Light” is an after-dark light show, being touted as an immersive show, combing live performances, special effects and floating lanterns.
- Nighttime Kilimanjaro Safaris where lighting will bring a new look to the safari road trek as well as the addition of African wild dogs and hyenas.
- Nighttime Awakenings. During the evening hours, the Tree of Life comes to life with flickering fireflies and awaken animals spirits carved into the tree’s towering trunk.
- Two nighttime dance parties, Discovery Island Carnivale and Harambi Wildlife Parti.
