Are you wondering when it is the best time to go to the Disneyland Resort in California? Here is information about crowds, weather, and seasonal events to help you decide the best time to visit Disneyland. Both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure have so many rides and attractions that we recommend that you allow a minimum of three days to really experience the parks if you do not live in the area or visit frequently. We specialize in Disney destinations and can help you have a wonderful and memorable vacation whenever you visit Disneyland and there is no extra charge for our help when you book your trip through us.
Click here to request a no-obligation Disneland vacation quote
Disneyland Crowd Information
The two Disneyland theme parks and hotels will typically be more crowded when the American kids are not in school and less crowded when the kids are in school. Visiting Disneyland when crowds are lower makes it easier to avoid lines and experience more attractions but, you have to balance that with the fact that that Disneyland significantly reduces park hours and may not offer fireworks or parades when crowds are at their lowest. Another consideration is that Disneyland typically schedules attraction refurbishments during low times. For this reason, I feel that moderate expected crowds give you the best balance of longer park hours and open attractions to relative crowd levels. We give Disneyland theme park touring plans that keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the long lines to all of our clients so you can have a great time whenever you go.
Low to Moderate crowds:
The second week of January through the beginning of March has low to moderate crowd levels, with the exceptions of Martin Luther King Jr., Super Bowl Weekend, Valentine’s Day and Presidents Day Weekends.
The week after Easter through mid-May
Late August – September, except Labor Day Weekend, will have some of the lowest crowds of the year.
Mid-October and early November typically have moderate crowd levels
Monday after Thanksgiving – mid-December
Weekends: During low season, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure often decrease hours and may only offer World of Color, Fantasmic!, and Fireworks on select nights – typically weekend nights. This means that weekends are often more crowded than weekdays during the low season. Your travel agent will help you plan the best itinerary for your specific travel dates.
Higher crowd times:
First week of January - it is still Christmas break.
Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend
Super Bowl Weekend
Valentines Day through Presidents Day Weekend
Spring Break: Second Week of March through Easter Week
Summer Break: Memorial Day through mid-August
Highest Summer Crowds: July 1 through mid-August
Fall Break – first 3 weeks of October
Thanksgiving Week
Christmas crowds start building December 15 – Friday before Christmas
Highest Christmas Crowds: Saturday before Christmas through the Sunday after New Years Day.
Manage Crowds and Lines with a good theme park touring plan (itinerary):You can have a great time at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks no matter what the crowd level but you’ll definitely benefit from having a good theme park touring plan that keeps you ahead of the crowds and out of the long lines if you’re going during higher crowd times. When you book your trip through us, you will receive your choice of either an online subscription to TouringPlans.com Disneyland or The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland(printed guidebook). These well-researched and highly informative resources include theme park touring plans (itineraries) that will provide the wonderful help you need to get the most out of your trip, manage crowds and minimize lines.
