When is the best time to visit the Disneyland Resort in California? This is my favorite question to answer for guests and friends who love to visit Disney Parks.
The answer is simple, yet complicated: If you want to visit at a time when there are no crowds, and shorter lines for attractions, go during the lull between holidays and school closures. Slow weekdays are Tuesday-Thursday, unless a three-day weekend is preceding or following either of those days.
Here is an outline:
The first day of normal operating hours post holidays is around January 5 or 6, and the lull in crowds begins. It lasts through February and into the beginning of March, minus major holidays where school isn't in session, like MLK's birthday and President's Day weekend.
Spring crowds will begin about mid-March through the week following Easter, or mid-April if Easter happens to be in March.
Summer crowds start to arrive the Friday before Memorial Day weekend. Those crowds don't leave until about the week after Labor Day weekend in September.
In Mid-September, a sudden burst of semi-cool air hits Southern California, and the kids still in school will not arrive in the park until about 4:00 in the afternoon.
October is a special case! It’s also my favorite time to visit the parks.
During the fall celebration of “Halloweentime” at the Disneyland Resort, there are special Halloween parties going on at the resort. Check the park’s website to make sure you haven’t come on a day that you will be kicked out of Disneyland around 6pm! They tend to hold them on Tuesday and Friday evenings, as well as Halloween. All the crowds are redirected to California Adventure for the evening while Disneyland hosts its Halloween celebrations.
Avoid Thanksgiving weekend if at all possible! November brings in light crowds up until the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. After Thanksgiving, the crowds lighten up a bit starting that following Monday or Tuesday until the week before Christmas in December. That’s when college finals are done, and children’s winter breaks begin. Christmas time at Disneyland is always special, with all the decorations but it also one of the busiest times. Then the cycle repeats!
I hope this helps you pick the best time to visit the Disneyland Resort in California!
