“When is the best time to visit Disneyland®” is one of the most frequently asked questions among those planning a trip. For this, there is good news and bad news. Due to the growing number of Disneyland® Annual Passport holders and the amount of Anaheim, CA residents numbering in the six digit range alone, there is not a time of year when Disneyland® is completely uncrowded. Although the idea of “lower crowd lever” is relative, there are days you can visit when the number of guests is expected to be significantly lowers. Selecting a time to visit Disneyland® depends mostly on your interests and the type of experience you want. Visiting when it is expected to be high traffic like during a holiday or summertime, for example, and visiting on a Wednesday will yield two different experiences.
There are pros and cons to any situation. If you’re looking to visit when the number of attendees is expected to be lower, you should plan to visit during the week, more specifically Tuesday through Thursday during:
- Mid September – Mid November
- Mid January – Mid March
- Mid April – Mid May
If you don’t mind getting a little wet you can always plan a last minute trip when its raining. Majority of Californians can’t fathom being out in rainy weather and tend to stay in doors if they can. This can be the perfect opportunity for you to slip in, but be aware that you may experience ride closure.
The most obvious benefit of coming during these times are the shorter ride and dining wait times. Shorter wait times means you’d be able to conquer more of the park. However, the downside to this is that Disneyland® and Disney California Adventure® Park typically shorten their operating hours. Additionally, you may also experience rides being closed for refurbishment and maintenance. If the entertainment and special events is what you look forward to the most in your visit then coming during an “down” time may not be the most ideal as there may be fewer scheduled events.
If, on the other hand, you don’t mind the large crowds and want to visit the park when it has extended hours, more entertainment, special events and more rides operating, weekends would be perfect for you. There are also extended holiday weekends during Christmas and Spring Break, and June to August. Keep in mind that you obviously will be experiencing extensive wait times, heavier crowds, and you may not get a chance to ride certain attractions.
Generally speaking, there isn’t a “best” or “worst” time to visit Disneyland® and Disney California Adventure®. Its all dependent on your personal preference and what you want to accomplish. Whenever you decide to visit we want to wish you a very magical time at the happiest place on earth!
