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Los Angeles Theme Park Crowd Calendar

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What is a crowd calendar.

The Park Prodigy's Los Angeles Crowd Calendar is the best tool to see how busy each theme park will be during a specific month, week, and day. It’s the perfect resource for families to rely on as they begin to plan their vacation at Disneyland and/or Universal Studios Hollywood.

We Break Down

Crowd levels, ticket prices, park hours and historical weather. We also include special events going on around the park!

Use our Los Angeles Crowd Calendar for Planning

Plan which park (or parks) to visit on each day during your LA vacation. We provide park recommendations based on wait time data and park hours.

How to Avoid Crowds?

If avoiding large crowds is most important to your family use our “Save Time” button. First pick the month of your Los Angeles vacation, and how many days you plan to stay. Our Los Angeles Crowd Calendar will then pick the least crowded days to visit!

How to Purchase Discounted Disneyland & Universal Hollywood Tickets?

If saving money is most important to your family use our “Save Money” button. First pick the month of your Los Angeles vacation, and how many days you plan to stay. Our Crowd Calendar will then pick the cheapest Disneyland tickets and discounted Universal Hollywood tickets!

USE OUR CALENDAR TO AVOID THE CROWDS AND PURCHASE DISCOUNTED THEME PARK TICKETS

• Start Here! - THE DAY CROWD LEVEL (1-10) & Daily Ticket Prices.
• Lowest Crowds
• Average Crowds
• Highest Crowds

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Are you planning a trip to Disneyland and Universal Hollywood and worried about crowds and ticket prices?

Our 2024 Disneyland crowd predictor is the perfect tool to help you avoid peak times and make your vacation unforgettable. Not only do we use hundreds upon hundreds of days of historical data, but we track special events at the parks too!

Our 2024 Disneyland Crowd Calendar includes the following theme parks:

• Disney’s California Adventure 
• Universal Hollywood

We have found that the most accurate Disneyland crowd calendar depends on a few factors, including crowds, weather, park hours, and park ticket prices.

Average Temperature

Los Angeles is known for its sunny and very predictable weather. It is still an important part to consider when booking your next trip. Summer months tend to be in the high 80s while winter months tend to be cooler in the 40s. 

Our 2024   Disneyland Park crowd calendar tracks the average temperature range for each day of the calendar year. This will allow you to know exactly what to expect and pack accordingly!

Theme Park Hours

It doesn’t matter if you’re visiting Disney’s California Adventure or Universal Hollywood , we have found park hours can be confusing, especially with the recent additions of so many special event tickets that allow guests into the park earlier or later than other guests.

Our Disneyland crowd calendar includes the daily openings and closings for all Los Angeles theme parks.

The Park Prodigy 2024 Disneyland Los Angeles Crowd Calendar

The Park Prodigy also allows you to break down each park individually. Here’s how it works…

Disneyland Crowd Calendar 2024

Disneyland is one of the most visited destinations in the world, which makes it essential to choose your dates carefully. Disneyland’s busy times and ticket prices fluctuate throughout the year making a Disneyland crowd tracker a helpful tool. Our updated crowd calendar predicts Disneyland crowds one year in advance. This allows you to narrow down the months, weeks, and days of your next magical vacation.

How The Park Prodigy Disneyland Attendance Calendar is Organized

Our Disneyland crowd calendar gives you the option to look at each park individually. This allows you to organize our crowd calendars by:

• Disneyland Park 
• Disney’s California Adventure 

We also include extra magic hours, and special events when predicting Disneyland park attendance by day .

Disneyland Busy Calendar Extra Magic Hours

One of the benefits of staying at Disneyland hotels is extra magic hours. This perk allows hotel guests to experience extended park hours in the morning. Here’s how it works:

With Extra Magic Hour, registered Disneyland Resort hotel guests enjoy admission to select attractions, stores, entertainment, and dining locations in Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park for one full hour before the park opens to the general public.  The extra magic hours at each park do change based on the day of the week so be sure to ask a cast member upon check-in if you are unsure of the EMH for that week.

Disneyland Special Events

A few of our favorite Disneyland additions over the past few years have been special events. These events range from concerts, holiday parties, and festivals throughout the year.

Although these events are typically held during off-peak times, we can see crowd levels spike during the fall. For these reasons, we make sure to include all special events on our crowd calendar for Disneyland .

Our Disneyland park attendance calendar is best used to simply avoid the busy days at the park, and visit during the slow days instead. We update our Disneyland California Crowd Calendar using the latest park events, national holidays, universities & k-12 school year plus our own personal wait time data and vacation planning experience.

2024 Disneyland Crowd Calendar and Disney Genie+

Disney recently introduced the newest addition to the Disneyland App and that is the Disney Genie+. This new feature is replacing Maxpass and for $20 per person per day guests can upgrade their ticket to use the lightening lane at select Disneyland attractions. But how exactly can you use a Disneyland crowd calendar to your advantage when deciding to buy Genie+?

Very simply guests can use our 2024 Disneyland crowd calendar to pick the slowest times of year at the parks. This in return might allow guests to not have to upgrade their ticket to buy the Genie+ all together. If you know that you will be purchasing the Genie+ you must also consider the individual premium Genie+ rides which can be purchased for a one time fee of $7-$15. These prices also will fluctuate based on crowd levels which you can track using our Disneyland California crowd calendar. 

The Park Prodigy’s Disney Crowd Forecast

So now that we have covered the basics, let’s go over what makes our crowd calendar so special. Unlike many other Disneyland crowd calendars, we allow you to customize your perfect family vacation. Simply pick which is most important to you:

• Avoiding large crowds
• Saving money

Then click our “save time” or “save money” button and let the crowd calendar do the rest. We will automatically pick the best days for your family to travel for that given month, and exclude the Disneyland busy days. 

2024 Disneyland Crowd Calendar FAQ

Below are a few of the most common questions we receive regarding our Disneyland Crowd Calendar…

Q: How busy is Disneyland this week?

A: To check on how busy Disneyland is during this week simply check out our Disneyland crowd calendar. 

Q: When is Disneyland least crowded?

A: We have found Disneyland to be least crowded during the month of September and from January 7th to February 1st. You can also find weeks spread out throughout the year with lower than normal Disney crowd levels.

Q: Is Disneyland at full capacity?

A: We are unsure if Disneyland has returned to full capacity or not, but we do know that guests do have to still make park reservations for both California Disney theme parks.

Q: Is Disneyland busy 2024?

A: If you’d like to see when Disneyland is busy for 2024, make sure to check out our Disneyland Crowd Calendar to avoid the most crowded times.

Q: Is the Disneyland Crowd Forecast accurate?

By tracking ride wait time data over the years we have been able to pick up patterns. Disneyland tends to be the most crowded during major holiday weekends and breaks. We recommend avoiding Presidents Day weekend, spring break, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas week. For additional information be sure to check out the best time to visit Disneyland!

Universal Studios Crowd Calendar California

Universal Hollywood is a top destination for thrill seekers as well as die hard Harry Potter fans. Just like our Disneyland crowd calendar , you can use our Universal Hollywood crowd calendar to track theme park attendance. Universal Hollywood park tickets do not fluctuate as much as Disney tickets which is a big plus. Our updated Universal crowd calendar predicts theme park attendance one year in advance and is updated frequently.

Our Universal Hollywood Crowd Calendar 2024  is best used to simply avoid the busy days at the park, and visit during the slow days instead. We update our Universal California Crowd Calendar using the latest park events, national holidays, universities & k-12 school year plus our own personal wait time data and vacation planning experience.

Is It Packed? – Real-Time Crowd Tracking – IsItPacked.com

• Crowd Guides
• Live Crowd Trackers
• Crowd Calendars

Disneyland Crowd Forecast Calendar

•  Hey, It's Alright
•  Forget About It
•  Yup, It's Packed

2024 Disneyland Crowd Calendar Updates

The Best Days to Go to Disneyland in 2024 NEW: Big Summer Crowds Expected After Disneyland Discounts Tickets June 10 – September 26 3-Day Disneyland Summer Ticket Offer August 12-15 All Magic Key passes valid again after summer season blockout. August 23 – October 31 Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort November 3 “Dapper Day Fall Outing” (unofficial event) November 15 – January 5 Holidays at the Disneyland Resort

2025 Disneyland Crowd Calendar Updates

January 5 Last day of Holidays at the Disneyland Resort. April 12-26 Peak Spring Break season. Most schools are out of session on the weeks before and of Easter Sunday (April 20).

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Crowd Calendar

Updated July 17, 2024

Here we go!

Before we browse calendars, please know that the park is truly crowded year round now. “Off season” is really a thing of the past, as Disney implemented tiered pricing and theme park reservations to balance out crowds. And, it’s working. Rather than banking on going during a “slow” time, I encourage you to do a little research so that you can enjoy your visit, regardless of the crowds.

Start with this post  for a basic overview of the parks with many links that will educate you on so many important parts of planning a Disneyland trip. Having some essential tools in place will make your visit a successful one, regardless of the crowds you encounter.

Use this post  to know how to start each day at each park, regardless of which days you visit. These strategies will help you get on every attraction in 20 minutes or less. It’s entirely possible! I test my plans once a month and edit them as needed to ensure you have the best strategy to avoid the crowds.

In this article

2024 Dates to Avoid if Possible

• January: 1-7 ( Holidays at Disneyland wrap up ); 11-15 (Disneyland Half Marathon/MLK Day weekend); 23, 25, and 30 ( Sweethearts’ Nites )
• February: 1, 6, 8, 12, and 14 ( Sweethearts’ Nites ); 16-19 (Presidents Day)
• March: 5 and 7 ( Disney Channel Nites )
• April: 1-5 (SoCal Spring Break), 6 and 7 (Dapper Day), 16, 18, 23, 25 and 30 ( Star Wars Nites )
• May: 2, 7, and 9 ( Star Wars Nites ); 10, 14, 15, 17, 19, 22, 23, 28, and 31 ( Grad Nites ) 25-27 (Memorial Day)
• June: 2, 5, 7, 9, 12 and 14 ( Grad Nites ); 18 and 20 ( Pride Nites )
• July: 4-7 (4th of July weekend)
• August: 9, 10, and 11 ( D23 Expo ); 25, 27, 29 ( Halloween parties ); 30-31 (Labor Day weekend)
• September: 1-2 (Labor Day weekend) 5-8 (runDisney Halloween Half Marathon) 3, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29 ( Halloween parties ); 13-15 ( Gay Days )
• October: 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29, 31 ( Halloween parties ); 11-14 (Columbus Day weekend)
• November: 1-3 (Dapper Day), 8-11 (Veterans Day weekend); 22-30 ( Thanksgiving )
• December: 7-8 (Candlelight); 20-31 ( Christmas and New Years )

2025 Dates to Avoid if Possible

****Look for Dapper Day, Disneyland After Dark events and a few more dates to be added as they become available for 2025.

• January: 1-7 ( Holidays at Disneyland wrap up ); 17-20 (MLK); 21-25 ( NAAM ); 29-30 (Half Marathon)
• February: 1-2 (Half Marathon); 14-17 (Presidents’ Day weekend)
• March: 30-31 (SoCal Spring Break)
• April: 1-6 (SoCal Spring Break)
• May: 9, 12, 18, 21, 22, 27, 28 and 30 ( Grad Nites ); 23-26 (Memorial Day weekend)
• June: 1, 4, 6, 8, 11, and 13 ( Grad Nites )
• August: 29-31 (Labor Day weekend)
• September: 1 (Labor Day weekend)
• October: 10-13 (Columbus Day weekend); 31 ( Halloween )
• November: 11 (Veterans Day); 21-30 (Thanksgiving)
• December: 6-7 (Candlelight); 19-31 ( Holidays and New Years )

Season of the Force – 4.5.2024 – 6.2.2024

Pixar Fest – 4.26.2024 – 8.4.2024

Spring at Disneyland

Halloween Time – 8.23.2024 – 10.31.2024

Holidays at the Disneyland Resort – 11.15.2024 – TBD

How Do I Predict Crowds?

I visit the Disneyland Resort once a week on average – sometimes more . I make notes from each visit regarding crowds and then compile that info when I create my calendars.

I also use local school info, Disneyland’s Magic Key calendars, and previous years’ info. My experience in the parks is my most effective tool, of course.

Tips on Choosing a Date

• Weekdays are typically less crowded.  If you have to schedule during the peak months, go during the week.
• Holidays, California Spring Break (the most frequently scheduled of the SoCal spring breaks), Summer Break, Halloween and Christmas through New Years are most crowded.
• If sunny days are important to you, know that May and June can often be gloomy. September is usually our warmest month.
• With park reservations in place, the crowds are pretty even these days. But, there are no guarantees. Go prepared.

My Best Advice

Park reservations, crowd calendars, dining reservations, MagicBand+, changes since Covid, Disney Genie, etc etc all require a decent amount of familiarity to get it right.

I can help you with many parts of planning, but I recommend booking your trip with an experienced agent who can handle some of these things for you and advise on all of them. Commission is built into every Disney package purchased, regardless of who you book with. So, you do not pay more than if you book with Disney directly.

I recommend booking with Get Away Today for Disneyland, Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line. Find their current sales with a link to book here . Or call 855.GET.AWAY from 7am to 6pm. They’re super helpful!

Disneyland Crowd Calendar 2024 – When to Visit, Crowd Tracker, Tips, and Events

When is the best time to visit Disneyland? This is one of the most common questions that guests have when planning their trip to the Happiest Place on Earth. There are a number of different factors to consider like crowd levels, weather, entertainment options, and seasonal activities. Our 2024 Disneyland crowd calendar  is here to help you make the best decision on  when to visit Disneyland !

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Disneyland Crowd Tracker

There are two major factors to consider when navigating crowd levels at Disneyland: events happening at the resort and school holidays. Those are often are our most two reliable Disneyland crowd indicators. So with that in mind, let's answer the question: “When will it be crowded at Disneyland?” Answering this question will also largely help you decide when to visit Disneyland.

Weekends have a tendency to be busy at the Disneyland Resort due to the large population of Magic Key (formerly known as Annual Passholders) members that visit the resort on weekends. Annual Passholders at Disneyland have a big impact on crowd levels at the resort since over 1 million people make up the Annual Passholder population. For this reason, we often turn to the Magic Key Blockout Calendar to help us determine crowd levels at certain points in the year. For example, a weekend before a long period of block out dates may turn out to be busier than normal due to many passholders visiting the parks before their block out periods begin.

Take a look at our  discount Disneyland tickets page  for information on how to save money and info on how long you should visit.

Since Disneyland is much different than Disney World with being a vacation destination and a popular place to hang out from local populations, predicting exact crowd variations can be difficult to determine. We base our calendar below on events at the resort, past crowd trends, and school holidays to help us determine when to expect crowds. Most guests really want to know crowd levels before they decide when to visit Disneyland.

If you're planning on visiting Disney World, you can refer to our full Disney World crowd calendar for projected crowd levels each month.

When to Visit Disneyland

Most Crowded

• The weeks before and after Easter: mid-March through mid-April, or Spring Break Season
• The week before Christmas through the first couple of weeks of January, Christmas Day and New Years Eve bring in some of the largest crowds the park sees all year long.
• July through early August, during the time that schools have summer break
• During June, most Magic Key holders are not blocked out yet (they are blocked for many peak summer days)
• If July 4th falls close to a weekend, then it will be extremely busy
• Check the  Anaheim Convention Center website  for large conferences. Busy in the late afternoon during these time periods.

Busy, But Not Overrun 

• End of August through Labor Day
• The month of December, leading up to Christmas week
• Weekends throughout October and beginning of November while the theme parks are decorated for Halloween

Not Crowded

• Labor Day through Thanksgiving, except avoid weekends
• Late January through February
• Late April unless Easter falls at that time

January through the beginning of May, aside from Spring break, is often called the “off season” due to the low crowd levels the park sees. There will also be scattered holidays to factor in that may bring spikes in crowds during this time such as Martin Luther King Day. While the park may not be as crowded, Disney cuts back on entertainment since the crowds are lower than peak months so that is also something important to consider. Fireworks may only happen on weekends and daytime entertainment will be reduced. This is also a common time of year for Disneyland to work on refurbishing popular rides that see a lot of activity during peak months. So there is a hit or miss with that option for when to visit Disneyland- you will experience smaller crowds but also less entertainment.

If you are considering visiting Walt Disney World in Florida, be sure to look at our guide to  when to visit Disney World .

If your Disneyland hotel prices  are coming up high during a time period that we list as not crowded, be sure to check out the  Anaheim Convention Center schedule . During large conventions, the prices for hotels can skyrocket.

We put together a Disneyland attendance calendar below that details all of our different pros and cons of the different months of the year on when to visit Disneyland.

Be sure to check the Disneyland calendar on the  official Disneyland website for more info on closures, entertainment schedules, and other information to help determine when to visit Disneyland

When to Visit Disneyland: Crowd Calendar and Special Events

Below we have compiled a large list of all the Disneyland events and special calendar items to be aware of when picking when to visit Disneyland.

All of these special events will greatly affect the 2024 Disneyland crowd index.

• Disneyland Halloween season takes place August 23 through October 31st at the Disneyland Resort.
• The Halloween party, Oogie Boogie Bash , will take place on select nights throughout August, September, and October at Disney's California Adventure Park.
• The Holiday/Christmas season takes place from November through the beginning of January at the Disneyland Resort.

January Disneyland Crowd Calendar and Events in 2024

• Disney California Adventure celebrates Lunar New Year beginning January 23rd. This is a large cultural festival that will include special entertainment and dining options.
• Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts' Nite takes place on January 23, 25, and 30 at Disneyland. This after-hours event is a celebration of love featuring special entertainment including a Royal Cavalcade, Royal Ball, and dance party, unique photo ops, special treats and food offerings, and more.
• Be sure to read our guide  Visiting Disneyland in January  to get a detailed description of what to expect, what to pack, what to wear, and what current events are planned.

February Disneyland Crowd Calendar and Events in 2024

• Disneyland Lunar New Year Celebration continues through February 18th.
• In celebration of Valentine’s Day , there are special treats offered throughout the resort, and the Disneyland After Dark Sweethearts' Nites also take place during the month.
• Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts' Nite parties continue on February 1, 6, 8, 12 & 14, 2024 at Disneyland.
• Be sure to read our guide  Visiting Disneyland in February  to get a detailed description of what to expect, what to pack, what to wear, and what current events are planned.

March Disneyland Crowd Calendar and Events in 2024

• March marks the beginning of the more crowded Spring Break season and the end of the renovation season where more of Disneyland's attractions are schedule for maintenance.
• The Disneyland Food and Wine Festival will return this month on March 1. The Food and Wine Festival features special festival food booths, cooking demonstrations, and lifestyle presentations. This festival takes place in Disney California Adventure park.
• Disneyland After Dark: Disney Channel Nite takes place on March 5 and 7th.
• Be sure to read our guide  Visiting Disneyland in March  to get a detailed description of what to expect, what to pack, what to wear, and what current events are planned.

April Disneyland Crowd Calendar and Events in 2024

• Spring Break season continues in Disneyland with lots of crowds expected every day.
• The Disneyland Food and Wine Festival runs through April 22 in Disney California Adventure
• Disney has an  Easter egg hunt throughout both theme parks. You can purchase a scavenger hunt packet from participating shops throughout the resort, find all the eggs, turn in your packet, and then receive a prize.
• Season of the Force begins on April 5, a Star Wars celebration featuring the return of Hyperspace Mountain, specialty food and drink offerings, a new perspective on the fireworks from Galaxy's Edge, and new scenes on Star Tours.
• Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nites take place on April 16, 18, 23, 25, and 30, offering rare character appearances, special entertainment, specialty food and beverage offerings, and more.
• Dapper Day at Disneyland is on April 7th. This is a celebration of the vintage style clothing that used to be worn to Disneyland and that was featured heavily in early concept artwork. About 1/10 of the park usually participates. It is lots of fun to be in the parks during the events. The Disneyland crowds in attendance are usually bearable as those who come out for the event are typically in the parks to take photos more than they are to experience attractions.
• Pixar Fest starts on April 26, with colorful decor, a new daytime parade, Pixar characters, special foods and Disney California Adventure Marketplace booths, special merchandise, and more! This celebration of friendship will run through the summer into August.
• Be sure to read our guide  Visiting Disneyland in April  to get a detailed description of what to expect, what to pack, what to wear, and what current events are planned.

May Disneyland Crowd Calendar and Events in 2024

• The 2024 Grad Nites at Disneyland are scheduled for May 10, 14, 15, 17, 19, 22, 23, 28, and 31. These evenings will have certain sections of the theme parks shut down specifically for recent high school graduates. The students visiting the parks will also have access to Disneyland throughout the day. Expect big Disney California Adventure crowds especially later in the evening.
• Pixar Fest continues through the month of May
• Enjoy May 4th, Star Wars Day, at Disneyland! Season of the Force continues through the month of May
• Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nites take place on May 2, 7, and 9,
• Fantasmic! returns to Disneyland on May 24 after a long hiatus with new special effects, an updated battle scene between Mickey and Maleficent, and the return of the Peter Pan scene.
• Be sure to read our guide Visiting Disneyland in May to get a detailed description of what to expect, what to pack, what to wear, and what current events are planned.

June Disneyland Crowd Calendar and Events in 2024

• The 2024 Disneyland Grad Nites are scheduled for June 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, and 14. These events are extremely popular for recently graduated high school seniors and include special private access to certain areas of Disneyland later in the evening. These dates mean that you'll want to avoid Disney California Adventure at night where a majority of the event takes place.
• Pixar Fest continues through the month of June
• Be sure to read our guide  Visiting Disneyland in June  to get a detailed description of what to expect, what to pack, what to wear, and what current events are planned.

July Disneyland Crowd Calendar and Events in 2024

• Disneyland is a fantastic place to celebrate the 4th of July. The fireworks show is massive and actually consists of all of the fireworks from the preceding six months that were not fired off due to wind cancellations.
• Disneyland 4th of July can be very crowded due to the popularity of the fireworks show.
• Pixar Fest continues into the summer through July
• Tickets for the popular Oogie Boogie Bash Halloween Party  usually go on sale in July. If you have a preference for which date you attend the party you should be ready to book.
• Be sure to read our guide  Visiting Disneyland in July  to get a detailed description of what to expect, what to pack, what to wear, and what current events are planned.

August Disneyland Crowd Calendar and Events in 2024

• 2024 Disneyland Halloween officially begins early this year on August 23, meaning that beginning this date all Halloween themed attractions, food, and entertainment should be available.
• The first nights of Disneyland Oogie Boogie's Bash after hours event begin in late August. The Halloween party will take place in California Adventure and will feature special Halloween focused entertainment, characters, the chance to wear costumes, trick or treating, and more. Party nights occur on August 25, 27, and 29.
• Be sure to read our guide  Visiting Disneyland in August  to get a detailed description of what to expect, what to pack, what to wear, and what current events are planned.

September Disneyland Crowd Calendar and Events in 2024

• Disneyland Halloween continues through September with special Halloween attraction overlays, themed food, Halloween decor, and entertainment.
• Oogie Boogie's Bash parties continue to take place on several nights throughout September. Party nights occur on September 3, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, and 29.
• Universal Studios Hollywood, another extremely popular theme park featuring the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter kicks off their Halloween Horror Nights mid September. You can read more about visiting Universal in our Universal Studios Hollywood guide and about Halloween events in our Halloween Horror Nights guide. 
• The fan-created Disneyland  Gay Days are held Sept. 13-15th. You can expect quite a few people in the parks wearing red to demonstrate they are members of the event. Disneyland offers rainbow merchandise and food offerings throughout the park in recognition of the celebration.
• Read our detailed monthly guide for  visiting Disneyland in September  to find our more details about crowd patterns, events, weather, and more.

October Disneyland Crowd Calendar and Events in 2024

• Disneyland Halloween time continues until October 31st
• Oogie Boogie's Bash will continue on multiple select nights throughout October in Disney's California Adventure during Halloween month. Party nights occur October 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29, and 31.
• In October, the state of Utah has holiday breaks for their schools. The Utah Education Association has a large convention in Anaheim and it can sometimes feel like the entire state of Utah is in Anaheim. Be aware of this seemingly innocent Thursday and Friday in October as they can be some of the busiest days of the year in Disneyland.
• Universal Studios Hollywood continues their Halloween Horror Nights through the first week of November.
• Read our detailed monthly guide for  visiting Disneyland in October to find out more details about crowd patterns, events, weather, and more.

November Disneyland Crowd Calendar and Events in 2024

• There is another Dapper Day event each year in early November, and this year's fall outing to Disneyland is on November 3. This day is a celebration of the classic clothing that used to be worn to Disneyland. Sometimes you can find discounted rates at the Disney property hotels for the event by looking on the Dapper Day official website. 
• The Disneyland Christmas celebration officially begins November 15th and usually runs until the first week of January. The end date of this year's holiday season has not yet been announced.
• The week of Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving weekend the parks become crowded and stay that way through most of the Christmas season.
• There are a wide variety of Thanksgiving food offerings at Disneyland including a large Thanksgiving buffet at the Disneyland Hotel. Read our guide to spending Thanksgiving at Disneyland for all the tips you need.
• Universal Studios Hollywood celebrates Christmas with a fantastic Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter featuring beautiful decorations, live entertainment, and a breathtaking new nighttime spectacular. They also have their Grinchmas celebration featuring characters from the Dr. Seuss classic.
• Be sure to read our guide  Visiting Disneyland in November  to get a detailed description of what to expect, what to pack, what to wear, and what current events are planned.

December Disneyland Crowd Calendar and Events 2024

• The Disneyland Christmas celebration continues and runs through the first week of January (exact end date TBA).
• Universal Studios Hollywood celebrates Christmas with a fantastic Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter featuring beautiful decorations, live entertainment, and a breathtaking new nighttime spectacular. They also have their Grinchmas celebration featuring characters from the Dr. Suess classic.
• The crowds are typically very heavy during this month with weekends being especially busy as locals turn out in droves to see the holiday decor. Enduring crowds is worth it though, the holiday season at Disneyland is spectacular. 
• Disneyland Candlelight Ceremony on Main Street in Disneyland during the first weekend of December. This is the retelling of the birth of Jesus with hundreds of choir singers and a celebrity narrator. You can see video from last year here .
• The two college football teams competing in the Rose Bowl visit Disneyland in the couple of days before the Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena, California. The bands from both schools usually also play either marching in the parade or in Town Square in front of the Train Station.
• Disneyland is always crowded on New Year's Eve, but there are lots of special entertainment offerings including bands and the largest Disneyland fireworks celebration of the year. This fireworks show is made up of all of the fireworks shells that were not shot off during the preceding six months due to wind cancellation.
• Be sure to read our guide  Visiting Disneyland in December to get a detailed description of what to expect, what to pack, what to wear, and what current events are planned.

Disneyland Through the Seasons 

Throughout the year there are a few huge special events that make the parks extra magical centering around the seasons, the holidays, and more. Here are the top celebrated events and holidays you must know about when planning when to visit Disneyland.

When to Visit Disneyland During Christmas

At Christmas time you will find Sleeping Beauty Castle lit up with icicles, Main Street laden with decorations, and the rest of the parks beautifully decorated to celebrate the season. Regular shows and experiences are altered to match the holiday theme. Disneyland at Christmas offers so much to see and do for guests including themed attractions, a holiday parade and fireworks, fantastic holiday food, festivals, and breathtaking decor!

Disneyland pulls out all the stops for two of its most classic rides  it's a small world  and  Haunted Mansion.  These fantastic holiday overlays is one of the best parts of Disneyland at Christmas. Both of these rides get busier than usual this time of year due to the popularity of these themes.

I highly recommend this time of year as a top contender on when to visit Disneyland, but expect to be joined by lots of crowds if you are there the week of Christmas through the first week of January. The best time to visit and see the Christmas decorations is the first two weeks of December or the second week of January.

When to Visit Disneyland at Halloween

During Halloween time, the parks are decorated with jack-o-lanterns and the feeling of fall and Halloween is in the air. See all of the information on Disneyland Halloween in our huge guide to help you decide if Halloween is the answer to your question of when to visit Disneyland.

The Haunted Mansion becomes the  Haunted Mansion Holiday  for the Halloween and  Disneyland Christmas seasons . This special holiday edition features the story of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and characters from the film including Jack Skellington, Zero the Ghost Dog, and Sally

All guests visiting Disneyland can see a version of the popular yearly Halloween Screams  projection and special effects show. In previous years guests had to have a ticket to the Halloween party at Disneyland to see this special show.

We recommend visiting Disneyland early on in the Halloween celebration in late August or early September before the crowds start picking up in October.

Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney's California Adventure

This year Disneyland's California Adventure will be hosting the coveted Halloween Party! The Oogie Boogie Bash will take place on select dates from late August-October  at Disney's California Adventure. This party will run in conjunction with the Disneyland Halloween season .

The party consists of fun entertainment, attractions, and candy, all while you wear your Halloween costume inside California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort. Mickey's Halloween Party looks to be permanently replaced by Oogie Boogie's Bash. 

When to Visit Disneyland in the Summertime

In Summertime , Disney will open new experiences and attractions making it a great time to visit Disneyland to see any new offerings at the resort. There are some significant pros to visiting in summer such as most rides are open, new attractions tend to open this time of year, the summer hours being the longest of the year, and summertime can also mean beach time !

Check out our full guide to summer at Disneyland including pros/cons, weather, and what to expect. 

Summer can also be a busy time of year but with some careful planning you can manage summer crowds. You can dodge the crowds from Grad Nites by planning your visit towards the end of June or plan for the end of August when most kids are back in school from summer break.

The rest of the year Disney has shorter weekend events going on that celebrate certain cultures or smaller holidays like the Lunar New Year, high school graduation, or the 4th of July.

Plan Your Disneyland Vacation!

Keep reading our blog to keep you updated on everything you need to know to prepare for Disneyland vacation! Be sure to subscribe to our free newsletter to  receive helpful planning information, exclusive Disney deals, and access to the lowest priced Disney tickets anywhere. You can find more information on planning your vacation here:

• Discount Disneyland Tickets
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• Which Airport is Closest to Disneyland?
• Best Hotels Near Disneyland for Large Families
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3 comments add your comment.

Hi, we’re planning a return trip to DL in September, specifically to attend the Oogie Boogie Bash… I notice in your comments for Sept above, you say the party will start on Sept 17. I’m curious how sure you are of this or is this in fact just last years start date while you wait for any info about this years party?

please feel free to email me direct with your answer, I’d really appreciate being able to make firm plans now vs April….

Hey Chris, that is just based upon last year’s date. Disney will be releasing information on the Oogie Boogie dates for 2020 in the coming months. There really isn’t any way to know the dates for sure yet except to say that the party will likely be running during the last two weeks of the month based on the last two year’s dates.

I just updated the page to reflect the fact that we are still waiting on dates for Oogie Boogie in 2020. Thank you for flagging that Chris. Sorry I don’t have a better answer for you.

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Disneyland Crowd Calendar: Best Time To Go To Disneyland

September 26, 2019 //  by  Disney Trippers //   1 Comment

If you’re looking for the best time to visit Disneyland in Anaheim, look no further than this Disneyland Crowd Calendar.  If you’re like us, you love all things Disney, but want get the most for our trip there.  If you are not a regular passholder, knowing the best times to go can be a daunting and overwhelming task.  Coordinating vacations and trips is already overwhelming enough.  Let us do the hard work of guiding you towards the best times to go to Disneyland.

Disneyland is a magical place, where kids can have fun and meet their Disney heroes and adults can become kids again.  With the hotels, rides, food, shows, and parades to think about, why not take one thing off your list.  The crowds!  We have put together a monthly breakdown for the ideal time to visit to avoid the crowds at Disneyland.  Keep reading and see our Disneyland Crowd Calendar.

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Disneyland Crowd Calendar:  Best Time To Go To Disneyland

Planning the perfect family trip to Disneyland can be overwhelming and knowing when the best time to go to Disneyland can seem like an impossible task.  When going to Disneyland, everyone wants the trip and experience to be the best value possible.  And unless you are a regular park goer, you may not know when that is.

Whether you want to go in the summer months for your family vacation to the West Coast or Christmastime to take park in the seasonal foods and enjoy the Christmas decor, like no one else but Disney can do, we have the guide for you.  We put together a calendar that shows the best time to go to Disneyland during the whole year, including peak travel times.

Check out our Disneyland Crowd Calendar below and then read about the month you want to go.  We’ve included weather and park events, so you can make this trip your best trip ever.

Historically January is the coldest month of the year in most places across the United States.  In California, cold is relational. For some, who are used to more tropical climates, its pretty cold and for those from cooler climates, it won’t seem so bad.  With day time highs reaching an average of 68°F/20°C, after the sun goes down it gets positively chilly at an average of 48°F/9°C, so make sure you are dressing in layers.  This weather does not deter the crowds at Disneyland either, so be prepared to still have contend with crowds at particular times of the month.  If this weather has you wanting more, keep reading.

The beginning of January, you will still be able to see the end of the Christmas season at Disneyland.  The decorations start to come down right after New Year’s and the crowds know it.  The first week starting with January first is pretty busy that whole week.  Kids are still out of school, parents still on vacations, and Disneyland is still a winter wonderland.  If this is the only time you can make it, check the Disneyland Crowd Calendar below and consider California Adventure instead, as it will be busy but less so than the main park.  We advise going early in the day and to avoid the actual New Year’s Day, to counter as much of the crowds as possible.

Also, Run Disney takes place January 8-12.  This event will have runners from the morning in the park with their families and supporters afterwards.  Make sure to take that increased traffic into consideration if you choose to go in January.

During the middle two weeks of the month, the best time to go to Disneyland is Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday’s start a long weekend and Monday’s ends it.  The end of the month, the crowd index starts to go down and Monday through Thursday is typically better for crowds at Disneyland.

California winter starts to trend warmer as the month progresses.  When considering the Disneyland Crowd Calendar, keep in mind while the daytime this month starts to get a little warmer as averages hit 71°F/22°C.  Nighttime still hovers around the same 48°F/9°C respectively.  Another month to still dress in layers and be prepared for chilly evenings while navigating lighter evening crowds at Disneyland.

The first two weeks are good weeks to go to Disneyland with average crowds on the weekend and slightly below average crowds at Disneyland during mid-week.  As Valentine’s Day rolls into the month, so does the busiest week of the month.  That third week of February, expect to see an above average ranking on the Disneyland Crowd Calendar.  The third week of February celebrates President’s Day and with all the three-day weekends, the crowds at Disneyland go up and stay up that whole week.

That last week of February, everything starts to go back to a normal crowd pace, with mid-week being the best and the flanking weekends having the higher traffic.  February, overall, is one of the months that is the best time to go to Disneyland, if you are looking for a balance between cooler weather and less crowds at Disneyland.  Make sure you head to New Orleans Square at the end of the month and see all the fun Mardi Gras themed decorations and try the themed food!

Spring is in the air everywhere, including Disneyland.  Spring weather definitely excites the Disneyland crowds.  With the weather beginning to be ideal this time of year, the crowds reflect that warming trend and start to really pick up during the daytime.  Daytime temperatures reaching 73°F/23°C and nighttime around 51°F/11°C at its coldest, even the evening crowds at Disneyland start to get busier.

The month of March comes with a lot of events and action.  March will start off with average to slightly above average traffic.  With the first Saturday being a busy day.   That first Saturday is typically Gay-Day, a non-Disney sponsored event, but an event that drives traffic just the same.  On this Saturday, traffic will definitely be up and park goers celebrating this unofficial event.  Make sure you check the Disneyland Crowd Calendar below for any updates that may happen with this day.

Mid March brings Spring Break for a lot of schools, local and otherwise and with that comes more people in the park.  March is one of the most consistent months with crowds at Disneyland hitting peak traffic only sporadically. Spring Break is happening, traditionally the Food and Wine Festival at California Adventure starts, which is guaranteed to bring some additional crowds for both parks.

March will start with average to slightly above average crowds at Disneyland, with mid month to the end really increasing to very high foot traffic days.  This will be a very busy time and will continue to see increased crowds going int the summer months.  Always check the Disneyland Crowd Calendar to see the day you want to go and how the traffic is expected to be.

Weather is even better in April than it was in March and now you can see why Walt Disney chose to build his park in Anaheim, CA.  Daytime temperatures will reach 75°F/25°C with nighttime still being a little cooler at 53°F/13°C.  During the day will be warm enough to walk around in shorts and a t-shirt, but after the sun sets you will want to make sure you have some layers to keep you comfortable as you traverse the park at night.  With the warmer days, the cooler nights do not deter the crowds at Disneyland.

Starting the first couple weeks of April, Disneyland does an Eggstravaganza event leading into Easter.  This will have more parents and young children in the park as they take part in this Disney themed event.  This will not overwhelm the park with traffic, though you will most likely still see some increased numbers as the Food and Wine Festival continues at California Adventure.  After the Eggstravaganza event ends as Easter passes, the following weekend will be Dapper Day.

Dapper Day will definitely see increased crowds as people dress up in their favorite vintage era and enjoy the park.  While this is not a Disney sponsored event, it is a fun time for all.  If you happen to go or want to see the park-goers dressed up, this is guaranteed to be a fun day as you see the many eras of the 20 th century and listen to overly courteous participants as they reminisce about a time gone by.

Overall, April is a lovely time of year weather-wise to attend the park.  Beginning of the month will see a slight above average crowd at Disneyland, mid-month will see a slight decrease with the month finishing up much lighter in crowds, which is nice right before summer starts to sneak in.  Please check the Disneyland Crowd Calendar below to see which of the days really appeal to you for your particular travel plans.

The weather is really getting warm now and dare we say hot?  With the average day hitting 77°F/25°C and nighttime at a much warmer than previous at 58°F/14°C, you will want to dress appropriately and make sure you hydrate.  With all the walking, heat, incoming humidity, and the crowds at Disneyland you will want to make sure to drink plenty of water.  Well there are a lot of shady spots in the park, they are guaranteed to be just as crowded as the pathways.

May is a busy month for Disneyland Crowd Calendar.  Not only are the warmer days and summer breaks increasing the crowd count, holidays and park sponsored events will keep this park hopping.  During the month of May you can expect there to be busy some peak days with above average traffic, with weekends being exceptionally busy.

May will start of with Bats Day on May 3 rd .  This day is an unofficial Disney event, but will be guaranteed to drive increased traffic.  If you are wondering what Bats Day is, it is a day dedicated to Gothic and Emo park attendees.  This day will be sure to have many people dressed in black and dark makeup, but always fun to see and recollect your days of youth.  Right after Bats Day, is Cinco de Mayo.  There are no park events scheduled for this holiday, but will most likely have increased crowds at Disneyland.  Mother’s Day is also Sunday, May 10.  Disneyland is a destination for mothers so expect to see the traffic increase sometime late morning.

From the middle of May to the end, Disney Parks host Grad Nite .  While California Adventure is the official host of these events, there will most likely be a surge in traffic in both parks as park goers start their day early or re-enter after it ends.  May also has Memorial Day, celebrated on May 25 th , that weekend will definitely have busier crowds as park attendees will have three day weekends.

As the whole month of May can fluctuate with traffic, make sure you check the Disneyland Crowd Calendar for the time that suits you and when the hosted Grad Nites are.  If you are going in May, typically, the weekdays, while busy, will still offer the least amount of crowd traffic.

June brings us halfway into the year and definitely into warmer weather as summer really starts to heat up.  At 81°F/27°C average during the day and 61°F/16°C averages during the night, the weather is definitely getting warmer.  Our advice about water and shade definitely carries over to this month.

There aren’t a whole lot of events this month, Grad Nite continues the remainder of this month and the same traffic patterns will continue with potential crowd surges during the day.  Father’s Day is on Sunday, June 21 st and will most likely see more traffic in the midday.  While events are light, crowds are heavy.  Summer is now in swing, school is out and families start their vacations.  Almost every day will see above average crowds at Disneyland.  Our Disneyland Crowd Calendar below will show you the busiest days and you can determine which you would like to avoid or attend.

July brings even hotter weather and warmer nights.  Daily averages around 86°F/30°C and nighttime around 65°F/18°C.  The weather is hot, humidity will be up and so will crowds.  It is now more important than ever to stay hydrated, wear appropriate clothing and sun protection.

July is another month light on events and it’s a good thing too as crowds will already be hitting close to capacity numbers with the summertime breaks.  The whole month of July is the busiest month of the summer.  The Fourth of July has the park regaled in red, white, and blue with specialty treats available for purchase.  The Fourth of July is one of the busiest days in the park, so if you want to go to enjoy the décor and food, be prepared to navigate the crowds at Disneyland.

Disneyland also celebrates its birthday on July 17 th .  There will be special souvenirs available to purchase and a possible slightly higher crowd count as Disney loyalists come to celebrate the day.  Even with these days being the only events for the park, the Disneyland Crowd Calendar will reflect those above average crowd counts.  If you absolutely must go to the parks in July, consider a Park Hopper pass, that way when the crowds at Disneyland overwhelm you, you can head to California Adventure, which will be slightly less crowded.

August brings us the hottest month of the year and unbelivebaly the park will start to ease up in crowds as the month progresses.  August temperatures hit 87°F/30°C averages during the day and 65°F/18°C during the night.  However, this heat will not stop the crowds early in the month at Disneyland and while the temperature and other summer activities will start to reduce park goer counts, August will still be busy.

This month brings us the start of the CHOC (Children’s Hospital of Orange County) Walk in the Park.  While these events happen early in the morning before it heats up, the event attendees inevitably stay in the park after their event.  With this even drawing not only the participants, but their family, friends, and cheerleaders, the park will definitely hit peak capacity that day.  While the event has yet TBD for 2020, it is usually within the first two weeks of the month.

For the month of August, there will be higher and lower than average crowds at Disneyland.  If you’re looking to go to the park in the summer make sure you check the Disneyland Crowd Calendar for the best time to go to Disneyland this particular month.

September brings us into the last hot month of the year.  With the temperatures from August averages carrying over into September, you can look forward to a very slightly cooler nighttime.   87°F/30°C during the day, renders the same as August and 63°F/16°C during the night, is virtually the same.  This heat, will definitely keep you looking for shade and beverages, so make sure to drink and wear your sunscreen in that hot California sun.

After Labor Day, September 7, the crowds reduce considerably.  With school back in session, most days hit average park crowds and some times below average.  Halloweentime is now going and the park is decorated in all of its Halloween Glory.  Mid September to the end of September is a great time to see the park in all this splendor.  Right before the major Halloweentime crowds really begin.  If you’re looking for the best time to go to Disneyland, this might just be the month.  Warmer days, slightly cooler nights, festive decorations, and lower crowd count all make for a great experience.  Hands down one of the best times to visit the park.  Check out the Disneyland Crowd Calendar below to see just how light some of the traffic days can be.

This month you start to see a much greater cooling trend.  82°F/28°C during the day and 58°F/14°C during the evening, the temperature swing after the sunset is now noticeable.  While the warmer days have you dressed in summer attire, the cooler night begs for you to have layers ready to keep you insulated after that sun sets.

The beginning of October starts with the second unofficial Disney event of Gay Day.  Usually the first weekend of the month, traffic is definitely up this weekend as the LGBTQ community and allies are there to show their support for love.

Hallweentime is in full swing this month and so are the crowds.  If you are more of a holiday traditionalist and want to see the Halloween décor during the month of Halloween, look to go midweek and avoid the weekends.  While the park gets more crowded and the month progresses, the lightest days still invariably fall on the weekdays.  Weekends still being traversed by parents and their children who are no longer off for the summer, guarantees a busier experience.

A newer Disney event is Plaza de la Familia .  This event typically takes place during Hallweentime, though dates for 2020 have yet to be released.  This event celebrates Pixars “Coco” and family.  With Mexican specialty treats and a focus on Hispanic traditions, expect to see many park goers there to celebrate either their heritage or support others.  Make sure you check the Disneyland Crowd Calendar to see when this event is, once the dates have been determined.

Unbelievably, the best time to go to Disneyland in October is closer to Halloween on October 31 st .  Crowds start to die down, usually thinking that the park will be busier.

November brings a much cooler days and nights.  Daytime highs typically stay at 82°F/27°C  and nighttime with temperatures drop lower to the 52°F/11°C range.  While the days are still warm, evening is much cooler, making evident that a typical California winter is heading in.  Dress in layers and stop to get a hot coco after the sunsets to warm your bones.

The middle of November is another one of those best times to go to Disneyland.  Traffic is lighter as Halloweentime ends and Christmastime is yet to begin.  While the first week starts to see the transition happen with Halloween to Christmas, the crowds are busier.  The second Dapper Day of the year happens in November.  This unsponsored event typically takes place early in the month and falls on the first weekend.  Have the same expectations as before.  Increased crowds that day, but amazing costuming to view.

As the month progresses, more Christmastime decorations will appear and the crowds will stay low until right before Thanksgiving.  Come the week of Thanksgiving and you will be sure to see the whole park regaled in its festive decorations and also crowds will jump from minimal to above average seemingly overnight.  Thanksgiving (and the weekend that follows) is one of the other busiest days of the year for the park, so avoid going this day and weekend if at all possible.

And now the last month of the year, December, temperatures dip to 70°F/21°C during the day with a chilly 47°F/8°C average during the night.  Another big temperature swing, your teeth are sure to be chattering after the sun goes down if you are not attired properly.  Many attendees will put coats in lockers to put on once that weather turns cooler.  Scarves and mittens are a common site at the park during this month.

The month of December has minimal events, the park is mostly centered around Christmastime food and decorations.  Crowds will die down after Thanksgiving and make the park one of the best times to go to Disneyland at the beginning of the month.  The cooler weather and amazing decorations will transport you to another time and place.

Most weekdays traffic is moderate with some lighter days peppered in.  Weekends are busy as usual with the busiest time the last ten days of the year.  Disneyland will typically hit capacity from the week before Christmas to New Years, making this definitely one of the busiest times of the year to attend the park.  If you have to go this particular time, make sure you check the Disneyland Crowd Calendar for December to pick the days that will be the most manageable for your plans.

There you have it, a month by month breakdown for weather, the larger crowd drawing events, and what time of the month is the best time to go to Disneyland.  We hope you get to use this information and plan a fun for all vacation to, hands down, one of the happiest places in the world, Disneyland!

If this Disneyland Crowd Calendar helped you or if you have tips to share, let us know in the comments.

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[…] We avoided public holidays and weekends. This is the perfect place for 2 days and the whole world knows that. A lot of people have annual memberships and passes. Disneyland has specials for locals and neighbors all year round. Before finalizing your dates, check out the Disneyland Crowd Calendar. […]

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2024 BEST Days to Go to Disneyland (Full Crowd Calendar Guide)

Are you trying to figure out, what are the best days to go to Disneyland Resort?

Here’s the deal – anytime you, your family, and friends can go on vacation, IS a good time to visit the Disneyland Resort. But some days are simply better.

When the crowd is less, wait times are minimal , and there’s worrying about packed resorts.

When’s that? That’s the mystery I’m are going to unravel in this guide as I should you how to choose the best days to go to Disneyland using the Crowd Calendar.

2024 Disneyland Resort Crowd Calendar

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY  DISCLOSURE  FOR MORE INFO.  Which means if you click on certain links, I may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

Best Time to Go to Disneyland at a Glance:

• The best months to visit Disneyland to avoid the crowds are: January and February
• Your best days to visit Disneyland are:  Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
• Be sure to avoid all major holidays such as:  Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day Weekend,  Halloween,  Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s Eve

Disneyland vs. Disney World

When it comes to Walt Disney World (WDW), the answers to your trip are easily available online about when to travel, what to do, and how to go about your Disney World vacation.

But Disneyland, not so much.

But why should you bother? Is Disneyland Resort even worth the trip?

YES! Read on.

I am a Disney World fangirl. I’ve been going to Disney World since the mid-1990s before I even thought about planning a trip to Disneyland Resort.

When compared to Disney World, the Disneyland Resort has half the number of theme parks: Disneyland and California Adventure.

In my naivety, I assumed that the Disneyland Resort would be an exact replica to the Magic Kingdom.

But boy, was I wrong!

I’d have known better if only I would have done the usual “Disney World vs Disneyland” Google search. But I was just way too confident.

Space Mountain Disneyland vs Disney World: Which is Better?

Rides, Attractions and Entertainment at Disneyland

Despite being small, the number of attractions at Disneyland are 36+ compared to the 27+ rides at the Magic Kingdom (the more similar park at WDW).

Much like Walt Disney World, the Disneyland Resort also includes resort hotels. Although, few in number due to the limited space available in California.

There’s a Downtown Disney (instead of Disney Springs at Disney World) – the entertainment, dining, and shopping area of the California Disney Resort too.

In a nutshell, there’s a lot of things and attractions that make Disneyland Resort just as popular and crowded as Walt Disney World.

In fact, it is one of the most-visited theme park in the world with 18+ million annual visitors. This is why we need the Disneyland Crowd Calendar Trackers.

Get Your Discounted Disneyland Tickets here TODAY!

What is the Disneyland Crowd Calendar?

Disneyland Crowd Tracker, also known as Disneyland Crowd Calendar , is a curated planner that predicts just how crowded the park will be on any given date throughout the year.

Since it’s obvious that most of us would want to avoid busy days at Disneyland, this tracker helps us narrow down the ideal dates to travel.

How Does The Disneyland Crowd Calendar Work?

Typically, a Disneyland crowd predictor is made by collecting attendance data from recent years and observing which days usually see long queues at the Disneyland Resort parks.

If there’s a major event that happens at the park, like a grand opening or a special holiday, the calendar algorithm will be adjusted based on previous Disney events.

Each level of busyness is categorized as: heavy, light, or moderate and will be color coordinated on the Crowd Calendar with:

• Red  indicating high crowd levels
• Yellow and Orange  indicating moderate crowd levels
• Green  indicating low crowd levels

Once you have this information, you can then figure out which month, week, and day will work best for you when choosing when to visit Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.

Today, the Internet floods with these calendars. You will find tons of them in a variety of formats, looks, and setups.

Don’t feel overwhelmed by this, because having multiple Disneyland Crowd Calendars will allow you to compare them all for a more accurate prediction.

Are Disneyland Crowd Calendar Trackers 100% Accurate?

To be honest, no, at least not always.

I still do recommend that you look at them as guides that will give you an idea and help you plan your Disneyland trip.

Though they are designed only after doing thorough research, it is easy to miss unknown future events, especially those by Disney .

There is a variety of insider news that a calendar-curator is simply unaware of, including annual conventions that bring attendees to the resort during the off-season months.

So, you’ll want to keep that in mind when you’re choosing the best days to go to Disneyland Resort.

REVIEW: Is the Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures Worth It? (2023)

The real question should be is if Disneyland Crowd Calendars have any value?

Yes, they do. Sure, there’s no iron-clad guarantee, but these predictive theme park crowd calendars are a great way to get an idea of what to expect on your day.

Quick Tips for Choosing the Best Days to Go to Disneyland:

• Continue to do your online research
• Choose a time-frame that looks ideal to you
• Finalize your date based on the information that you have discovered

Hipster Power Tip: Continue to recheck the Theme Park Crowd Calendars every week up until your trip to stay in the know.

What Are the Main Causes of the Crowd in Disneyland?

Two things that affect (or determine) the crowd levels the most are the events happening in the resort and school holidays.

This is mainly because of the many locals who hold an Annual Pass to the park. A major difference than the Walt Disney World Resort.

Also, the weekends will be busy, no matter when you choose to visit Disneyland.

With that in mind, you should be able to make an educated guess about when will it be crowded at the resort.

Needless to say, this makes it super tough to know when the crowd will rise. That’s when those Disneyland Crowd Calendars come in handy. They save you from all the trouble of researching.

You can also know what to expect by reading the regular “when is the best time of year to visit Disneyland” guides/answers – just what I am about to talk about below.

Recommended: How to Plan the BEST California Road Trip Itinerary for 7 Days

When IS the Best Time to Go to Disneyland?

For starters, any time when kids are in school is a good time to visit Disneyland.

That generally means visiting in January, February, May, September, and the early days of November.

Remember that this is predominantly a local’s park.

Even in these slow months , you’ll have to avoid holidays and weekend s to avoid the crowd.

I’d even suggest you plan your Disneyland vacation to avoid popular holidays like Christmas, New Year’s, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Halloween and Easter.

By saying so, I mean travel about a week after or before a major holiday. This would give time for the seasonal guests to leave for their homes, leaving the parks emptier.

Hipster Power Tip: Although January through May might be off-season months and least crowded, but they come with a downside. A lot of fabulous shows like Fantasmic! tend to have sporadic showings instead of nightly during peak season.

These are also the months when Disney may close some their popular rides for refurbishment. So, you must check the refurbishment calendar on their official website .

The Disneyland Refurbishment Calendar is usually released 60 days in advance to help you guide through the bookings, especially if you’ve already made them.

As said before, you can always cross-check your information about Disneyland crowd levels by referring to any of the online Disneyland Crowd Trackers.

Recommended: What’s the Magic Behind the Famous Beignets at Disneyland?

What are the Best Days to Go to Disneyland?

Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the best days of the week to go to Disneyland and California Adventure.

It’s best to get there early especially since the locals usually come after work in the late afternoon/early evening.

This is the ranking of the best days of the week to go to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure (from BEST to WORST):

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Perks of Visiting Disneyland During Worst Crowded Days

Yeah I know that “Perks” and “Worst” do not go together , except when it’s about the Happiest Place on Earth.

Just like visiting the Disneyland Resort during the offseason has its disadvantages, visiting the resort during the most crowded days has its advantages.

The two parks tend to get jam-packed during summer months, between June through August.

However, it is also during these months that the parks extend their opening hours . Even on holidays and school breaks, the resort operates longer.

During the maxed-out crowd days, you can also expect Disney to host more shows, parades, and fireworks.

In short, there are some awesome trade-offs that Disneyland offers if you are ready to face the crowd. It all depends on your priorities and preferences.

You always have the Genie+ to buy, save wait times, and enjoy a potentially smoother time hopping from one popular attraction to another.

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What to Know Before Your Disneyland Resort Trip

Now that we have the basic information out-of-the-way, let’s go through the frequently asked questions for choosing the best time to visit Disneyland with the Crowd Calendar.

Are Disneyland Crowd Trackers reliable?

To a good extent, yes. These trackers give you a general idea of how crowd levels can be in Disneyland on a particular day.

But there’s no iron-clad guarantee. Calling them 100% accurate would be as wrong as calling weather reports 100% reliable.

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If trackers aren’t enough, how can I make sure my trip goes as planned?

The best way to ensure your trip is not ruined by access crowd is to check a Disneyland Crowd Calendar and then research a little around it.

For example, if the calendar says the resort will see fewer guests because of school breaks ended, look online to check if any district near the park still has its schools closed.

If there’s a new addition in the resort (like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge) , never be fully convinced of “downtimes” even after six months. Always expect to see an extra crowd at Disneyland.

You can also use the Disneyland Crowd Calendars to your advantage by looking at one week over another to get an idea which of them will potentially be less busy.

You should also look into the Disneyland hotel rates as high prices = busy days.

What is the best weekday to visit Disneyland?

Activity-wise, the best days of the week to visit Disneyland, crowd-wise, are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

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How many days do I need to explore Disneyland Resort?

Although there are only 2 parks at Disneyland Resort, both have a lot of rides, attractions, events, food , and activities.

Ideally, you should plan to spend between 3 to 4 days to cover almost all of them, including rides, meet-and-greet with characters, live shows, and fireworks.

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Is it possible to explore both Disneyland parks in just 1 day?

Yes, you should be able to travel both the theme parks of Disneyland Resort if you get a Park Hopper Ticket or an Annual Pass .

Sometimes, the Park Hopper Ticket gets included in certain Vacation Packages . Check if you have one to maximize time throughout the trip.

Also plan out your trip and create an itinerary to conquer both Disneyland Resort parks in only one day.

Thinking about making a trip out to the Disneyland Resort in California, then be sure to get your Discounted tickets here!

Let’s Wrap It Up

Being one of the most popular theme parks in the world, Disneyland Resort sees a lot of the crowd throughout the year.

If you are someone who hates getting squished in parades of people, don’t let this dishearten you.

Just like any other vacation destination spot, Disneyland Resort also has its off-season months.

You can always rely on a Disneyland Crowd Tracker to help you with learning which is which.

My opinion? Why take a chance on anything that might dampen a memorable trip to the Disneyland Resort?

Double-check everything – even down to the busiest days of the resort to make your  trip as pleasant as it should be.

Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!

About the Author

My name is Nikky. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor , and a writer who loves ALL things amusement park related!

Traveling alone to the parks has changed my life and I want to show how you can create your own solo theme park memories.

Connect with me on Instagram!

UP NEXT: 7 BEST Places to Eat at Disneyland on a Budget! (Disney Food Guide)

(Original Article Date: July 19, 2020/Updated on January 8, 2024)

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Theme park data center.

Have you ever wondered how many people actually visit Disney World and other Theme Parks?  Well, here’s the Total Annual Park Attendance data from the major U.S. Theme parks for 2018.  It’s pretty enlightening information and can help you understand where the majority of vacationers are choosing to spend their vacations. ( source )

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BEST TIME OF YEAR TO GO TO DISNEY WORLD

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DISNEY ATTRACTION TO ESCAPE THE RAIN

Florida is nicknamed “The Sunshine State,” but the weather at Disney World isn’t always predictably sunny. But don’t fret – In the event of bad weather, there are still plenty of Disney attractions to escape the rain until the sun returns. We’ll help you plan ahead so you won’t get drenched.

HOW TO BECOME A DISNEY TRAVEL AGENT

Are you interested in becoming a Disney travel agent? It seems like the ultimate job for a Disney fanatic because you get paid to talk about Disney all day long. But is it really as fun and rewarding as it seems? We’ll give you all the information you’ll need to decide if this career is right for you.

DISNEY WORLD TRIVIA

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Planning a trip to Disneyland is a daunting task, even for repeat visitors. But TouringPlans can simplify the process with our step-by-step guides and easy-to-use tools, saving you time and money all along the way.

Our Crowd Calendar shows when the Disneyland parks will have the lowest wait times.

With three on-site hotels and many other lodging options at various price points within walking distance, there are a lot of options. Let us help you decide whether it’s worth staying on-site or off-site with in-depth overviews and photos of every on-site hotel, plus other ways to save money on your stay.

Disneyland practically invented the theme park industry when it opened in 1955. To this day, no place better reflects Walt Disney’s spirit and creative vision than that original park. It’s also jam-packed with attractions, shops, and restaurants spread across nine lands. And with our Touring Plans and Crowd Calendar, you’ll learn the best times to see everything. Plus, we’ve got over 120,000 attraction reviews from families of all ages, so you can get a wide range of opinions on every experience.

Theme park tickets at Disneyland are fairly straightforward. You really only need to know the dates when you’re visiting and whether you want to visit both parks on the same day (which requires the Park Hopper option).

All guests must have a theme park reservation in addition to a theme park ticket. You’ll need an account on Disneyland's website/app and valid theme park admission linked to that account in order to make your park reservations. If you buy your admission directly from Disney, it's easy to make your park reservations at the time of purchase. Reservation availability may be different for guests staying at Disney hotels, Passholders, and day guests.

Save money, experience more.

Over 300 Disneyland Cast Members Hold Union Rally Outside Disneyland Ahead of Vote

A group of labor unions that represent employees (otherwise known as “cast members”) at Disneyland will vote in just two days on whether or not they will authorize a strike. Pressure is escalating amongst cast members and Disney which culminated in a rally outside the theme park today on Disneyland's 69th anniversary.

This rally comes on the heels of weeks of unsuccessful negotiations with Disney officials and the coalition of labor unions along with labor violation complaints filed by the labor unions.

Let's breakdown what is happening with today's rally at Disneyland, the labor coalition's demands, plus the potential for an upcoming strike and how it might affect your future park visit.

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Cast Member Labor Unions Fight for Increased Pay

At the end of May, the labor unions representing more than 14,000 Disneyland cast members met with Disney officials to begin negotiating the terms of their contract renewal. The labor unions began bargaining for increased wages that match the cost of living in Southern California. These negotiations so far have not been successful with the contract for cast members at Disneyland expiring on June 16, 2024. The contract for Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney cast members expires September 30, 2024.

According to Disneyland's Public Affairs website , the current salary for cast members at the Disneyland resort ranges from “$19.90 to $24.15 per hour with “skilled roles” exceeding a starting rate of $25 an hour.”

This is the biggest dog the labor unions representing cast members have in this fight as they ask for increased wages to help manage the cost of living in Southern California. The cost of living has been further impacted by the increase of inflation that has caused a strong negative economic impact among many Americans. California is known for its high cost of living with Anaheim ranking at 51% higher than the national average as of November 2023 according to The Council for Community and Economic Research.

According to the labor union's website , Disney offered cast members “a 25 cent increase for those who have worked at Disney for more than 20 years and an average less than a dollar per year increase for five years.” The labor coalition turned down the offer and the negotiations have been going back and forth since.

The Disney Workers Rising Bargaining Committee shared that, “Our goal for negotiations has always been to reach an agreement with Disney — one that provides cast members with wages they need to live in Southern California, the respect they deserve for the years they’ve dedicated to the company and an attendance policy that works for everyone while keeping park guests safe.”

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Cast Members Told Union Pins Violate Dress Code

The statement released by the Disney Workers Rising Bargaining Committee goes on to describe the most recent labor violation complaints filed by the cast member unions in response to not being permitted to wear their union buttons on their uniforms.

Union members created union pins to represent their cause which show Mickey Mouse's hand raised in a fist (pictured below) and have been handing them out in Downtown Disney and encouraging members to wear them at work.

Picture via UFCW 324

According to the union, cast members have been told that wearing the pins was in violation of employee park dress code. In response, the labor coalition representing the cast members filed labor violation complaints stating that Disney officials are preventing employees from exercising their right to wear union buttons at work.

The Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute protects federal employees’ rights to “organize, bargain collectively, and participate in labor organizations of their choosing.” This is the federal law that the labor coalition is accusing Disney officials of going against by reportedly refusing cast members to represent their union at work with these buttons.

Cast Members Hold Rally in Support Outside Disneyland

Today on Disneyland's 69th anniversary, a reported 400 cast members planned to attend a rally on Harbor Blvd with cast members and supporters. According to the rally announcement, union leaders wanted to “pack Harbor Blvd with cast members and supporters to show Disney we’re serious.”

This rally took place just two days before the labor coalition will vote on whether or not to strike on July 19th. Based on the context shared by the unions, this strike will fall under the category of a “Unfair Labor Practice” strike which offers more protections for union members under federal law. The results of the strike authorization vote will be announced by July 20th after the unions have notified cast members and counted votes.

Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix, the co-founder of MousePlanet , was on the ground and shared that the demonstrators were friendly and organized. Vincent-Phoenix also provided the above two photos from the demonstration today. She estimated that over 300 cast members were in attendance.

She also shared “t he marchers tried to get to the main entrance, but were turned away by Disneyland security and Anaheim Police at security before bag check.

The last time cast members at Disneyland went on strike was back in 1984 when nearly 2,000 cast members participated in a 22-day-long strike, according to Los Angeles Times .

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What Happens if Cast Members Go on Strike?

This would have a huge impact on Disneyland if cast members vote to strike and do not meet an agreement with Disney officials before the strike takes place. This labor coalition represents 14,000 cast members across Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure, and Downtown Disney. That doesn't mean that every union member will choose to strike nor are they required to. But if the vote on July 19th is in favor of a strike, that means there are a large number of members that support the strike which could have a huge impact.

It is hard to imagine the strike NOT having an impact on regular park operations but it is likely Disney will try to avert a strike from happening. We just want both sides to move forward towards an agreement that fairly compensates the cast members who make the magic at the parks that allows Disneyland to continue to operate smoothly.

We reached out to Disney officials for a comment and they shared, “With today’s rally, we continue to be focused on the wellbeing of our guests and cast members. We remain committed to the upcoming meetings on July 22 – 23 and reaching an agreement with Master Services that focuses on what matters most to cast members, positions Disneyland Resort for growth and job creation and enables us to continue delivering incredible guest experiences.”

Just because a union votes to strike, it doesn't mean it will happen and often it can end up bringing the groups back to the bargaining table. Let's hope this is the case for Disneyland and that negotiations go smoothly on July 22nd and 23rd.

READ MORE –  We Visit Disney Parks Weekly. You Really Don't Want to Forget These 10 Things During Your Disney Vacation.

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About Lindsay Brookshier

Lindsay is a college English instructor and has years of writing experience through various nonprofits, charities, newspapers, and online magazines. As the content director of Mickey Visit, she oversees article content and leads our fantastic team of writers to meet guest vacation needs. You can still find her writing weekly content to help make your Disney Parks trip fantastic here on Mickey Visit and Disney Dose- you can also view her recently featured posts on Disney Parks travel on Visit Anaheim, Nerd Wallet and SFGate. Lindsay comes from a dedicated Disney family and enjoys taking her son to the Disney parks as often as possible.

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UPDATE: New Photos, Statements, and Video as Disneyland Swarmed by Hundreds of Costumed Protestors

in Disney Parks , Disneyland Resort

This article has been updated to include new photos and video of the Disneyland union worker protest rally.

If you thought you would be able to visit Disneyland for a fun family trip today, think again: the entrance to the Happiest Place on Earth was surrounded today by hundreds of Disney union workers in a show of strength for the upcoming park strike .

Disneyland Workers Rally at Park

Over 1,000 members of unions representing Disney workers protested in costume outside the Disneyland Resort as part of a rally in support of an unfair labor practices strike vote, the results of which will be announced to the public on July 20. In addition to costumed protestors who work at Disneyland, Disney Downtown, and California Adventure, the crowd reportedly included community supporters and elected officers of various unions.

A statement from The Disney Workers Rising Bargaining Committee reads:

Workers of Disney’s largest bargaining unit in California – representing a diverse set of classifications from custodians and ride operators to candy makers and merchandise clerks – entered into negotiations with the company on April 24, 2024, and are fighting for fair wages, a fair attendance policy, seniority increases and safe parks for cast members and guests. In June, Disney cast members announced that they filed unfair labor practice charges against Disney on behalf of 14,000 workers at the resort for unlawful discipline, intimidation and surveillance of union members exercising their right to wear union buttons at work. The charges relate to over 675 cast members whom the Unions maintain have been intimidated, surveilled and disciplined for wearing union buttons in support of their contract campaign. The charges are currently being investigated by the National Labor Relations Board.

Related: Mickey Mouse, Cinderella Push Forward With Official Unionization Over Unfair Pay, Dangerous Living Conditions While Disneyland brands itself as “The Happiest Place on Earth” the reality for park employees is largely one of economic hardship. According to a survey, 73% of the cast members that make these profits possible report they do not earn enough money to cover basic expenses each month. A separate survey of cast members this year found that: Nearly three in 10 cast members (28%) report experiencing food insecurity 64% of cast members are “rent burdened” or spending more than half of their monthly paychecks on rent 33% of cast members experienced housing insecurity in the past year 42% of cast members had to miss work for medical treatment because they didn’t have enough sick leave The contract for cast members at Disneyland expired June 16, 2024. The contract for Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney cast members expires September 30, 2024.

Cast Members Speak Out

The negotiations between The Walt Disney Company and union protestors have reportedly not been going well. According to Inside the Magic’s exclusive interview with a longtime Disneyland cast member , the company has repeatedly been harassing and intimidating workers who dare join a union, prompting this new strike threat.

A rally like the ongoing one is likely intended to reinforce the plight of workers in the public eye; as a cast member told us: “I would hope that our cast members would be able to do their job without knowing that management is standing around the corner watching them and listening to what they’re having to say, and that they’re not following them around on their breaks…You know, just all of this is stuff that our cast members, our employees are dealing with. And that’s what we’re bringing to light in this strike vote.”

Related: Disneyland Unionization Shuts Down Attractions: 2,000 Cast Members Gear Up for Major Protests

It cannot be coincidental that the Disney union protestor rally outside Disneyland is occurring today, the 69th anniversary of the park’s opening in 1955 . At the very least, it is a pointed jab toward Disneyland management that without cast members, the Happiest Place on Earth simply does not function.

If the union  votes for an unfair labor practices strike, thousands of employees across California Disney Parks would refuse to work, likely  shutting down one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. Disneyland (along with its related hotels, restaurants, and shops) is a massive part of the California economy, meaning that billions of dollars could be at stake, depending on how long a strike lasts .

Various cast members and union officials described their experiences today:

Ginny Cristales, a retail cast member at the Emporium/Candy Palace:

“Cast members are scared of being retaliated against by Disney for their union activity and that’s preventing us from getting a contract that pays us living wages. This rally today, on Disneyland’s birthday, shows Disney that even though we’re scared, we’re going to stand up and do what it takes. We make the magic happen. We are why Disneyland can celebrate its birthday today. And we need a fair contract that respects us and our work.”

Damascus Castellanos, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 495:

“Union members at Disneyland create the magic every day. These workers deserve fair treatment. Disney is a corporation with a market cap of over $174 billion. There is no justification, other than pure greed, to deny these workers fair pay and good working conditions.”

Dee Dee Miranda, a candy maker at Disneyland and member of the bargaining committee:

“We’re 400 Disney cast members rising up today to show Disney that we deserve better from this company. We’re making the magic for guests. We are the ones to provide them with a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s time for Disney to value what we do.”

Corina Ortega, Disneyland custodian, shop steward and bargaining committee member:

“We are standing together today to demand jobs with dignity and livable wages. We, the essential workers at Disney, are the true Magic makers — not the corporate executives. It’s unjust that the lowest-paid cast member would have to work 550 years straight without a day off to make what Disney CEO Bob Iger makes in one year. We’re fighting to ensure the ‘Happiest Place on Earth’ pays livable wages and treats workers fairly, so that this job doesn’t become a nightmare. Cast members are not afraid to stand up and demand what is just because we are stronger together.”

Inside the Magic will continue to report on this ongoing strike.

What do you think of these Disney worker protests?

Disneyland's newest restaurant serves 10,000 dumplings a day

It wasn’t a question of whether the new Disneyland restaurant would be a smash. It was just a question of when.

On July 1, Din Tai Fung opened its doors in Downtown Disney, the newest restaurant in the shopping and dining district’s series of upgrades to its offerings. On hand were members of the Yang family, who own the restaurant chain — and also present, of course, were Minnie and Mickey Mouse. But right now, even Disneyland’s most famous residents (if they wanted a break from “Minnie Mouse’s Famous Chewy Cheesy Chip Cookies” ) would have a hard time getting a table.

Like all the other Din Tai Fung outposts in California, the dumpling restaurant is already wildly popular, with crowds lining up essentially the minute its construction walls went down. While reservations can theoretically be made 30 days out, during the time of this writing, it alternated between none being available and one that would quickly be snapped up.

The restaurant serves Shanghainese and Taiwanese offerings, with its menu largely consisting of dumplings and noodles. I’ve eaten at the Disneyland restaurant twice and other Los Angeles-area locations more times than I can count, and can honestly say I’ve never had a disappointing dish. Some of my favorites are spicy chicken wontons in a signature chili sauce; sesame noodles with peanuts and chili oil; and Shanghai rice cakes with shrimp, Napa cabbage and spinach. Under no circumstances should you skip the cucumber salad, which is steeped overnight in a sweet, vinegary marinade, or the garlic green beans, which could convert even the most fervent vegetable hater.

But far and away, Din Tai Fung’s standouts are its xiao long bao, also known as soup dumplings, which are made by the thousands in each restaurant’s glass-enclosed kitchen. The tiny, delicate bites have a protein filling — minced kurobuta pork, chicken or kurobuta pork and crab — inside a paper-thin dumpling wrapper, which is then steamed in a bamboo basket. What makes xiao long bao so unique is the addition of broth to the filling, so that eating one is like taking a bite of savory soup, but in dumpling form. Each soup dumpling made in the restaurant requires a precise measurement of filling and 18 miniscule folds to the dough, which Din Tai Fung calls the “golden ratio.” It takes six months to train dumpling chefs in the art, according to Danielle Alcock, the director of marketing and communications at Din Tai Fung.

Each restaurant serves about 10,000 xiao long bao daily.

Chinese immigrant Yang Bing-Yi and his wife Lai Pen-mai opened the first Din Tai Fung in Taiwan in 1958, and the Yang family eventually grew the brand into a global empire with over 170 restaurants in 13 countries. The Anaheim location is notable not just because it’s Disneyland’s first truly excellent Asian restaurant, but because it’s Din Tai Fung’s first location to have a stand-alone building, rather than be part of a mall or shopping center . Another thing that makes the Disney location unique: It’s the only one where Din Tai Fung merchandise is available , like sweatshirts and pins featuring the restaurant’s mascot, Bao Bao.

“Something that Din Tai Fung and Disney fans have in common is that they're both super passionate communities,” Alcock told SFGATE. “We wanted to share in this moment with our guests and kind of thought, what better way to do so than with something they can actually take home with them?”

The original Taiwan location has earned a Michelin star five times, and the chain is widely credited with introducing xiao long bao to American diners.

“When the first Din Tai Fung opened in Los Angeles, most people had no idea what a soup dumping was. It kind of blew everyone's mind in America,” Clarissa Wei, a Taipei-based writer and cookbook author, told NPR in 2023.

In addition to the chicken, kurobuta pork, and kurobuta pork and crab versions, the restaurant also serves soup dumplings filled with kurobuta pork and Italian black truffles, and dessert varieties like red bean and mochi, sweet taro, and sesame and mochi. The chocolate and mochi xiao long bao, little bites of molten chocolate, are especially excellent.

Unlike for other Disneyland restaurants, reservations for Din Tai Fung are managed through Yelp. Aside from watching the site and hoping for a cancellation, you can also wait in person in the walk-up line (given that its other locations usually have an hour-plus wait, it will likely be a while), or try to snag a spot at the bar, which has a lot of seating and is usually the best bet for small, all-adult parties.

No matter how you get in, you can expect it to be worth the wait.

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READ THE FULL STORY: Disneyland's newest restaurant serves 10,000 dumplings a day

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2024 Disneyland Refurbishment Calendar

This Disney California Adventure and Disneyland ride refurbishment calendar for 2024 lists temporary attraction closures so you know what won’t be operating before planning your vacation. Additionally, we offer info about reimagining projects that are underway to enhance experiences around the resort. ( Updated June 26, 2024 .)

While no one wants attraction closures during their visit, they are a necessary part of keeping Disneyland and Disney California Adventure in good condition, as routine maintenance, safety upgrades, and attraction improvements are all done during scheduled ride closures. Usually, there are only a handful of simultaneous closed rides, plus new attractions being built.

Having an idea of which attractions are closed at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure is important, but we recommend consulting our 2024 Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide for more comprehensive info. That covers everything from saving money on park tickets and hotels to where to eat, when to visit, and more.

In addition to scheduled attraction refurbs, unscheduled downtime can also occur during a visit. This usually only occurs for a few hours at a time, so if you find an attraction is closed during your visit to Disneyland Resort and it’s not listed below, it’s likely a temporary closure that will last a few hours. Check with nearby Cast Members to confirm.

Below is a schedule of Disneyland and Disney California Adventure refurbishments, when the closure starts, and when the refurbishment will conclude. To the extent that specific dates are not yet listed, those will be updated once Disneyland Resort provides precise start and/or end dates. The following day will be when the attraction is scheduled to reopen.

Here are the closure schedules for Disney California Adventure and Disneyland…

Disney California Adventure

• Anna & Elsa’s Royal Welcome in the Disney Animation Building – Closed starting August 5, 2024
• Animation Academy in the Disney Animation Building – Closed starting August 5, 2024
• Turtle Talk with Crush in the Disney Animation Building – Closed starting August 5, 2024
• Beast’s Library in the Disney Animation Building – Permanently Closed
• Paint the Night Parade – Return Date Unknown
• Redwood Creek Challenge Trail – Reopens July 23, 2024 ( at the earliest )
• Rogers: The Musical – Return Date Unknown

The main additions to the closure calendar at DCA are all inside the Disney Animation Building. Interestingly, it doesn’t appear (at least currently) that the building itself will close–so perhaps the lobby will remain open, offering an air-conditioned respite? Or maybe it’ll also close and just isn’t listed yet.

Also, the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail closure has been extended again, for like the third time. At this point, Oogie Boogie Bash and off-season are right around the corner, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see this extended into August.

Next, let’s take a look at the 2024 Disneyland attraction closure calendar…

• Adventureland Treehouse – Now open!
• Disneyland Railroad – Closed for refurbishment starting August 5, 2024
• Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes – Reopening Date TBD (Likely Fall 2024)
• Fantasmic – Now showing!
• Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln – Reopening Date TBD
• Haunted Mansion – Reopens  no later than  August 23, 2024
• Main Street Electrical Parade – Return Date Unknown
• Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh – Reopening Date TBD (Likely Fall 2024)
• “Mickey’s Mix Magic” – Return Date Unknown
• Space Mountain – Closed for refurbishment starting August 5, 2024
• Splash Mountain – Permanently Closed
• Tale of the Lion King – Permanently Closed
• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure – Opening Date Unknown
• Wondrous Journeys Fireworks – Return Date Unknown

The biggest update is Haunted Mansion , which will reopen no later than August 23, 2024 . We’ve heard rumors that it could return as early as late July, but that’s entirely contingent upon construction progress. For now, we know that the drop dead date is August 23, which is the start of Halloween Time at Disneyland . The attraction will reopen as Haunted Mansion Holiday and use a virtual queue–no Lightning Lane or standby line.

Our hope is that Haunted Mansion Holiday reopens before August 5, as that’s when closures of both Space Mountain and the Disneyland Railroad begin. Disney hasn’t announced reopening dates for either attraction–our  hope  is that they’re brief, and that Space Mountain returns in its Ghost Galaxy form for Halloween. We miss that campy classic overlay!

In addition to Haunted Mansion, every attraction on this side of the park in nearby Critter Country is closed. Check out New Orleans Square & Critter Country Construction Updates for a look at progress as of last month. There’s still a lot of work to be done.

This includes the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes, Hungry Bear Restaurant, plus the gift shops and the character meet & greets. No reopening date has been given, but it’s assumed to be the opening date of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which could be as early as October or as late as Christmas 2024.

Disneyland’s stated reason for the closure is to convert two of the gift shops into Princess and the Frog themed locations. However, this is a relatively small scale change and could likely be accomplished in short order without closing the whole land.

Our belief is that there are concerns about crowd flow (with Haunted Mansion already down). Between that and a desire to have the entirety of Critter Country closed to facilitate smoother construction on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, it just makes sense to close the land until the reimagined ride is ready.

Speaking of which, Splash Mountain is closed to be reimagined into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure .

Best case scenario for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland is a Fall Break opening in mid-October 2024. More realistic is it debuting between Veterans Day and Thanksgiving. That’s assuming there aren’t any delays. On a positive note, it does seem like work on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has been moving fast in the last few months, and actually closing the gap between the Florida and California versions. So perhaps an October 2024 opening isn’t a stretch at all!

On a negative note, the version of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Walt Disney World is now operating and has been plagued by problems. (See our  Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Ride Review: Failure, Flawed or Fantastic? ) Honestly, even beyond the reliability and downtime woes, we’d love to see Imagineers be given more time to fix the obvious issues with the substance of the attraction. In our view, delaying the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland until early 2025 would be  positive  news. The ride reimagining needs more time.

Another ongoing closure is Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. This is going to lengthy refurbishment–Disneyland filed building permits valued at $5 million with the City of Anaheim to replace show elements, lighting, audio and show systems in the Main Street Opera House.

Most notably, the construction permit indicates that a show platform will be replaced, and a new turntable will be installed. Disneyland has already confirmed that the Lincoln Audio Animatronics isn’t going anywhere, and they’re mum about what substantive changes will come to the attraction. All we do know at this point is that Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln will be closed through at least mid-summer. Our guess is that the closure lasts for several more months.

The turntable opens the door for a number of possibilities, some of which have been rumored or speculated. One leading “theory” is that a Walt Disney Audio Animatronics figure or hologram (a la the Disney100 show) will be introduced. I haven’t heard anything (credible) directly about this, but I wouldn’t rule out the possibility. In my view, it’s equally likely that Disneyland wants a turntable so this stage can be used as a flex space of sorts for other shows or panel presentations that are not Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.

Now, a few notes about the above refurbishments. Disneyland is notorious for changing its refurbishment schedules, adding or canceling planned downtimes weeks or days in advance. While this practice is still relatively uncommon in the grand scheme of things, it’s worth pointing out because it does happen.

Now, here’s a bit of our philosophy concerning refurbishments, with the specific example of the recent multi-year Disneyland Railroad refurbishment used to illustrate…

Thoughts on Refurbishments

Nobody likes a favorite attraction to be refurbished during their vacation. It means missing out and potentially not being able to experience the ride for another year or longer, depending upon the frequency of your visits to Disneyland. A couple of years ago, the Disneyland Railroad closed for an extended refurbishment due to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge construction.

At first, we were really disappointed. This might seem like an odd attraction to lament the closure of, but as Southern Californians with Disneyland Annual Passes, this was an absolute favorite of ours. We rode regularly when we wanted to rest our feet, or simply a break from the crowds. With the exception of maybe ‘it’s a small world’, we did Disneyland Railroad more than any other attraction.

However, that initial disappointment pretty quickly gave way to excitement. We began thinking about ways Disneyland Railroad could be plussed, improving the experience for years to come. Disney had already announced that some changes would be made (as the track needed to be re-routed), and we were excited for the prospect of new show scenes or other visuals.

From my perspective, investing in the long-term quality of an attraction is far more important than the temporary satisfaction I’ll get out of riding it on my next visit. This is why it always perplexes me when regulars contend that their vacation will be ruined because their favorite attraction will be closed.

If it’s your favorite attraction and you’re active in the Disney fan community, that means you’ve been to Disneyland before and probably will visit again. It would thus stand to reason that you would want something you love to get the TLC it deserves, and continue to improve.

Disneyland Railroad works as a good example here…in large part because it did receive significant changes and enhancements. (Arguably, the Rivers of America suffered due to being condensed, but that’s another topic for another day–we cover all aspects of this in our New-Look Grand Circle Tour of Disneyland post.)

The point extends to other attractions that have seen similar plussings, but also have more of a problem with effects breaking. Take Indiana Jones Adventure, for example. This is a ride that seems to get a refurbishment about every other year (sometimes more frequently) and we’d argue that it could probably use more regular maintenance than that.

If you are a long-term fan, would you rather experience Indiana Jones Adventure every single visit with 75% of the effects working, or every single visit minus one or two with 95% of the effects working? For me, the answer to that is easy. I’ll take a superior long term experience every time.

Beyond that, there’s the much more compelling justification for regular refurbishments: they are essential for the safety of attractions. While we may think of these attractions as all fun and games that offer a safe sense of exhilaration, that’s when they are properly maintained.

It’s unpleasant to think about, but there have been several preventable deaths in the history of Disney’s parks. During a dark era of Disneyland history, improper maintenance was the cause of death on Big Thunder Mountain. Likewise, years of neglect at Disneyland Paris have led to incidents of injury that could be attributed to a lack of maintenance. In both cases, this has been addressed, and maintenance has improved considerably.

This is not meant to scare anyone or provoke an emotional reaction. Disney’s worldwide safety record is sterling as compared to other park operators. It’s still important to remember that these fun, ‘magical’ places also exist in the real world and use a lot of potentially dangerous elements if safety is not viewed as key. (Or, in Disney’s case, one of the Four Keys .)

When it comes to maintenance that is not essential to the safe operation of an attraction, we are left to contemplate what amount of show quality should be accepted. If following a strict Nunis-ian interpretation of the Four Keys, show is an important consideration, and it should always be 100%. This is a nice goal to strive for, but the practical reality is that 100% show quality is an unworkably high threshold sometimes.

In my estimation, this is a good example of balancing guest interests with show quality. Get the effects working that are easily fixable, and find other ways to address effects that are frequently breaking. We’re not talking about safety here, just random effects. Indiana Jones Adventure has had a number of effects disabled or replaced over the years because they were unreliable.

Guests are understandably concerned when it appears an inordinate number of attractions are closing during their vacation, especially out of state visitors. Trips to California are not cheap and are often once in a lifetime experiences; first-timers certainly do not want to miss out on experiences about which they’ve read extensive hype.

With that said, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure ought to be publishing their routine refurbishment schedules several months in advance, allowing guests to plan around closures. Disney plans maintenance well in advance, and this info should be passed along to guests. For the most part, it is.

Obviously, unplanned maintenance can occur, which takes rides out of commission for hours or even days at the last minute. This is an unavoidable part of sophisticated theme park attractions, and there’s no real way to “plan around” this. It just is what it is.

However, the problem with a “not during my vacation” attitude like this is that it’s always going to be someone’s (or tens of thousands of someones) vacation. If Disneyland and Disney California Adventure attractions with show quality issues aren’t close for refurbishments for fear of some guests during a time-limited window missing out, all guests in perpetuity are going to have a lesser experience.

The end result of that thinking is a duct-tapped approach to attraction maintenance, with whatever work that can be done overnight accomplished, and two parks full of attractions with half their effects broken. First-timers would be left wondering why there was so much hype about Disneyland in the first place, as so many components of rides simply don’t work. If you’re reading this as a lifelong fan, well…maybe you wouldn’t have become a lifelong fan if this were actually Disneyland’s modus operandi.

Planning a Southern California vacation? For park admission deals, read Tips for Saving Money on Disneyland Tickets . Learn about on-site and off-site hotels in our Anaheim Hotel Reviews & Rankings . For where to eat, check out our Disneyland Restaurant Reviews . For unique ideas of things that’ll improve your trip, check out What to Pack for Disney . For comprehensive advice, consult our Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide . Finally, for guides  beyond Disney , check out our Southern California Itineraries for day trips to Los Angeles, Laguna Beach, and tons of other places!

Your Thoughts…

Any questions about the current refurbishments at Disneyland Resort? What do you think about refurbishments at the Disney Parks? Are you more concerned about an improved long-term experience, or do you think “not during my vacation!”? Any other factors you think are worth considering? As mentioned, we think this is a conversation, so please share your ‘refurbishment philosophy’, or any other thoughts or questions you have, in the comments!

Written by Tom Bricker

I’m all for ride maintenance and updates, but it seems surprising that they’re closing a bunch of things on August 5, literally just days before D23. Why wouldn’t they wait until the following week?

I go often. but my oldest daughter is visiting and agreed to go with me this year this summer. so many things will be down for maintenance at the same time. haunted Mountain Tiana’s Bayou I heard Space Mountain. I went in April and rise was broken Toy Story was broken her goodness sakes Monsters Inc was broken. I’m scared to death of what they’re going to do to The Animation Studios room. I love the sketching I absolutely loved bells Library. the theater is closed in DCA and the theater over by Toontown is empty. I mean the railroad! I must say I’m disappointed. a magic key gift was one of those little court number one hand. could not have been more useless and instantly obsolete. ty

Do you think there will be a different opportunity to meet Anna and Elsa given this new refurb scheduled in DCA?

Hello, I think there is a typo over here:

“…and seeing the queue totally torn up–is that the regular Haunted Mansion won’t reopen at all in 2025.”

Thank you, Arturo

Hey Tom, I noticed on the DL app that The Bakery Tour is showing closed for refurbishment….any ideas or thoughts on that? We will be there the first week in June and was really looking forward to that bakery tour…hoping it will be open by then.

This is good to know. I heard that Critter Country, the entire land, will be temporarily closed starting May, 1, 2024. It could be closed awhile. I would guess most of the year, just like the Haunted Mansion and Splash Mountain. Personally, I think if they truly wanted to do a necessary refurbishment, they should got rid of Toontown altogether. It’s dated and cheesy. They could’ve expanded Fantasyland into that area and kept Roger Rabbit, but added a dark ride for Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and Princess and the Frog. I know they’re revamping Splash Mountain into that, but it’s not necessary. You don’t revamp a popular ride, but instead use your Disney imagination and come up with something new. They should also consider bringing back Country Bear Jamboree. They can add it to one of the unnecessary shop areas in Critter Country or bring it to Frontierland.

Can’t agree with you more. Excellent ideas. I loved Bear Country and they need better theme rides in toon town. Your suggestions would be great. Also, leaving Splash Mountain alone would have been the best.

I’m bummed Small World will be closed during the runDisney weekend. I love that version since it’s the original and it boards outside.

I’m going to be at DL & DCA on my birthday the last week of January. My girlfriend and I are bummed that Splash Mountain will be closed as well as the haunted mansion are a lot of other closures expected to happen? I guess my main concern is is this a good time to go?

Just finished a trip to Disneyland and over the course of three days we had a ride go down while we were in queue or en route at least 6 times. Looking at the map on the app there were always several rides down at all times of the day and it seemed like no ride was safe from breakage. While we understand that this will happen, the frequency was jarring and became a running joke as the trip went on. It made it impossible to enter an area of a park and be able to do everything in that area. We found ourselves having to come back to areas we should have already “completed.” We’ve been to WDW many times and never experienced even a small fraction of the amount of ride closures we ran into at Disneyland. Are they starting to skimp on maintenance crews as part of their current cost cutting measures?

It appears Blue Bayou is closed January 7-12, any details on why? Will it mean that the Pirate ride will possibly be closed that week too? Thanks!

Am I misreading something when I look on the disneyland interactive map it says the train is being refurbished is that correct?

Disneyland needs ton of maintenance. We were there in June and in two days we hit 10 rides that were evacuated. Two of which we were. The ride stability for Spider-Man and for the incredicoaster was terrible. Indiana jones evacuated twice. Haunted mansion a few effects and on one ride we stopped 15 times. The magic was really not there that day.

Do you happen to have any idea what “The Heartbeat of New Orleans – A Living Mural” is? I noticed it appeared on the calendar with only night time hours (I’m looking at November 27th) – making me wonder if it’ll be a nighttime something or other on the Rivers of America. We saw lights & workers doing stuff on the Pirate ship every night while we were there last week.

And then I’m actually glad the Incredicoaster is getting some love – it’s my favorite ride but we didn’t have one single good ride on it last week b/c all of the coaster’s audio is messed up in one way or another. That + Indy being down is going to save us money on Genie+ for our next trip – no high height requirement rides means mom & dad don’t need it to quickly rider swap them without the kids, thanks Disneyland!

Congrats on Baby Bricker! From experience & with love – Rider swapping / trying to ride all the rides quickly with an under 40″ kid in tow will slow down / lower your ride counts IMMENSELY – I look forward to your updated Parental park ride strategies.

I heard that both the Incredicoaster and the Indiana Jones ride are going down for refurbishment on November 27th. But there is no word on how long they will be closed. I wonder what the chances are that the Indiana Jones ride will reopen before my trip in late January. I am surprised that the Indiana Jones ride is closing again after they just went through a 3 month refurbishment.

I just heard that the Indiana Jones ride will reopen on December 1st!! Yay!!!

Re: Fantasmic return

Once it returns in the spring, if it is used for a big marketing push, can we expect two showings a night on weekends in that coming fall?

I’m deciding how many park nights I need on a fall trip to see all the nighttime spectaculars. If they have two showings on a DL weekend night in September I can watch the halloween fireworks then catch the 10:30 Fantasmic, yes?

We were told on a recent Keys to the Kingdom tour by our guide, that Paint the Night would not ever come to MK as Mac the Truck was too big to make the turns on the parade route. Makes me sad as that is one of my favorite parades. I would love to see it come back in some form at DCA.

No offense to your guide, but whether Paint the Night will ever come to MK isn’t something they’d know.

It’s entirely possible that certain floats wouldn’t work in other parks–it was also the thought that Mack wouldn’t work at Disneyland back when Paint the Night was only in Hong Kong. But the solution to that is cutting those floats from the parade, just like they did with Frozen when PtN moved to DCA.

Tom, do you think there’s any chance that the current iteration of Rogers: The Musical is an audition or test run for something bigger (i.e., Broadway itself)? The current trend on Broadway right now is recycled nostalgia and from what I’ve heard about the Rogers musical, if it was able to be beefed out a bit more to pad its running time it would likely be as good as (and likely much better than) the average Broadway production.

It’s no secret that new iterations of the last two Hyperion Theater shows (Aladdin and Frozen) both became Broadway hits. While I realize those were new incarnations without a direct lineage tracing back to the Hyperion productions, if I were Disney brass I’d be thinking about ways to more directly monetize Rogers: The Musical vs. giving it away “for free” at DCA.

Wouldn’t surprise me if that’s the case, or if it’s a test for Disney Cruise Line.

Either way, I hope it’s not solely a test and that this version returns to DCA in 2024.

That would be fantastic. We’re huge fans of Rogers: The Musical and would love to see it return in any format!

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Can we bring a smaller cooler into Disneyland? Or what is prohibited? ”

• Yogurt tubes
• Granola bars
• Fruit snacks
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