Best Time to Visit Disneyland (By a California Local)

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The best time to visit Disneyland is in the fall or summer when the weather is most agreeable. Earlier in the day is also a good time to visit Disneyland because there will be shorter wait times for the rides.

You should visit the Happiest Place On Earth on a sunny day to make the most of your experience. Fireworks shows and Disney parades are more frequent during the peak holiday and summer seasons.

That said, the best time to go really just depends on what you want to prioritize. I’m a California local who’s been to Disneyland countless times in every season. In this guide, I’ll help you determine when you should go!

Before we dive in, make sure you bookmark my Disneyland itinerary (and here’s a handy printable version too!), so you can make the most of your visit.

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When is the Best Time to Visit Disneyland?

The best time to visit Disneyland depends on whether you want an emptier park, cheaper ticket days, or more events scheduled. Late summer and fall are great times to visit Disneyland for warm weather and special events. The off-season winter months provide fewer crowds and more access to rides.

Like many popular California destinations, a trip to Disneyland is a magical experience at any time of the year. But you’ll have the best time if you choose a time to visit that aligns with your preferences.

Keep reading and I’ll break down the absolute best time to visit Disneyland for good weather, cheaper tickets, avoiding crowds, and more. Get ready to experience the #1 California theme park in all its magical splendor. Here’s when to go to Disneyland!

When to Visit Disneyland for Good Weather

Fall and spring are the best times to go to Disneyland for good weather. They are not as dry and hot as the summer months, meaning you will have a much more enjoyable time walking around the park.

Although summer is one of the best times to visit Southern California, temperatures can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter days in the park are fun, though they can be chilly at times. It’s unlikely that you’ll experience rainfall, but it can happen during winter.

Just be aware of spring break crowds in the springtime. I suggest avoiding Disneyland around Easter because the park will be packed during the holiday.

When to Visit Disneyland for Cheap Prices

Go to Disneyland during the months of February to April for the cheapest tickets. You’ll be able to secure the most inexpensive tickets if you can go on a weekday too.

The admission price has gone up in recent years but there are still ways to find affordable tickets. Look online at the Disneyland calendar to see the ticket fees for each day and select the cheapest day. 

Southern California residents can get a discount on their Disneyland tickets. You can also save on your trip by buying multi-day tickets. 

Keep in mind that a park hopper ticket is more expensive than a ticket to just Disneyland Park. You may have to omit Disney California Adventure Park from your trip if you are budgeting. 

Food and beverage prices are standard every day. I recommend bringing your own food into the parks to save money.

When to Visit Disneyland to Avoid Crowds

Fewer crowds mean shorter wait times for the thrill-seeking Disneyland rides, which always equates to a better experience. Visit this magical theme park from February to mid-April and July to September to avoid crowds.

Going to Disneyland is one of the most popular things to do in California, so crowds peak during school breaks or around the holiday season. Crowds are biggest around Christmas break, summer break, Labor Day weekend, and any holiday weekends or other school breaks.

Disneyland is spectacular during the holidays, but you should avoid the park at this time if you’re crowd-averse. Thanksgiving week and New Year’s Eve receive an insane amount of visitors and ride times usually exceed 120 minutes during this time.

👉 Pro Tip: Consult the Disneyland Crowd Calendar to stay up-to-date with the best times to visit Disneyland.

When to Visit Disneyland for Special Events

Want the ultimate Disneyland experience complete with parades, frequent character sightings, and holiday events? You should visit the park from September to January.

Disneyland Park celebrates the holidays with festive fireworks shows complete with music, shimmering lights, and a snowfall finale from mid-November to mid-January.

The Christmas season at Disneyland is one of the most magical times to go to the park. The park is decked out in jolly decor and guests can enjoy the traditional Disneyland Christmas parade. 

Halloween time is another special season to visit. Expect festive Halloween ornamentation, and bring little ones to the park for a super fun trick-or-treat party.

There’s also a nightly fireworks spectacular during the summer months. Weather permitting, this fireworks show lights up the sky behind the castle every night at 10 pm.

 When to Visit Disneyland for Foodies

One of the best times for foodies to visit the park for delicious Disney dishes is during the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival every spring. During this time, you can sample all sorts of innovative dishes that celebrate the bounty and diversity of California cuisine.

That said, you can grab coveted Disney dishes at any time of the year. There are more than 160 restaurants and other quick dining options to choose from. Eat your way through the parks to find the best of the best.

Some fan favorites include the Dole Whip pineapple ice cream at the Tiki Room, a famous salted Mickey pretzel from a street cart, jambalaya in the New Orleans Square, and cheese enchiladas from Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante in Adventureland. 

👉 Pro Tip: You can now pre-order food from the Disneyland app and skip the lines to satisfy your appetite.

Disneyland Travel Seasons

January through March

• 🌟 New Year’s Day at Disneyland is an elaborate event. Thousands of guests gather to ring in the New Year with a fireworks show on Main Street. The park is extremely crowded during this time, but you will experience the epitome of Disneyland holiday cheer on New Year’s Day.

• 🐉 Disney California Adventure Park celebrates the multicultural Lunar New Year from late January to early February. Participate in Mulan’s New Year Procession, and watch for appearances of Disney characters in traditional garments. Don’t forget to try innovative menus with Asian cuisine during this festive event.

April through May

• 🍷 Disney California Adventure Park hosts its annual Food and Wine Festival from late March to early April each year. There is no extra admission fee to attend this delicious event, and you will be surprised by the array of California-inspired delicacies. 

• 🐣 Eggstravaganza is an annual Disneyland Easter egg hunt hosted at Disneyland Resort, Downtown Disney, and Disney California Adventure from late March to early April. Find Easter eggs scattered throughout the park for a special experience you won’t forget.

June through August

• 🎆 Enjoy the Fourth of July fireworks spectacular at Disneyland Park to celebrate Independence Day. Patriotic-themed fireworks illuminate the sky above Disneyland Resort. It is one of the busiest park days in the summer. Get to the fireworks show early to snag a spot!

September through December

• 💀 Dia de Los Muertos events take place in the park from early September to early November each year. This is one of the park’s newest festivities and shouldn’t be missed. Meet the cast members from Disney’s Coco movie or take photos of the cultural display to commemorate this Latino celebration.

• 🎃 Trick-or-treat with your little ones around Halloween time at Disneyland. Disney character villains come to life around the park at this time, and you’ll find regular characters in Halloween costumes as well. Attend the Oogie Boogie Bash or Mickey’s Halloween Party for prime holiday entertainment including costume contests, mazes, and more.

• 🎄 Disneyland Holidays commemorate joyous Christmas decorations and traditions throughout the park. Christmas is perhaps the busiest time at Disneyland Park because guests love the themed entertainment, sparkling decorations, Christmas Disney Parade, and so much more.

Disneyland Weather and Climate

Disneyland is located in Anaheim, one of the best California cities. This area is considered a semi-arid or desert climate. This means summers at Disneyland can be extremely hot, especially among large crowds on a busy day.

While summers can exceed 100 degrees, winters rarely fall below 30 degrees Fahrenheit. This is considered extremely cold for locals who are used to year-round sunshine, but it’s typically agreeable weather for visitors. 

Fall and spring have nearly perfect weather in SoCal. Late spring rains typically last for only one or two days at a time, which is good news if you are visiting Disneyland Park for multiple days.

Tips for Visiting Disneyland

For more tips, see my full list of 75 tips for visiting Disneyland. Here’s a summary of the most important ones:

Make a Reservation Ahead of Time

A few things have changed at Disneyland Park since the COVID-19 pandemic. The most important change to the parks is a required reservation in addition to your ticket.

You need a valid ticket and reservation for each day you plan to enter the park. Those can be made up to 120 days in advance at the official Disneyland website. 

Get There Early to Avoid the Crowds

Disneyland’s maximum capacity is around 85,000 people per day. As you can imagine, that means wait times can easily be over an hour and you’ll probably be shoulder-to-shoulder with other visitors.

Get to the park as soon as it opens at 8 am to enjoy empty rides and no wait times. You may even want to arrive before opening park hours to be one of the first people in the park.

You can also snag an early reservation for dinner at one of your favorite restaurants in Disneyland Park.

Pack Your Own Food

One of the most important things to pack for Disney is food. Although the Walt Disney Company supplies delicious food throughout the parks, the prices are less than appetizing. Pack food to save money, snack throughout the day, and avoid waiting in super long food lines.

Wear Your Most Comfortable Shoes

Many Disneyland visitors end up walking a few miles around the park during their trip. Don’t make the mistake of wearing uncomfortable shoes — that can easily ruin your experience.

Wear your most comfortable sneakers or walking sandals to the parks. Your trip may be limited and cut short if you have sore feet and need to go home early.

Rent a Locker

Get to the Disneyland theme parks early to rent a locker. No one wants to lug around their extra layers and snacks all day if they don’t have to. 

There are lockers both inside and outside Disneyland. I recommend renting a locker inside of the park so you avoid the hassle of exiting and re-entering the park each time you need something from storage. 

Park lockers inside Disneyland fill up, however, so you will want to get to the park around opening time to snag a locker while you can.

Stay at Disneyland Resort Hotels

Staying close to the park allows you the earliest possible entry time. There are 3 convenient on-site Disneyland hotels to choose from – Disneyland Hotel,Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.

Disneyland hotel guests have an earlier security check at the park entrance than any other Disney visitor, allowing hotel guests the earliest possible entry into the parks.

See my full guide to the best places to stay at Disneyland for more information.

🛎️ Need a Hotel?  This Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Hotel is one of the closest hotels to Disneyland if you don’t want to stay inside the park. 

Go as a Solo Rider to Beat Wait Times

Few people know that you can opt for a solo rider position for all rides in Disneyland and California Adventure. This allows you to bypass a majority of the wait times. 

Single riders are placed in empty seats as placeholders. The lines for single riders are usually less than half the wait time so you can optimize your stay at Disneyland by getting on as many rides as possible.

Shop for Souvenirs at the End of the Day

Get the most out of your Disney experience by prioritizing rides and shows over shopping. There is so much to do in Disneyland and you will need as much time as possible to do it all.

Most of the shops on Main Street stay open 1 hour after the park closes for guest convenience. The stores are usually less crowded at this time and there will be almost no checkout lines. Take home a sparkling set of Mickey ears to commemorate your perfect Disney day.

Go on Rides During Parades and Shows

You should see at least one parade if it’s your first time at Disneyland. Visitors staying multiple days, however, should go on rides during the parades for shorter wait times.

While most people are busy trying to score an ideal seat to view the parade, many rides remain either empty or have very short wait times. Take advantage of the distractions to enjoy your favorite rides sans crowds.

FAQs About the Best Time to Visit Disneyland

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I hope now you know when you want to visit Disneyland! Planning even more Disney adventures? Check out Katie’s guide to the best time to visit Disney World next!