It’s one of the most popular questions we get. I even have friends of friends message me and ask ... "Just when is the best time to visit Disneyland?" My answer is always "Whenever you can!" It’s the truth. Whenever you and your family can make the trip to The Happiest Place On Earth is the best time. But, of course, just like at Walt Disney World, there are some things to consider as you plan your trip to Disneyland. In this post, we're sharing highlights and considerations by season, plus our favorite times to visit Disneyland in 2024 and 2025.
Before we jump in, it's worth repeating that no matter the season or the reason, you can have a magical trip to Disneyland. At Undercover Tourist, we've been honored to be a part of helping families plan their vacations for over 20 years. And 20 years adds up to a lot of Disneyland trips for the frogs! Within that time, we've learned the hows and whys of crowds and have paired that insight with our historical Crowd Calendar data to create our recommendations on when to visit Disneyland each year. In the past few years, we've seen that more and more visitors are planning their Disneyland trips around seasons and special events rather than just crowd levels — so we've adjusted this post accordingly to showcase highlights and considerations by season.
Maybe you've always wanted to see Sleeping Beauty Castle alight during the magic of the holidays. Or perhaps hopping around the parks during Halloween Time — collecting frightfully fun foodie finds or watching Jack Skellington take over the nighttime spectacular — is on your bucket list. Maybe you're like me and love taking your mom to Food and Wine Festival in the spring. Or, maybe you and the fam are heading over for a few days during summer break and want to know more about what to expect. No matter the whys or whens, we are here to help!
Oh, and one more big reminder! We'd be toadally remiss if we didn't talk about the theme park reservation system at Disneyland. Since 2021, Disneyland has operated with a reservation system — that means, in addition to purchasing your ticket, you also need to make a theme park reservation. It's easy to do, but of course, certain dates will fill up in advance, including popular holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. So once you pick your Disneyland dates, don't froget to also make your reservation — the sooner, the better, for the best availability.
2023 was a BIG year for Disneyland, with the opening of the reimagined Mickey's Toontown, Adventureland Treehouse and the all-new Tiana's Palace restaurant. And 2024 is also shaping up to be a big year with Star Wars: Season of the Force debuting, Pixar Fest returning and Tiana's Bayou Adventure opening. (Tiana's Bayou Adventure opens Nov. 15, 2024, which means guests visiting before then should be prepared for the ride to be undergoing a refurbishment.) Plus, the Magic Happens parade returned Feb. 2, 2024, and Fantasmic! returned May 24, 2024, and ended its daily runs Aug. 22, 2024!
Factors in Determining the Best Time to Visit Disneyland in 2024 and 2025
Much like at Disney World, busy times at Disneyland often align with school schedules and major U.S. holidays. If tadpoles are out of school, the odds are that they want to hop to Disney! And not just in California, and not just for spring or summer break. Many Arizona and Utah schools have fall breaks in October. The spring breaks at major universities in California also influence crowd levels. Over on the West Coast, some unique groups impact crowd levels at Disneyland including annual passholders, conventioneers, runners and special ticket holders (which we get into more detail below!).
First and foremost, with a smaller (in scale, not pixie dust) footprint on the West Coast, it takes less of a crowd bump for things to feel more crowded than on the East Coast. That means that locals — who may visit more for opening festival days and weekends, or pop in for a casual dinner — have a distinct impact on crowd levels. Blackout dates for passholders have an impact on crowds, as well.
The same can be said for conventioneers. If you're heading to a nearby convention, of course you'd want to pop into Disneyland for a day or two. Most of the impact here is minimal, with one notable exception: D23. The annual Disney fan event hops between the West and East coasts each year, and in 2024, it's Disneyland's turn to host from Aug. 9-11. The 2024 event will also host the first-ever D23 Day at Disneyland Resort Aug. 8.
The runDisney events bring runners back to Disneyland to participate in two half marathon weekends each year: Sept. 5-8 in 2024, and Jan. 30-Feb. 2, 2025 (2025 fall date still TBD).
Disneyland also offers some incredible ticket deals for Southern California residents, California residents and sometimes the entire U.S. With those ticket deals come use-by dates. For those offers in particular, you may see dates fill up as those usage windows approach (gotta go before it expires!). One-day tickets may also impact crowd levels — particularly on the lower tier days. Since these are cheaper days to visit Disneyland, you may find that more people choose those tickets and attend those days. Look for these deals January through May and mid-June through late September.
One other thing to be aware of is any separately ticketed events that may be scheduled even during the best times to visit. Sometimes a park or an area of a park closes early for private events. That's why you always want to look at the Disneyland hours for the dates you want to visit so you don't encounter any surprises. We'll detail these in each season below, as well as share which dates for 1-day tickets are the cheapest (note that prices are flat for multi-day tickets and do not change based on dates like they do at Disney World.) You can also find a calendar of 1-day ticket tiers on our ticketing page for easy reference.
There are more Disneyland After Dark event dates in 2024 than ever before! These after-hours parties can cause the park to close earlier than usual, which means even if you aren't attending, you'll want to plan accordingly. Halloween Time brings Oogie Boogie Bash parties to Disney California select nights from late August through Halloween.
Just looking for the quick version? Check out the infographic above for a cheat sheet of the least crowded dates at Disneyland in 2024. Let's get hoppin'!
Summer — May, June, July
Summer break kicks off for most school districts in mid-June when you'll see an uptick in crowds — but in our opinion, it's pretty manageable over an extended period, with longer park hours and LOTS of entertainment! Summer is actually one of our very favorite times to visit. Exceptions to those long hours are Disneyland After Dark parties, which take place on select dates in May and June, closing Disneyland Park at 8 p.m. During this timeframe in 2024, Fantasmic! has returned, as will Pride Nite, and Season of the Force and Pixar Fest will also run into summertime.
This summer, there are also hoppin' vacation deals (and Undercover Tourist offers extra savings)! You can save up to $25 a ticket on a special 3-Day Ticket Promo (with options for Park Hopper and Genie+ too to lock in your Genie price). The best part? This ticket is valid through Sept. 26, 2024, the perfect summer special. Plus, you can save up to 30% on select stays at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Disneyland Hotel through Sept. 26, 2024.
Highlights
- Fantasmic! returned May 24, 2024
- Disneyland's birthday is July 17, 2024, bringing additional celebrations to Disneyland Park
- Star Wars Nite at Disneyland Park takes place: April 16, 18, 23, 25, 30, May 2, 7 & 9, 2024
- Season of the Force ends June 2, 2024
- Pixar Fest continues through Aug. 4, 2024
- Pride Nite at Disneyland Park takes place June 18 & 20, 2024
- Amazing ticket and hotel promos!
Things to Consider
In summer, the thing to keep in mind is the weather. "June Gloom" offers some respite from the heat, though those temperatures do rise throughout the remainder of summer. July is manageable and less crowded than you'd think, especially on the weekends! Here are those Disneyland After Dark dates we mentioned:
- Grad Nites take place May 10, 14, 15, 17, 19, 22, 23, 28, 31 and June 2, 5, 7, 9, 12 and 14, 2024, at Disney California Adventure Park
- Book your May and early June reservations early as SoCal Resident tickets expire June 2, 2024
Likewise, the SoCal Resident ticket expires June 2, so there may be more park-goers ready to use up the last days of their ticket that weekend.
Our Overall Pick: Proof that crowds are only part of the equation when picking the best time to go to Disneyland, we love the second half of July for the nightly fireworks, Pixar Fest and the newly returned Fantasmic!. Or, hop in on a weekday in May if you want to catch both Pixar Fest and Season of the Force.
Least Busy
- Weekdays in May (except for Grad Nites and Memorial Day)
- The first half of June (except for Grad Nites)
Busiest
- Weekends and Grad Nite dates in May, plus Memorial Day
- May 25-27, 2024
- May 23-26, 2025
- Summer breaks
Cheapest
- May 8, 2024 (Tier 1)
- Early June and mid-May have some of the lowest tiers
*Pricing based on a 1-day Park Hopper ticket. Pricing subject to change.
Fall — August, September, October
Enjoy the tail end of summer entertainment in early August, or, following that, take in the beautiful decorations, pumpkins and characters in costumes of Halloween Time throughout late August, September and October. Halloween Time is a popular time to visit, with the giant Mickey pumpkin on Main Street U.S.A., the decorated Cars Land and ride overlays including the Nightmare Before Christmas takeover that is Haunted Mansion Holiday.
On select nights, Mr. Oogie Boogie takes over Disney California Adventure for a separately ticketed Halloween party, the Oogie Boogie Bash. The park closes early most Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sunday nights for partygoers to trick or treat and enjoy special entertainment.
Highlights
- Halloween Time starts early this year — Aug. 23 - Oct. 31, 2024
- Gay Days take place Sept. 13-15, 2024 (be sure to make your reservation early!)
Things to Consider
- Pixar Fest wraps up Aug. 4, 2024
- D23 takes place Aug. 9-11, 2024 (with an in-park day Aug. 8)
- The Disneyland Halloween Party — The Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure will take place select days Aug. 23 to Oct. 31, 2024 (closing early Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Halloween)
- Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon Weekend takes place Sept. 5-8, 2024. Note that Oogie Boogie Bash will not take place on race weekend.
- Fall breaks increase crowds in October
- Haunted Mansion Holiday operates with a virtual queue while the queue undergoes a refurbishment.
Keep in mind that "off-season" low crowd levels can also mean shorter Disneyland hours and that less entertainment is available or that more rides undergo refurbishment. During some seasons, such as Halloween Time, September weekdays are less crowded. However, only weekends include fireworks, so take that into consideration, as well. We find Sundays to be less crowded than Saturdays. Weather can still be warm (hot, actually) but chillier at night.
Our Overall Pick: Around the pond, we love visiting Disneyland in August for lower crowds as tadpoles head back to school, and the potential for nightly fireworks. This year's hot take? We think the opening weekend of Halloween Time may be your best bet if you're in it for the seasonal festivities!
Least Busy
- The month of August (minus D23 event)
- Tuesdays through Thursdays in September (minus Sept. 5 race day)
Busiest
- D23 Event - Aug. 8-11, 2024
- Labor Day
- Aug. 30 - Sept. 2, 2024
- Aug. 29 - Sept. 1, 2025
- runDisney race weekend - Sept. 5-8, 2024
- October 2024
- Elevated crowds Sept. 22 to Oct. 31, 2025
Cheapest
- Aug. 19-22, 26-29, 2024 (Tier 0)
- Sept. 3-5, 10-12, 2024 (Tier 0)
*Pricing based on a 1-day Park Hopper ticket. Pricing subject to change.
Winter — November, December, January
January generally has low crowds and beautiful weather (if not a little chilly), but it can get a little wet as it's the rainy season. The holidays and new year bring special entertainment, foodie finds and more — and this year, we've got a new hotel opening to commemorate, too! Of course, during holiday breaks, you can expect more people enjoying the parks — but it's also a time full of holiday cheer, with festive lighting and decor, a special fireworks show and parade and more across the resort. (Did we mention hand-pulled candy canes and fan-favorite gingerbread? Oh, and SANTA!)
Highlights
- Holiday Time brings daily entertainment (including nightly fireworks as weather permits) and festive décor to both parks from Nov. 15, 2024, through the first week of January
- Tiana's Bayou Adventure opens Nov. 15, 2024.
- Mickey's and Minnie's birthday is Nov. 18, and that means a special cavalcade and there are often free buttons for guests
- Lunar New Year brings Festival Food Booths, rare characters and a procession to Disney California Adventure from Jan. 23 through Feb. 18, 2024
- Pixar Place Hotel opened Jan. 30, 2024
- The Tier 0 weekdays bring affordability to weekdays in late August, early September, early November and mid-January
Things to Consider
- The parks do offer scaled-back entertainment and shorter hours in January after the holidays end
- runDisney will host races Jan. 30 to Feb. 2, 2025
- You may encounter ride closures in January, including Haunted Mansion and "it's a small world." Haunted Mansion is undergoing an extended refurbishment this winter to expand its queue and add a gift shop
- Sweethearts' Night falls on nights in January and February, closing Disneyland Park at 8 p.m.
Our Overall Pick: If you don't want to visit during Holiday Time, Mondays through Thursdays in the first two weeks of November will be your best bet. If you'd like to visit for Holiday Time, we recommend the week after Thanksgiving or early December.
Least Busy
- Weekdays in January (minus the week of New Year's Day and the days around MLK Day, when runDisney events return to the resort)
- Jan. 7-15, 21-28, 2025
- Mondays through Thursdays in November (minus Veterans Day and the week of Thanksgiving)
- Mondays through Thursdays during the first half of December
Busiest
- Week of New Year's and MLK Jr. Day Weekend
- Jan. 1-6, 17-20, 2025; Jan. 29 - Feb. 3, 2025
- Veterans Day and Thanksgiving Week
- Nov. 8-11; Nov. 22 - Dec. 1, 2024
- Nov. 11; Nov. 22-30, 2025
- Week of Christmas and New Year's
- Dec. 20-31, 2024 (note: Dec. 7-8 will also be busy for Candlelight Processional)
- Dec. 20, 2024 - Jan. 4, 2025
Cheapest
- Early and Mid-November weekdays
*Pricing based on a 1-day Park Hopper ticket. Pricing subject to change.
Spring — February, March, April
Are you ready for some extra special ... special events? We sure are! In addition to the expected springtime happenings — Disney California Adventure's Food and Wine Festival and spring breakers, plus, a brand-new event, Season of the Force and Pixar Fest will add a little extra fun to the parks. During springtime, the park is particularly beautiful with spring flowers and the pink Tabebuia trees in bloom.
Highlights
- Celebrate Gospel brought additional entertainment and food to Disneyland Park Feb. 17 and 24
- Anaheim Ducks Day in Disney California Adventure hoppened Feb. 22-23, 2024
- Food and Wine Festival took place March 1 - April 22, 2024
- Season of the Force is April 5 - June 2, 2024
- Pixar Fest is April 26 - Aug. 4, 2024
Things to Consider
Disneyland After Dark Parties take place several nights these months, closing Disneyland Park at 8 p.m. on select nights, as well. Here are 2024's dates for reference:
- Sweethearts' Nite at Disneyland Park took place Jan. 23, 25, 30, Feb. 1, 6, 8, 12 & 14, 2024
- Disney Channel Nite at Disneyland Park took place March 5 & 7, 2024
- Star Wars Nite at Disneyland Park took place April 16, 18, 23, 25, 30, May 2, 7 & 9, 2024
- Spring break — elevated crowds from March 7 - April 6, 2024
The fall of Easter impacts Disneyland crowds in the spring. Some school districts base their spring break around Easter; others do not. When Easter falls earlier in the season, March or early April, it has the effect of making a more intense, but shorter spring break season. When Easter falls later — like in 2025, when it falls on April 20 — the effect is a longer but less intense spring break season. Many California universities consistently have spring break the last two weeks of March, which can affect crowds then.
Our Overall Pick: Where do we begin! When it comes to springtime visits, if you aren't constrained by dates, we have a few suggestions to fit it all in. Come for the Food and Wine Festival in early March or mid-April if you also want to experience Season of the Force. Usually, fireworks are only on the weekends, so include a weekend day in your visit to see and do it all.
Least Busy
- Weekdays in February (minus the Super Bowl and days around Presidents Day)
- Feb. 4-7, 18-28, 2025
- The first few days in March
- March 1-6, 2025
Busiest
- Presidents Day Weekend
- Feb. 10-17, 2025
- Spring Break
- March 7 - April 6, 2025; April 18-20, 2025 (Easter)
Cheapest
- 2025 dates TBD
*Pricing based on a 1-day Park Hopper ticket. Pricing subject to change.
Going to Disneyland During a Busy Time? Don't Fret!
Even during the busiest times, there are ways to skip the lines and make the most of your time. Here are our best tips to reduce waits! Take advantage of the paid Genie+ system to skip the standby lines and use the Lightning Lane for select attractions. Again, our best advice is to purchase your tickets and make your Disneyland theme park reservations as soon as possible to secure your spot. Reservation availability is released 180 days in advance (or 90 days for Magic Key holders). You'll get the best price on Genie+ if you purchase it with your tickets as the price can fluctuate for day-of-use purchases. Be sure to check out our Jump Start guide for everything you need to know about planning in advance, all in one place!
Ta-da! There it is — the best time to go to Disneyland in 2024 and 2025! Don't froget that you can purchase discount Disneyland tickets from your favorite frogs! For more planning essentials, check out our Jump Start guide for everything you need to know, all in one place. Ribbit!
Related: 40 Tips to Maximize Your Time at Disneyland
Keep hopping!
