If you are California dreamin' on such a winter's day, you just might be wondering what it's like at Disneyland in winter. Each season has something unique and special to offer, and winter brings a variety of options. We think of Disneyland winter in two distinct parts: Holiday Time and post-Holiday Time in the new year. Winter is actually one of our favorite times to visit to get all the holiday decor and entertainment, comfortable temperatures, lower crowds in January and February, and other special celebrations such as Lunar New Year and popular After Dark parties. Here are our top reasons to visit Disneyland in the winter.
FAQs
- Is winter a good time to go to Disneyland? Yes! Winter offers comfortable temperatures, a variety of seasonal events and sometimes lower crowds. It does come with a higher risk of rain than other seasons, but that can vary from year to year.
- What seasonal events happen in winter? Holiday Time, New Year's Eve, Lunar New Year, Disneyland After Dark events, Black History Month and more.
- What are winter crowds like? Crowds vary greatly. The biggest crowds are usually during Holiday Time in December, especially weekends and Dec. 18 through 31 as well as the first week of January. After Holiday Time ends, crowds are much lower except for holidays, such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Presidents Day, and select weekends.
- Are there winter ticket discounts? Yes! California residents usually get the best deal on 3-day park tickets for as low as $80 per day from Undercover Tourist (and the visits can be spread out within a certain timeframe). Some of the cheapest days to visit are in winter after the holidays. Everyone can save money on Disneyland tickets by purchasing through Undercover Tourist!
- Are there any hotel deals in winter 2026-2027? Yes! Book your Disneyland stay through Undercover Tourist to save on select stays at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, the Disneyland Hotel, Pixar Place Hotel or the Villas at Disneyland Hotel. Lock in your Disneyland hotel rate with a refundable $200 deposit!
Winter Weather at Disneyland
First of all, what is winter at Disneyland? What visitors from colder climates consider winter may be different at Disneyland. Technically, winter is late December to late March. However, at Disneyland, we would consider the month of December to the end of February as "winter."
By February, spring gets an early start with flowers and trees blooming at Disneyland. March is well into the spring season. So if you have a late-winter visit, definitely hop over to our posts on spring break and reasons to visit Disneyland in spring. Spring festivals, entertainment and sunburns usually kick in by early March, which is why we include March in our spring post.
Disneyland in winter brings 20 degrees of temperature fluctuations on the same day. Chilly mornings make way for sunny, usually pleasant, afternoons. Then as soon as the sun sets, the temperature drops (quickly!). Wear layers and bring sweatshirts or thin jackets. If you don't need them during the day, you can rent a locker in either park or the esplanade. Scarves and hats can help if it gets particularly chilly, but we always find Disneyland to feel slightly warmer than predicted.
The beauty of Disneyland is that you get snowfall every night of the holiday season no matter the weather. Now that's magical!
It rarely rains or storms in Southern California, but when it does, it's usually in the winter (Holiday Time) months. So, check that weather app (and our Disneyland weather post) before hitting the parks to make sure you don't get caught with wet flippers.
January and February are the rainiest months, with an average of 2.5 to 3 inches of rain and five to six rainy days for each month. Rainy day attire includes waterproof shoes or boots with pants that wick moisture away and do not drag on the ground. Bring a raincoat or poncho and an umbrella. If you have a stroller, bring a stroller cover. Our Disneyland rainy day tips post will help you prepare if it rains when you visit.
In December, January and February, you'll see an average high of 67-69 degrees Fahrenheit with lows in the high 40s to low 50s. The 20-degree temperature drop after a long day can feel pretty drastic. Shade will feel a lot chillier than the warm sunshine. More often than not, we find ourselves unable to resist buying that big, warm Mickey Mouse sweatshirt once the sun goes down, so plan ahead for the temperature change. You can read more about the weather per month and what to bring with you in our month-by-month guide to Disneyland weather.
But yes, you can still swim in the winter. The hotels have heated pools. With shorter days and shadier pool areas, the air can feel cool on some days. Aim for the sunny hours of later morning and early afternoon.
2025-2026 was a drier winter for Southern California, but weather experts are predicting a wetter El Niño year for winter 2026-2027.
Winter Crowds at Disneyland
BOOK NOW AND SAVE UP TO 30% on select stays at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, the Disneyland Hotel, Pixar Place Hotel or the Villas at Disneyland Hotel through Sept. 8, 2026. Plus, you can secure your Disneyland hotel reservation for a refundable $200 deposit today, and pay the remainder 30 days prior to check-in!
Crowds can vary based on when you visit. The heaviest crowds are from Christmas until the end of the holiday season (about the first week in January).
Be sure to check our Crowd Calendar for daily crowd levels and recommended parks.
| Winter Events | Biggest Crowds |
|---|---|
| December | First weekend of Dec./Christmas to Dec. 31 |
| January | Jan. 1 through end of Holiday Time/Cheapest Days |
| February | Super Bowl Sunday/Super Bowl Cavalcade/Presidents Day Weekend |
| Lunar New Year | Weekends |
| Least Crowded | After holidays and mid-week days that are midpriced |
The cheapest days to visit Disneyland (Tier 0, $104 per adult 1-day tickets) affect crowds during what used to be the less-crowded days of the year. Also, starting in early January, California residents can usually get special deals on tickets good for any three visits from January to May. That brings the locals into the parks more than ever, especially on weekends.
Winter Events at Disneyland
Winter brings several special events (from multi-week celebrations to 1-day events) to Disneyland theme parks. Here are the celebrations you can enjoy on your regular park day. You can always expect something really fun to be hoppening.
| Event | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Holiday Time | Mid-Nov. to first week of Jan. |
| Lunar New Year | Mid-Jan. to mid-Feb. |
| Super Bowl | If at Disneyland, a special cavalcade the day after with MVP |
| Sweethearts' Nite | Select nights in late Jan./early Feb. (ticketed event) |
| Black History Month | Select days in Feb. |
| Anaheim Ducks Day | TBD in DCA |
Holiday Time and Festival of Holidays
Holiday Time kicks off Nov. 18, 2026, and runs into the first week of January. Crowds build as the event goes on. There is so much entertainment in both parks that you're going to need an extra day to see it all. Hop over to our Disneyland Holiday Time and Disney California Adventure Festival of Holidays guides to learn more.
New Year's Eve
Disneyland is a popular place to ring in the new year. With DJ dance parties and New Year's countdowns in both parks, it's very festive. If you are interested in visiting on New Year's Eve, hop over to our post for all the tips you need to navigate this busy day.
Anaheim Ducks Day
In January or February, the Anaheim Ducks hockey team picks a day to come to Disney California Adventure, bringing their mascot Wild Wing, games and entertainment.
Super Bowl Cavalcade
The day after the Super Bowl sometimes brings the champion MVP to Disneyland for a cavalcade. With the game at SoFi Stadium in LA in 2027, chances are the cavalcade will be at Disneyland Park. Look for broadcasting and other Super Bowl events in the park in 2027. We even have a post for where to watch the Super Bowl and other sports events at Disneyland.
Discount Tickets and Hotel Stays
There are some great ticket deals and hotel deals for select Disneyland stays in early winter and after the holidays. And frogtastic savings can be made even bigger when you book through Undercover Tourist! As a licensed ticket seller for over 25 years, we know how to save you some green. You can now book your Disneyland Resort hotel with a $200 refundable deposit.
California residents get the best deal on a 3-day Park Hopper ticket for as low as $80 per day through Undercover Tourist. (Prices and details are subject to change for 2027.) Visits can be spread out over several months through mid to late May. It usually goes on sale by early December. Buy it and reserve those dates early. Park reservations for the last month fill up well in advance. Pricing can potentially be dynamic and fluctuate, so it's best to buy early to lock in a lower rate.
Other Reasons to Visit Disneyland in Winter
Here are a few other reasons we say to make that winter Disneyland trip!
New Foods to Try
Foods are constantly changing at Disneyland, and you can pretty much always find something new and exciting to try. During Holiday Time, there are so many festive foods and scrumptious snacks to be had at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.
Come January, new menu items drop around the park. Then, Lunar New Year brings many festival booth items and limited-time Asian food offerings to restaurants.
Toadally Cute Merchandise
Whether you visit during Holiday Time or Lunar New Year, there are many clothing items, ears and new items you may want to add to your park or home wardrobe.
From shirts, bags, and jackets to bubble wands, plushies and pins, there is a never-ending assortment of items to choose from. You can even buy a themed balloon!
Sweethearts' Nite (separately ticketed event)
The most popular Disneyland After Dark event of the year takes place on select nights in January and February. Disneyland Park closes at 8 p.m. for the separately ticketed Sweethearts' Nite. The night is designed for couples and loved ones to enjoy special food offerings, character couples, photo ops and special entertainment. If you are thinking about joining in this year, buy tickets early when they go on sale in December. This event always sells out early.
Lower Crowds
You can enjoy lower crowds after Holiday Time ends in January and February. Park hours may be shorter, and there may be less overall entertainment, plus a few ride refurbishments. Both Haunted Mansion and "it's a small world" take turns getting their holiday overlay removed, which means they take turns being closed for a few weeks in January or early February. Grizzly River Run usually undergoes a seasonal refurbishment in the cooler months. But winter is still a great time to visit with lower crowds and shorter ride wait times. Just avoid holiday weekends and those Tier 0 $104 days, which bump up the crowds.
New Entertainment
There's usually something new to look forward to a few weeks after Holiday Time ends. Hop over to our post on what's coming to Disneyland to see what's on the horizon. Announcements for the new year usually come up in the fall or early December.
Are you planning a trip to Disneyland in winter? Let us know what you are looking forward to in the comments below!
Related: Best Time to Go to Disneyland
Related: A Month-by-Month Guide to Disneyland Weather (And What to Pack!)
Hoppy planning!
