The Best Times of the Year to Visit Disneyland

Disneyland is wonderful no matter when you go. That said, there are definitely some times of year that are better than others. 

Really, what it boils down to is deciding what you want to get out of your vacation, and deciding on the dates that will best meet that desire. In order to help you do this, we have compiled a list of dates that are ideal for each of the three main types of travelers: those who wish for lower crowds, those who enjoy decor and special celebrations, and those with specific weather preferences.

Lower Crowds

Nobody likes a crowded park. After all, large crowds mean longer waits. Therefore, many park goers search for dates that will give them the lowest crowd levels. For these individuals, we have created a list of best dates based on typical crowd levels:

Mid-To-Late January

The time just after the holidays end and before President’s Day is golden. Those three weeks are practically crowd-free, and offer guests plenty of elbow room as they wander the streets of the happiest place on earth.

Mid-February to Mid-March

Once President’s Day ends, the parks return to their relatively empty state until spring break begins. Once again, there are a good, solid 3–4 weeks of beautiful, peaceful days to visit both Disneyland and California Adventure.

Mid-April to Mid-May

Once spring break ends and everyone heads back to school, there is yet another sweet lull in crowds. This break in the business is welcome by cast members, as well as the visitors who prefer less hustle-and-bustle. Just be aware that if Easter happens to fall during this time, you can count on some crowds around the holiday.

September After Labor Day

Finally, we should mention September. This glorious month sees a significant drop in crowds as all the kids head back to class. Unfortunately, the drop-off is short-lived because the park begins offering special holiday events, urging guests to trickle in.

Special Celebrations

Maybe you don’t mind the crowds so much and are instead after a trip full of amazing decor and fun celebrations. If so, you’ll want to aim for some slightly different times of year. Here are our top four times to visit if you want decor and special celebrations:

Food and Wine Festival

This fun event takes place in California Adventure during the spring. There are delicious food options throughout the park!

Halloween Time

Halloween is when things start to get really good as far as decorations and entertainment go. The Halloween decor at Disneyland Resort is top-notch and something no Halloween fan will want to miss.

Of course, there is also Oogie Boogie Bash, which comes complete with trick-or-treating, special shows, and even a Halloween parade. Finally, be sure to ride the Haunted Mansion and check out the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay.

Christmas Time

The winter holidays are magical no matter where you celebrate. However, they are even more so when celebrated in a Disney park. Therefore, visiting Disneyland Resort anytime between Halloween and New Year’s Day is definitely going to be an enchanting experience filled with joyous decorations, holiday attraction overlays, and even holiday-themed treats sold in various eateries. Additionally, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is an incredible event with entertainment, meet-and-greets, and more.

Weather Preferences

The last thing to consider when choosing a vacation time is the weather. Honestly, the weather in Southern California is pretty great year-round. The summer is hot but not unbearably so, and the winters are quite mild. Here are the three best seasons to choose:

Early Spring

In early spring the weather is cool in the mornings and evenings, but warm enough for a quick dip in the pool in the afternoons. This is the time to visit if you have kids who are dying to swim, but you don’t want to deal with the constant heat of summer.

Late Fall

Another great time to visit in terms of weather is the late fall. By this time, the leaves on the trees will be changing and everything will feel cool and crisp. The daytimes will be warm enough, but be sure to bring a jacket for the evenings.

Winter

Lastly, we will mention winter. While it may seem silly to plan a theme park visit for winter, this is actually a favorite time to visit for many people. While you will want to be prepared for a bit of rain, the dry parts of your trip will likely feel quite nice, weather-wise.

No matter when you decide to visit Disney, you will have a great time! Hopefully these lists help give you guidance for planning your next trip.