The Best Times to Visit Disneyland for Fewer Crowds, Gorgeous Weather, and Lower Prices

Planning a trip to the Happiest Place on Earth? Here are the best times to go to Disneyland.

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Updated on August 26, 2023

Best Times to Visit Disneyland for Smaller Crowds

The complexities of a Disneyland vacation range from booking accommodations and travel to navigating Disney Genie+ and dining reservations. Tacking heavy crowds onto that list can burst your magical bubble in no time.

Much like its sibling resort in Florida, Disneyland draws crowds 365 days a year — but some times are busier than others. No matter when you visit, weekdays should be less crowded than weekends, since both tourists and locals visit on days when schools are closed. Unlike Walt Disney World, Disneyland draws many guests from the surrounding region, so the local school schedule can have an outsize impact on crowd size.

With that in mind, fall can be counted on as Disneyland's least busy season. From August (when most California schools start their fall semesters) until November, crowds are typically smaller than at any other time of year — though Disneyland's popular Halloween events can lead to long lines in October. Another off-peak season to consider is winter. December is one of Disneyland's busiest months, thanks to its beloved Christmas and New Year's celebrations, but from January until spring-break season in March, things tend to be quiet.

Mickey Mouse at parade at Disneyland — Courtesy of Disney

Best Times to Visit Disneyland for Good Weather

Thanks to Disneyland’s location in Southern California, you can expect moderate weather and sunny days year-round, making almost any date a beautiful time to visit. August is typically the hottest month, and guests visiting then should note that there's not much indoor seating in the parks, particularly at quick-service restaurants. To avoid queueing for your favorite ride under the hot sun, try visiting at another time of year.

Temperatures are at their lowest in December and January — typically bottoming out at around 60 degrees — but there's often a big difference between day and nighttime temperatures at this time of year. It's best to prepare by layering clothing, and maybe by packing an umbrella, too. While SoCal is typically immune from heavy rain, winter is its wettest season.

For a trip that's neither too hot nor too cold (relatively speaking), plan your travel for the spring or fall.

Fireworks at Disneyland — Courtesy of Disney

Best Times to Visit Disneyland for Lower Prices

The two main financial factors to keep in mind for a Disney vacation are theme park tickets and hotel accommodations. Entry fees at Disneyland follow a dynamic pricing system, meaning park tickets are tiered based on demand and date of visit. One-day, one-park tickets start at $104 but can increase significantly, especially around major holidays. In the Christmas and New Year's weeks, for example, the least expensive ticket costs $179.

Throughout the year, Disneyland offers occasional discounts at its three on-site hotels — Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel (which is currently being renovated to become Pixar Place Hotel). These discounts are typically offered during off-peak periods, including weekdays from January through March, when guests can find savings of up to 20 percent.

Unlike at Walt Disney World, there are dozens of hotels within walking distance of Disneyland in addition to the on-property resorts. Staying off-site will lose you some perks, like early park entry, but could offer substantial savings in the long run.

Best Times for Adults to Visit Disneyland

Though there are plenty of reasons for adults to visit Disneyland, especially during 2023's Disney100 celebration, the exciting dining options hold particular appeal for grown-up guests. Adult visitors may want to schedule their trip during one of Disneyland's award-winning food festivals. Its longest-running and largest festival, the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival, brings dozens of outdoor kitchens to Disney California Adventure Park each spring, boasting inspired bites and cocktails that celebrate the state’s vibrant food scene. The festival also offers interactive culinary and mixology demonstrations, fitting for a group vacation.

Lunar New Year also dazzles, with tasty dishes and live entertainment scattered throughout the resort at a time when it's typically not too busy. If you don't mind larger crowds, though, consider visiting during the Disney Festival of Holidays. From November to January, this event celebrates the season with delicious treats honoring a number of winter traditions.

Snow White's Seven Dwarfs at Disneyland — Courtesy of Disney

Best Times to Visit Disneyland for Families

From classic attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean to the recently opened Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, there’s always something to keep families entertained at Disneyland's two theme parks. If you want a special treat, though, plan your visit for a time when your favorite ride is transformed with an exclusive seasonal overlay. Schedule a trip between September and January to catch perhaps the most iconic overlay of all: Haunted Mansion Holiday, which has transformed the Haunted Mansion ride with details from Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas" for more than 20 years.

The holiday season is a wonderful time for families, thanks to the flurry of festive upgrades that bedeck the parks, the on-site hotels, and Downtown Disney. Be sure to check out It’s a Small World if you visit at this time of year — the ride is blanketed in snowy decor for the winter, and its facade is illuminated each evening with a stunning light display.

If planning for an afternoon pool break is important to your family, the sunny Southern California summer is an ideal time to visit. You can find great pool complexes at the Disneyland Hotel and Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa — and, when you're ready to hit the parks, you'll find summer perks there, too. To accommodate its flood of summer-break guests, Disneyland typically stays open longer and later in this season than at any other time.

Worst Times to Visit Disneyland

While there's no bad time to visit the "Happiest Place on Earth," school breaks can lead to above-average crowds, prices, and wait times for your favorite rides and attractions. Travelers may even want to consult the calendar of the Los Angeles Unified School District — the second-largest school system in the country lies just minutes north of Disneyland, meaning the parks can fill up rapidly when LA's students are out of class.

Fall and winter can be great times for a less-crowded trip, but budget-conscious guests should consider skipping the month of December. In addition to being one of Disneyland's busiest months, it tends to be the time when ticket prices are at their highest.

Updated by Sarah Cahalan