Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world. Every year, Disneyland Resort sees nearly 17 million visitors. While summer vacations to Disney mean lots of excitement and fun in the sun, for families that prefer smaller crowds and cooler weather, consider planning that trip to Disneyland during the off-season.
Ways to Avoid the Crowds
Disneyland Resort tends to be less crowded in the months of September, January, February, March and November. However, there are multiple factors to consider when choosing the best time to visit.
1. Check a Disneyland Event Calendar
While predicting crowd sizes for Disneyland parks is not an exact science, there are advantages to checking out an event calendar before you book your vacation. For example, if you are weighing one week over another, an event calendar will give you a good indicator of which week should be less busy.
2. Wake Up Early
Early risers will beat most of the Disneyland crowds no matter what time of year you visit. More people arrive at the parks as the day goes on. Plan to get to the gates right at opening time to enjoy a few hours of shorter lines and wait times for rides and attractions. Duck out and back to your hotel around lunchtime to avoid peak visitor crowds, then return later in the evening when they lighten back up again.
3. Look into Hotel Prices
Disneyland hotel reservations tend to be more expensive on dates when the Disneyland Resort expects more guests. If the hotels around the parks are showing higher room rates, it is more likely the park crowds will be bigger on those days.
The Most and Least Crowded Holidays
Holidays that keep the kids out of school tend to be some of the busiest days at Disneyland. However, only some holidays mean big crowds. Here are some of the busiest and least busy holiday times to visit.
Most Crowded Holidays
The week between Christmas and New Year’s Day tends to be the busiest week of the year. Disneyland packages make popular Christmas gifts, which means an upswing in visitors. Some of the other most crowded holidays include Thanksgiving week, President’s Day, Spring Break, and Martin Luther King Jr weekend.
Least Crowded Holidays
If you want to go to Disneyland on a holiday and still avoid the biggest crowds, a few holidays see fewer visitors. These holidays include Easter, Labor Day, and Mardi Gras.
Best Months for an Off-Season Visit
Disneyland Resort really does stay busy year-round, but as we mentioned earlier, certain months tend to draw smaller crowds.
January and February
January and February are historically off-season months for Disneyland vacations. You will often find good deals on Disneyland tickets during this time. Visiting after the Christmas season rush and before the Spring Break crowds appear should offer a less hectic experience, and you’ll enjoy cooler temperatures on your trip. Before purchasing your tickets, however, remember that the parks tend to close earlier during the winter season.
November
The weeks after the Halloween festivities have ended and before Thanksgiving weekend are great times to plan your visit. Crowds are much smaller as most visitors wait to book their vacations for the Christmas season.
Planning your family’s Disneyland vacation during the off-season can mean smaller crowds, more pleasant weather, and cheaper prices. While a trip to Disneyland is magical and exciting at any time of the year, enjoying all of the rides, restaurants, and attractions with fewer other visitors may make for a less stressful, more comfortable experience.
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