Walt Disney World, situated in Central Florida, undoubtedly has higher occasions of the yr to go to. Disneyland in Anaheim does as nicely, however maybe to a barely lesser extent.
The Central Florida annual climate patterns range fairly a bit greater than these of Southern California, however climate can nonetheless play a component in selecting when to go to Disneyland. Whereas we do not assume there’s ever a flawed time to go to, we have put collectively our ideas on the very best time of yr to go to Disneyland.
Disclosure: This publish incorporates affiliate hyperlinks, and a purchase order/click on by considered one of these hyperlinks might lead to a fee paid to us at no extra price to you. I’ve acquired complimentary admission to Disneyland as a part of my participation in a convention and have additionally paid my very own method.
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Finest Time of Yr To Go to Disneyland
When selecting the very best time of yr to go to Disneyland, a number of elements ought to be thought-about. It is important to notice that there is not any dangerous time to go to Disneyland. If in case you have a selected time you should go to, comparable to for an event, a seasonal occasion, or different causes, then it’s best to undoubtedly go to everytime you’d like. You’ll be able to have a great time everytime you go to.
Since reopening in 2021, each Disneyland parks require park reservations and legitimate tickets to enter. This requires a bit bit extra superior planning, particularly in case you are visiting Disneyland Resort throughout peak occasions.
Remember to examine the provision calendar earlier than planning your journey, and make these reservations ASAP. Whereas Walt Disney World eradicated the necessity for park reservations, Disneyland nonetheless requires them.
Climate Issues
Do you need to plan your trip round basic climate patterns? Southern California has extra constant climate than different components of the nation, nevertheless it nonetheless experiences some differences due to the season. For the warmest days, go to in the summertime months of July, August, and early September.
I have been in July, and whereas it is scorching, it is not almost as humid as different components of the nation. Winter months aren’t chilly, however you might want a sweatshirt, particularly when the solar goes down.
Rain is often not a big issue, because it hardly ever rains excessively. February is often the rainiest month. I visited the parks in February of this previous yr and skilled some rain.
Crowd Issues
If you’re hoping to go to Disneyland when it is much less crowded, you may need to keep away from peak season, when there are usually massive crowds. This would come with any lengthy weekends (like Presidents’ Day weekend, Memorial Day weekend, and Labor Day weekend), summer time trip, college breaks, spring break, and holidays (particularly the Christmas vacation weeks and Thanksgiving week).
Nevertheless, typically, when crowd ranges are excessive, park hours are prolonged barely, which might be an vital consider your choice.
Slower occasions are likely to happen in late August (when college is again in session), late January, and early Could (earlier than college lets out).
Usually, in case you are planning a trip (any trip) over a faculty trip or vacation, you do not have a selection. College holidays are sometimes your solely choice for those who work in a faculty or have children.
There are many issues you are able to do to maximise a go to throughout a busy time – together with buying Lightning Lane Multi Go to reduce wait occasions, arriving on the parks early (when you’ll usually see brief strains for a lot of the rides), and getting the park hopper choice in your theme park tickets to offer extra flexibility.
There are some unofficial crowd calendars accessible on-line, that are usually primarily based on historic knowledge. Decrease crowds are by no means a assure.
Occasion Issues
Disneyland hosts quite a few seasonal occasions all year long, and you might need to plan your go to round considered one of them. Listed below are a few of the hottest occasions, together with their timing.
The Disney California Journey Meals and Wine Competition is my favourite and one of the vital fashionable occasions of the yr. It completely takes place at Disney’s California Journey. The dates range by yr, however previously, it began in late February/early March and ran by April. Dates for subsequent yr haven’t been launched but.
The Meals and Wine Competition consists of seminars, cooking demonstrations, and meals cubicles providing small plates and drinks for a nominal price. I take pleasure in making a meal from these samples, going from sales space to sales space moderately than reserving lunch or dinner within the parks. The primary time I visited Disneyland, I visited throughout this time and had a good time on the pageant.
The vacations are additionally a well-liked and Magical time to go to. At Halloween time, you’ll be able to count on quite a lot of enjoyable actions, together with Halloween costumed characters, a particular Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Earlier than Christmas-themed Haunted Mansion, Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Darkish, and Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween. These occasions usually happen from early September to October thirty first.
There’s additionally the Oogie Boogie Bash, a particular ticketed occasion held after hours on choose nights. It takes place at Disney’s California Journey and consists of admission three hours earlier than the occasion and 5 hours of the particular occasion. It may be enjoyable with restricted capability, particular leisure, and extra, nevertheless it does promote out quick. Attending considered one of these particular ticketed occasions is usually an effective way to go to the parks with fewer individuals.
The parks additionally host Christmas season occasions. At Disneyland, these embody vacation lights, a pageant of holidays, and Christmas overlays on fashionable rides prefer it’s a small world, the Haunted Mansion, and Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters. Different occasions embody a themed parade and themed fireworks. The vacation season at Disneyland typically begins proper after Halloween ends in early November and runs till New Yr’s Day.
This previous yr, I visited Disneyland for a brand new particular occasion—Disneyland After Darkish: Sweethearts’ Nite. Dates for 2026 have not been introduced but. This was a enjoyable occasion with vibrant, colourful projections on Predominant Road, the fort, and It is a Small World, in addition to meet-and-greets with some fashionable Disney {couples} and scrumptious, unique snacks.
The Lunar New Yr celebration can be an thrilling time at Disneyland. It consists of meals cubicles at Disney’s California Journey, particular meet-and-greets, lovely Lunar New Yr decorations, and way more. It is considered one of my favourite festivals to expertise.
Different smaller particular occasions happen at Disneyland all year long. These embody the Eggstravaganza and Grad Nites (for highschool seniors).
Total, for those who aren’t within the occasions, it could be value planning round them. Nevertheless, for those who love Halloween and/or Christmas, these explicit occasions could be so enjoyable to expertise. I at all times love seeing the parks embellished – particularly at Christmas time.
If I had been to decide on the very best months to go to, I would in all probability select both March (for the Meals and Wine Competition, Could (for general good climate), or October (for Halloween occasions).
What’s your favourite time to go to Disneyland?
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