There’s never really a “bad” time to visit Disneyland®. It is the happiest place on Earth, after all! But if you’d prefer to avoid long lines and packed walkways (we can’t blame you!), timing your trip just right can make a big difference. Visiting during less busy seasons also means better availability of hotel rooms, rental cars, and even area restaurants. Here are some ‘sweet spots:’ the best times throughout the year to experience Disneyland® with lighter crowds.

The Overall Best Time to Visit Disneyland® Park

As a very general rule, the best time to visit is when schools are in session and major holidays aren’t happening. Families make up a tremendous percentage of park visitors, so when kids are in school—including college kids, crowds are noticeably smaller. Avoiding summer vacation, spring and fall break, and the busy holiday season is the easiest way to plan a calmer trip when the park is least crowded.

Visit When Everyone is Back in School

When is Disneyland® least crowded? September is a prime example. Once Labor Day has passed and kids are back in the classroom, crowd levels drop significantly, and almost immediately. The stretch from select dates in August through mid-November tends to be one of the most comfortable times to visit, with both cooler weather and manageable lines. However, this traffic decrease is subject to the special events happening at Disneyland® during this time period. Both Halloween and Holiday events tend to bring in large crowds in the week and weekends leading up to Halloween and Christmas, so be sure to check those seasonal events while researching trip plans.

After the Holidays but Before Spring Break

The weeks following the holiday rush are an excellent time to visit Disneyland® for optimal crowds. From mid-January through early March, crowds thin out as the holiday festivities wind down and families settle back into their routines. This window of time also overlaps with pleasant, famously mild SoCal weather. One thing to be aware of is that the park often refurbishes attractions during this annual lull, meaning you may find some aren’t open—but the trade-off is shorter waits for those that are.

What Time of Year is Disneyland® Least Crowded?

While crowd levels vary year to year, mid-January through mid-March and August through mid-November offer the largest opportunity for traffic reprieve. Weekdays during these windows are especially light, namely Tuesdays through Thursdays. Keep in mind that weekends and holiday weekends, no matter the season, will almost always be busier overall.

If you’d like to double-check before finalizing your dates, websites like Disney Tourist Blog publish regularly updated crowd calendars. Many are run by locals who visit frequently, so their insights come directly from the source.

Camelot Inn & Suites is Your Disney® Magic Basecamp, Any Time of Year

Whenever you plan your trip, staying super close to Disneyland® Resort makes your visit easier and more enjoyable. At Camelot Inn & Suites, we’re directly across from the park entrance on Harbor Blvd., so you can take full advantage of lower crowd times without worrying about long commutes—and walk back to your room for some downtime when the park gets crowded. Spacious rooms, family-friendly amenities, and unbeatable convenience make us the perfect homebase for your Disneyland® getaway.Book your stay today through our website or call us at (714) 635-7275 to enjoy a magical trip without the packed crowds.