Crowds at Disneyland

Question

People often ask, “When is a good time to visit Disneyland?” As in, “When is it least crowded?” Over the years, it appears to me Disney has become quite efficient at yield management and maximizing park capacity 365 days a year. Basically, it is always crazy busy.

On Wednesday, my wife and the 8-year old did a quick visit. My wife noted the park wasn’t very busy. They could pretty much walk-on all the rides all-day.

Apparently, the Dodgers are in the World Series. Game 5 was that day. It seemed to take a lot of visitors and some staff away from the park. So, if you’re looking for that low crowd day at Disneyland, plan your trip around when the Dodgers are at home during the World Series.

Answer

Disneyland crowds can vary significantly based on a number of factors, including school schedules, holidays, special events, and even local sports events. Over the years, Disney has optimized operations to handle large numbers of visitors efficiently, meaning the park can feel busy almost any day, but there are occasional windows of lighter crowds.

From recent observations, certain unusual circumstances can create surprisingly low crowd days. For example, during a Dodgers World Series game, many local visitors may choose to attend the game instead of visiting Disneyland, and some seasonal staff might be unavailable due to shifts elsewhere. This can lead to shorter lines and a more relaxed experience for guests on those specific days.

General tips for finding lower crowds at Disneyland:

Visit mid-week rather than on weekends, as Saturdays and Sundays are typically busiest.
Avoid major holidays and school vacation weeks (summer, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring Break).
Check local sporting events or conventions, which can sometimes affect park attendance in unexpected ways.
Arrive early in the morning, as the first couple of hours after opening usually have lighter crowds on most days.

Additional considerations:

Using Genie+ or Lightning Lane selections can help skip long lines regardless of crowd size.
Follow crowd calendars online to identify potential slower days based on historical attendance data.
Seasonal events, like Halloween or holiday celebrations, can increase crowds, but sometimes early in the season or on weekdays the park is less busy.

In summary, while Disneyland is designed to accommodate heavy crowds year-round, smart planning—including checking unusual local factors like major sporting events—can lead to days where waits are minimal and the experience feels less crowded.

Crowds at Disneyland

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