DLR Crowd Estimates January - December

Generally speaking Monday-Thursday is usually less crowded than the full weekend Friday-Sunday on any week throughout the year. There is NO way to predict crowds on any given day or weekend, so the following is a good guess-timation of crowds:

January-February
The year starts with the massive removal of all the Holiday decorations adorning the Disneyland Resort and odds are January will find Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Ranch Petting Farm, and it's a small world closed for the removal of their Holiday overlays, beginning the first or second week of the month. Expect to find as many as six attractions undergoing refurbishment at any one time during January and February. Generally the first quarter of the year finds the parks remarkably less crowded than the rest of the year, and there is a strong chance of rain as Southern California moves into the wet season (known as Winter everywhere else!). The one good thing about rain is that almost every ride in the Parks will have NO wait! Weekends still get crowded, not near what you find during peak seasons, but if the weather is nice and sunny, Park attendance will reflect the good fortune. While the first week of January may still maintain holiday hours, the next six weeks will find Disneyland open from about 10am-8pm M-Th/9am-11pm F-Sun and Disney California Adventure opening at 10am each day while closing around 6pm M-Th/9pm F-Sun.* Both Parks may have extended hours during the days surrounding Presidents’ Day weekend. Hours do vary, so be sure and check our DLR Hours thread or the Official Disneyland Resort Calendar for up to date hours.

March-May
One of the least predictable times of the year seems to be March, April and May. Spring Break crowds are hard to figure as so many schools schedule breaks at so many different times; some scheduling them around a semester calendar and others scheduling them around the floating Easter Sunday. When you include corporate America descending on southern California and the DLR for meetings, the Parks tend to be busier during Thursday-Sunday but Monday-Wednesday can still be the best friend to a dedicated Disney lover. Easter weekend and Mother's Day weekend are normally very busy. Attraction closures may remain high as the parks prepare for the approaching busier months. March & April will have hours running approximately 9am-11pm M-Th and 8am-12am F-Sun at Disneyland. DCA will normally open one to two hours later and close two to three hours earlier than Disneyland.* The weeks surrounding Easter generally are scheduled with weekend hours every day at both parks. May's weekday Park hours tend to be shorter with Disneyland closing as early as 8pm and DCA closing as early as 6pm.* Remember, there's a good chance that either Park will close abnormally early due to corporate functions. Hours do vary, so be sure and check our DLR Hours thread or the Official Disneyland Resort Calendar for up to date hours.

June
With the end of Spring and the beginning of the beautiful Summer that makes So Cal one of the top five destinations in North America, the Disneyland Resort really heats up, and the Park hours open to accommodate the droves of guests that flock to find their laughing place. High season officially kicks off on Memorial Day weekend, and with groups of kids making their way to DLR for their end of the year Class Trips, Grad Nights, Conventions, etc. the DLR will start to feel the summer crowds from early in the month. By the end of June the Parks will be super busy on weekends and even mid-weeks will start to feel more crowded, but as always Monday-Thursday should be the least busy. Refurbishments may still be underway on quite a few attractions at the beginning of the month, but usually dwindle down by mid June. The good news is Disneyland will close at 11pm or Midnight each day, except for Grad Nights, and fireworks light up the sky every night. DCA will close anywhere from 8pm-10pm.* Hours can still vary, so be sure and check our DLR Hours thread or the Official Disneyland Resort Calendar for up to date hours.

July-August
Here comes SUMMER! With the full on explosion of summer vacation, the kids are out of school and it's time to go to Disneyland! There will be parades, live entertainment, the full summer heat, and crowds made up of LOTS of tourists from all over the world. Pack your patience and all your dreams because high season runs all the way through Labor Day weekend! There will probably be no refurbishments during these months unless there is a major attraction redevelopment underway. Between the hours of 9pm and 10:30pm every night you have your choice of viewing “Magical – Disney’s Nighttime Fireworks Spectacular” in the skies above Disneyland, “Fantasmic!” on Disneyland’s Rivers of America, and “World of Color” at DCA’s Paradise Bay. For 16 hours of non-stop fun, Disneyland maintains its summer hours and closes at Midnight most days of the week. DCA will close at 9pm or 10pm.* Even though summer hours are pretty set in stone, they can still vary, so be sure and check our DLR Hours thread or the Official Disneyland Resort Calendar for up to date hours.

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September
After Labor Day weekend the Parks are better known as "Refurbland", so plan on lots of attractions being closed for their yearly face-lifts and in depth services after the long summer of ride after ride. Haunted Mansion closes for about three weeks near the beginning of September for the transformation to Haunted Mansion Holiday. Park hours are cut back as crowds slow down and the hard working Cast Members can finally take some vacation time and relax after a long and busy Summer. Entertainment and parades are at a minimum. The same rule of thumb, Monday-Thursday is slower and weekends pick up considerable, applies. Disneyland closes at 8pm M-Th/11pm-12am F-Sun and DCA will close at 6pm M-Th/9pm F-Sun. Check our DLR Hours thread or the Official Disneyland Resort Calendar for up to date hours.

October
Enjoy the season as DLR decorates the parks and characters in Autumn and Halloween finery. Haunted Mansion Holiday and Space Mountain’s Ghost Galaxy are just two of the seasonal attractions to enjoy. Approximately a dozen days this month will offer "Mickey's Halloween Party" at Disneyland, a separately ticketed nighttime event, which includes the popular “Halloween Screams” fireworks spectacular. The end of October finds it's a small world closing for its grand Holiday overlay. Typically, there's a good chance that one of the major rides will be undergoing or completing a refurb, but by the end of the month most all the rides will be up and running and it's full steam ahead for the beginning of the Holiday Season. There is one specific weekend to keep in mind if you are visiting the DLR during October. Gay Days, which is one of the biggest NON-Disney endorsed weekends, falls on the first Friday-Sunday of the month and crowds will be out in force. Hours throughout October will remain about the same as in September.* Remember, "Mickey's Halloween Party" nights may cause Disneyland to close a bit earlier than usual but DCA may stay open longer.* Check our DLR Hours thread or the Official Disneyland Resort Calendar for up to date hours.

November
The Holiday Season officially kicks off (normally) the 2nd weekend in November with the taping of the Christmas Day Parade. The park will be packed with fans showing up to celebrate Christmas Day in November, and a chance to be seen on camera and to catch a peek at the celebrities during their cameos or performances in the parade. For the best weekend in November, try the 1st weekend as the crowds are usually very low all week, but after that it's no-holds-barred celebrating. Take note that Holiday decorations will not be in place during this first week or two. Thanksgiving weekend tends to be busy, and the Disneyland Hotel will host a Thanksgiving Feast in the Grand Ballroom as well as most of the fine dining locations offering up their normal grub and assorted Thanksgiving yummies. The beautiful Holiday version of it's a small world will open its doors about ten days in to the month and refurbishment of other attractions will probably be minimal. Park hours vary during the month depending on projected attendance and parties, but tend to remain close to the previous months’ trends with Disneyland closing at 8pm M-Th/12am F-Sun and DCA closing at 6pm M-Th/9pm F-Sun. By the end of the month crowds will be heavier and therefore park hours should be longer, so be sure and check our DLR Hours thread or the Official Disneyland Resort Calendar for up to date hours.

December
The beginning of December is one of the MOST magical times to visit the DLR. The crowds really cut back as schools get back in session after Thanksgiving vacations end and the Parks are in their full decorated glory. Historically the first weekend of December hosts the Candlelight Processional and park attendance will skyrocket for those few days.** In mid-December the Park hours open back up to accommodate the busy season; the crowds pack their warmer clothes and hit DLR in force. The Holidays at Disneyland feature snow on Main Street, “Believe…in Holiday Magic” fireworks, "A Christmas Fantasy" parade, hot chocolate and beautiful decorations all in the style of their specific Lands (except for Tomorrowland, there is still no Holiday season in the Future!). We are waiting to see what the holidays will bring at DCA. With the nostalgic Buena Vista Street and quaint Radiator Springs in CasLand there is a potential for beauty, wonder, and fun. Most, if not all, attractions in both parks should be up and running! There will be special menus and lots of amazing food in the sit-down restaurants and crowds from around the world will be heading to Disneyland Resort to find some Holiday Cheer! December hours vary greatly with both Parks closing as early as 6pm or as late as midnight*, so be sure and check our DLR Hours thread or the Official Disneyland Resort Calendar for up to date hours. To end the year, on New Year’s Eve you can party at Disneyland until 2am or at DCA until 1am!!


*With the arrival of CarsLand at Disney California Adventure, opening and closing hours are close to mimicking Disneyland’s hours. This may change in the future when the “newness” of the refurbished Park wears off.

**Read 20 Nights of Candlelight Ceremony and Processional for 2012.