5 Tips to Beat the Crowds at Disneyland

Disneyland is known as a locals park. I have heard estimates of around 1 million Annual Passholders for the Disneyland Resort.  AP’s visit the park daily and the streets are crowded and lines are long. AP’s love the parades and fireworks. They line up with their blankets, board games, cards, and iPads to pass the time while the wait for hours on the curb. AP’s love to see openings or re-openings first or be the last ones to ride if the ride is closing.  They will line up outside the gates early to be the first to see the new ride, show, or parade!  Some Disneyland Facebook groups having running jokes on how crowded it will be.  The real answer is: Disneyland is ALWAYS crowded! But, I have a few tips on how to beat those crowds and enjoy your day or your vacation at the Happiest Place on Earth.

Tip #1 Don’t go on an Event Day

This means, don’t go on the weekend that Pixar Pier reopens, Tower of Terror closes, or the first week that Haunted Mansion turns into Haunted Mansion Holiday.  Disneyland AP’s love to be first and last to do something. We have have to document that we were there. We need to have that popcorn bucket or Trading Pin. We need to be first to try the food at Food and Wine and be there on the last day. We need to be there on the last day to see the Red Head being awaiting the auction and the first to see her return on Pirates.   If you avoid the first or final week, you will have made a wise choice in days to visit.

Tip #2 Go During Holidays

I know, you don’t believe me.  I had the best time on Thanksgiving Saturday 2017, and Memorial Weekend Saturday and Sunday 2018. Why? Because most AP’s are BLOCKED! Disneyland has 5 levels of AP : Weekdays Only, Some Sundays, Some Saturdays, Not During Christmas, and I Can Go Any Day.  The real names for these passes are: Southern California Select, Southern California, Deluxe, Signature, and Signature Plus.  Annual Passholders take up space in the park. The lines for the rides typically are always about the same wait times, no matter when you go.  However, the congestion in the small spaces of Disneyland can be very frustrating and feel very crowded.   When you visit during a time that is blocked by the three lower leveled AP’s, then it’s typically just day guests or others on vacation like you.  However, with some research, you will learn how to use the remaining tips to maximize the experience.

Tip #3 Be an Early Bird and a Night Owl

My Disneyland trips are usually day trips. I will go and spend a few hours in the parks, see what’s new, and drive home. Californian’s will drive 2 hours or more each way and do this often. My one way commute to Disneyland is 90 miles – through Los Angeles traffic! I do this at least twice a month.  My favorite time to go is rope drop. Plan to be at the Mickey and Friends parking structure or Toy Story Parking Lot at least one hour before park opening. If you are staying in a nearby hotel, get to the gates about 30 minutes prior to opening.  I can run through no less than 5 or 6 rides in the first 2 hours using a combination of Maxpass (or Fastpass) and even have a quick bite to eat.  The lines start to get long about noon, with the worst of the crowds and lines being between 1-5pm.  The ride wait times decrease when it’s time for nightly parades or fireworks.  During this time, you can power through several rides until closing.  So, use the midday for shows, table service lunches, Downtown Disney exploration, or visit the hotels.

Front Row!

Tip #4 Book a Dining Reservation for Night Entertainment

If you want to see Fantasmic, World of Color, or Paint the Night Parade, then book a dining reservation for the best seats and less wait time.  AP’s will line the streets and wait for hours to catch parades and fireworks.  It is very difficult to find a good spot even an hour before, but you will have reserved seating with a dining Fastpass. These seats are typically in a great location.  Book as early as you know your dates, but often you can book last minute.   Another tip, if there are two showings for the night entertainment, you can often walk up and find a decent view for the second show.

Tip#5 Spend 2-4 days at Disneyland

If you are coming to the Disneyland Resort for a vacation, spend 2-4 days in the parks.  If you want to purchase Maxpass, pick one day when you will arrive early and won’t be off at a restaurant or show.  Maxpass is very worth the expense for a full day in the parks and for park-hopping.  You don’t have to spend hundreds for a Disneyland Hotel, there are plenty of great options within a short walk or bus ride.  My favorite area for off property is near the corner of Harbor and Katella and the convention center.  I will walk to Disneyland in the morning (about 15-20 minutes) and then ride the Toy Story buses back  to walk across the street to  a convention center hotel.  ART (Anaheim Resort Transit) buses are easy to navigate and cost about $5 a day for unlimited rides, but Disney buses are free.

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure have won the hearts of AP’s for being Southern California’s Happy Place. I’m sure you will love it, too.