Holiday weekends, school breaks and seasonal events are expected to bring heavy crowds to Disneyland through the end of the year. But for those who know when to go, there are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy the parks with lighter attendance.
Gavin Doyle, founder of MickeyVisit.com, told KTLA that while peak seasons, such as Thanksgiving and winter breaks, attract some of the largest crowds, there are stretches of the calendar when the parks feel noticeably calmer.
Crowd patterns
Crowd levels tend to rise around three key factors: annual passholder blockout dates, seasonal celebrations, and school holidays. Doyle noted that Thanksgiving week and the final weeks of December remain among the busiest times of the year, even with Disneyland’s reservation system preventing the gridlock that once occurred on New Year’s Eve.
Still, quieter days are common in late August after most schools return from summer break, during stretches in September, early November, and the first week of December.
Best times to visit
The Mickey Visit Disneyland Crowd Calendar highlights the following dates as the best opportunities for lower crowds in the second half of 2025:
- August: 15-21, 25-29
- September: 2-3, 8-12, 14-17, 21-24
- October: 7-10
- November: 2-6, 12-13, 17-19
- December: 1-8, 15-16
Doyle points to early December as one of the most ideal times to visit, because guests can enjoy Christmas festivities before crowds reach their peak later in the month.
The post When to visit Disneyland to avoid its busiest crowds this holiday season appeared first on KTLA.
