Is Disneyland crowded in August? A Comprehensive Guide to Crowd Levels, Best Times to Visit, and Safety Measures
If you’re planning a trip to Disneyland in August, you may be wondering how crowded the park will be.
As one of the peak months for tourism, August tends to attract a lot of visitors to the park.
However, with some careful planning and insider tips, you can navigate the crowds and still have an amazing time at Disneyland.
Depending on the time of the month you visit, August is a popular time to travel for both tourists and locals.
If you choose your dates wisely, visiting Disneyland in August won’t have a lot of local visitors.
When deciding when to visit Disneyland, everyone has personal preferences to take into account.
Each season offers advantages and disadvantages, and guests’ selections will differ based on those.
This comprehensive guide will provide you with everything you need to know about crowd levels, best times to visit, safety measures at the park and many more.
Is Disneyland Crowded in August? A Brief Overview of Disneyland
One of the most popular theme parks in the world, Disneyland opened its doors on July 17, 1955, and has continued to be a favorite with tourists ever since.
Located in Anaheim, California, the park offers a range of rides, attractions, and entertainment options for all ages.
While the park is open throughout the year, summer months like August tend to be the busiest due to school holidays and special events.
The average temperature in Anaheim, California in August is around 80°F (27°C).
Disneyland Resort has two theme parks: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park.
Disney California Adventure Park has 7 different themed lands. On the other hand, Disneyland Park has 8 different themed lands.
Is Disneyland Crowded in August? Reasons for Crowds in August
Is Disneyland crowded in August? The answer is YES. Disneyland tends to experience high volumes during the month of August as it marks the summer peak.
However, as the month progresses, the crowds subside as the schools in the county reopen.
Here are a few reasons as to why the August experiences huge crowds.
Summer Vacation for Schools
One of the primary reasons for August crowds at Disneyland is the summer vacations for schools in the United States and beyond.
With schools closed, families take the opportunity to travel, making Disneyland a popular destination.
Families with young children are also more likely to plan their vacations around school holidays to take advantage of the time off.
Annual Passholder Block-outs
Another reason for crowds in August at Disneyland is the Annual Passholder block-outs.
While Annual Passholders can’t enter the park during blackout dates, they can still visit Disney’s California Adventure Park.
As a result, many of them flock to Disney’s California Adventure Park during August, making the park more crowded.
Special Promotions and Events
August is a month filled with special promotions and events at Disneyland, drawing even more people to the park.
For example, the park hosts a summer nighttime spectacular featuring fireworks, music, and special effects.
Additionally, Disney California Adventure Park hosts the “Festival of Holidays” throughout August, featuring special food items and live entertainment.
Disneyland Events in August
Typically, nothing new is brought to theme parks in August as the end of summer approaches, but here is the most recent news you should be aware of.
CHOC Walk in the Park
Usually, there aren’t any new events introduced to the theme parks in August as the end of summer nears.
However, summer at Disneyland is a great time to visit the parks with plentiful park hours and long days.
There’s usually a summer celebration to enjoy.
One event that takes place at Disneyland in late August is the CHOC Walk in the Park, a charity 5K walk that benefits Children’s Hospital of Orange County.
Participants also get a chance to buy discounted Disneyland tickets on the day of the walk
Summer at Disneyland
Summer is a fantastic time to visit Disneyland.
There are plenty of park hours, the days are long, and there is generally a summer event to enjoy.
Summer in Disneyland has its benefits and drawbacks.
Because of the longer hours, you may spend more time visiting Disneyland throughout the summer.
New attractions open at the start of the summer, and you may be one of the first visitors to enjoy them.
Every day of the week, you can witness Fantasmic! and World of Color at California Adventure.
Parades take place multiple times every day, and fireworks are set off every night.
On the negative side, summer is Disneyland’s busiest season.
In fact, because of the crowds and long waits, it’s one of the worst times to visit Disneyland.
Summer temperatures can also be oppressively hot.
Disneyland100
Disney100 commemorates The Walt Disney Company’s 100th anniversary.
The celebration will take place at Disney Parks across the world, with Disneyland Resort serving as the focal point.
The Disney100 anniversary celebration officially began on January 27, 2023, with special limited-time offerings available throughout the resort throughout the year.
Is Disneyland Crowded in August? Crowd Levels in August
When compared to other months, August is one of the busiest times of the year at Disneyland.
During this month, the park experiences a high volume of guests, which can make the lines longer and increase wait times.
Visitors should expect to experience crowds and long wait times in popular areas and on popular rides.
It is worth noting, however, that crowd levels in August can vary depending on the day of the week.
Schools resume in Los Angeles and Orange Counties in the middle of the month, however Annual Passholder blackouts are lifted around the end of the month.
It’s too early to predict Disneyland attendance in August 2023, although crowds tend to thin out when Orange County and Los Angeles schools reopen.
This year (2023), Orange County schools will reopen around August 10, 2023, and Los Angeles County schools will reopen on August 14, 2023.
On weekdays, the park can be less crowded than on weekends.
Visitors who plan to visit Disneyland in August can benefit from using a crowd calendar, which offers an insight into the projected crowd levels in the park.
Pros and Cons of Visiting Disneyland in August
Visiting Disneyland in August has its pros and cons.
One pro is that the park is open longer in August than other months.
This means visitors can spend more time enjoying all the rides and attractions the park has to offer.
Additionally, August offers a range of entertainment options, including a summer nighttime spectacular.
However, there are some downsides to visiting Disneyland in August. One of the primary cons is the heat.
August can be hot and humid in California, making it uncomfortable to stand in long lines or to walk around the park.
Additionally, August crowds can make it harder to enjoy the park and navigate the lines.
Avoiding Crowds: Insider Tips and Tricks
Having answered the question “is Disneyland crowded in August?” Let’s look at some of the tips to avoid crowds.
Despite the crowds, there are some insider tips and tricks that visitors can use to avoid the crowds in Disneyland in August.
Best Times to Arrive and Leave
Arriving at the park before opening hours or in the late afternoon can help visitors avoid long lines and crowds, as many people enter the park in the morning and leave in the evening.
Additionally, leaving later when park hours are extended can also be beneficial, as lines shorten.
Strategies for Navigating the Park
Visitors can use a few strategies to navigate the park during peak season.
For example, visiting less popular attractions and rides first, using FastPass, and avoiding popular areas during peak hours can help visitors avoid crowds.
Benefits of Staying on-site
Staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel offers many benefits to visitors, particularly during peak seasons like August.
Guests staying at Disneyland Resort hotels can access the park during Extra Magic Hours, which allows them to enter the park an hour earlier.
Additionally, guests can use the designated entrances, which tend to be less crowded.
Entertainment Options in August
August offers visitors a wide range of entertainment options at the park.
Visitors can enjoy the “Disneyland Forever” nighttime spectacular, featuring fireworks and special effects.
Additionally, Disney’s California Adventure Park hosts the “Festival of Holidays” throughout August, featuring special food items and live entertainment.
Safety Measures in Disneyland
Disneyland had put several safety measures in place to ensure visitors’ safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Visitors are required to wear face masks throughout the park, and social distancing guidelines are in place.
In all interior locations, face coverings are optional but advised.
Face coverings are needed in certain indoor health venues, such as First Aid, for all Guests (ages 2 and older), regardless of vaccination status.
The Best Time to Visit Disneyland in August
August is a popular month to visit Disneyland, as many families take vacations during the summer.
It’s important to remember, though, that August can also be among the busiest times at Disneyland because of the sunny weather and summer vacations.
When determining the ideal time to visit Disneyland in August, keep the following variables in mind:
Late August
The last weeks of August may be slightly less crowded compared to earlier in the month since some schools may still be on summer break.
As the days pass, the crowds become less due to the reopening of Schools in the state.
If you can plan your trip during this period, you might experience slightly shorter wait times for attractions.
Midweek Visits
Weekends tend to be busier at Disneyland, so if you have the flexibility, consider visiting on weekdays.
In general, there are less people around on Mondays through Thursdays than on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Morning and Evening Visits
Arriving early in the morning or staying later in the evening can be beneficial for avoiding crowds.
The park tends to be quieter during these times, and you may have shorter wait times for popular attractions.
Plan Around Special Events
Check the Disneyland website or app for any special events or promotions during August.
Sometimes, special events can attract larger crowds, while others may offer exclusive access or entertainment options that enhance your visit.
Remember to check the Disneyland website or contact their guest services for up-to-date information on crowd levels, special events, and any COVID-19-related guidelines or restrictions that may be in place during your visit.
How to Beat the Heat at Disneyland in August
There are several ways to beat the heat at Disneyland in August.
One way is to stay hydrated by carrying an insulated water bottle and refilling it throughout the day.
You can also cool down with cold drinks, such as frozen lemonade or a Dole Whip.
Another way to beat the heat is to stick to rides that are indoors or have shaded or indoor queues.
For example, Space Mountain has a shaded outdoor queue and an air-conditioned indoor queue.
Star Tours has an air-conditioned indoor queue. The Indiana Jones queue is half indoors and half outdoors.
You can also cool down by visiting restaurants with indoor seating or shaded outdoor seating.
Several quick-service restaurants at Disneyland have indoor seating, such as Bengal Barbecue, Red Rose Tavern, and Pizza Port.
How to Make the Most of Your Disneyland Visit in August
To make the most of your Disneyland visit in August, it’s important to keep a few things in mind.
August is hot and crowded, with the first few weeks of the month being the busiest.
However, crowds decrease significantly towards the end of the month.
Haunted Mansion is usually closed for its Holiday overlay towards the end of August.
Weekdays and weekends are both busy as school is out for summer vacation across the country.
The third week of August, right when Los Angeles County schools go back into session but before AP blockouts are lifted, is the best time to visit.
Here are some of the few tips that can help:
Plan in Advance
Start by researching and planning your trip well in advance.
Look into park hours, show schedules, and attractions you want to experience.
To make the most of your time, develop a general schedule.
Purchase Tickets and Make Reservations
Buy your park tickets in advance to avoid long lines at the ticket booths.
Additionally, if Disneyland offers a reservation system or FastPass/MaxPass option, take advantage of it to save time and secure access to popular attractions.
Arrive Early
Plan to arrive at the park before it opens.
By doing this, you’ll have a head start on the day and be able to enjoy several attractions with fewer lines.
Be sure to check the park’s website or app for the exact opening time.
Prioritize Must-Do Attractions
Identify the must-see attractions and prioritize them on your itinerary.
These might include iconic rides like Space Mountain or Pirates of the Caribbean.
Start with the most popular attractions early in the day to avoid longer lines later.
Use Rider Switch
Use the Rider Switch software if you have little children who can’t or don’t want to ride some attractions.
This allows one adult to wait with the non-riding child while the other adult enjoys the attraction. Then, you can switch roles without waiting in line twice.
Take Breaks and Stay Hydrated
Disneyland can be physically demanding, so take breaks throughout the day to rest, relax, and recharge.
Stay hydrated by carrying water bottles or purchasing drinks from the park.
There are also plenty of dining options to grab a meal or snack.
Be Flexible
While having a plan is important, be open to flexibility.
Ride closures, wait times, and unexpected events can impact your schedule.
To make the most of your stay, embrace spontaneity and go with the flow.
Enjoy Nighttime Entertainment
Disneyland comes alive at night with spectacular parades, fireworks, and nighttime shows.
Check the schedule and plan to catch one or more of these enchanting performances to end your day on a magical note.
Remember, Disneyland can be crowded in August, so patience is key. Embrace the Disney spirit, have fun, and make lasting memories during your visit!
Is Disneyland Crowded in August? Final Thoughts
Is Disneyland Crowded in August? The answer is YES.
August is a busy month at Disneyland, with a high volume of visitors from the United States and beyond enjoying their summer vacations.
While crowds can be overwhelming, visitors can use the tips and tricks mentioned in this guide to navigate the park during peak season successfully.
Whether you want to ride iconic attractions, enjoy live entertainment or eat delicious food, Disneyland in August offers many experiences that visitors can enjoy.
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