Hi there, Jay, and welcome to planDisney!
What a great question you pose! Many people have debated about the ideal time to visit the Parks with respect to crowds and there is no
one right answer. I think it's wonderful that so many people can enjoy the Disneyland Resort and one of my favorite activities is simply to grab a cup of coffee from the
Cappuccino Cart in Disney California Adventure, sit on a bench and people watch!
That being said, I totally understand your desire to avoid the most crowded times. In response to your question, I find that Tuesdays through Thursdays tend to be less busy than the rest of the week. School breaks will vary according to district, but all students will be on break over the summer. Regarding Magic Keys, you can view blockout dates on the
Magic Key Calendar. The only time that all Key types are blocked out would be the Holiday Season which is traditionally busy anyway.
Here are some suggestions I have on visiting the Parks without the crowds:
- This is the least budget-friendly option, but consider booking a Disneyland Resort VIP Tour. You'll get your own personal tour guide for the day who will provide expedited access to Lightning Lanes of several attractions and a personalized itinerary. Plus, other Guests will look to see if you're a celebrity!
- Stay at a Disneyland Resort Hotel to take advantage of Early Entry! You can get so much done in that first 30 minutes before the Parks open to the general public. Otherwise, arrive at the Park 30-45 minutes before opening to take advantage of Rope Drop. The crowds will be much lower in the mornings.
- Participate in a Disneyland After Dark event! The Park will close earlier for the general public and you will enjoy a much lower crowd for the rest of the evening. My wife and I are planning on attending Throwback Nite for our anniversary this year so we're practicing our jitterbug!
- Upgrade your ticket to include Genie+ in order to take advantage of Lightning Lanes. You will skip the standby queues on many attractions, save time and pack more into your day.
The Parks may be crowded but I have witnessed random acts of kindness between strangers that warm my heart. When visiting with my family and friends, I tell them to pack their patience and remember to show common courtesy to fellow Guests and Cast Members. Like Walt Disney said, "it takes people to make the dream a reality.”
Jay, I hope you found this helpful and that you finalize your plans to visit the Happiest Place on Earth! Please feel free to contact me again or any of my pals at planDisney with any more questions if you need help planning your magical vacation!
See Ya Real Soon!
-Al