Hello, Catriona! Thanks for stopping by the Disney Parks Moms Panel with your questions!
I also try to plan out my family's arrival days strategically so we can get the most park time in. Operating hours vary by season and by day. In September, park hours are roughly 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m, but those can fluctuate to accommodate Guests visiting over the Labor Day holiday (September 3, 2018) and will change for Halloween Time later in the month. Furthermore, Disneyland Park will open one hour early on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays for Guests with
Magic Morning and Extra Magic Hour benefits and Disney California Adventure Park will open one hour early on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays for Extra Magic Hour for Guests staying at Disneyland Resort Hotels. The parks do tend to be busier on the weekends, so earlier in the week is generally a good time to arrive for your trip.
As mentioned above,
Halloween Time begins in September so this is definitely something you will want to research.
Mickey's Halloween Party will take place on select nights which means that Disneyland Park will close early unless you have a separate ticket to the Halloween party. Disney California Adventure Park usually remains open to non-party-going Guests. More information about Halloween Time is typically announced on the
Disney Parks Blog in late-summer so be sure to follow the blog on social media and subscribe to the email newsletter.
If you have any more questions about planning your adventure to the Happiest Place on Earth, please visit us again!
-Linda