UPDATE: Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will be closed starting on March 14, 2020, through the end of the month. Read the full statement from Disney.
The Spring Break season started on Monday (March 9) and attendance at Disneyland has been strong so far this week, showing no signs of being impacted by coronavirus. With many schools in the area now cancelling in-person classes and more public events being cancelled or postponed, however, things could change in the coming days as we continue to monitor this evolving situation. Check out the Disneyland Crowd Calendar for the latest forecast and the Disneyland Crowd Tracker for live crowd updates and wait times.
Original post covering last week’s crowds below…
Coronavirus fears may be making the “Happiest Place on Earth” just a little less crowded.
As Disneyland and other theme parks head into the usually busy Spring Break and summer seasons, visitors are enjoying shorter lines amid concerns over the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19.
Last week, the average wait time for attractions at Disneyland fell by as much as 50 percent from the previous week, as two new cases of coronavirus were found in Orange County and a state of emergency was declared in California.
Attendance at Disneyland on March 3-6, 2020, was low enough to earn a “Ghost Town” rating on the Disneyland Crowd Calendar, as even the park’s popular discounted ticket offer for SoCal residents wasn’t enough to bring in the crowds during the week. Still, don’t count on the parks to be completely empty—at least not yet anyway. On Saturday (March 7), attendance picked up, but was still mostly manageable for a weekend. While the popular rides like Space Mountain, Indiana Jones Adventure, and Millennium Falcon still averaged around 30min waits, most of the lines for other attractions were only 10-15min long. We’ll get a better idea of how much an impact, if any, coronavirus is having on attendance in the coming weeks as the Spring Break season begins.
it may sound bad but i may sound happy when it comes to Corona causing less travel meaning that Disneyland wait times are alot shorter, but i am worried a decent bit about traveling during this time. Its not gonna stop me, but the worry is still there
hope everyone stays safe 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/rcgHgbcPXL
— 〄 Nick 〄 (↑↑↓↓←→←→BA) 🅙 (@GlythixAWOL) March 6, 2020
Disney has also addressed coronavirus concerns at its U.S. parks and resorts for the first time, reassuring visitors of high standards of cleanliness as well as having health and safety protocols in place.
“As part of our commitment to the health and well-being of our cast, guests and the larger community, we are carefully monitoring the evolving coronavirus situation and are in regular contact with health agencies for information and guidance,” Disney Parks Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pamela Hymel said in a statement. “Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, are welcoming guests as usual and we continue to implement preventive measures in line with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health agencies.”
Shout out to the Corona virus for making Disneyland empty
— Nick Nguyen (@nick_pls) March 7, 2020
Wish I was at Disneyland rn, with this coronavirus outbreak them lines be looking real short 👀
— T R I L L I O N A I R E 💎 (@Yeyavarela) March 7, 2020
I know of at least 10 families canceling their Disneyland spring break trip, and part of me just really wants to go for the weekend because it’ll be so empty?? pic.twitter.com/XcUTWzhfTV
— mrs nesbitt (@mackaraena) March 5, 2020
Still, coronavirus concerns are already affecting tourism in and around the Disneyland Resort, as a growing number of vacationers cancel their hotel reservations and Disneyland area travel plans. Natural Products Expo West, the second largest convention of the year at the nearby Anaheim Convention Center, has been postponed—and other scheduled shows may be next.
The full impact of coronavirus on Disneyland’s attendance is yet to be seen. The upcoming Spring Break season, starting in mid-March through mid-April, traditionally attracts more crowds from schools on spring recess, including many locals with annual passes. If families opt to stay away from busy public places like theme parks, however, light crowds and short lines may be the norm at Disneyland this spring—and possibly into the summer season.
Everyone: “CORONA VIRUS. WEAR MASKS. STAY OUT OF PUBLIC”
Me: *Goes To Disneyland* pic.twitter.com/vOmqCMnSMY
— Ash 🦥 (@ashleeeeean) March 7, 2020
For the best and worst days to visit Disneyland, be sure to keep an eye on the Disneyland Crowd Calendar. The forecast is updated regularly, so check back often. As of right now, there have been no major changes to the forecast due to coronavirus.
What do you think about the coronavirus fears? Are you planning on visiting Disneyland anytime soon? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!
Image: briangaither
First off I’d like to say, I’m not living in fear. I know this is a very serious situation and we need to be cautious and use our better judgment. But I know that God is in control, and if were gonna get the virus were gonna get the virus, so why not get it at the happiest place on earth!!
Just went Friday evening around 7:00 pm. Stayed
until 10:00. Mind you we went to DCA. We went on Guardians of the Galaxy, Incredicoaster, Monsters Inc, etc. Waited no longer than 15 minutes tops. Radiator Springs Racers had a standby wait time of 40 minutes which is nothing for that ride, it’s usually around 60 to 90 minutes on a Friday evening.
Thank You Corona Virus! 😉
Interesting you mentioned this happening around election time as my sister just said the same thing.. care to elaborate?
Not sure I agree on the God controlling everything part however you’re right that it is what it is and we should just be really cautious and mindful bit living in fear to the point where you lock yourself up into a bubble is not the way to live.
Disney
How about doing 1 or more Disneyland after dark
Going this week to Disneyland, California Adventure and Knotts. Corona virus is a NOTHINGBURGER. It’s less trouble than the yearly flu. Yes, be cognitive of standard sanitary precautions but don’t let the media scare tactics win (if you educate yourself you’ll see a “deadly virus” hits every election year). Enjoy life, carry and use hand sanitizer, and stay away from any people who are coughing/sneezing just like you should with any flu virus
Welp, my daughter and I are hoping 2 planes and a 1 magic bus to WDW next Tuesday.. I figure as long as we practice good hygiene a bit more than usual then we should be ok. I’ve got my masks, gloves and disinfectant and we’re being very mindful of what we touch and have a plan incase one of us gets sick (trip insurance) unfortunately every time we’ve gone to WDW and universal Orlando we’ve come home sick but we weren’t so cautious then, but we will be way more mindful now.. I think this flu is more dangerous in that if you’re elderly or have a compromised system you could get worse but my daughter is 14 and I’m under 50 so I think we will be ok. Knock on wood! Hey, crowds here will be less too!
They should do 1 or more of Disneyland After Dark. It would bring in more income and gives guests a chance to go who might not be able too now.
I also think that once word got out that Disneyland wasn’t crowded last week and might be empty because of coronavirus, it causes way more people to come out. Lots of annual passholders and people on Spring Break were at the parks today!
This site’s own crowd forecast predictors seem to be saying the opposite of this post. All the forecasts this week jumped up from “Ghost Town” to “yup it’s packed” or at least “Hey it’s alright.”