If you’re going to Disneyland this summer, plan on waiting just a little longer for that ride on Space Mountain. The “Happiest Place on Earth” has announced yet another ticket promotion just in time for the summer season, and Disney fans are now bracing for even bigger crowds and longer lines.
The summer-long deal cuts ticket prices to as low as $83/day per adult and $50/day per child (ages 3-9) with the purchase of a three-day, one-park per day ticket. With regular tickets for Disneyland going for as much as $194/day, it’s no wonder that the promotion is expected to be very popular among Disney diehards this summer.
Tickets are only valid Monday-Thursday, but options for weekend visits, the line-cutting Genie+ service, and park-hopping ability are available for an extra cost. The three-day tickets are valid June 10 through September 26, and visits can be spread out throughout the season. Unlike previous promotions, there’s also no Southern California resident requirement — these tickets are available to everyone.
Ticket deals like this one have been one of the biggest driving forces to the longer lines at Disneyland recently, especially during the week. So it’s no surprise that prices are being slashed again as the park gears up for the summer season.
The promotion is essentially an extension of a locals-only discount offer that’s been ongoing since the beginning of the year, which has proven to be a hit. The SoCal resident ticket deal, which ends on June 2, has helped boost attendance to both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure during what’s normally the resort’s “off-season.” It’s also brought in more crowds during peak times, like Spring Break this past March and April.
Park officials are now hoping to stretch the high demand of these cheaper tickets by expanding the deal to everyone through the summer and into the start of the Halloween season this fall.
Thinking about heading to Disneyland this summer? Here are some tips to get the most out of your summer getaway to the parks!
1. Avoid Mondays
“It’s just another manic Monday (Ooh-oh).”
Monday has become one of the most crowded days of the week to visit Disneyland in recent months. It’s routinely the worst day of the week to go, according to the Disneyland Crowd Calendar.
Why Monday? It’s mostly a combination of promotional ticketholders and annual passholders that makes the lines extra longer on Mondays.
Monday is the first day of the week that the ticket deal is valid, since most don’t opt for the weekend upgrade. Many Magic Key annual passes are also valid again starting Monday (after being blocked out for the weekend). Throw in guests staying an extra day from their weekend vacation and it’s suddenly just another manic Monday at Disneyland: hour-long waits for popular rides and big crowds everywhere.
If you must go during the week, Wednesday or Thursday tend to be better bets.
2. Go on Sundays
“Wish it were Sunday (Ooh-oh). ‘Cause that’s my fun day (Ooh).”
Sunday is indeed fun day at Disneyland, the “I-don’t-have-to-run day,” quite literally. No need to hurry from attraction to attraction or show to show — Sunday park-goers often enjoy the most manageable crowds and lines of the week.
What’s so special about Sunday? Again, it’s thanks to many tickets and passes being invalid on weekends. A lot of Disney fans are simply priced out too, as higher-priced weekend tickets may force a trip during the week instead.
Sunday has become the least crowded day of the week to visit Disneyland, routinely seeing wait times 20-30 percent shorter than weekdays. Friday is typically the next best day of the week (it’s only second-best because crowds tend to pick up in the evening as schools/work get out). Saturdays can be manageable too compared to weekdays, but it’s still a popular day for high-tier passholders and vacationers (making it slightly worse than Sunday and Friday, but usually better than Monday-Thursday).
3. Wait until after summer
If you’re partaking in the three-day ticket deal, it might be a good idea to save one of your dates for the end of August or September. Halloween Time starts on August 23 (and the tickets don’t expire until September 26), so that gives ticketholders a chance to experience the resort’s fall festivities on top of their summer visits.
The earlier in the Halloween season you go, the less crowded it tends to be, so it’s actually a good time to visit before crowds really start to pick up in October. Don’t hold off your fall trip for too long, though. We recommend making your park reservations early, as availability has gone fast in past years.
Be sure to check out the Disneyland Crowd Calendar for the best times to visit this summer. Keep an eye out for “Best Bet” days, as they have the highest chance of being the least crowded days of the week.
Are you planning on visiting Disneyland this summer? Have you been before? What were the crowds and lines like? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!