How to Use the Disneyland Calendar to Save Time in Line

Between Star Wars, holiday events and anniversary celebrations, there are fewer and fewer weeks of the year when you can visit Disneyland and not worry about long lines and crowds.

The good news is that when Disney parks are busier, they offer longer hours and more fun events. That means more parades, fireworks, shows, character greetings and celebrations!

There are a few tips and tricks that Disney regulars use to avoid spending hours in line for just one or two rides. This post will tell you about using Disney's online calendar to help you avoid crowds ANY DAY OF THE YEAR.

Here's how I use the Disneyland calendar to avoid crowds.

Find the Disneyland calendar online

Find the Disneyland calendar online at www.disneyland.disney.go.com/calendars

Use the arrows and check boxes at the top of the calendar to find the dates of your trip and filter the information you want to see, and don't want to see, on the calendar. If your trip is more than a month or two away, you may not be able to see your dates yet.

Disney Parks do not open and close at the same time every day. And, Disneyland and California Adventure will probably open and close at different times.

Disney regulars know that arriving before the gates open is the best way to ride popular rides without waiting in long lines. That's why checking the calendar in advance is crucial.

Related: Tips for Using the Official Disneyland App

Are you staying at a Disneyland hotel?

If yes, note the days and parks with Extra Magic Hours and plan your schedule around them. You'll get in an hour before the general public, and enjoy much shorter lines. It's worth waking up early!

If no, visit the other park that day. Otherwise, thousands of people will get in before you and you'll miss any advantage to arriving when the park opens.

Related:

• Our Review of the Disneyland Hotel
• Our Review of Disney's Grand Californian Hotel

Pick a Magic Morning

If you have a 3-day ticket or longer, you may choose one Magic Morning during your trip. You'll be able to enter the park one hour before the general public. Magic Mornings are scheduled on the calendar.

If you are not eligible for a Magic Morning, AVOID the park with a Magic Morning that day.

Related: 30+ Ways to Save Money at Disneyland

Note special events and plan around them

If you want to see Fantasmic!, World of Color, fireworks or any other special event, they will all be listed on the calendar. Using the calendar to plan around special events is especially important if you will not have Park Hopper passes.

Oogie Boogie Bash is a fun event that happens about three times a week beginning in September. On those days, Disneyland closes at 6 or 7 pm and only those guests who have purchased a separate ticket will be allowed to stay. If you visit in September-October, you will definitely want to plan around that – especially if you won't have a ticket.

Related: Our Guide to the Oogie Boogie Bash

Conclusion

There you go! A few minutes of planning before your trip can save you a lot of time in line.

How else can we help?

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Allison

Hi there! I am the founder of Tips for Family Trips. I am a married mom of two children, ages 14 and 17, living near Salt Lake City, Utah. We took our first child on a two-week road trip when she was four weeks old and we have been traveling as a family ever since. We love to get out of the house to see and do fun things, both far away and in our own neighborhood.