Thrill Data, a website that reports on theme park crowds using metrics like attraction wait times, projects October 2024 as one of the busiest months for this year at Disneyland. Thrill Data’s findings show guests visiting the park in October will likely experience average or above-average wait times, akin to peak vacation seasons like spring break or the December holidays.
Visiting Disneyland Resort in the fall season rose in popularity in recent years. More than summer vacation, October represents one of the busiest times of the year at the House of Mouse.
Disneyland curates its fall season to draw in more crowds than ever before. Its popular Halloween offerings, including the after-hours event Oogie Boogie Bash, include limited-time merchandise and character meet-and-greets. Some of its holiday overlays also begin in the fall, with the Haunted Mansion transforming into a version inspired by The Nightmare Before Christmas. And it pays off, too. Haunted Mansion’s average historical wait time doubles when the holiday version opens.
Locals now expect crowds to rise in October, but unassuming tourists find themselves caught off guard. Travel experts share their top tips for navigating Disneyland’s fall crowds. These include capitalizing on the earlier and later operating hours and using Disney’s tools to help plan your day in the park.
Arrive Early or Stay Late
Guests who arrive right when the park opens or stay late before closing benefit from lower wait times. This philosophy rings true year-round but helps even more during peak seasons.
Disneyland opens its front gates for guests before the posted opening time, allowing families to filter into the park and stand ready to head to their first attraction. Experts repeatedly mention this practice fans call “rope dropping” as a top tip when navigating Disneyland’s busiest days.
For Marjolein Dilven, founder of Spark Nomad, being in time for the “rope dropping” means travelers “experience popular attractions with shorter wait times.” Dilven suggests, “Ride the most popular attractions in the morning and save the less crowded attractions for later in the day.” Crowds peak late morning and early afternoon, meaning sought-after rides like Space Mountain or Indiana Jones Adventure post their longest wait times.
Theme park editor and freelance journalist Megan duBois says an October Disneyland visit looks different now than in years past. “It has gotten more busy over the years.” duBois’ top tip involves taking a much-needed midafternoon break from the parks when crowds and wait times surge.
She shares, “Once the sun starts to set, I head back to the parks for evening fun when it’s cooler and people are starting to leave. My theory is that you can deal with the heat or the crowds, but you definitely can’t do both all day.”
Gavin Doyle, founder of Mickey Visit and bestselling author of Disneyland Secrets, echoes the midday break sentiment. Optimizing this strategy includes “booking a walking distance hotel specifically for midday breaks,” says Doyle. Disneyland offers three of its own resort hotels within minutes of the park, but numerous third-party hotels exist just beyond the property, too.
Use Disneyland’s Planning Tools
Disneyland’s best interests concern families maximizing their time in the park. To help its guests achieve that goal, Disney developed tools travel experts say make a difference. Dilven stresses the importance of using the Disneyland app, which displays current wait times, allows for mobile meal ordering, and more. Dilven adds, “Know what attractions and shows you want to see and regularly check the Disney app to adjust your schedule if needed.”
While some tools come at no added cost, others include a fee. Those upgrades include Lightning Lane Multi Pass, a service starting at $30 per person daily. Purchasing a Lightning Lane Multi Pass allows users to book return times for a ride’s expedited queue, aka, the Lightning Lane, bypassing the standby line. Doyle recommends families take advantage of this service to skip lines, spend less time waiting, and enjoy the parks more.
Doyle suggests more flexible families plan their fall Disneyland trip around the busiest October dates, including weekends. “In the past few years, this has been one of the worst periods for crowds,” says Doyle. He also warns travelers about schools’ fall breaks, which often take place in October. Many families, however, still choose peak seasons due to scheduling availability. In those instances, applying these tips will ease parkgoers’ crowd burdens.
