Summer is typically one of Disneyland Resort's busiest periods.
As schools break up and families head to Southern California, long waits are usually part of the Disneyland experience. That's why many guests have been surprised by what they're seeing at the parks this month.
Visitors to Disneyland Resort are reporting unusually light crowds across Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure, and Downtown Disney, despite June traditionally marking the start of the resort's peak season.
Guests Describe Disneyland as a “Ghost Town”
On Reddit, one guest shared a photo of the Toy Story Parking Area appearing largely empty for a Saturday in June.
The guest added that Disneyland was a “total ghost town” today.
Others reported similar experiences throughout the resort.
“Was there yesterday and crowds were surprisingly low for a Friday!” one guest wrote on Reddit. “Wait times for fantasyland rides were 5-10 mins almost all day and there noticeably less people than on Thursday.”
Some guests suggested blockout dates for lower-tier Magic Key holders may be contributing to the lighter crowds.
“Saturdays in summer have been this way for several years now. You mix a super expensive tier for tickets due to dynamic pricing + block almost all the magic keys, meansā¦ itās delightful.”
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Photos shared online also showed relatively quiet conditions in New Orleans Square, although Pirates of the Caribbean remains closed there for refurbishment.
Others reported lighter crowds in Downtown Disney.
Wait Times Stay Low Despite Peak Season
Guest reports are reflected in wait-time data.
According to Thrill Data, the average wait at Disneyland Park was 18 minutes as of 3 p.m. PST.
One guest said they were able to experience several major attractions in just a few hours.
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“Got there right at 8, by 11am, we rode Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Tiana's Bayou, Matterhorn, Alice in Wonderland, Indiana Jones and the Mark Twain boat,” the guest wrote. “We left by 4 since there wasn't much to do and it got so hot.”
The lighter crowds come as Disneyland Resort approaches the end of its 70th anniversary celebration, which has added new entertainment, merchandise, and food offerings across the resort.
Another possible factor is the FIFA World Cup, which is currently taking place in the United States. Los Angeles is hosting eight matches at SoFi Stadium, with the first taking place this weekend.
Major sporting events don't always drive attendance at nearby theme parks. During the 2024 Summer Olympics, some travelers postponed visits to Disneyland Paris because they expected larger crowds and higher prices.
For now, however, guests visiting Disneyland Resort continue to report shorter waits and lighter crowds than many would expect at the start of summer.
Have you noticed light crowds at Disneyland this week?
