Spring break has arrived, and with it, a suffocating surge of crowds at Disneyland Resort. Guests have shared their frustrations about the increasingly crowded conditions at the Southern California Disney parks, pushing many to reconsider their visits.
Spring break is notoriously one of the busiest times of the year at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, ranking just behind Christmas and New Year’s week and the Fourth of July in crowd size. Schools and universities close, families take vacations, and Disneyland Resort becomes a go-to destination for tens of thousands looking to escape their routines. But for some, the magic of Disneyland is being replaced with feelings of frustration and discomfort.
The Crowds Are Too Much for Disneyland Guests
The overwhelming nature of these crowds was recently captured in a Reddit post from u/spotheadcow, who shared their experience after visiting Disneyland Resort during the busy season. “The magic is being smothered by the crowds,” the guest wrote.
The magic is being smothered by the crowds.
byu/spotheadcow inDisneyland
The post goes on to describe how the park has become more packed over time, especially with the changes made to increase capacity:
“When they took the benches out and widened the walkways a few years ago it was to increase the number of people that could be let into the park. And yes they are filling the park to its limit most days, it seems. Now the lines are too long for rides and food. There aren’t enough tables in the restaurants. The cast members are overburdened. The wonder and magic in the park is dying. Instead of appreciating the music and views on my way to the next ride, I’m on my phone booking a lightening lane. It’s stopped being magic and it stopped being fun. So I’m voting with my wallet. I used to go 3 times a year for a week at a time. I need a break. Maybe someday, if things change.”
The Impact of Reduced Entertainment
Some Disney Parks fans weighed in with their own thoughts about how the lack of live entertainment has worsened the situation.
“Only solution is to have more attractions/shows or simply jack up price,” u/bellygrubs commented. “With how lazy disney is nowadays i think we all know what they will pick.”
The absence of live shows, worsened by recent entertainment layoffs, leaves many guests with fewer options and forces them to spend more time in crowded walkways. Another user, u/mostlylurking6, pointed out how this issue became apparent over the holidays when a canceled parade left crowds wandering.
“We for sure noticed this over Christmas when the parade was cancelled for rain,” they wrote. “Many thousands of people would have been stationary along the parade route for at least an hour, but instead were making Fantasyland (even more) miserably crowded lol.”
The High Price of Crowds at Disneyland Resort
Overcrowding at Disneyland Resort isn’t just a passing frustration—it’s a serious concern for many long-time fans who are finding the experience less enjoyable.
“The crowds are UNREAL,” u/bringtwizzlers commented. “Unlike anything I have ever experienced. You can tell that the cast members are feeling it too, their rudeness is palpable.”
The oppressive crowds have led some guests to feel trapped. u/sexfighter shared their experience: “Last time I went, you literally can’t take 2 steps in a line, because there are people in every direction 6 inches from you, moving in different directions. Waiting an hour for a 30 second ride? No.”
For many, the experience has lost its charm.
“I used to go about 3x a year as an out-of-state visitor, but with my last trip a year ago, I’m voting with my hundreds of dollars,” u/tabithabee replied. “It’s the only way I can make any kind of impact. Also I’d rather hold on to the incredible memories of being there in the ‘golden age’ vs. fight for a taste of what’s gone.”
Is the Magic Gone?
Not all Disney Park guests agree, though. Some fans believe that the overcrowding is just part of the Disney experience, especially during peak times like spring break.
“I mean, it’s spring break,” u/DarkNightCometh commented. “I went on Monday and everything was a ridiculous wait time I didn’t even bother trying to get on any rides. But I also just went in the beginning of February and easily did 8-10 rides in a single day.”
“I find I have a better experience without lightning lane but getting there early,” said u/jenjen828. “I can get a lot done before it gets busy and then take it slow the rest of the day wherever the wind takes me…”
How can Disneyland Resort manage crowds better? Share your ideas with Disney Fanatic in the comments.
Here we go again! People complain about everything these days! By now, everyone knows or should know that the crowds swell during spring break and during the two weeks of Christmas break! Now throw in the current discounted tickets and of course the parks are going to be super crowded! My advice, stay home if you don’t want to deal with the overcrowding!