Help for Dealing with Holiday Crowds at The Disneyland Resort!

Disneyland Resort parks can get jam packed, even filling to capacity, during the weeks around Christmas.
It especially gets busy after Christmas Day when tourists flock to town.


Here are some ways to deal with the crowds:

1. Get there early: Disneyland opens at 8 a.m. and Disney California Adventure opens at 10 a.m. in the coming weeks. But lines form before the gates even open.

2. Pick up Fastpasses: The Fastpass system allows visitors to get a ticket posted with an hour window to return to get in the front of the line. Only certain rides have Fastpasses and they often run out by midday during busy days.

3. Load up on coffee: For a caffeine buzz, visitors can buy coffee at Main Street’s Market House in Disneyland and get free refills all day. Visitors just need to bring in a receipt to get another cup.

4.  Take a midday break: When Disneyland gets really crowded around noon, experts suggest that guests leave. Visitors can go to Disney California Adventure, Downtown Disney, back to their hotels or a restaurant for a rest. Then, they can come back in the evening for all the nighttime entertainment.

5. Find a chill place: Some areas of the park are a tad slower, such or Innoventions. Also, visitors can snag a seat on a bench in the hub in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle or relax along Main Street U.S.A. to listen to the holiday music.

6. Take the kids to play: When the kids get antsy from standing in line, there are a few areas that allow children to run around or chill. Big Thunder Ranch in Frontierland has a coloring area, as well as a petting zoo. Play areas are in Mickey’s Toontown or Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island where kids can run off some steam.

7. Eat something: Disneyland Resort has a lot of holiday foods, such as gingerbread beignets, as well as their classic fare. Grab a treat and find a seat. To avoid lines at restaurants, visitors can make reservations at certain locations on the Disney Dining phone line: 714-781-DINE or 714-781-3463.

8. Hang out by “it’s a small world”: The fireworks, as well as the parade, can be seen in front of “it’s a small world.” It’s not quite the same view of the fireworks, but it’s less crowded. Plus, visitors can see projections on the facade of the ride.

9. Get early admission. Magic Morning Hours are available to guests at certain hotels with Disney packages. Visitors can get inside the gates an hour early.

10. Buy tickets early: Visitors can buy tickets online or at grocery stores before heading to the park.