Disneyland California opening hours start at 8 am. During the low season of winter, the park opens at 9 am.
There are two parks within Disneyland California, and both open at 8 am.
The Disney California Adventure Park closes at 10 pm, and Disneyland Park closes at 12 am.
Disneyland California also has an early entry feature. The early entry feature is between 7.30 am to 8 am.
Knowing the California Disneyland opening hours is important before you plan to visit.
Here is an overview of Disneyland California’s opening hours:
| Park | Opening Hours | Early Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Disney California Adventure Park | 8 am to 10 pm | 7.30 am to 8 am |
| Disneyland Park | 8 am to 12 am | 7.30 am to 8 am |
Disneyland hours can change throughout the year but typically follow a similar pattern depending on the season.
Disneyland Park California month-wise opening hours
| Months | Opening | Closing |
|---|---|---|
| January | 8 am | 11 pm |
| February | 8 am | 12 am |
| March | 8 am | 12 am |
| April | 8 am | 12 am |
| May | 8 am | 12 am |
| June | 8 am | 12 am |
| July | 8 am | 12 am |
| August | 8 am | 11 pm |
| September | 9 am | 11 pm |
| October | 9 am | 10 pm |
| November | 9 am | 10 pm |
| December | 8 am | 11 pm |
Disneyland California Adventure park month-wise opening hours
| Months | Opening | Closing |
|---|---|---|
| January | 8 am | 10 pm |
| February | 8 am | 10 pm |
| March | 8 am | 10 pm |
| April | 8 am | 10 pm |
| May | 8 am | 11 pm |
| June | 8 am | 11 pm |
| July | 8 am | 10 pm |
| August | 8 am | 11 pm |
| September | 9 am | 10 pm |
| October | 9 am | 9 pm |
| November | 9 am | 8 pm |
| December | 8 am | 10 pm |
Disneyland California Park parade and show timings
Visitors can enjoy a variety of shows and parades in the park daily.
The Magic Happens parade starts at 3.30 pm every day and ends at 6.30 pm.
The wondrous Journeys with Fireworks start at 9.30 am and last 15 minutes.
Timings of other shows in the park are given below:
| Shows | Timings |
|---|---|
| Storytelling at Royal Theatre | 10.45 am, 12 pm, 1.15 pm, 3 pm, 4.15 pm, 5.30 pm |
| The Tale of the Lion King | 12.15 pm, 2.15 pm, 4.15 pm, 5.45 pm |
| It’s a small world Encanto Projection | 9 pm, 10 pm, 10.30 pm, 11 pm, 11.30 pm |
| Disneyland Band at Castle Promenade | 10 am |
| Disneyland Bant at Main Street USA | 11.45, 12.35 pm, 2.10 pm, 3.15 pm, 4.30 pm |
| Flag Retreat Ceremony | 4.30 pm |
| Golden Horseshoe Piano Player | 12.30 pm, 1.30 pm, 2.30 pm, 3.30 pm, 4.40 pm, 5.30 pm, 6.30 pm |
| Jambalaya Jazz | 3.15 pm, 4.05 pm, 6 pm, 7.15 pm |
| Main Street Piano Player | 11.55 am, 12.50 pm, 1.45 pm, 2.45 pm, 4 pm, 4.55 pm, 5.50 pm |
| Pearly Band at Castle Courtyard | 8.30 am, 9.30 am, 10.20 am, 11.15 am |
| Pearly Band near its a small world | 1 pm, 1.55 pm, 2.40 pm |
| Queenie and the Jambalaya Jazz Band | 8.10 pm, 9.05 pm |
| Stitch’s Interplanetary Beach Party Blast | 7 pm to 11 pm |
| The Dapper Dans | 11 am, 11.45 am, 1.30 pm, 2.35 pm, 4.30 pm, 5.30 pm |
| The Straw Hatters | 8.15 am, 9.15 am, 10.20 am, 11.20 am, 12.55 pm |
Disneyland California Adventure Park show timings
Fireworks at Disneyland California Adventure Park start at 9 pm and 10.15 pm. It lasts for 15 minutes.
| Show | Timings |
|---|---|
| Disney Junior Dance Party | 10.15 am, 11.15 am, 12.15 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm and 4 pm |
| Avengers Assemble | 10.15 am, 11.15 am, 12.30 pm, 1.20 pm, 3.15 pm, 4.10 pm |
| Citizens of Buena Vista Street | 8 am to 6 pm |
| Dr. Strange Mysteries of Mystic Arts | 3.30 pm, 4.20 pm, 5.10 pm, 7.05 pm, 7.55 pm and 8.45 pm |
| Five and Dine | 11.45 am, 12.45 pm, 1.45 pm, 3.15 pm, 4.15 pm, 5.15 pm |
| Operation: Playtime – featuring the Green Army Patrol | 11.15 am, 12.15 pm, 1.15 pm, 2.45 pm, 3.45 pm, 4.45 pm |
| Paradise Garden Bandstand | 12.30 pm, 1.30 pm, 2.30 pm, 4 pm, 5 pm, 6 pm |
| Paradise Garden Bandstand Presents Island Reggae Band | 12.30 pm, 1.30 pm, 2.30 pm, 4 pm, 5 pm, 6 pm |
| The Amazing Spider-Man | 10 am, 10.40 am, 11.10 am, 11.35 am, 12.15 pm, 2.15 pm, 2.45 pm, 3.25 pm, 4 pm |
| Warriors of Wakanda: The Disciplines of the Dora Mialjae | 9.30 am, 10.25 am, 12 pm, 12.55 pm, 1.55 pm, 2.55 pm |
Note: Visitors do not need to get extra tickets for the shows; you can get free entry to all shows and attractions with your Disneyland California entry ticket.
How long does Disneyland California take?
You can cover Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park in one day.
But you will need to prioritize attractions, and you won’t be able to do all of them.
Two days at Disneyland California offers a more relaxed and comprehensive experience.
You can allocate each day to one park, fully exploring the attractions, shows, and dining options and even revisiting favorites.
With two days, you can also take breaks, enjoy multiple parades or shows, and immerse yourself in the park’s ambiance without rushing.
On the first day, you can dive into Disneyland Park and explore its iconic attractions, from classic rides like “Pirates of the Caribbean” to fantasy lands like Tomorrowland and Fantasyland.
On the second day, switch to Disney California Adventure Park to enjoy attractions like “Cars Land,” “Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!” and the immersive Pixar Pier.
Two days provide a more in-depth experience, letting you to fully appreciate Disneyland California’s details, atmosphere, and entertainment options.
How to visit Disneyland California in one day
You can visit Disneyland California in one day, but you may only be able to do one park!
Taking ride wait times, availability and breaks, we have curated a one-day itinerary for you to visit Disneyland California.
8 am: Arrive at the Park
Aim to arrive early to take advantage of lower crowd levels in the morning. Park your car and enjoy the early morning atmosphere on Main Street, USA.
Take some photos and soak in the charm of the park’s entrance area.
8.30 am: Tomorrowland & Fantasyland
Head to Tomorrowland and enjoy popular attractions like Space Mountain and Star Tours. You will find that lines tend to be shorter earlier in the day.
Experience classic attractions like Peter Pan’s Flight, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, and It’s a Small World.
10.30 am: Adventureland and New Orleans Square
Visit the iconic Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Explore the intricate theming of New Orleans Square.
Grab a quick bite to eat for breakfast or a snack.
12.30 am: Critter Country and Frontierland
You must ride Splash Mountain if you’re up for a wet adventure. You also enjoy the charm of Critter Country and explore Frontierland’s attractions.
1.30 pm: Lunch at Disney California Adventure Park
This is where you switch between the two parks! Exit Disneyland and head to Disney California Adventure Park.
Enjoy a leisurely lunch at one of the dining options in the park. Relax and unwind; you have a long way to go yet!
2.30 pm: Explore Disney California, Adventure Park.
Spend the afternoon going around the park and trying out the various attractions.
Enjoy attractions like Radiator Springs Racers, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, and Pixar Pier attractions.
4 pm: Parades and Entertainment
The sun is going down slowly; it’s time to sit and relax. Take a quick bite, and check the schedule for parades or entertainment shows.
Rest your feet and enjoy all the entertainment Disneyland offers.
6 pm: Dinner
You should have dinner at one of the park’s dining locations, ride any attractions you missed earlier, or revisit your favorites.
Or you could stroll down Main Street USA and enjoy the shops. You should consider picking up some souvenirs.
8 pm: Nighttime shows
Often, some shows are scheduled for the evening. Check the schedule for the evening’s fireworks or nighttime show.
Find a good viewing spot and enjoy the magical finale of your day.
9 pm
This is the right time to take final photos and soak in the park’s ambiance before heading towards the exit.
So, this was the one-day itinerary for Disneyland California. You can switch which park you try first, and your itinerary will change accordingly.
We recommend you make Disneyland California a 2 days trip- one day per park.
Best Time to Visit Disneyland California
The best time to visit Disneyland California is at 8 am or 9 am when the park opens.
Arriving at the park early when it opens can help you experience popular attractions with shorter wait times and fewer crowds.
The last few hours before closing can also be an excellent time to ride attractions with reduced wait times.
Weekdays generally have lower crowd levels than weekends, as many locals and tourists visit during the weekends.
If you want to avoid large crowds, consider visiting during the off-peak seasons.
These are generally times when schools are in session, and fewer people are on vacation.
Mid-week visits during these times tend to be less crowded. Off-peak seasons typically include:
- Mid-January to mid-February
- Late April to early June (after Spring Break and before summer vacation)
- Mid-September to mid-November (after Labor Day and before Thanksgiving)
The best time to visit Disneyland California to have a less crowded visit:
- Early January through mid-February
- The day after President’s Day (Feb) until spring break (mid-march)
- The middle of April until Memorial Day weekend (late May)
- After Labor Day through the beginning of October
- The second week of November (after Halloween and before Thanksgiving week)
Disneyland California is most crowded during
- School holiday weeks in February, Spring break, Thanksgiving and Christmas in New York
- Weekends around holiday weeks and three-day holiday weekends, including the 3rd monday of January, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day and Colombus Day
- The park is super crowded after the Disneyland Annual Passholder blackout dates end.
FAQs
1. Is Disneyland in California open all year round?
Disneyland in California is open year-round, offering magical experiences and attractions for visitors to enjoy every season.
2. What time can you enter Disneyland, California?
The Disneyland California opening hours start from 8 am, with early entry starting at 7.30 am.
3. How long has Disneyland in California been open?
Disneyland California opened on July 17, 1955, making it over 65 years old as of 2023.
4. Is 3 days enough for Disneyland California?
Yes, 3 days gives you the perfect time to visit Disneyland California. You can dedicate one day to each of the two parks and spend the last day at a relaxed pace.
5. Can you do Disneyland California in 2 days?
Yes, you can do Disneyland California in 2 days. You can dedicate one day each to each of the parks- Disneyland California Adventure Park and Disneyland Park.
Featured Image: Avel Chuklanov on Unsplash