This Disneyland Week in August Will Be Super Busy

One of my favorite times of the year to visit Disneyland is August because you can often catch all the benefits of summer like longer operating hours and peak entertainment options. While the summer is a popular time for many guests to visit, August tends to be the least crowded of the summer months since many schools start up again.

Unfortunately, there is one week in August that will be super busy despite schools going back in session! When Disneyland anticipates high levels of tourist crowds, they will start to increase block out dates for their Magic Key Holders (annual passholders) to control crowds.

But in the case of this one week in August since kids start going back to school, Disneyland is lifting the blockout dates for two of the biggest population of Magic Key Holders which is going to create a massive influx of guests!

Avoid Disneyland This Week In August

There are four Magic Key pass types: the Inspire Key, Believe Key, Enchant Key, and Imagine Key (for Southern California residents only) with varying levels of block out dates. The more expensive the pass, the least number of block out dates.

For most of the summer, the lowest tier pass (Imagine Key) has been blocked out completely from visiting Disneyland. This changes starting August 12th as Imagine Key block out dates will lift which will cause a big increase in crowds as these pass types have been blocked out all summer. The Imagine Key is for Southern California residents only and this pass has a large impact on Disneyland crowd levels.

Since the pass is limited to Southern Californian residents, you can expect all these passholders to live nearby which makes a trip to the parks much more convenient. Most of these Imagine Key holders will visit Disneyland this week to get their Disney fix after being blocked out all summer!

Due to this, I predict that the week of August 12th through August 15th will be one of the busiest weeks all summer. As of now, reservations are unavailable for August 12th for Imagine Key holders (regular ticket reservations are still available) which means we’ll see a very crowded park on that date. The Imagine Key holders remain blocked out on weekends so that that will offer a bit of relief.

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Prepare for August Disneyland Crowds

There will also be an increase in crowds at Disneyland due to the nearby D23 (Disney’s largest fan event) taking place at the Anaheim Convention Center August 9, 10, and 11. Since this is a convention for Disney fans, you can expect that many visitors of D23 will also visit the parks in the evenings or the days surrounding the event.

This year Disneyland is celebrating D23, with offerings all guests can enjoy, on August 8th so this day will also be a draw for many.

But this isn’t the only impact on Disneyland crowds at the start of August! The Enchant Key, the next tier up from the Imagine Key, will have its block out dates lifted on August 5th. This is another pass that has been blocked out most of the summer and by August 12th the crowds will dramatically increase at Disneyland as both populations of passholders are let back into the park after a long summer of block out dates. You can read more about crowds at Disneyland in our crowd calendar.

How to Deal With Disneyland When It’s Crowded

If you are planning on visiting during these dates, don’t worry too much as you can still have a great time at Disneyland when it’s crowded!

I recommend arriving at the park at least an hour before opening each day and staying after the fireworks to take advantage of the two least crowded time periods of the day. Following a good morning strategy for both Disneyland and California Adventure can also help you knock out the most important rides in the park.

Peak crowds will happen during midday which is a great time to head back to your local Disneyland hotel and enjoy the pool. Make dining reservations for the evening so you do not have to worry about long lines for food and can take a break before staying all night to enjoy the low waits after the fireworks.

Even a crowded day at Disneyland is better than a day not spent at Disneyland!

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