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Heading to Disneyland in August? I’ve got all the information you’ll need for an amazing trip! Because it’s summer vacation, August is an optimal time for many people to visit. Although crowds can be higher due to summer breaks across the country, you’ll still be able to have an amazing time! There’s lots of fun to be had at Disneyland in August. This article talks about the weather, crowd levels, events, what to expect, and how to get a discount on your Disney park tickets! Plus, I’ve also included some really helpful Disneyland planning information.
Discount Disneyland Tickets
Be aware, that park tickets and reservations are required to enter Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure. Please don’t pay full price for your park tickets! My partners at Get Away Today have the best deals on hotels and ticket prices! Their tickets are always discounted off the gate price. Plus they offer layaway plans! Book your trip now and make payments!
They also have amazing deals on hotels. You can often find deals with free nights! I prefer a hotel room within walking distance of the parks and I’ve always found great deals through Get Away Today. If you’re thinking of staying on property, the Disneyland Hotel is my very favorite! You can check out all my hotel reviews here.
Disneyland In August
What To Expect
There are lots to see and do when you’re visiting Disneyland in August! Let’s chat about what you can expect so you can be prepared.
Crowds At Disneyland In August
Early August at Disneyland is still right in the midst of “peak summer” time crowds. Summertime crowds are usually heavier because it’s an optimal time for many people to visit. Please don’t let crowds scare you away. You can still have an amazing time, even if it’s crowded. I’ve created this Disneyland crowd calendar to help you with you’re planning. Please know, that Disneyland is always crowded. You can still have a good time even if you’re visiting on a crowded day! I’ve got lots of info for dealing with high crowd levels here.
For the lowest August crowds, stick to Tuesday – Friday and avoid weekends.
Because it’s a popular time to visit, Disneyland will have longer park hours. This is great news for lots of families! Longer park hours make it an ideal time for many families to visit. Make sure you check the Disneyland app so you can know the park hours before you arrive.
Towards the end of August, crowds at the Disneyland Resort are significantly lower. Kids are heading back to school and most families aren’t willing to take their kids out of school right at the beginning of the year to visit theme parks. So, late August is the best time to visit if you’re looking for the least busy time of the month.
I’ve got a free printable Itinerary that I update every month. This might be helpful for you if you’re trying to get as much done as possible in a short amount of time. I have one for each park. You can find them here.
Weather At Disneyland In August
The weather at Disneyland in August is hot! The average high is 86 degrees F. The average temperature is 66 degrees F for the low. The park often feels even hotter because of all the concrete and people around.
Be at the parks early so you can take advantage of the cooler morning hours and consider staying later because Disneyland after dark is so much cooler. Taking a break back at your hotel mid-day can be a life saver!
Make sure you keep an eye on the weather before your trip so you can be prepared. Don’t forget the sunscreen and sunglasses! I’ve got lots of tips to help you beat the heat right here!
What To Wear To Disneyland In August
Keep comfort in mind when you’re deciding what to pack for Disneyland in August. You’ll want to wear things that are breathable and light. Tank tops and shorts are a good idea. You might want to consider bringing a jacket, even if the weather forecast predicts heat. The Southern California evenings can get chilly. I have a complete guide about what to wear to Disneyland in August. You can find it here.
How To Keep Cool At Disneyland In August
You’re going to need a break from the heat at some point during the day! Good news! I have lots of ideas for you. You can take a break back at your hotel in the swimming pool or lay down for a nice nap.
Or, if you’re staying in the park you might want to try a water ride like Splash Mountain or Grizzly River Run. You’re sure to get soaked on both of them!
I’m a fan of long indoor rides like Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, or “it’s a small world”. These rides are long and fully air-conditioned! It’s a great place to take a break.
You can also hop on Little Mermaid for a nice relaxing ride filled with air conditioning over at California Adventure. Or, take a break from the Animation Academy. I’ve got a bunch of other ideas for beating the heat here.
Events At Disneyland In August
August is busy until the last week or so, then it is a fairly quiet at Disneyland. Haunted Mansion will close down after the summertime crowds are gone so it can be transformed into Haunted Mansion Holiday. You can expect it to be closed for the last two weeks in the month of August and open up in early September for the beginning the Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort!
The CHOC Adventure In The Park fundraising event will be held in California Adventure Park on August 27th, 2022. So, DCA will close one hour early that night at 9 pm for that event.
Nighttime entertainment
There are lots of fun nighttime shows and entertainment to enjoy at Disneyland in July! Night-time shows include Disneyland Forever Fireworks show, The Main Street Electrical Parade, Fantasmic! and World of Color. There’s so much great entertainment during the summer months! I’m a huge fan of all of them. If you have the time, make sure you plan to enjoy some of the impressive nighttime entertainment. If you’re interested in special entertainment dining packages, I’ve got a post with lots of information about them here.
What to Pack For Disneyland In August
Having a well-packed bag at Disneyland is so helpful. Don’t pay a crazy price for something you easily could have brought from home or purchased at a much lower price at home! Here’s a list of Disney park bag essentials that I like to have with me while I’m inside the parks. I also save a ton of money by buying things on Amazon before my trip. Here’s my Disney trip Amazon list.
You’re going to want to pack a few things to help you stay cool. I recommend a small handheld fan. I found mine on Amazon. I also feel like cooling towels make a huge difference! They sell them at Disneyland, but it’s much cheaper to buy them before your trip and bring them with you. I like to bring a small pocket umbrella too. I use the umbrella to create shade for myself whenever it’s getting a little too hot. This has been a life saver in many situations! I also like to have a reusable water bottle with me so I can stay hydrated.
A hat is also a really good idea to keep the sun off of your face. If you can make it a Disney hat, even better!
Of course, sunscreen is a must. You have to wear sunscreen at Disneyland! I prefer a mineral-based sunscreen because I have very fair skin and feel mineral-based sunscreens protect me best.
If you’re wondering what to wear to Disneyland in August, I’ve got lots of ideas for you! You want to make sure you’re cool and comfortable. Here’s my post on what to wear to Disneyland in July.
Tips for a Great Visit To Disneyland In August
Use Genie Plus
Genie plus is the new system that replaced the old Fastpass/Max Pass system. Genie Plus allows you to skip the regular line and use the “lightning lane” on select attractions. This is a huge time saver and the best way to skip the longest lines! You can find out more information about Genie Plus here. It is an additional fee. $25 per person per day and includes photo pass.
I’ve got touring plans that utilize Genie Plus right here!
Rope Drop
The first two hours after the park opens have the very lowest crowd levels of the entire day. So, skip sleeping in and take a break later in the day when things get busy. Or, head back to the hotel early for a good night’s rest. Whatever it takes to be there bright and early! I recommend arriving at least 60 minutes before the park opens.
I recommend trying to “rope drop” the parks if possible. I’ve got tons of information about rope dropping at Disneyland here. Rope dropping the wrong attractions(Rise of the Resistance, the Star Wars Ride in Galaxy’s Edge) can throw off your day, so It’s on my list of rookie mistakes to avoid at the Disney Parks.
Mobile Order
When visiting Disneyland in July, you’re going to want to skip as many long lines as possible! Guess what? You can skip the lines for food by mobile ordering on your Disneyland app! You can browse menus, place your order and skip the lines! Then, when it’s time to eat you simply use the app to notify them that you’re at the restaurant and ready to eat. They’ll quickly prepare your food while you relax at a table. Then, you just pick it up when they alert you via the app and you’re on your way! It’s such a time-saving! Most quick-service dining places around the park offer Mobile ordering. You can check out my favorite quick-service dining options in both parks here.
Take a Break Midday
The warmer weather can take a toll on you. I suggest taking a midday break to rest and recoup. Then, you’ll be ready to tackle the Matterhorn Bobsleds line and stay late so you can take advantage of the cooler evening temperatures.
Many people like to head back to their hotels for a mid-day break. This is a great option! You can swim in the pool, take a nap, and be feeling refreshed as you head back to the park in the late afternoon/evening.
I often stay in the parks the entire day and don’t want to waste the time/energy going back to my hotel for a break. But, that doesn’t mean I don’t have a midday break. I make sure to take a break while I’m in the parks. Sometimes I’ll ride the train around a few times while I enjoy some popcorn and a Diet Coke. Sometimes I’ll find a shady spot to people watch. Often, I’ll schedule a dining reservation for later in the afternoon so I can sit and enjoy a nice leisurely meal in the air-conditioned restaurant. Other times, I’ll take my kids to explore Tom Sawyer’s Island or we’ll take a drawing class from Animator’s Academy. There are so many things you can do to take a little break if you stay in the parks!
Take Time For Show/Entertainment
I know it’s tempting to rush around from attraction to attraction, but slow down a bit and take some time to enjoy some of Disneyland’s incredible entertainment. Avengers Campus has a few shows that are fun, especially for Marvel fans! You can also check out Storytelling at the Royal Theatre for any princess fans. There’s so much entertainment to choose from! It can really add some magic to your day. Plus, it’s a great chance to take a break from waiting in long lines.
Have a good attitude
One of the very best things you can do when visiting Disney theme parks is to have a good attitude. Actually, it’s probably the most important thing. I know, I know, it seems like such a silly thing to say but it’s true! A good attitude will take you a long way, especially when you’re visiting during one of the hottest months with bigger crowds. Whether this is your first time on a Disneyland vacation or you visit often, decide ahead of time that you’re going to have a good time no matter what! You get to decide what kind of Disney vacation you have, so decide in advance that you want it to be a great one and it will be!
Disneyland Planning Help
If you need help planning your Disneyland vacation, I have a complete guide to planning for Disneyland that will walk you through a step-by-step planning process for Disneyland. Also, check out my top tips for visiting the Disneyland resort here. I also have a planning phone call that’s super popular! In this phone call, I can answer all of your Disneyland vacation questions and give you lots of tips and info tailored just to you and your group!
I can’t wait for you to visit the happiest place on earth soon! August is a great time of year to visit!. I know your whole family is going to have a great time! I hope this guide to Disneyland in August was helpful for you. If you’re considering visiting in a different month, you can check out my month-by-month guide to Disneyland for more info.
Make sure to check out my podcast for lots of Disney planning information! You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Just search for “Mix In Some Magic” Follow me on Instagram for more Disney tips and lots of Disney fun!
