The Peak Demand Heatmap
Disneyland doesn't get busy by accident. We track the regional travel spikes—driven by holidays and local breaks—that turn a quiet Tuesday into a standstill.
The Surge Effect
When multiple counties are out at once, wait times for "Tier 1" rides often double.
The Monday Spike
The first day of a regional break is historically 20% busier than the following Friday.
The Strategy
If your dates align with a "High Impact" window, prioritize Genie+ early in the day.
2026 High-Volume Windows
Winter Break
Primary Window: Dec 22 – Jan 9
Insider Notes
Post-New Year crush as some districts extend later than others.
Los Angeles
Dec 22 – Jan 9
Orange Co.
Dec 22 – Jan 2
San Diego
Dec 22 – Jan 2
Inland Empire
Dec 22 – Jan 9
Ski Week / Presidents
Primary Window: Feb 13 – Feb 20
Insider Notes
NorCal ski week overlap + local 3–4 day weekends.
Los Angeles
Feb 13 – Feb 16
Orange Co.
Feb 13 – Feb 16
San Diego
Feb 13 – Feb 16
Inland Empire
Feb 13 – Feb 20
Spring Break
Primary Window: Mar 23 – Apr 10
Insider Notes
The late-March travel wave starts; overlaps hit hardest on weekends.
Los Angeles
Mar 30 – Apr 3
Orange Co.
Mar 30 – Apr 3
San Diego
Mar 30 – Apr 3
Inland Empire
Mar 23 – Apr 3
Summer Break
Primary Window: May 28 – Aug 13
Insider Notes
Grad Nite season flows into summer peak.
Los Angeles
Jun 10 – Aug 12
Orange Co.
Jun 5 – Aug 13
San Diego
May 28 – Aug 10
Inland Empire
Jun 4 – Aug 3
Utah Fall Break Window (Travel Impact)
Primary Window: Mid-October (varies by district)
Insider Notes
Many Utah districts cluster fall recess in mid-October.
Los Angeles
N/A
Orange Co.
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Inland Empire
N/A
Survival Tip
The "High Impact" windows on this page are when the park feels smallest. If you're visiting during these dates, focus on mobile-ordering your food early and hitting the lower-capacity attractions like the Tiki Room or Pirates during the mid-day rush.