Disneyland in August is a great time of the year to visit because the parks are usually running with longer operating hours and the parks will be offering their full lineup of entertainment.
Everyone has personal preferences to consider when planning the date of their Disneyland trip- each season will have its pros and cons and guests' choices will vary based on those. Make sure to read our Disneyland crowd calendar to get an idea of what to expect when picking a date to visit Disneyland.
Disneyland Events in August
Usually you won't see anything new introduced to the theme parks in August as the end of summer nears but here's the most current news you should know.
Summer in Disneyland
Visiting in August usually won't include special events unless they are events that are part of the general summer season- which Disney does often! Visiting in the summer is a great time of year to be at Disneyland and in California… there's a reason summer is always a great time to vacation.
Pixar Fest at Disneyland
Pixar Fest, a celebration of friendship featuring favorite Pixar characters, colorful decor, themed menu items, and special entertainment, will continue through August 4. It will feature an all-new daytime parade “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” at Disney California Adventure and the returning “Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” with new scenes at Disneyland Park.
Halloween at Disneyland
Disneyland is extending the Halloween season for 2024, and it will start on August 23 this year. You can see everything you need to know about the Halloween celebration at Disneyland in our guide!
Plaza de la Familia
Plaza de la Familia will also start at Disney California Adventure at the end of the month on August 23. It will highlight the bonds of family and honor Día de los Muertos through a cultural experience featuring storytelling and music from the film Coco.
Disneyland in August Pros
Disneyland in the summer is a wonderful time to go to the parks because there are more entertainment options and longer hours plus rarely any of the rides are experiencing refurbishments. These are all some of the biggest pros of visiting Disneyland in August as you get to experience all the perks of the summer months.
The first half of August will see the longest operating hours but also higher crowd levels. The parks will often follow an opening schedule of 8AM-12AM most days of the week leaving you plenty of time to enjoy the park. These longer operating hours are great especially for guests that can handle staying until midnight. You will find the lowest ride lines of the day at the end of the night before the park closes!
The weather will be hot in August so you can enjoy your hotel pool to its fullest extent along with the two water rides at the parks: Splash Mountain in Disneyland and Grizzly River Run in California Adventure! Don't forget to plan a day at the beach too as Southern California is home to many beautiful beaches not far from Disneyland.
Disneyland in August Cons
One of the biggest cons of visiting Disneyland in August can be the hot weather especially if you don't typically do well in heat! Always plan an afternoon break so you can take some time to rest and enjoy your hotel pool.
The beginning of August will be far more busier while many schools still have off for the summer so if you visit earlier in the month you will likely see higher crowd levels. If you visit towards the end of the month you may see lower crowds but this may also come with slightly reduced operating hours as compared to the beginning of the month.
What is Disneyland Weather Like in August?
Disneyland in August can be a month with extremely hot weather with the average high coming in at 86 degrees and the average low at 66. It can always feel hotter at Disneyland too when you have so much concrete reflecting back at you thoughout the day. Be sure to pack for hot weather. Bring clothes that are comfortable for heat along with things to help you get through the day like cooling towels, mister fans, sunscreen, etc. If you forget any of these items you can find them in the parks but you will pay a hefty price for getting them on the spot!
The perks of visiting in the summer is that the average length of day in August is around 14 and a half hours giving you plenty of time to enjoy the parks. When it comes to Disneyland's operating schedule, the first two weeks of the month they operate on their summer schedule with gates opening at 8am everyday and staying open late. About midway during the month they will switch to shorter hours with the gates opening at 9am everyday.
We've been in the parks before when the hours switched midweek and the first day of the switch definitely had an impact on the lines at the gates. Many people likely didn't realize the opening switched to 9am so they arrived prior to 8am which created huge lines for people who arrived later. If you're there during the hours switch, make sure to get there extra early on the first day the hours get pushed back so you're not at the end of the line. You can check Disneyland's calendar here for the schedule during your trip.
I recommend reading through our massive Disneyland packing list so you don't forget anything you may need on your trip.
Plan Your Disneyland Vacation!
Keep reading our blog to keep you updated on everything you need to know to prepare for Disneyland vacation! Be sure to subscribe to our free newsletter to receive helpful planning information, exclusive Disney deals, and access to the lowest priced Disney tickets anywhere. You can find more information on planning your vacation here:
Related Posts
