Disneyland in 2026: What’s New, When to Go, and What to Expect
If you’re planning a trip to Disneyland in 2026, you picked a wonderful year to visit. I’ve been following Disneyland crowd patterns, park updates, and seasonal events since my first visit to the park as a young teen, and I can tell you that 2026 has been one of the most exciting years the Disneyland Resort has seen in a long time. The resort is in the final weeks of its historic 70th Anniversary Celebration, new experiences have arrived throughout the year, and the events calendar has been one of the strongest in recent memory.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know to make smart decisions about your 2026 Disneyland trip: what’s new, what’s closing or under refurbishment, when to go, when to avoid, and how to make the most of every single day.
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Is Disneyland in 2026 Worth It?
Short answer: absolutely yes.
The big-picture pros are real. The Disneyland Resort’s 70th anniversary celebration wraps up August 9, 2026, with exclusive entertainment, limited-time merchandise, and special experiences across both parks. New character experiences have arrived, Soarin’ Across America debuted July 2, and the events calendar (from Lunar New Year to Halloween Time to the holidays) has been packed from January through December.
The cons? Several attractions saw extended closures for refurbishment earlier in the year, and major construction is underway for future expansions at Disney California Adventure. You will see some walls and scaffolding in parts of the resort. And with summer holidays falling on weekends in 2026 (July 4 was a Saturday), peak crowd windows have been particularly intense.
2026 is perfect for you if: You want to catch the tail end of the 70th Anniversary Celebration, you’re excited about new experiences, or you have the flexibility to visit during lower-crowd periods.
You may want to reconsider if: Your dates fall during Christmas week, Thanksgiving, or Easter, and crowds are a dealbreaker. Those windows are genuinely overwhelming regardless of what’s new.
What’s New at Disneyland in 2026
Exciting things have been taking place this year at the Disneyland Resort!
Disneyland Resort 70th Anniversary Celebration (Through August 9, 2026)
The Disneyland Resort 70th Anniversary Celebration wraps up August 9, 2026, with special entertainment across both parks. Highlights include the Celebrate Happy Cavalcade parade, the Wondrous Journeys nighttime spectacular, and the Paint the Night parade, alongside World of Color Happiness! and Tapestry of Happiness. Good news if you’re cutting it close: Paint the Night and Wondrous Journeys have both been extended through August 20, 2026, even though the broader anniversary celebration itself concludes August 9.
One particularly magical addition has been an Audio-Animatronic Walt Disney himself, brought to life at the Main Street Opera House. Don’t miss it while it’s still here. Once the anniversary wraps, World of Color – ONE debuts at Disney California Adventure starting August 10, replacing the Happiness version.
Bluey’s Best Day Ever! (Disneyland Park)
Bluey’s Best Day Ever! opened on March 22, 2026, in the Fantasyland Theatre at Disneyland Park. Guests join Bluey and Bingo live and in-person for live entertainment and games. A Bluey-inspired menu is also available at the adjacent Troubadour Tavern, including a new Bluey sipper so popular that Disney adjusted its mobile ordering process to accommodate demand. A genuinely charming addition for families with younger kids.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (New Mandalorian Mission)
A new version of Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run featuring Din Djarin and Grogu debuted at Disneyland Park on May 22, 2026, the same day the new movie The Mandalorian and Grogu was released in theaters. If you visited before May 2026, this is a meaningfully different experience worth revisiting.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Timeline Expansion
Beginning April 29, 2026, Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland expanded its timeline to include more Star Wars eras. Guests may now encounter characters such as Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo alongside Rey and the Resistance. By now, the opening excitement has settled, making it a great time to experience the expanded land without the launch crowds.
Soarin’ Across America (Disney California Adventure)
In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, Soarin’ received an all-new airborne adventure across the U.S. beginning July 2, 2026, at the Disneyland Resort. The attraction, titled Soarin’ Across America, showcases some of the country’s natural beauty and iconic cityscapes, and it’s now open, having replaced Soarin’ Over California. It’s a limited-time overlay tied to the 250th celebration, so enjoy it while it’s here.
Pirates of the Caribbean’s New “Grotto Scene”
Pirates of the Caribbean reopened June 26, 2026, following a lengthy refurbishment, with an unexpected surprise: Imagineers replaced the classic skeletal pirate perched atop the treasure pile in the grotto scene with a new Audio-Animatronic figure that appears to shift between human and skeleton through projection mapping. Reactions from fans have been mixed, so it’s worth riding for yourself to form an opinion. Worth knowing: the ride has had a brief, unexplained closure or two since reopening, so if it’s on your must-do list, check current wait times before heading over.
Downtown Disney District Expansion
The transformation of the Downtown Disney District continues into 2026 with several new additions, including Earl of Sandwich’s new permanent location, Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby (still forthcoming), and the athletic apparel retailer Lululemon. Jamba closed on July 5, 2026 after more than two decades in the district and will be replaced by a boba tea concept called Bopo Go. The free-admission shopping and dining district has never been a stronger destination, and with no park ticket required, it’s an easy add-on to any visit. (We like to visit on our arrival day!)
Disneyland Closures & Refurbishments in 2026
Here’s the stuff nobody talks about until they’re standing in front of a “temporarily closed” sign. The good news is that most of the wave of spring closures has now resolved.
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Toy Story Midway Mania, Jungle Cruise, Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, the Disneyland Monorail, Grizzly River Run, and Pirates of the Caribbean have all reopened after various stretches of closure earlier this year. If you’re comparing notes with an older trip report or planning guide that lists these as currently closed, that information is now outdated.
Silly Symphony Swings (Disney California Adventure) is still closed as of this writing, having gone down back on April 27, 2026, with no confirmed reopening date. This has become one of the longer-running closures of the year.
Blue Bayou Restaurant reopened May 21, 2026, though its signature view into the Pirates of the Caribbean scene was obstructed for a stretch while that ride was also under refurbishment. Both are now fully back to normal.
Autopia (Disneyland Park) is expected to close for electrification in early 2027, so it should still be operating throughout the rest of 2026.
Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! (Disney California Adventure) is still open. Its planned closure has been pushed back from 2026 to sometime in 2027, when it will permanently close to make way for the Avatar land expansion. If this is on your family’s must-do list, 2026 remains your year to ride it.
Matterhorn Bobsleds has a brief closure scheduled July 20 through July 23, 2026, for routine refurbishment.
Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! has permanently ended.
How to plan around it: Always check Disneyland’s current refurbishment calendar within 30 days of your trip, since Disney has a track record this year of adding or extending closures with fairly short notice. The good news is that the resort currently has one of the lightest refurbishment loads of the whole year, so this is a genuinely good stretch to visit if ride availability is a top priority.
Disneyland Events & Festivals in 2026
The events calendar is one of the strongest reasons to visit Disneyland in 2026, and there has been something special happening in virtually every month of the year.
Lunar New Year Celebration (Disney California Adventure)
The Lunar New Year Celebration ran from January 23 through February 22, 2026, at Disney California Adventure. The event celebrates Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese cultures with themed food marketplaces, special character appearances, the Hurry Home Lunar New Year pre-show before World of Color, lantern displays, and specialty merchandise. If your trip falls in this window next year, it is one of the best-value events at the resort since it is included with regular park admission.
Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
The Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival ran from March 6 through April 27, 2026. The park fills with culinary marketplaces themed around California flavors, local beer and wine, and specialty dishes. Sip and Savor Passes, Winemaker Receptions at Carthay Circle, mixology seminars, and culinary demonstrations round out the experience.
Disneyland After Dark Events
Disneyland After Dark hosted five themed after-hours events at Disneyland Park in 2026, all separately ticketed. The 2026 lineup included Sweethearts’ Nite (January 22 through February 17), a brand-new 70 Years of Favorites event (March 3 and 5), Disney Channel Nite (April 12, 14, and 16), Star Wars Nite (April 28 and 30 and May 4 and 6), and Pride Nite (June 16 and 18). These events offer shorter wait times, exclusive entertainment, specialty food, and rare character appearances.
Halloween Time and Oogie Boogie Bash
Halloween at Disneyland Resort is one of the best times of year to visit. Starting August 21 and running through October 31, Halloween Time transforms both parks with seasonal decor, the beloved Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay (themed to The Nightmare Before Christmas), Guardians of the Galaxy: Monsters After Dark, and festive food and merchandise throughout. Note that Haunted Mansion itself closes August 8 through 20, 2026 to be converted to its Holiday overlay ahead of the season.
The centerpiece of the Halloween season is Oogie Boogie Bash, the separately ticketed after-hours party at Disney California Adventure. In 2026, the after-hours Halloween party offered more nights than before, with 33 different dates, running from August 18 through October 31. The party features exclusive villain treat trails, the Frightfully Fun Parade, rare character appearances, Villains Grove, and specialty food and drinks.
On Oogie Boogie Bash nights, Disney California Adventure closes early to regular guests, so if you have a park ticket without the party, plan to spend that day at Disneyland Park instead.
Holidays at the Disneyland Resort
The holiday season at Disneyland is genuinely magical and included with regular park admission. Starting November 18, 2026 and running through early January, both parks are transformed with seasonal decor and entertainment. Highlights include the Christmas Fantasy Parade, Haunted Mansion Holiday, it’s a small world Holiday, the Believe…In Holiday Magic fireworks show, and Wintertime Enchantment at Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle. Disney California Adventure joins in with a 50-foot Christmas tree on Buena Vista Street and holiday overlays in Cars Land.
runDisney Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend
runDisney returned to the Disneyland Resort in 2026 with a Half Marathon Weekend from January 29 through February 1, featuring a 5K, 10K, half marathon, and challenge event.
Month-by-Month Guide to Disneyland in 2026
January
Crowds: High early, dropping noticeably by mid-month. The first week of January was still buzzing with holiday energy. The runDisney Half Marathon Weekend (January 29 through February 1) created a spike at month’s end.
Weather: Mild but cool. Highs in the mid-to-upper 60s°F with cooler evenings.
Events: Disneyland Resort 70th Anniversary Celebration ongoing. Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite began January 22. Lunar New Year Celebration began January 23.
February
Crowds: Generally low, with Presidents’ Day week (around February 16) being the notable exception.
Weather: Similar to January: cool, mild, and potentially rainy. Highs in the upper 60s.
Events: Lunar New Year Celebration ran through February 22. Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite ran through February 17.
March
Crowds: Building steadily as spring break season arrived. Easter fell on April 5, 2026, which kept the spring break window concentrated in late March and very early April.
Weather: Warming up nicely. Highs in the low-to-mid 70s°F.
Events: Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival began March 6. Bluey’s Best Day Ever! debuted March 22.
April
Crowds: Easter Sunday fell on April 5, 2026, making the first week of April extremely busy. Crowds eased considerably from approximately April 12 onward.
Weather: Beautiful. Highs in the low-to-mid 70s, low humidity, sunny.
Events: Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival ran through April 27. Disneyland After Dark: Disney Channel Nite (April 12, 14, and 16). Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite began April 28.
May
Crowds: Low to moderate on weekdays early in the month, then building as Star Wars season, Grad Nites, and Memorial Day arrived. May 4 (Star Wars Day), Memorial Day weekend (May 25), and Grad Nite dates all brought elevated crowds. The new Mandalorian and Grogu mission on Smugglers Run debuted May 22, which drew additional interest.
Weather: Warm and pleasant. Highs in the mid-to-upper 70s.
Events: Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite (April 28 and 30, and May 4 and 6). New Smugglers Run mission debuted May 22. Grad Nites ran through June 12.
June
Crowds: Summer season began, with crowds building, particularly on weekends. Grad Nites continued through June 12.
Weather: Warm and sunny. Highs in the low-to-mid 80s°F. June Gloom (morning coastal overcast) is common early in the month but burns off.
Events: Grad Nites through June 12. Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite (June 16 and 18). Pirates of the Caribbean reopened June 26 with its new grotto scene.
July
Crowds: High, especially around Independence Day. July 4 fell on a Saturday in 2026, making that specific weekend one of the biggest single-day crowd events of the year at Disneyland. As I always say, Magic Kingdom in Florida has nothing on Disneyland on the 4th of July.
Weather: Hot and sunny. Highs in the low-to-mid 80s°F in Anaheim, with heat waves occasionally pushing higher.
Events: Soarin’ Across America debuted July 2, replacing Soarin’ Over California. Special 4th of July programming and fireworks. The 70th Anniversary Celebration continues through August 9, with Paint the Night and Wondrous Journeys extended through August 20.
Verdict: Avoid July 3 through 6 if possible. If July is unavoidable, rope-drop everything, use Lightning Lane strategically, and take a midday break.
August
Crowds: Expected to be high early, easing in the second half as schools return in many states. D23 Day (August 13) will bring a notable spike, with the Thursday beforehand historically one of the busiest single days of the year.
Weather: The hottest month of the year in Anaheim. Highs regularly in the mid-to-upper 80s.
Events: 70th Anniversary Celebration ends August 9 (Paint the Night and Wondrous Journeys run through August 20). World of Color – ONE debuts August 10. D23 Day at Disneyland Resort (August 13). Halloween Time begins August 21 at both parks. Oogie Boogie Bash begins August 18.
September
Crowds: Historically low to moderate. After Labor Day, crowds typically drop sharply and the resort stays that way through most of the month.
Weather: Warm and dry. Highs in the low-to-mid 80s early in the month, cooling into the upper 70s by late September.
Events: Halloween Time in full swing at both parks. Oogie Boogie Bash ongoing.
October
Crowds: Elevated, particularly on weekends. Halloween season draws visitors throughout the month, and fall break for many schools in California, Utah, and Nevada adds to the mix.
Weather: Excellent. Highs in the mid-to-upper 70s, dropping toward the low 70s by late October.
Events: Halloween Time and Oogie Boogie Bash run through October 31.
November
Crowds: Complicated. Early November should be quiet and excellent. Veterans Day (November 11) creates a mid-week bump. Thanksgiving week (approximately November 22 through 29) is among the busiest stretches of the entire year.
Weather: Beautiful. Highs in the low-to-mid 70s dropping toward the upper 60s by month’s end.
Events: Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort begins November 18, transforming both parks with seasonal decor, entertainment, and overlays.
December
Crowds: Escalating throughout the month. The Christmas-to-New Year’s stretch (December 18 through 31) is the single most crowded period of the year. Christmas falls on a Friday in 2026, creating an extended holiday window.
Weather: Mild and lovely through mid-December. Highs in the upper 60s, cool evenings.
Events: Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort in full swing through early January.
Best Times to Visit Disneyland in 2026
Best for low crowds: Mid-to-late January (post-runDisney), early-to-mid February (before Presidents’ Day), post-Labor Day September, early November (before Veterans Day).
Best for weather: February, late April, May, September, October, early November.
Best for events: Late January through February (Lunar New Year plus Sweethearts’ Nite), March through late April (Food and Wine Festival), August through October (Halloween Time plus Oogie Boogie Bash), late November through mid-December (Holiday Time).
Best overall months: Early February, late April, September after Labor Day, early October (weekdays), early November.
When to Avoid Disneyland in 2026
- Christmas to New Year’s (approximately December 18 through January 3): The single worst window for crowds. Both parks hit maximum capacity on multiple days.
- Thanksgiving week (approximately November 22 through 29): A very close second. Expect extreme waits and packed conditions.
- Easter window (approximately March 28 through April 10): Easter fell on April 5, 2026. Spring break crowds from across the western U.S. overlapped, creating sustained high crowds.
- 4th of July weekend (July 3 through 6): Disneyland on Independence Day is uniquely crowded. July 4 fell on a Saturday in 2026, making the surrounding weekend especially intense.
- D23 Day and the days surrounding it (mid-August): The Thursday before D23 Day has historically been one of the single busiest days of the year at the resort.
- Oogie Boogie Bash nights (without party tickets): On bash nights, Disney California Adventure closes early to regular guests. Spend those days at Disneyland Park instead.
Tips for Planning Disneyland in 2026
Early Theme Park Entry has changed. Beginning January 5, 2026, Disney ended the traditional Early Theme Park Entry benefit for resort hotel guests. Instead, Disneyland Resort hotel guests can now take advantage of one Lightning Lane entry to a Lightning Lane Multi Pass attraction during their resort stay. This is a meaningful shift, so adjust your planning strategy accordingly. The Grand Californian still offers direct park access to Disney California Adventure, which remains a genuine perk.
Take advantage of current deals. Disneyland periodically releases new offers throughout the year, including California resident tickets, seasonal kids’ tickets, hotel discounts, and military offers. Check Disneyland’s official site for what’s currently available, since deals rotate in and out fairly often. You can also save by purchasing tickets through a reputable third-party seller like Undercover Tourist or Get Away Today. We’ve purchased from both and saved a bit each time. (Every little bit of savings counts!)
Lightning Lane strategy matters more than ever. With popular experiences like the Mandalorian and Grogu Smugglers Run mission and the Bluey show drawing interest, and with Early Theme Park Entry gone, having a Lightning Lane Multi Pass plan in place before you arrive is essential. Prioritize your top must-do attractions early in the day.
Check refurbishment status before you go. While most of the spring wave of closures has resolved, Disneyland has a track record this year of adding new closures with fairly short notice. Always verify the current status within 30 days of your trip.
Ride Monsters, Inc. while you can. Mike and Sulley to the Rescue is still operating in 2026, but it’s expected to permanently close sometime in 2027. If this ride holds any nostalgia for your family, 2026 remains a great year to experience it.
Stay flexible within your window. On Oogie Boogie Bash nights, Disney California Adventure closes early to day guests. If your trip overlaps with the Halloween season, check the bash calendar in advance and plan Disneyland Park days on bash nights to maximize your time.
Final Verdict: Should You Visit Disneyland in 2026?
Yes, absolutely if you’re willing to do a bit of planning. Disneyland in 2026 has something special for virtually every type of visitor: the tail end of a historic anniversary celebration, a jam-packed events calendar, exciting new experiences like Soarin’ Across America and the Mandalorian and Grogu mission, and one of the best Halloween seasons the resort has ever offered. Time your visit wisely, and you’ll find the magic in full force.
Maybe wait if your only available dates are Christmas week, Thanksgiving, or Easter, and crowds are a dealbreaker. Those windows are genuinely intense regardless of what’s new or exciting at the parks.
The bottom line: a trip to Disneyland in 2026 is worth it. Plan smart, visit during the right window, and you’ll have a trip your family talks about for years.
Disneyland Planning Guides
Magic in the Planning offers numerous guides to help you get started in your Disneyland vacation planning! Here are some to get you started!
Disneyland Dining Guides:
Disneyland Attraction Guides:
Planning your first Disneyland vacation? Be sure to visit my step-by-step guide to get started!
