Visiting Disneyland in August 2026: Pixar Fest, Plaza de la Familia, and more!
The summer season, characterized by pleasant weather and school holidays, presents an ideal opportunity to explore the Disneyland Resort. However, it is important to note that visiting Disneyland in August may bring about considerable crowds. Given that schools nationwide are on summer break, both weekdays and weekends are expected to be busy. Nevertheless, with proper preparation and strategic planning, August can still be an enjoyable time to experience the happiest place on earth!
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Planning a Disneyland vacation in 2026? Be sure to check out our guide to all that the Disneyland Resort has to offer this year, including the Disneyland Half Marathon, special ticketed events, holiday festivities, and more!
August At-a-Glance
- August temperatures are still hot, and the days are longer. Both heat and humidity come into play during this time of year. But the good news is that with the longer days, there will be more daylight hours to enjoy the Disneyland Resort!
- Be prepared for summer crowds. August is a popular month to visit with summer vacation in full swing across the country. Weekdays and weekends alike will most likely be busy during the first half of the month.
- The crowds will lessen as school starts across the country. The second half of August will likely see a decrease in crowds. But be prepared for Disney to adjust their park hours a bit to reflect the change in attendance.
- You may see more locals during the second half of August. Magic Key holders (those with annual passes) will see a decrease in block-out dates as August crowds lessen. If you are a Magic Key holder, this is great news as you will have more opportunities to visit the parks! It could also mean a slight increase in crowds, as those with passes will want to take advantage of this time.
August Events
May 16, 2025-August 9, 2026 – Disneyland 70th Anniversary Celebration: This year-long event will include exclusive entertainment, merchandise, food, and experiences! Highlights include a new cavalcade, a new verse added to the classic song from “it’s a small world,” and Walt Disney himself brought to life through Audio-Animatronics at the Main Street Opera House.
August 13 – D23 Day at Disneyland Resort: D23 Day at Disneyland Resort launches the lead-up to D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event with a special day dedicated to Disney fans. Guests visiting the resort can look forward to exclusive entertainment, themed touches throughout the parks, and memorable experiences celebrating Disney’s many stories and characters.
August 13-16 – Disney Jr. Let’s Play! Party: The Disney Jr. Let’s Play! Party will return with a special celebration designed especially for families with young children. The festivities begin with a one-day event at Disney California Adventure featuring Disney Jr. characters, live entertainment, activities, and photo opportunities, followed by a three-day celebration at Downtown Disney District.
August 21 through Halloween – Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort: During the autumn season, the entire resort at Disneyland undergoes a delightful transformation. Guests are treated to an array of Halloween-themed attractions and decor, along with characters adorned in spooky costumes. Notable highlights at Disneyland include the Haunted Mansion Holiday, Halloween Screams nighttime spectacular, the Main Street Pumpkin Festival, and a variety of festive snacks.
Be amused by the attractions at California Adventure, such as Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark, Cars Land showcasing costumed Cars, Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween, Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree, and don’t miss the highly sought-after ticketed event, Oogie Boogie Bash.
August 21 through November 2 – Plaza de la Familia at Disney California Adventure Park: Experience a celebration of family and Mexican traditions during Día de los Muertos with the enchanting storytelling and captivating music of Pixar’s “Coco.” Immerse yourself in this cultural event that pays homage to the enduring bonds of family.
August 18 through Halloween – Oogie Boogie Bash Parties at Disney California Adventure: This very popular Halloween party will return to Disney California Adventure on select nights from August 18 through October 31, 2026. This separately ticketed after-hours event invites guests to dress in costume and enjoy a festive evening of trick-or-treating, themed entertainment, and spooky Disney fun throughout the park.
August Refurbishments & Closures
*We’ve included all current refurbishments here on this list… even ones that may be open in time for August 2026. (Please note that this list could change at a moment’s notice.)
Disneyland Park
- Jungle Cruise is currently closed for refurbishment. No opening date has been announced.
- Disneyland Monorail will be temporarily closed beginning March 30, 2026.
- Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin will be temporarily closed beginning March 30, 2026.
- Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters will be temporarily closed beginning April 13, 2026.
California Adventure Park
- Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! has permanently ended.
- Grizzly River Run is closed for refurbishment. A reopening date has yet to be announced (likely spring as the weather warms up).
- Toy Story Midway Main will be closed beginning April 6, 2026. An opening date has yet to be announced.
- Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! will be permanently closing in 2027 to make room for a new Avatar-themed area.
August Weather
Overall, Disneyland in August can be quite hot. The average high is 86 degrees, and the low is typically around 66 degrees. The heat will feel hotter as well due to the crowds and the concrete throughout the parks. Be prepared to hydrate! That being said, the daytime hours are longer in the summer, giving you more daylight to enjoy the parks.
August Disneyland Crowds
Crowd calendars are very popular, but they can also be a bit unpredictable. While they can be a big help in planning your trip, keep in mind that they are predictions at best. When anticipating future crowds, we take a look at events, school calendars, ticket prices, park hours, holidays, and typical monthly patterns. Unfortunately, our estimates cannot predict other things such as weather, travel advisories, pandemics, or last-minute openings or closings of shows and attractions.
The beginning of August is definitely considered a “peak” time at the Disneyland Resort. Many will take advantage of this time at the end of summer to take a vacation prior to school beginning again in the fall. The second half of the month will see fewer crowds as schools start across the country. But keep in mind that Disney will most likely adjust their park hours during this time, giving you a bit less time in the parks.
Ready to Start Planning Your Visit to Disneyland in August?
Here are some resources to help you get started!
Disneyland Dining Guides:
Disneyland Attraction Guides:
Planning your first Disneyland vacation? Be sure to visit my step-by-step guide to get started!
