Visiting the Disneyland Resort when it’s busy doesn’t have to be a bummer. Throughout the years, my family and I have developed a list of low-wait and no-wait attractions and shows that we frequent when the lines are long. This list is a guide for families with kids of all ages. Please keep in mind that some attractions may have height or age requirements. (Click here for a list of all of the attraction height and age requirements.)
Best Attractions and Shows at Disneyland on Crowded Days
- The Main Street Vehicles
- Disneyland Railroad (access from the Main Street station where the wait tends to be a bit less)
- Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln and the Walt Disney Story
- Take in some magic at the Main Street Magic Shop
- The Enchanted Tiki Room
- Tarzan’s Treehouse
- The Mark Twain Riverboat / Columbia Sailing Ship
- The rafts to Tom Sawyer Island and then play on the island
- Davy Crocket Explorer Canoes (better for older kids who aren’t too wiggly)
- King Arthur’s Carousel
- Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
- Snow White’s Scary Adventure
- Playing in Mickey’s Toontown at Goofy’s, Donald’s and the area with the mailboxes.
- The Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Star Wars Launch Bay and Path to the Jedi movie in Tomorrowland
- Parades (vary depending upon the time of year). The best viewing spot on crowded days is in front of the Disneyland Opera House at Town Square.
- Shows at the Golden Horseshoe restaurant. (Grab a funnel cake next door at the Stage Door Cafe. You will NOT be disappointed.)
- Mickey and the Magical Map
Honorable Mention
While not always “low-wait” these attractions often have a surprisingly shorter wait than other park attractions:
- Autopia
- Disneyland Monorail
- “it’s a small world” (even when this line looks long, it tends to go pretty quickly)
- Jungle Cruise
- The Mad Tea Party, aka The Teacups (This is another attraction in which the line tends to go much faster than you would expect.)
Best Attractions and Shows at Disney California Adventure Park on Crowded Days
- Red Car Trolley
- Blue Sky Cellar
- Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
- Silly Symphony Swings
- Golden Zephyr
- The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
- Frozen – Live at the Hyperion
- Disney Junior Dance Party
- All of the attractions in the Animation building: Turtle Talk with Crush, Sorcerer’s Workshop, and the Animation Academy
- Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue
- Sunset Showcase Theater (showing Pixar shorts the summer of 2018)
- Princess Dot Puddle Park and all of the attractions in “a bug’s land” (permanently closing in the late summer/early fall 2018)
Don’t forget to utilize FASTPASS, MAXPASS and Rider Swap!
What are your go-to activities when the Resort is busy?
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