What to Do When Disneyland is Super Crowded

Updated October 18, 2023

We have lots of tools in place to avoid lines at Disneyland including starting your day early and using Genie+, but occasionally, you might find yourself in need of a break, despite your detailed planning.

I always encourage guests to leave mid-day when the parks get crowded and the sun is hot, but if you’re on site and are determined to stay, I have some suggestions on what to do.

Note: If the park feels super crowded and you intend to leave mid-day for a break, absolutely ask cast members upon walking out if the parks are close to capacity. If you leave and return and the park is at capacity, you will not be allowed back in. 

My first instinct is to recommend walking Main Street (at Disneyland) or Buena Vista Street (at California Adventure). Adults will enjoy that. Children probably won’t like it as much. (I find the window displays and browsing the shops to be fascinating.)

My kids tend to melt down upon hearing this plan. For the safety and sanity of all park guests, let’s consider some other options:

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What to Do at Disneyland

Here’s a map detailing the locations of the below listed attractions. (I recommend saving or taking a screenshot of this on your phone for later use.)

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  • Star Wars Lanch Bay (Tomorrowland): This indoor attraction is air conditioned and provides a nice break from the heat. Expect Star Wars interactive exhibits, techie stuff and video games. The latest game systems (XBox, specifically) are here.
  • Enchanted Tiki Room (Adventureland): A 15 minute tropical show awaits with animatronic birds and flowers coming to life. It’s indoors and is best enjoyed with a Dole Whip, which you can purchase just outside the attraction.
  • Tarzan’s Tree House (Adventureland): Climb the stairs to tour Tarzan’s home built into this 80 feet tall (makes me nervous!) tree house.
  • Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough (Fantasyland): Climb up and through the castle to follow one of Disney’s oldest tales.
  • Mickey and Friends Houses (Toon Town): Explore several character houses here. While in Mickey’s, wait to meet the mouse himself. Note: This is a good way to wait indoors, in air conditioning for the iconic Mickey photo.
  • Mark Twain Riverboat or Sailing Ship Columbia (Frontierland): Set sail into the Rivers of America aboard either of these beauties. (On hiatus until mid-2017)
  • Explore Tom Sawyer’s Island (Frontierland): Ferry over the rivers to this unique island filled with trails and caves all inspired by the stories of Mark Twain. (on hiatus until mid-2017)
  • The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln (before Main Street): Watch a short video in the lobby showcasing rare Disneyland memorabilia and/or watch President Lincoln come to life.
  • Ride the Disneyland Railroad (4 stops – Main Entrance, New Orleans Square, Toon Town, Tomorrowland): Hop aboard the train to see the park in a whole new way. (on hiatus until mid-2017)

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What to Do at California Adventure

Here’s a map of California Adventure’s options. Save/screenshot this one, too.

DCA Busy Line Map

  •  Any of the 4 indoor attractions off Hollywood Blvd (Hollywood Land): Animation Academy, Character Close Up, Sorcerer’s Workshop and Turtle Talk with Crush are all fun options that have relatively little wait time.
  • Disney Junior Live on Stage! (Hollywood Land): Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers….a live Disney show.
  • Cars Land: Beyond the three attractions in Cars Land, the area itself is one of Disney’s best creations in the last 10 years. Walk through this ‘land’, eat, shop or just take in the beauty. It’s just so totally impressive…and I’m not even a huge “Cars” fan!
  • The Bakery Tour by Boudin Bakery (Pacific Wharf): This feels like an old school tour we used to watch on the roll-out TVs in elementary school. See how the famous San Francisco sourdough is made, grab a sample and then if you wish, buy a Sourdough Mickey!
  • Redwood Creek Challenge Trail (Grizzly Peak): An impressive obstacle course can be found here with seating for adults while kids run.

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Attractions with Typically Low Lines

  • Winnie the Pooh (Critter Country, Disneyland): Many guests don’t LOVE this ride, but I think it’s sweet and whimsical and always worth the short wait.
  • The Little Mermaid (Pixar Pier, California Adventure): This attraction includes no-stop clamshell carriages (similar to The Haunted Mansion’s Doom Buggies), so the line moves fast. And, it’s one of my favorites!

The Main Street Magic Shop at Disneyland

Other Ideas

I reviewed this post (as with many) with my 13 year old son, Carter. He advises me on what I’m missing and reigns me in when I start writing dorky content. He was horrified that I failed to include the Magic Shop on Main Street as a must see when you need a break.

Steve Martin got his start there and the magicians will show you tricks (for free) on request. There’s lots of interesting stuff in the shop, too. Add that to your list. Carter insists. (Side note: He’s furious that rhymes.)

While on Main Street, work on this scavenger hunt detailing some historic stops. It takes about an hour.

Bookmark this post on your phone ‘in case of emergency’ at Disneyland. Most of these suggestions require no planning at all and can keep you entertained when you can’t handle one. more. line.

A super crowded visit to Disneyland can make us all a little bit crazy and stressed out. Leave for a few hours mid-day to avoid the longest wait times in line. If you only have one or two days to enjoy the parks and simply don’t want to leave, enjoy the above attractions to take a break ‘on site’. Then, get back to the business of riding rides once people start lining up for dinner.

And, when all else fails, grab a churro and an ice cold Coke. That always works and everybody knows calories don’t count at Disneyland.

Take a look at how Get Away Today can help with your vacation

13 thoughts on “What to Do When Disneyland is Super Crowded

  1. I have a back injury but still love Disneyland (and I’m an annual pass holder). This is a GREAT list of ways to enjoy the park until I recover!

  2. Your Pinterest link doesn’t send to the right location. It says you don’t have any pins etc. because it still goes to DLR prep school. I did a search and found you under Disneyland Daily. But I did not find the what to do in line pins.

  3. Hi Casey, The point about the park being near capacity and leaving… I’m wondering if you have any stats about how often they actually do reach capacity and when? We’re going down the week of Thanksgiving (but not going on Thanksgiving itself) and I’ve been warned it will be very very crowded. I had hoped to be able to leave during and re-enter at some point (or park hop), but I’m wondering if they ever reach capacity that week.
    Thanks!

  4. Hello! These are great tips & the only one that needs updating is Tarzan’s tree house. It is closed & under construction right now.

    1. Valarie, I don’t update each post based on refurbishments. It would be impossible to keep up with each post! Just cross the ones that aren’t currently open off the list if needed.

  5. Hi Casey.

    I just love your website! Another thing we like to do when we’re hot, tired, and just need a breather, but don’t want to leave the park, is the Main Street Cinema. It’s dark, quiet, and air conditioned. I know you’re supposed to stand…but I always sit and watch the films until we feel like going back out.

  6. Hi Casey, another fun thing to do to get away from the crowds, is to walk around the three Disneyland Resort Hotels. There is so much to see and do, shops, beautiful hidden places to sit as relax, and you are still at Disneyland. Since my kids were little, I have told them the entire Resort is Disneyland, including the Hotels, and now at the ages of 18 and 20, my girls love walking around the Hotels.

    Sometimes you can see the giant banquet halls…fun, where I would tell my children they would have “Cinderella type Balls, dances”

    Keep the fun stuff coming Casey!

    1. Hi, Carlos.

      Great tip. I love the hotels, too, and often work each week from the Grand Californian. But, The Disneyland Hotel remains my favorite! There is always something fun to see at the hotels.

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