Editor’s note: This Disneyland travel guide was originally published on Dec. 31, 2022, and updated on Aug. 18, 2023, with updates from Disney Parks Blog and Disneyland Attractions and Entertainment.

Hi, Disney friends! If you’re planning a trip to the Disneyland Resort in 2023, you’re in the right place. Today, I’m sharing my most popular travel guide on the blog to date; When to Visit Disneyland in 2023! I wrote my first Disneyland travel guide last year, and it got so many hits that I decided to publish another one for 2023.

There are so many cool things happening at the Disneyland Resort in 2023, so bookmark this travel guide to use while planning your next Disneyland vacation!

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Related: How Much Does It Cost to Travel to Disneyland, Plus Money-Saving Tips

WHEN TO VISIT DISNEYLAND IN 2023!

Click on a month to jump ahead:

• January

• February

• March

• April

• May

• June

• July

• August

• September

• October

• November

• December

Disney California Adventure park will celebrate Lunar New Year, an important holiday in countries in East Asia, like China, Korea, and Vietnam, from Jan. 20 to Feb. 15, 2023.

Based on the lunar calendar, Lunar New Year marks the beginning of spring, which is synonymous with planting and new beginnings, and it's commonly known for transitioning from one Chinese zodiac to another.

Last year was the Year of the Tiger, and this year is the Year of the Rabbit. Disney will also celebrate this year's Vietnamese zodiac calendar, the Year of the Cat.

Also returning this year is Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts' Nite! Note that Disneyland After Dark is a separately ticketed after-park hours event packed with fun festivities and unique offerings you only experience at this special event.

Know before you go:

• Jan. 8 – The last day to enjoy these Disneyland Holiday rides and attractions:

  • "Believe...In Holiday Magic" Fireworks Spectacular

  • Christmas Fantasy Parade

  • Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Street Party

  • Holiday Toy Drummers

  • "it's a small world" — Holiday

  • Luigi's Joy to the Whirl

  • Mater's Jingle Jamboree

  • Wintertime Enchantment at Sleeping Beauty's Castle

  • World of Color — Season of Light Holiday Show

• Jan. 8 – The last day to visit the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever exhibit on Avengers Campus

• Jan. 20 – Lunar New Year in Disney California Adventure begins! Catch this Lunar New Year shows from Jan. 20-Feb. 15:

  • Hurry Home — Lunar New Year Celebration

  • Mulan's Lunar New Year Procession

• Jan. 27 – Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway opens in Mickey's Toon Town

• Jan. 27 – Wondrous Journeys and World of Color – ONE, two Disney100 nighttime spectaculars, debut!

• Jan. 31 – Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts' Nite

These rides are closed for refurbishment temporarily:

• Sept. 2021 – Tarzan’s Treehouse closed for refurbishment in 2021 and will reopen as Adventureland Treehouse in 2023

• Jan. 9 – "it's a small world" will close for refurbishment and reopen on Jan. 20

• Jan. 9 – Indiana Jones Adventure will close for refurbishment and reopen in spring 2023

• Jan. 9 – Grizzly River run will close for refurbishment and reopen in spring 2023

• Jan. 9 – Fairfax Market will close for refurbishment and reopen on Jan. 21

• Jan. 17 – Radiator Springs Racers will close for refurbishment and reopen on Jan. 24

• Jan. 24 – Mickey’s PhilHar Magic will close for refurbishment and reopen on Feb. 3

• Jan. 30 – Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind will close for refurbishment with no reopening date

• Jan. 30 – Haunted Mansion will close to remove its holiday overlay and reopen on Feb. 10

Heads up! Park guests without tickets to Sweethearts' Nite will need to exit Disneyland early.

If you plan on visiting Disneyland park on the same day as Sweethearts' Nite, I recommend you purchase a Park Hopper Ticket to jump over to DCA before Disneyland closes for the party. You can purchase discount Disneyland one-day Park Hopper tickets through Get Away Today!

Disney Parks Blog announced a handful of new updates offering guests more value and flexibility beginning February 2023.

Beginning Feb. 4, Disneyland park guests with Park Hopper tickets will be able to “hop” between parks at 11 a.m. instead of 1 p.m. They will also offer all park guests (not just PhotoPass or Genie+ paying guests) complimentary Disney PhotoPass digital attraction downloads on the Disneyland app throughout the Disney100 Celebration.

Finally, returning on Feb. 24 is the "Magic Happens" Parade for the Dinsey100 Celebration. Watch Mickey Mouse lead a cavalcade of beautiful floats with many of our favorite Disney characters to a high-energy contemporary musical score.

Know before you go:

• Feb. 2, 5, 7, 9, 14, and 16 – Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts' Nite

• Feb. 4 – New Park Hopper switch time begins. Guests with Park Hopper tickets can switch between parks at 11 a.m. instead of 1 p.m.

• Feb. 4 – Complimentary Disney PhotoPass attraction downloads available to all Disneyland park guests throughout the Disney100 celebration

• Feb. 15 – Disney Lunar New Year ends

• Feb. 24 – "Magic Happens" Parade returns!

These rides are closed for refurbishment temporarily:

• Sept. 2021 – Tarzan’s Treehouse closed for refurbishment in 2021 and will reopen as Adventureland Treehouse in 2023

• Jan. 9 – Indiana Jones Adventure will close for refurbishment and reopen in spring 2023

• Jan. 9 – Grizzly River Run will close for refurbishment and reopen in spring 2023

• Jan. 24 – Mickey’s PhilHar Magic will close for refurbishment and reopen on Feb. 3

• Jan. 30 – Haunted Mansion will close to remove its holiday overlay and reopen on Feb. 10

• Jan. 30 – Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind will close for refurbishment with no reopening date

Heads up! Park guests without tickets to Sweethearts' Nite will need to exit Disneyland early.

The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival will return to Disney California Adventure park from Mar. 3-Apr. 25, 2023.

Disney foodies can enjoy the best of California's delicious cuisines at 12 marketplaces featuring sweet and savory foods, creative cocktails, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages. Park guests can find more festival-inspired dishes and special items at select restaurants throughout DCA, Downtown Disney District, and Disneyland Resort hotels. They can purchase food from festival marketplaces by walk-up or mobile order or by purchasing a Sip and Savor pass.

Also returning for a limited time during the festival is Soarin' Over California. If you love this version of Soarin', be sure you get on it between Mar. 3 and Apr. 25.

New this year is Disneyland After Dark: Princess Nite. This special after-park hours event will celebrate Disney's most beloved leading women on Mar. 7 and 9 at Disneyland park! Tickets for this event are sold out.

Know before you go:

• Mar. 3-Apr. 25 – Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival

  • Soarin’ Around the World will transform into Soarin’ Over California during the festival

• Mar. 7 & 9 – Disneyland After Dark: Princess Nite

• Mar. 19 (previously Mar. 8) – These rides and attractions will reopen with Mickey's Toontown:

  • Donald's Boat

  • Chip 'n' Dale's GADGETcoaster

  • Goofy's Playhouse

  • Mickey's House

  • Minnie's House

  • Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin

These rides are closed for refurbishment temporarily:

• Sept. 2021 – Tarzan’s Treehouse closed for refurbishment in 2021 and will reopen as Adventureland Treehouse in 2023

• Jan. 9 - Mar. 16 – Grizzly River Run is closed for refurbishment from Jan. 9 to Mar. 16, 2023

• Jan. 9 - Mar. 17 – Indiana Jones Adventure is closed for refurbishment and reopens in spring 2023

• Silly Symphony Swings are closed for refurbishment with no reopening date

Heads up! Park guests without tickets to Princess Nite must exit Disneyland Park early.

If you plan on visiting Disneyland park the same day as Princess Nite, I recommend you purchase a Park Hopper ticket to hop over to Disney California Adventure park before Disneyland park closes for the event. Purchase discount Disneyland one-day Park Hopper tickets through Get Away Today!

New to Disneyland park this year is Disneyland After Dark: Throwback Nite on April 18 & 20! According to the Throwback Nite event page, guests will “step back in time to the 50s and 60s to get a taste of Disneyland Park’s classic past.” At this after-hours event, guests will enjoy live music, entertainment, specialty photo ops, and visits with classic Disney Characters from the era.

Throwback Nite sounds so much fun, and I wish I were going! Tickets are $129 per guest (ages 3+) for Apr. 19 and $145 per guest (ages 3+) for Apr. 20. I’m unsure why ticket prices are more expensive for Apr. 20.

This time last year, Disneyland announced its plans for Halloween with a fun Halfway to Halloween campaign. We’ll see what they brew up this year!

Know before you go:

• Apr. 18 & 20 – Disneyland After Dark: Throwback Nite

These rides are closed for refurbishment temporarily:

• Sept. 2021 – Tarzan’s Treehouse closed for refurbishment in 2021 and will reopen as Adventureland Treehouse in 2023

• Apr. 17 - June 1 – Matterhorn Bobsleds closed for refurbishment

• Silly Symphony Swings are closed for refurbishment with no reopening date

Heads up! Park guests without tickets to Throwback Nite must exit Disneyland park early.

If you plan on visiting Disneyland park on the same day as Throwback Nite, I recommend you purchase a Park Hopper ticket to hop over to Disney California Adventure park before Disneyland park closes for the event. Purchase discount Disneyland one-day Park Hopper tickets through Get Away Today!

Related: Halloween Food, Events, and Characters Coming to the Disneyland Resort Fall 2022

May is such a beautiful time of year to visit the Disneyland Resort. My first trip to Disneyland park was in May. It's been a few years since that first visit, but I remember the weather was perfect; not too hot or cold.

Returning to Disneyland park this year is Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite! Claim your allegiance and enjoy shows like Star Wars: Celebrate the Nite, encounter characters, and enjoy food and photo ops at this galactic event. As anticipated, tickets for Star Wars Nite are already sold out.

Following the release of Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3, Mantis will join Star-Lord at Avengers Campus for “Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off!” for a limited time. According to Disney Parks Blog, “the celestial siblings will get their groove on in front of Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: BREAKOUT! attraction, as they recruit guests with the right skills to join their band of heroes.”

Also coming to Avengers Campus are new food and drinks at Pym Test Kitchen inspired by Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3. Enjoy treats, like Milky Fizz, a dessert pear-flavored soda water cream (not gonna lie, I want this mainly for the sipper 😋), the Orloni on a Stick, and Experiment 1517: Cardamom & Caramel Churro Cold Brew. Next door at Pym Tasting Lab, try the Zarg-Bits inspired by the Zarg Nuts eaten in the film.

I also want to note that Ariel, from the all-new live-action film The Little Mermaid, will be swimming into the promenade near “it’s a small world” at Disneyland Park to meet with guests this summer.

Know before you go:

• May 2, 4, 8, and 11 – Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite

These rides are closed for refurbishment temporarily:

• Sept. 2021 – Tarzan’s Treehouse closed for refurbishment in 2021 and will reopen as Adventureland Treehouse in 2023

• May 31 – Splash Mountain closed to transform into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. It’s planned to reopen in 2024

Heads up! Park guests without tickets to Star Wars Nite must exit Disneyland park early.

If you plan on visiting Disneyland park on the same day as Star Wars Nite, I recommend you purchase a Park Hopper ticket to hop over to Disney California Adventure park before Disneyland park closes for the event. Purchase discount Disneyland one-day Park Hopper tickets through Get Away Today!

The Disneyland Resort announced its first-ever Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite event to happen on June 13 & 15. This separately ticketed event will celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and allies inside Disneyland Park. Party guests can enjoy entertainment, Disney characters, photo opportunities, special menu items, event merchandise, and more.

In addition to all the party amenities, guests will also receive unlimited digital Downloads of Disney PhotoPass photos taken during the party as part of Disney100 Celebration’s Disney PhotoPass offer.

Also new to Disney California Adventure park is “Rogers: The Musical,” premiering June 30. Avenger fans assemble for this limited-time musical at the Hyperion Theater.

Know before you go:

• June 13 & 15 – Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite

• June 30 – “Rogers: The Musical” premieres for a limited time at Hyperion Theater in Disney California Adventure. The last day to watch is Aug. 31.

These rides are closed for refurbishment temporarily:

• Sept. 2021 – Tarzan’s Treehouse closed for refurbishment in 2021 and will reopen as Adventureland Treehouse in 2023

• May 31 – Splash Mountain closed to transform into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. It’s planned to reopen in 2024

Heads up! Park guests without tickets to Pride Nite must exit Disneyland park early.

If you plan on visiting Disneyland park on the same day as Pride Nite, I recommend you purchase a Park Hopper ticket to hop over to Disney California Adventure park before Disneyland park closes for the event. Purchase discount Disneyland one-day Park Hopper tickets through Get Away Today!

Related: Disneyland Holiday Travel Guide 2022

“Rogers: The Musical” will premiere on June 30, and it’ll run for a limited time at the Hyperion Theater — a great place to get some much-needed air conditioning — in Disney California Adventure park through Aug. 31.

A timeless story of a timeless hero “Rogers: The Musical” tells the story of Captain America and explores universal themes of heroism, romance, and self-discovery. It’s inspired by the fictional Broadway musical theater sequence “Save the City” — a freakin’ musical bop! — featured in the first episode of the Disney+ series “Hawkeye.”

According to Disney Parks Blog, the show is scheduled to perform several times a day, Tuesday through Saturday, most weeks. Disney Parks Blog recommends parkgoers download the Disneyland app to join the show’s virtual queue if they plan on watching the show during their visit. Distribution for the complimentary virtual queue will begin at 10:30 a.m. PT for the first two show times of the day and 2 p.m. PT for the remaining show times.

To join the virtual queue, open the Disneyland app 10-15 minutes before the virtual queue times begin (10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. PT), then tap the menu button (three lines in the bottom left corner). Tap Virtual Queues, then Join Virtual Queue, and look for “Rogers: The Musical.” Keep refreshing until the join button appears, then tap Join. Follow the instructions, and fingers crossed you get in.

Joining the virtual queue is optional, but highly recommended. If the virtual queue reaches capacity, check in at the Hyperion Theater before the show begins for any walk-up viewing options.

Parkgoers can also grab “Rogers: The Musical” food and beverages at select locations across Disney California Adventure. Enjoy a patriotic cherry, vanilla, and blue raspberry shake, sausage and pepperoni wrap, and pastrami pretzel dog. Vending carts outside the Hyperion Theater will offer a “Rogers: The Musical” popcorn bucket with red, white, and blue kettle corn.

Don’t forget to take advantage of Disney’s PhotoPass service, free to all parkgoers throughout the Disney100 Celebration! Pose in front of the Hyperion Theater marquee and Captain America’s shield in one of two Magic Shots.

Know before you go:

July 1 - Aug. 31 – Watch “Rogers: The Musical” at Hyperion Theater in Disney California Adventure

These rides are closed for refurbishment temporarily:

• Sept. 2021 – Tarzan’s Treehouse closed for refurbishment in 2021 and will reopen as Adventureland Treehouse in 2023

• May 31 – Splash Mountain closed to transform into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. It’s planned to reopen in 2024

Visiting the Disneyland Resort for my birthday has become one of my favorite birthday traditions. Some might say August is an unfavorable month to visit Disneyland because of the hot weather, and they aren't wrong. The heat is unbearable, but the crowds are manageable. Most elementary school children are back in school in mid-August, so visiting Disneyland during the weekday is ideal.

Know before you go:

• Aug. 31 – Last day of “Rogers: The Musical” premieres at Hyperion Theater in Disney California Adventure and “Wondrous Journeys” in Disneyland park.

Who’s ready for the spooky season? Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort is returning from Sept. 1-Oct. 31.

Enjoy great weather, seasonal decor, and characters dressed in Halloween costumes at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks this year. Take advantage of the free Disney100 Celebration PhotoPass at participating PhotoPass attractions, especially the giant Mickey pumpkin on Main Street USA.

Don’t forget to check out the transformation of Cars Land at Disney California Adventure park into Radiator Screams and Haunted Mansion at Disneyland park into Haunted Mansion Holiday.

Also returning is the fan-favorite Oogie Boogie Bash — A Disney Halloween Party in Disney California Adventure park. Learn more about all the Halloween Time fun at Disney Parks Blog.

In addition to all the Halloween Time fun, the Disneyland Resort announced that Tiana’s Palace restaurant is set to open in Disneyland park on Sept. 7! The restaurant’s opening marks the next step in bringing more of Princess Tiana’s stories to life in New Orleans Square.

Know before you go:

• Sept. 1 – Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort begins!

• Sept. 1 – Honor the Mexican traditions of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) at Plaza de la Familia (Paradise Gardens) in Disney California Adventure park until Nov. 2.

• Sept. 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28 – Oogie Boogie Bash

• Sept. 7 – Tiana’s Palace restaurant in Disneyland park opens

• Sept. 8 – Play Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit in the Downtown Disney District. The last day to play is Nov. 1.

Heads up! Park guests without tickets to Oogie Boogie Bash must exit Disney California Adventure park early.

If you plan on visiting Disney California Adventure park on the same day as Oogie Boogie Bash, I recommend you purchase a Park Hopper ticket to hop over to Disneyland park before Disney California Adventure park closes for the event. Purchase discount Disneyland one-day Park Hopper tickets through Get Away Today!

Related: Halloween at Disneyland: What You Need to Know

Halloween may be my least favorite holiday, but it's one of my favorite times to visit the Disneyland Resort. First, the weather is perfect; not too hot or cold. Second, there are so many delicious foods to try.

If you're a pumpkin fan, you must try their pumpkin spice churro with cream cheese dipping sauce if they have it. It's delicious! Churro Toffee is one of my favorite Park snacks, and last fall, they had a pumpkin spice churro toffee. I was sad we weren't going to Disneyland when I found out.

Aside from food, Halloween is also when rides, like Haunted Mansion and Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission — Breakout, transform into Haunted Mansion Holiday and Guardians of the Galaxy — Monsters After Dark.

Disney California Adventure park will once again transform Paradise Gardens into Plaza de la Familia for Dia de Los Muertos as a nod to Disney Pixar's movie “Coco.”

In the Mexican culture, it’s believed that death is the natural next step in one’s life. To celebrate, families set up an ofrenda (altar) in their homes with photos of their deceased loved ones and share food, dance, and activities with them. At Disney’s interpretation of Dia de Los Muertos, park guests can enjoy delicious Mexican foods and shows, like “A Musical Celebration of Coco” at Plaza de la Familia, meet Miguel and Mirabel, listen to Mariachi bands, and participate in Dia de Los Muertos-inspired activities.

Know before you go:

• Sept. 1 – Honor the Mexican traditions of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) at Plaza de la Familia (Paradise Gardens) in Disney California Adventure park until Nov. 2.

• Sept. 8 – Play Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit in the Downtown Disney District. The last day to play is Nov. 1.

• Oct. 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29, 31 – Oogie Boogie Bash

Heads up! Park guests without tickets to Oogie Boogie Bash must exit Disney California Adventure park early.

If you plan on visiting Disney California Adventure park on the same day as Oogie Boogie Bash, I recommend you purchase a Park Hopper ticket to hop over to Disneyland park before Disney California Adventure park closes for the event. Purchase discount Disneyland one-day Park Hopper tickets through Get Away Today!

The Holidays at the Disneyland Resort are returning Nov. 10, 2023, through Jan. 7, 2024!

Experience cultural celebrations in Disney California Adventure park with Disney Festival of Holidays, which is being celebrated for the first time in the Hollywood Backlot.

This multicultural seasonal celebration highlights traditions from Christmas, Navidad, Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Three Kings Day. There will be new and returning food and beverage food items and dance performances at the Palisades Stage and Sonoma Terrace. Festivalgoers may choose to purchase a Sip and Savor Pass or buy food as they go.

Don’t forget to have your cameras out to catch Disney and Pixar characters in “Mickey’s Happy Holidays” parade.

Also returning to Paradise Gardens this year is Disney ¡Viva Navidad! Watch the Three Caballeros as they host a joyous street party, featuring Mexican folk dancers and mariachi, Brazilian samba dancers and percussionists, giant mojiganga puppets and Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.

In addition to all the multicultural fun, don’t forget to check out “it’s a small world” Holiday and Haunted Mansion Holiday in Disneyland park, Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl (one of my favorite holiday rides), and Mater’s Jingle Jamboree at Cars Land in Disney California Adventure park.

When all is said and done, end the night watching “A Christmas Fantasy Parade” at Mainstreet USA or “Believe…In Holiday Magic” nighttime spectacular in Disneyland park. At Disney California Adventure park, watch “World of Color — Season of Light” at Paradise Bay.

Learn more about all the Holiday festivities happening at the Disneyland Resort on Disney Parks Blog.

Know before you go:

• Nov. 10 – The Holidays at the Disney Resort return. Visit Santa Claus, who will pose for photos around Disneyland Resort through Dec. 24.

Related: Disneyland Holiday Travel Guide 2022

I know I’ve said every Disneyland visit is my favorite time to visit, but the Holidays are my hands-down favorite time to visit because this Hawaii girl loves to dress up for the cold. Sure, the parks are extra crowded this time of year, but it's one hundred percent worth it because everything at the Disneyland Resort is more magical.

First, the characters look adorable dressed in their holiday outfits, and then there's the food, which is delicious.

Our second time to the Disneyland Resort during the holidays was my most chill Disneyland trip ever. We purchased Genie+ and got on all the rides we missed during our summer trip, and we even got to meet up with some friends from college. Plus, it was really, really cold for me. I got to wear my best winter clothes (my puffer jacket, fleece-lined leggings, boot socks—the works).

The Holidays at the Disneyland Resort ends Jan. 7, 2024.

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