Weather at Disneyland: Climate, Seasons, and Average Monthly Temperature

This guide is designed to help you know what the Disneyland weather might be six months from now — or whenever you're planning your Disneyland vacation. It can help you decide when to go, especially if you also check the tips and warnings about crowds and costs in the best time to visit Disneyland guide.

In addition to the seasonal packing tips below, these are a few things to know:

• Avoid dangling things and anything that might get caught in ride equipment.
• A small sling bag that you can pull to the front is a good choice as it will be easy to stow on rides.
• You'll walk a mile or more for every hour you spend at Disneyland. Choose your footwear carefully, and don't try to break in a new pair of shoes.
• If your hat doesn't have a strap to hold it on, bring a bag to put it in while riding.
• Ladies, you can get even more ideas and tips in the girls' guide to packing for Disneyland.

Fast Climate Facts

• Hottest Month: August (87 degrees F)
• Coldest Month: January (69 degrees F)
• Wettest Months: January and February (3 inches of rain), March (6 rainfall days)

Some locals claim there's a phenomenon called "earthquake weather," which they say is hot and dry. This myth goes back to ancient Greece. The truth is that earthquakes start miles underground. They aren't affected by temperature and happen in any weather.

Disneyland in Spring

Spring is one of the best times to go to Disneyland, weather-wise. The temperatures will be comfortable, the sun will shine 12 to 14 hours a day, and it's unlikely to rain. To make the most of that, use the guide to Disneyland in the spring to find out when the parks are less crowded.

What to pack: See the tips for packing for Disneyland in the rain the fall section above. Otherwise, plan for the average temperatures but check the short-range forecast before you start packing your bags.

Disneyland in Summer

Summer at Disneyland is hot. And crowded. You will have 14 hours of daylight, and the parks are open until midnight. For coping strategies and tips that are proven to help you cope, use the guide to Disneyland in the summer.

Have you heard of June Gloom? If you live in California, you probably know that summer is when the ocean's marine layer gets sucked ashore by rising hotter air. It sometimes keeps the coast cloudy and cool all day. It affects Disneyland on summer mornings but seldom lingers that far inland for an entire day.

What to pack: Don't worry about rain, but pack plenty of sunscreen to protect against high UV levels. Choose clothing that will keep you cool and keep in mind that whatever the predicted high, Disneyland will feel 5 to 10 degrees F warmer. Avoid very short shorts, which will leave your legs exposed to sunburn and sticking to the seats on rides.

Disneyland in Fall

Fall is almost like two separate seasons when it comes to crowds. You'll have 11 to 13 hours of daylight. To find out when the parks will be less crowded, see the guide to Disneyland in fall.

Santa Ana winds ramp up in the fall. When high pressure inland squeezes air through the local mountain passes, it can create gusts up to 70 miles per hours. Fortunately, they usually last only a few days.

What to pack: You might need rain gear in late fall, but weather patterns vary, and that's far from a certainty. Pack a rain jacket with a hood, but don't take it out the door with you just because it's cloudy outside. Instead, check the day's forecast. And don't think about taking an umbrella instead. They make it too hard to move around the park.

Otherwise, plan your clothing for the temperatures listed below, but don't pack that suitcase until you check a short-range forecast.

Disneyland in Winter

Winter is California's rainy season. Or at least it is sometimes. Depending on ocean temperatures, atmospheric rivers, and other phenomena, it may rain very little, or a lot. Southern California's annual average rainfall is 15 inches, but that hides that fact that it varies from 6 to 20 inches.

Temperature-wise, winter is a good time to go to Disneyland when the moderate temperatures make it easy to keep your energy up.

The days will be shorter, with about 10 hours of daylight. In terms of crowds and other issues, winter is almost like two seasons, one busy and one not. You can find out about that in the guide to Disneyland in winter.

What to pack: See the notes above about rain gear. The ideas are the same, but you're more likely to need it in winter. And when you check the forecast, there's a big difference between a sprinkle and a downpour. Don't just look at the percentage chance of rain, but how much is expected and how much wind will accompany it.