The biggest story this week is what's not happening: Disneyland has been remarkably empty all summer. Touring Plans hasn't rated a wait time above 3 (out of 10) once in July. If you can pull a spontaneous family trip, this is the window before D23 announcements in August change the calculus. Also: Disneyland turns 71 on Friday, King Arthur Carrousel reopens the same day, and Earl of Sandwich opens Wednesday. Here's the roundup.
🚨 Trip-Planning Impact
Crowds are the lowest they've been in years — go now if you can. Something strange is happening at Disneyland this summer. Wait times have been low through most of June and July, with no obvious explanation. Touring Plans data shows the park has barely cracked crowd level 5 all summer. Theories floating around: park hopping rule changes shifted behavior, high ticket prices are pushing families elsewhere, or people are traveling internationally after a few years of avoiding it. Whatever the reason, this is the best summer crowd-to-experience ratio in a decade for families. If you have any schedule flex before school starts, this is the trip to book.
King Arthur Carrousel reopens Friday, July 17. After 11 days down, the Carrousel is back — timed perfectly with Disneyland's 71st birthday. If you postponed a Fantasyland-heavy trip because of the closure, you're clear starting Friday. Casey Jr. and Storybook Land were the substitutes; you can go back to the normal rotation now.
Matterhorn Bobsleds closes next Monday, July 20, through July 23. Short refurb window. If your family has a Disneyland day scheduled between the 20th and 23rd and your kid was excited about their first "real coaster," reshuffle that day to focus on Big Thunder or Tomorrowland instead. Matterhorn is back Friday July 24.
🎢 Ride Status This Week
| Ride | Status | What Parents Should Know |
|---|---|---|
| King Arthur Carrousel | ✅ Reopens July 17 | Back in time for Disneyland's 71st birthday |
| Matterhorn Bobsleds | Closed July 20-23 | Reshuffle days that fall in that window |
| Frontierland Shootin' Exposition | Still closed, no reopen date | Not a big loss for kids under 7 |
| Silly Symphony Swings | Still closed, no reopen date | Been down since April 27 |
| Haunted Mansion | Closes August 8, back August 21 as Holiday | Skip if visiting Aug 8-20 |
| Main Street Cinema | Closes August 10, no reopen date | Not trip-affecting for most families |
| Autopia (gas-powered) | Active — on a death clock | Ride before early 2027 |
🎂 Disneyland Turns 71 on Friday, July 17
No massive celebration planned — the resort is winding down the 70th anniversary through August 9, so the 71st is intentionally low-key. Expect small cavalcade moments, possibly a limited-time treat, and some social media programming. If your kid is 4+ and understands birthdays, this is a fun coincidence to point out ("we're here on the park's birthday!"). Not a reason to plan a trip around, but a nice moment if you're already going.
🍿 Food Worth Knowing
Earl of Sandwich grand opening is Wednesday, July 15. After a week of soft-open previews, the Downtown Disney location officially launches Wednesday with a ribbon cutting featuring the actual 12th Earl of Sandwich. For families, this is genuinely a top-3 quick service option at the resort: hot pressed sandwiches, kids' menu that works for picky eaters, and it's fast. The Original 1762 (roast beef and cheddar) and the Holiday Turkey are the safest bets for kids who like uncomplicated food. Plan on lines the first few weeks — the novelty will drive traffic.
Bopo Go! (the Jamba replacement) still isn't open. Construction walls are still up at Downtown Disney. If your family relied on Jamba for smoothies, plan on Nekter, a resort hotel juice bar, or mobile-ordering something from the parks.
The Plaza Inn fried chicken meal remains the best sit-down value at Disneyland for families with kids who'll actually eat it.
💰 Deals & Tickets
Kids' Summer Tickets are still running — kids 3-9 visit for as low as $50/day through September 7. Get Away Today consistently runs it at $48/day with their own savings layered on top, plus interest-free payment plans.
Anaheim Resident Ticket Offer goes on sale Thursday, July 16. $71/day for adults, $50/day for kids 3-9, valid July 20 through October 8. Requires Anaheim ZIP code on government-issued ID matched to the payment method. If you live in Anaheim, this is the best deal of the year — hit it Thursday morning.
The $59 evening ticket sold out. Disney quietly released a $59 evening ticket for Sundays-Wednesdays July 12 through August 5 (entry after 7 PM at Disneyland, 5 PM at DCA). It sold out in less than a week. If Disney does this again, act fast — expect availability to disappear within days.
👀 What We're Watching
D23 Day at Disneyland is August 13. Disney has been deliberately quiet about what's planned, teasing "dazzling surprises." The 70th Celebration wraps August 9 and Halloween Time kicks off August 21, leaving a natural window for a major announcement on August 13. If you're planning a fall or winter trip, wait until August 14 to book — you'll have better information about what's opening, closing, or changing. Historical odds: 5/10 that something significant drops.
17 new rides across Disney parks confirmed. Disneyland is getting a new ride, an Avengers Campus expansion, and a rumored Avatar-themed land. None of this affects 2026 or 2027 trip planning, but if you have a 3-year-old who'll be 6 or 7 by the time these open, the park's going to look different by then.
Halloween Time starts August 21 — 5 weeks out. If you're planning a fall trip and want the best crowd-to-experience ratio, last week of August and first week of September is the sweet spot. October gets progressively busier every week, and Halloween weekend itself is a crowd nightmare. Oogie Boogie Bash October dates are largely sold out; August and early-September dates still have $139 availability.
Disneyland's one billionth guest was celebrated July 3. An 8-year-old from Arizona named Andres Robles walked into the park with his parents for what he thought was a normal birthday visit and ended up on the Main Street train station platform with Mickey. Family got a VIP tour guide for the day, a walk through Walt's private apartment, and a ride on Soarin' Across America. Not trip-planning news, just a great story.
Planning a Disneyland trip this summer or fall? Start with our 2-day toddler itinerary and Lightning Lane strategy guide — both updated for current ride status and the new park hopping rules.