At Disneyland, the line averages 12 minutes for "it's a small world". The line is shortest around 8am, averaging 5 minutes, and longest around 2pm at 18 minutes. That is drawn from the past 12 months of recorded waits, so you can pick a window without buying Lightning Lane.
Average wait by time of day
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Average wait by day of week
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Average wait by month
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Key insight: The clearest pattern: "it's a small world" is shortest around 8am (averaging 5 minutes) and longest around 2pm (18 minutes). Day of week matters too: Sun averages 10 minutes while Sat averages 14 minutes, a 4-minute difference. Across months, Aug tends to be the quietest, with an average closer to 7 minutes.
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What is the best time to ride "it's a small world"?
"it's a small world" at Disneyland is usually shortest around 8am (about 5 minutes) and longest around 2pm (about 18 minutes). Riding in the first hour after opening or late in the evening gives the shortest waits.
What is the average wait for "it's a small world"?
"it's a small world" averages about 12 minutes at Disneyland, across every recorded wait while the ride was operating.
What day of the week has the shortest line for "it's a small world"?
Sunday typically has the shortest line for "it's a small world" (around 10 minutes), while Saturday is the busiest (around 14 minutes).
Do I need Lightning Lane to ride "it's a small world"?
No. By riding "it's a small world" during its quietest hours and on a lower-crowd day, most guests can keep the wait short without paying for Lightning Lane.