When is the best time to go to Six Flags Great America?

Located in the Chicago metropolitan area, the Six Flags theme park features a total of 51 rides, including 13 roller coasters, and the Hurricane Harbor water park open in the summer.

Six Flags Great America is only open six months out of the year (May – October), so just when is it least crowded? Let’s take a look at what the crowds look like throughout the operating season.

May

Opening Day - The first weekend of May is typically opening weekend at Great America, and it gets busy. Try to get there early if you can to avoid the longer lines.

Weekdays - Great America starts opening on weekdays in mid-May, and they are perhaps some of the best days of the year to visit the park. Crowds are usually light.

Weekends – Weekends in May are traditionally crowded and it only gets busier toward the end of the month. Sundays are typically least crowded.

Memorial Day Weekend – Crowds start to pick up for the summer season starting on Memorial Day Weekend. Be prepared for big crowds on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday (Memorial Day itself).

June

Summer Season – Six Flags Great America is open everyday in June, as the summer season kicks off. The earlier in June you go, the less crowded it tends to be, as more and more schools get out later in the month. Weekends (especially Saturdays) are packed throughout June, so aim for going on the weekdays if you can.

The summer season crowds are traditionally out in full force by the last week of June.

July

4th of July Weekend – The summer season is in full swing by July. Great America is typically very crowded for the 4th of July holiday.

There’s really not much relief from the summer crowds in all of July, as it’s the busiest time of the year at Six Flags. If you must go, avoid the weekends.

August

Weekdays – The summer season finally starts to wind down in August as schools get back in session. This time around, the later in the month you go the better. The summer crowds are still around for the first two weeks of the month, but start to lighten up by mid-August. Weekdays are least crowded.

September

Labor Day Weekend – The three-day weekend typically draws big crowds to Six Flags Great America. Get there early!

After Labor Day, the park is only open on weekends in September and the crowds are more manageable than in the busy summer months. The park is closed on some Saturdays and Sundays for private events, so be sure to check with SFGAm’s events page.

October

Fright Fest – Fright Fest takes over in October on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and select weekdays. The popular Halloween event draws big crowds, so try to get there early.

When do you think is the best time to visit Six Flags Great America? How crowded was it when you went? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!

Image: Hendricks Photos

When is the best time to go to Six Flags Over Georgia?

One of the oldest parks in the Six Flags chain, Over Georgia is located west of Atlanta and boasts over 40 rides, including 11 roller coasters.

Six Flags Over Georgia is a popular destination for locals and tourists, but when is it least crowded? Let’s take a look at what to expect crowd-wise throughout the park’s operating season.

March – April

Opening Day – Opening weekend typically happens in mid-March and it can get busy, although the crowds generally aren’t too bad. Sundays are less crowded than Saturdays.

Spring Break – Six Flags Over Georgia is open all week long for Spring Break on the first week of April, and it’s usually pretty crowded.

After Spring Break week, the park is only open on weekends for the rest of April. Sundays are your best bet for lighter crowds, as it’s busiest on Saturdays.

May

Weekends – Weekends in the month of May are another great time to visit Over Georgia. The summer season hasn’t started just yet, so the crowds are usually manageable. Sundays are least crowded.

Memorial Day Weekend – The park gets crowded for Memorial Day Weekend. The holiday marks the beginning of daily openings for the summer. For lighter crowds, aim for the weekdays after Memorial Day.

June

Summer Season – Six Flags Over Georgia is open everyday in June. The earlier in June you go, the better. The park tends to get busier later in the month as more schools get out for the summer. It’s most crowded on weekends, so weekdays are again your best bet for shorter lines.

July

4th of July Weekend – The summer season is in full swing by July. Over Georgia is typically very crowded for the 4th of July holiday.

July is the busiest month at Six Flags, so there’s really not much relief from the summer crowds. If you must go, avoid the weekends.

August

Weekdays – The summer season finally winds down in August as schools get back in session. The crowds usually aren’t too bad on weekdays.

The park goes back to weekend-only openings in mid-August, and Sundays are least crowded.

September

Labor Day Weekend – The three-day weekend typically draws big crowds to Six Flags Over Georgia.

After Labor Day, the park is only open on weekends in September and the crowds are much more manageable than in the busy summer months.

October

Fright Fest – Fright Fest takes over in October on weekends. The Halloween event tends to get crowded in the evening hours. If you get there early, crowds are usually a lot lighter.

When do you think is the best time to visit Six Flags Over Georgia? How crowded was it when you went? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!

Image: Edward Beavers

One of the smallest Six Flags amusement parks, the park features 40 rides, including 8 roller coasters. Located just 30 miles from downtown St. Louis, it’s a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.

So when is Six Flags St. Louis least crowded? The park is open from April to October, and some days are busier than others. Here’s what kind of crowds you can expect throughout the year.

March – April

Opening Day – Six Flags St. Louis opens for its operating season on either the last weekend of March or the first weekend of April, usually drawing decent-sized crowds. Try to get there early if you’re going on opening weekend.

Weekends – The park is only open on weekends in April, and crowds typically aren’t too bad compared to the rest of the year. Sundays are less crowded than Saturdays.

May

Weekdays – Sundays and the weekdays before Memorial Day Weekend are your best bets for light crowds in May.

Memorial Day Weekend – Six Flags St. Louis typically gets very crowded for the Memorial Day Weekend holiday. Try to go before or after the three-day weekend to avoid the big crowds and long lines.

June

Summer Season – Six Flags St. Louis is open everyday in June as the busy summer season starts to begin. Try to avoid going on the weekends; Weekdays (Mondays-Fridays) are least crowded.

The earlier in June you go, the better. More schools in the area get out for the summer in mid to late-June, so the crowds tend to get worse toward the end of the month.

July

4th of July Weekend – The summer crowds are out in full force by July, and it’s typically very crowded for the 4th of July.

July is the busiest month at Six Flags, so there’s really not much relief from the summer crowds. If you must go, avoid the weekends.

August

Weekdays – The summer crowds are still around for the first week of August, but start to die down as schools get back in session. It’s least crowded on weekdays and Sundays.

September

Labor Day Weekend – Six Flags St. Louis is typically very busy for the three-day weekend.

The park is only open on weekends in September, and Sundays are the least crowded days.

October

Fright Fest – Fright Fest takes over for the Halloween season in all of October on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The event usually draws big crowds (especially in the evening hours), so try to get there early for shorter wait times.

When do you think is the best time to visit Six Flags St. Louis? How crowded was it the last time you went? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!

Image: Edward Beavers

The second Six Flags park in Texas (the other being Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington), Fiesta Texas features 50 rides, including 8 roller coasters. The park is located in San Antonio and also includes White Water Bay, a separate water park.

So when exactly is the best time to go to Fiesta Texas? The park is open from late March through January, and some days are busier than others. Here’s what the crowds look like throughout the operating season.

March

Opening Day – Six Flags Fiesta Texas opens for the operating season on the first weekend of March, and crowds are usually manageable for the opening weekend.

Spring Break – Schools in the area are out for Spring Break in mid-March. That means the park is open all week and it’s typically packed. Crowds are lighter on the weekends after Spring Break, especially on Sundays.

April

Weekends - Fiesta Texas is open on weekends in April, and crowds usually aren’t too bad. Sundays are least crowded.

May

Weekends – It’s not the summer season just yet. The park is open on weekends in May, and Sundays are again your best bet for lighter crowds.

Memorial Day Weekend – Fiesta Texas starts opening daily after Memorial Day. It’s typically very busy over the three-day weekend. The park is open for a few weekdays before the holiday weekend and after Memorial Day, so try to go on those days for a lot less crowds.

June

Summer Season – Six Flags Fiesta Texas is open everyday in June for the summer season crowds. The earlier you go in June, the better. Crowds start to pick up by the second week of the month. Weekdays are still busy, but usually less crowded than the weekends.

July

4th of July Weekend – The summer crowds are out in full force by July, and it’s typically very crowded for the 4th of July holiday.

July is the busiest month at Six Flags, so there’s really not much relief from the summer crowds. If you must go, avoid the weekends.

August

Weekdays – August marks the end of the busy summer season. More schools get back in session throughout August, so the later in the month you go, the less crowded it will be. Go on weekdays for smaller crowds.

September

Labor Day Weekend – Six Flags Fiesta Texas gets crowded for the three-day weekend. Try to arrive early.

The park is only open for a couple weekends after Labor Day, and it usually isn’t very crowded.

October

Fright Fest – Fright Fest takes over on weekends in all of October. Attendance to the Halloween event is highest on Saturdays. Try to get there early in the day for more manageable crowds.

November – December – January

Weekends – Fiesta Texas is open for the first few weekends in November, and crowds are typically light.

Holiday in the Park – The holiday event starts on Thanksgiving Weekend and into January. Crowds are typically light to moderate, but do start to pick up after Christmas and into New Year’s Eve. Fiesta Texas is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

How were the crowds the last time you visited Six Flags Fiesta Texas? When do you think is the best time to go? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!

Image: SETmariposa

The largest of all the Six Flags parks, Great Adventure boasts over 50 rides, including 13 roller coasters. If thrills aren’t your thing, there’s the neighboring Six Flags Wild Safari animal park, one of the largest drive-through safaris outside of Africa.

Six Flags Great Adventure has something for everyone, but what about the crowds? Some days are busier than others. Here are some of the best and worst times of the year to visit the park.

March – April

Opening Day – Great Adventure’s operating season finally begins in late March or early April. Big crowds and long lines are the norm for opening day and through the opening weekend.

Spring Break – The week after opening day is typically Spring Break time for most of the schools in the area. That means the park is open all week long and it’s usually packed. Your best bet for lighter crowds would be on the Sundays after Spring Break week.

May

Weekdays – Great Adventure is open on Thursday-Sunday in May and the weekdays are usually least crowded, although the crowds do tend to pick up a bit on Fridays.

Memorial Day Weekend – Memorial Day marks the start of the summer season and Six Flags gets very crowded for the three-day weekend.  The park is still open on the weekdays following Memorial Day, so try to go after the holiday if you can for less crowds and shorter wait times.

June

Summer Season – Six Flags Great Adventure is open everyday in June, as the park gets ready for the summer crowds. Weekdays are again the least crowded days, while Saturdays tend to be the busiest.

More schools start to get out for the summer in mid to late June, so the earlier in the month you go, the less crowded it will be. The summer crowds start to get a lot worse on the last week of June.

July

4th of July Weekend – The summer crowds are out in full force by July, and it’s typically very busy for the 4th of July.

There’s really not much relief from the summer crowds in all of July, including on weekdays, so be prepared.

August

Summer Season - The big summer crowds are still around in all of August.

September

Labor Day Weekend – Great Adventure is typically very crowded for the three-day weekend, as the summer season finally comes to an end.

The park is only open on weekends in September, and Sundays are the least crowded days.

October

Columbus Day Weekend – The three-day weekend attracts big crowds to the park. Be prepared for long lines.

Fright Fest – Fright Fest takes over for the Halloween season on Fridays and the weekends in October. The event is very popular, so try to get there early.

Have you been to Six Flags Great Adventure? How crowded was it when you visited? When do you think is the best time to go? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!

Image: diffusor

The oldest of the Six Flags chain, Six Flags Over Texas is one of the most popular theme parks in all of Texas. With more than 50 rides, including 13 roller coasters, the park attracts throngs of visitors and thrill seekers throughout the year.

So, when is Six Flags Over Texas least crowded? Here are some of the best and worst times of the year to visit the park.

January

New Year’s Eve/Day – Crowds for the annual Holiday in the Park event are still around on New Year’s Eve (December 31). By New Year’s Day (January 1) though, which is typically the last day of the operating season, everyone’s at home with a hangover. Crowds are a lot lighter.

March

Opening Day – Big crowds are usually expected for opening weekend, which is on the first Saturday and Sunday of March. Try to get there early!

Spring Break – Spring Break week in mid-March is traditionally one of the busiest times at Six Flags Over Texas. The park can get very crowded, sometimes reaching maximum capacity. If you must go in March, the Sundays before and after Spring Break week are least crowded.

April

Weekends – Six Flags Over Texas is only open on weekends in April, and Sundays are again your best bet for lighter crowds and shorter lines.

May

Memorial Day Weekend – May marks the start of the busy summer season. Weekends, including Memorial Day Weekend, are typically crowded. It’s a lot less busy on weekdays, Monday-Thursday.

June

Summer Season – More crowds start arriving in June as more schools get out for their summer break. The earlier in the month you go, the less crowded it’s expected to be. Weekdays early in June are the least crowded days.

July

4th of July Weekend – The big summer crowds are out in full force by July. Six Flags Over Texas is typically very crowded throughout the month, including for the 4th of July.

August

Summer Season – The summer crowds are still around in August, but tend to die off toward the end of the month as schools get back in session. Crowds are expected to get lighter on weekdays starting in mid-August.

September

Labor Day Weekend – The summer crowds are gone by September, making way for a less crowded park. It’s usually busy on Labor Day Weekend though.

October

Fright Fest – The annual Fright Fest Halloween festival takes over in October. The event is hugely popular and draws big crowds throughout the month.

November – December

Holiday in the Park – The annual Holiday in the Park event starts in the end of November (Thanksgiving Weekend) and through December. It tends to get busier toward New Year’s Eve, so the earlier in the season you go the better. Six Flags Over Texas is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

When do you think is the best time of the year Six Flags Over Texas? How crowded was it when you visited?

Be sure to let us know in the comments below!

Image: boilermakerWes

Theme parks are some of the most visited travel destinations, attracting millions of visitors every year. Don’t be surprised to run into big crowds and long lines at these popular tourist spots.

Based on annual attendance figures from the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) and AECOM, here’s the list of the top ten busiest theme parks in the world.

10. Everland

Yongin, Gyeonggi-Do, South Korea – 6,884,000 visitors

Everland is the largest theme park in South Korea. Along with its main attractions, the park also includes a zoo and a water park known as Caribbean Bay. Everland is operated by Samsung Everland, which is a subsidiary of the Samsung Group.

9. Universal Studios Japan

Osaka, Japan – 8,160,000 visitors

Similar to the Universal Orlando Resort in Florida, Universal Studios Japan attracts millions of Japanese tourists, as well as visitors from other Asian countries such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, and South Korea. When the park opened in 2001, 11 million guests entered its gates in just its first year of operation.

8. Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Walt Disney World Resort)

Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA – 9,603,000 visitors

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is themed around show business, drawing inspiration from the heyday of Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s.

7. Disney’s Animal Kingdom (Walt Disney World Resort)

Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA – 9,686,000 visitors

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is more than just a zoo. Located at the Walt Disney World Resort, it’s the largest single Disney theme park in the world. The park is entirely themed around animal conservation.

6. Disneyland Park (Disneyland Paris)

Marne-la-Vallée, France – 10,500,000 visitors

Disneyland Park is located at the Disneyland Paris resort complex just outside of the City of Light. The theme park’s layout and attractions are similar to Disneyland in California and the Magic Kingdom in Florida. It’s the largest Disney park based on the original.

5. Epcot (Walt Disney World Resort)

Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA – 10,825,000 visitors

Epcot is a theme park dedicated to the celebration of human achievement, namely international culture and technological innovation. If you’re wondering where they got the name from, EPCOT is an acronym of Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.

4. Tokyo DisneySea

Tokyo, Japan – 12,663,000 visitors

Part of the Tokyo Disney Resort, DisneySea is based on nautical exploration and adventure. At an estimated cost of $4 billion, it’s the most expensive theme park ever built. The park attracted a record of 10 million guests in only 307 days after its grand opening.

3. Tokyo Disneyland

Tokyo, Japan – 14,452,000 visitors

Ranked as the third most visited theme park in the world, Tokyo Disneyland is located at the Tokyo Disney Resort. It was built in the same style as Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom in the United States and features extensive open spaces to accommodate the large crowds.

2. Disneyland (Disneyland Resort)

Anaheim, California, USA – 15,980,000 visitors

The original Disneyland holds the distinction of having the largest cumulative theme park attendance in the world, with almost 600 million guests since it opened. More people have walked through Disneyland’s turnstiles then any other park on the planet.

Be sure to check out the Disneyland Crowd Calendar before visiting.

1. Magic Kingdom (Walt Disney World Resort)

Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA – 16,972,000 visitors

The theme parks at Walt Disney World are undoubtedly busy places. All four of the resort’s parks do in fact make the cut of the top 10 busiest worldwide. Magic Kingdom easily takes the crown as the most visited theme park in the world, with almost 17 million guests each year.

Did your favorite theme park make the list? Which ones do you think are busiest? Let us know in the comments below.

Data: Themed Entertainment Association
Image: Mastery of Maps, Beaster725, SteFou!, Ricky Romero

That makes Vegas one of the most crowded places as well. Unlike theme parks like Disneyland, where there is typically a break from the big crowds between the Spring Break, summer, and holiday seasons, Las Vegas tends to be busy year-round.

Some months are busier than others though. Here’s some holidays and weekends you may want to try to avoid.

January

New Year’s Eve/Day – One of the busiest times of the year, Vegas is typically packed for New Year’s. Vegas.com says that room rates are sometimes doubled for the holiday, so book early.

CES – The popular Consumer Electronics Shows draws over 100,000 attendees every year, usually in the first or second week of January.

February

Super Bowl Weekend – The busiest weekend of the year for Vegas sports books.

Presidents Day Weekend – The three-day weekend draws getaway travelers to the Strip.

March

NASCAR Weekend – Race fans descend on the city for the annual NASCAR weekend at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in early March.

Spring Break/Easter – The Spring Break season typically starts in mid-March and through Easter weekend.

May

Memorial Day Weekend – One of the busiest weekends of the year, marking the start of the summer season.

July

4th of July Weekend – Vegas is typically crowded for the Fourth, especially if the holiday falls on a weekend.

September

Labor Day Weekend – The three-day weekend draws big crowds.

October

Columbus Day Weekend – Big crowds are expected again for another three-day weekend.

November

Veterans Day Weekend – Vegas gets very busy for the three-day weekend.

Thanksgiving Weekend – The four-day weekend typically draws a slew of visitors.

December

NFR – The rodeo is in town! The National Finals Rodeo is a wildly popular event in early December.

Holiday Season – Las Vegas starts to get packed for the holiday season after Thanksgiving, especially on the weeks before and after Christmas. Book early and be prepared for big crowds.

When do you think Vegas is least crowded? Have you gone on any of these weekends or holidays? What was your experience like?

Be sure to let us know in the comments below!

Image: sequelguy Link576

While crowds usually aren’t too bad during the week, weekends can feel downright summer-like in October. Be prepared for long lines if you plan on heading to the parks on Saturday or Sunday.

The Disneyland Resort anticipates big crowds on weekends throughout October. Extended hours and a full entertainment lineup are scheduled for only weekends and Columbus Day. Disneyland usually closes early on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays for Mickey’s Halloween Party, which is a separate admission event.

Dates To Avoid

Columbus Day Weekend – Disneyland is typically crowded throughout the Columbus Day Weekend holiday.

Weekends – Saturdays and Sundays are expected to be packed, but Friday crowds are usually moderate, as the park closes early at 7:00pm.

As for crowds during the Mickey’s Halloween Party event, they usually aren’t too bad at all. Ticket sales are limited, so the lower attendance means minimal lines.

October Crowd Calendar

For the forecast of crowd levels of any day in October, be sure to check out the Disneyland Crowd Forecast Calendar.

For real-time updates and information on current crowd levels and conditions at the park, check out the Disneyland Live Crowd Tracker.

Have you gone to Disneyland in October? How were the crowds? Be sure to let us know in the comments below.

Image: HarshLight

Most schools get back in session from summer break sometime in mid to late August, so there is a dip in attendance on the week before Labor Day. After the holiday, the summer crowds are typically gone completely.

The Disneyland Resort anticipates crowds for Labor Day weekend, but after that, attendance is expected to be light (especially on weekdays) throughout September. Extended hours and a full entertainment lineup are scheduled for only weekends and Labor Day.

Dates To Avoid

Labor Day Weekend – Disneyland is typically crowded throughout Labor Day Weekend. The holiday officially the last day of the summer season.

Fridays – Friday is usually one of the busier days of the week, especially in the afternoon and evening hours. Arrive as early as you can.

So, if you’re going in September, aim for after Labor Day to enjoy some of the shortest lines of the year.

September Crowd Calendar

For the forecast of crowd levels of any day in September, be sure to check out the Disneyland Crowd Forecast Calendar.

For real-time updates and information on current crowd levels and conditions at the park, check out the Disneyland Live Crowd Tracker.

Have you gone to Disneyland in September? How were the crowds? Be sure to let us know in the comments below.

Image: *lynne*