Crowds Dec 14-18

[Edwin Krollup]

Howdy all, my wife surprised me with an early Christmas gift...WE'RE GOING TO DISNEYLAND!!

I was curious what the crowds might be like from December 14-18? Will it be uber packed, or have we just skirted the major holiday crowds?

Thanks

[saraswim]

I'm new to DIS, and so glad I found you all! What fun....

Would I be out of line if I asked the same question? We are going with twins(4) and a Dd (6). The plan is to go Dec. 21-22, unless we hear that DL will be "uber packed"

Thanks! :cheer2:

[jworthy]

I would expect the crowds to be light on the 14th and poss. the 15th. Expect large crowds on 16-18 as this is the weekend and the week leading up to Christmas. I am sure you will have lots of fun.

[Edwin Krollup]

Yeah, that's exactly what I was thinking...we booked two reservations at the Blue Bayou, so I know the food will be good eatin'.

Man, we just finished our two week honeymoon at Disney World and here we are going back again just a few months later. You'd think we were millionaires...when we are clearly not.

Others might call us insane...and to that I have no reply but MAYBE!

[jworthy]

If you are insane so are we. We live in California and this coming January will make our 4th trip to WDW since we were married in 2002, not to mention the dozen or so times to DL. I hope you have lots of fun and the crowds are light. :)

[denyd]

A couple of things to check.

First what's the AP blackout level. If it's fully blacked out, then they expect a big crowd and want to take full ($$) advantage of the possibilities.

Second check the park hours & show schedules. When they have a pair of Fantasmic shows it's going to be a busy day. When they add a third show it's hell with fireworks.

Finally, think about the school schedules. Most schools will be closed from Dec 20th to Jan 1st, so that means vacationing families.

A couple of things to remember on even on the most crowded days:

1. Early (pre-11am) and late (after the fireworks) usually provide the smallest lines.
2. Take full advantage of fastpass and don't be in a hurry for anything
3. Now's the time to do those things you usually skip like the Main Street Movies, Innoventions, HISTA and the 50th Movie
4. Visit DCA, it'll be more crowded than usual but probably quite bearable, the Aladdin Show is top notch and they'll have 2 parades (MSEP & BPB) during the busy season.
5. Eat outside of DL, try Rain Forrest Cafe, ESPN Zone, Ralph Brennans or House of Blues in DTD or Ariel's Grotto or Taste Pilots Grill in DCA.
6. The latest shows are the least crowded, so use the earlier parade & showtimes to do things away from the parade route / show area.

[Edwin Krollup]

Thanks Denyd...will have to look into that!

[saraswim]

Your advice is great, thanks! I will check the show schedules. We definitely plan to take it easy and not try to do too much. Our kids are troopers, God Bless 'em, and I hope we can have some good down time in the middle of the day, after a fun-filled morning and then go back to DL for a solid evening. We have a lunch reservation @ Ariel's for Friday December 22. I hope we can get in a few more things after that, before the crowds get too thick.

Thanks again! :wave:

[saraswim]

Oh, and what's "AP"?

Thanks!

[Albort]

Oh, and what's "AP"?

Thanks!

AP= Annual Pass...

I think that week is gonna be busy for a few reasons... its the last day for a few APs to go... and its also Cast member's last days to use their passes aswell.

I suggest hitting DCA in the afternoon, or go back to your hotel and chill :)

[TravelingJen24]

I think we might be crazy also. We just got back from our annual DVC visit to WDW and then a Disney four day cruise. Now, a month and a half later we are going back to disneyland. But disneyland is so close I don't consider it a trip. That way I don't feel so bad when I tell people. :rotfl2:

[saraswim]

Thanks Albort, I guess at this point, we've gotta go!!!! Busy or not. We'll rally as best we can. We're planning to take 2 strollers......

Have a great day! :woohoo: