We have just decided we are going to SoCal the week after xmas and spending 3-4 days in
Disneyland (the rest in San Diego). I am trying to decide if it would be better to go Dec 26-29 and avoid NYE stuff, or go for the gusto and visit 12/30-1/2. This would be our first trip to the 'land, but we did 4 parks in 4 days commando-style at WDW during Spring Break (9/10 and 10/10 days) and had an awesome time despite the crowds thanks to my planning and the lines app. DS is 7 but a big strong kid who can troop through a lot of walking. He is mostly ride-oriented but now that we can tour at a more leisurely pace I would like to go to parades and get my picture taken with Ariel. Thoughts from those who've been there?
Welcome! I'm glad you joined us. Well, it sounds like you are already very aware that the week between Christmas and New Year's will be very busy. In fact, the only thing that might keep it from being crazy busy is weather. If it rains a lot, that will scare a lot of people away. Otherwise, if it is not raining, expect Disneyland to reach capacity at least a couple of days during that week, if not more.
Some people have gone over New Year's Eve and New Year's Day more recently and said it really wasn't that bad -- or not as bad as they expected -- and they had a lot of fun. The last time I did a NYE trip was before California Adventure opened, and when the only place to really go was Disneyland itself. So it was a madhouse -- shoulder-to-shoulder crowds at a standstill in Main Street. My friend and I had to push our way through because no would could or would move. My other friend got one look at the crowds and went back up to our hotel room for the rest of the night.
These days, there are more things to do and places to go on NYE, so it might not be as bad as it was when I went -- though no one denies that it is very crowded.
The days immediately after Christmas are very crowded as well.
DIS'er Bret/mvf-m11c (who posted some of the great photos we have seen here today) did a post-Christmas trip a couple of years ago, and I think it was much more crowded than what he was used to dealing with.
I know I thought it was to funny not to take a picture of it. If it was mine I would have cried alot though.
That was in the sounvenir shop in the Paradise Pier hotel in November. It was nearly coming home with us but the prices of all the decorations have gone up so much in the last few years. When we were at WDW in 2011 all the decorations were 12.95 each and in DL last year they were 16/17.95 each
You're not kidding about the prices going up! A small castle like that for $17 or $18 is too much -- although I love that it is a mini version of the Winter Castle (especially since the Winter Castle may not make an appearance this year with the Diamond Anniversary stuff on it).
If my Elf Mickey had gone flying into the water, I might have been inclined to call a CM over to help fish it out! They must have tools for that sort of thing, as I am sure people drop things in the water all the time.
I mean... it's terrible, and yet hilarious at the same time. Poor Mickey! Some rambunctious child most likely hurled Mickey into the water.
It's a lovely photo, but it is neither a treat nor a treasure!
