After Christmas for a few days

[Mom2Joce]

Never been during this time and not sure what to expect. We have 3 days but wondered what are some tips and tricks for this super crowd time?

 

[tink89]

We went from dec 27-31 last year. Used EMH, used MP, reserved dining took breaks and went at a relaxed pace. We were able to see and do everything on our list.

 

[katyringo]

It’s so so so busy. But we went during this time last year and had so much fun. These are my tips.

Always go early. If you are staying onsite use the early entry everyday. If you aren’t and only have 1 magic morning - pay attention to the calendar. They will offer it every morning during this time when usually it’s just Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. Use it on a day it’s not normally offered.

Have realistic goals. 1-2 times per person you have to do and do those. The rest is just extra.

Maxpass. Don’t even question it.

Park will hit capacity so don’t leave in the afternoon unless you have reservations for later or don’t plan to come back to Disneyland park- just DCA

Hoppers- see above

We did a lot of character dinners and show packages because it was so busy this garuntee us character time and good seats.

 

[Winnowill]

Definitely get MaxPass, but be aware that almost all FPs will be gone by mid-late afternoon (except possibly for Splash and GRR for late evening) and there will be no cancellations of FPs after that. Also, other than your first FP or two, your return window will necessitate a 90-minute wait between pulling new FPs. You can still do everything, you just have to plan carefully. Don't forget about single-rider lines. They'll be longer than they usually are, but still better than regular standby.

 

[Malcon10t]

Park will hit capacity so don’t leave in the afternoon unless you have reservations for later or don’t plan to come back to Disneyland park- just DCA

Just to clarify.... The park MAY hit capacity (it only hit capacity 1 day during the week last year), but even if it does, once the first parade finishes, the turnstiles will reopen. It won't be locked out for the night. IF it was a hard close into the evening, reservations will NOT get you in (unless the reservation is at Club 33, then you will be escorted in and out.)

 

[RobertaMomof2]

Just to clarify.... The park MAY hit capacity (it only hit capacity 1 day during the week last year), but even if it does, once the first parade finishes, the turnstiles will reopen. It won't be locked out for the night. IF it was a hard close into the evening, reservations will NOT get you in (unless the reservation is at Club 33, then you will be escorted in and out.)

How can I figure out which ONE day that was? Trying to figure out our plan. We are there 27th-1st (taking NYE off). Thank you!

 

[tink89]

How can I figure out which ONE day that was? Trying to figure out our plan. We are there 27th-1st (taking NYE off). Thank you!

Believe it was the 27th last year. We were there the 27-31 but didn't go into the parks on the 27th but believe they had a power outage or something in one area of the park and they closed the gates for a few hours.

 

[RobertaMomof2]

Ah ok, thanks. That is one of the days I dont have any reservations in the evening (since our hotel has a free dinner that day). I am going to hope that the lockout was because of the power outage... and hope for the best. LOL. Thank you!

 

[tink89]

Ah ok, thanks. That is one of the days I dont have any reservations in the evening (since our hotel has a free dinner that day). I am going to hope that the lockout was because of the power outage... and hope for the best. LOL. Thank you!

I think all you can do is that. hope for the best. It seems that this past year or two we can't rely on past data to guide us. Days that were packed weren't and days that used to not be packed have been.

Best bet is to be prepared or the unexpected.

 

[RobertaMomof2]

Yes exactly! We are planning a relaxing trip, so whatever happens happens. Thank you!

 

[katyringo]

Just to clarify.... The park MAY hit capacity (it only hit capacity 1 day during the week last year), but even if it does, once the first parade finishes, the turnstiles will reopen. It won't be locked out for the night. IF it was a hard close into the evening, reservations will NOT get you in (unless the reservation is at Club 33, then you will be escorted in and out.)

Not to argu with you... but we were the December 27,28, 29 last year. Disneyland park hit capacity at some point on all three of those days. They had a very large sign at the gates with very large words “Disneyland not admitting new guests.”

Not sure what hard close means but there is different levels of capacity and our reservations deff got us back in one day when Disneyland hit a capacity leave where they weren’t even admiting previous guests of the same day. They had a CM standing out front with a binder will all the reservations listed and we had to give our name. They include the reservation number in the count of people’s in the park.

It did reopen by evening on all 3 days but know for sure on the 27th it wasn’t until later- like after dinner.

 

[Winnowill]

I know DL hit capacity on the 28th last year - we were there, but that was our DCA day. The 27th was the day of the power outage, and it definitely hit capacity that day, too. We were also there the 29th, at DL, but we never left the park.

I loved the sign they had out by PPH: "THEME PARKS ARE BUSY."

 

[katyringo]

I know DL hit capacity on the 28th last year - we were there, but that was our DCA day. The 27th was the day of the power outage, and it definitely hit capacity that day, too. We were also there the 29th, at DL, but we never left the park.

I loved the sign they had out by PPH: "THEME PARKS ARE BUSY."

Lol I remember that sign too...

I told hubby “you think?”

 

[Malcon10t]

I know DL hit capacity on the 28th last year - we were there, but that was our DCA day. The 27th was the day of the power outage, and it definitely hit capacity that day, too. We were also there the 29th, at DL, but we never left the park.

I loved the sign they had out by PPH: "THEME PARKS ARE BUSY."

Yes, technically, the park closed on the 27th, but not so much due to true capacity, but due to the electrical failure. It closed about 1pm and did allow in guests with reservations while they dealt with the lowered capacity due to the failure. (They do NOT do this when at capacity, fire marshal will not allow.) Gates reopened to all by 5pm when they had everything back up and going. On the 28th it hit capacity at 11am (which is really early for a capacity close) at which point they also stopped selling park tickets. Things did thin back down quickly and gates reopened at 12:55p. So less than 2 hours.

And I have seen the Disneyland at Capacity, go to DCA signs at 8am when the parks are opening.

 

[WeluvDisney7]

What about after New Year's Day? Is it extremely crowded then?

 

[Malcon10t]

What about after New Year's Day? Is it extremely crowded then?

Yes.