After Thankgiving to mid December crowds

[FourM's]

I have heard that after Thanksgiving to mid December are less busy.
We typically go "off season" the end of January. We would like to go when the holiday decorations are up next year.
Does anyone have any experience with being in the park during this time?

 

[goldies 5]

It is a great time to go. If you want to avoid the crowds don't go on Candleight Processional days. The first weekend in December. The atmosphere is really nice during the holiday season at DLR.

 

[HollyannHeck]

That's my favorite time to go. I love the holiday stuff, and the crowds can be pretty non-existent if you give it a week after Thanksgiving to calm down and don't go the week before Christmas.

 

[spacemermaid]

It's also my favorite time to go, but as Goldies 5 said, if you want to avoid crowds avoid the Candlelight Processional weekend! Made the mistake a couple of years ago (before finding Disboards!) to start our holiday trip that weekend...only time I've ever seen the Park more crowded was when my parents took me to the Star Tours & Captain EO opening day/week . Seriously, it was so packed for the CP that the CMs guided us (and others who were exiting the Park) through the back area of Main Street. But the weekdays after that, were pretty much crowd-free! So, if you go that week, you won't have long wait times but will still get to see the decorations

 

[FourM's]

I know as a disboarder I should know this but when are the CP days usually?

 

[spacemermaid]

Usually the first Saturday & Sunday of December.

Those are the days.

 

[FourM's]

Usually the first Saturday & Sunday of December.

Those are the days.

Too funny! Yeah we don't like to be there when its nuts. Thanks for the info!

 

[Eeee-va]

There are two Cast Member party days--I think they're usually the Monday and Tuesday after the Candlelight Processional--where Disneyland Park closes early. I am not sure how that affects crowds, but it's something to keep in mind.

In 2009, the Wednesday and Thursday after the CM parties were open until 11 PM and had 2 showings of Fantasmic, despite the fact that crowds were quite light. (Some days the week after did not offer Fantasmic.) It was lovely!

I've heard particularly great things about the week after Thanksgiving as well, but I think your whole window of potential visits is pretty nice.