Am I nuts? (DL at Xmas)

[larzebub]

So I wouldn't even be considering this, but nobody in my family wanted to (or could afford to) go this summer before school started. Now nobody will be able to go until the kids have a break from school, and Thanksgiving isn't a long enough break for us.

My son will be 5½ and has never been. And neither has my DH! I've never been during the holidays but I know the parks are mobbed. I really wanted to be able to go THIS YEAR and we won't have another chance. DS is the perfect age to experience Disney but will the crowds make us wish we'd waited?

His Christmas break is from Dec 22-Jan 3 and we'll have to fly in. I know there is no good time during Christmas break, but what would you recommend? (Waiting until next summer? LOL)

Thanks so much for your opinions!

 

[Princess_Katie006]

You know, It is a bad time to go as far as crowds are concerned but, there's always that question you know "should we wait" Summer might be just as bad as christmas time (as far as crowds go) I don't think I, personally would wait because what if something happened and you couldn't go next summer? You know what I mean? All I can say is (Hopefully it helps) Keep in mind that, you might regret waiting. I hope that helped a little if anything. lol

 

[Princess_Katie006]

You know, It is a bad time to go as far as crowds are concerned but, there's always that question you know "should we wait" Summer might be just as bad as christmas time (as far as crowds go) I don't think I, personally would wait because what if something happened and you couldn't go next summer? You know what I mean? All I can say is (Hopefully it helps) Keep in mind that, you might regret waiting. I hope that helped a little if anything. lol'

 

[rsschneck]

If this is a first time going to DL then I would NOT go at Christmas time. Way too crowded to even enjoy yourself very much.

Since you son is so young why don't you go during school. Don't wait for the summer crowds. Try to go when there are no crowds.

We are going mid-November and talking about going mid-January too.

 

[eatmypixiedust]

I visit the park frequently and I noticed that early December tends to be less crowded. Summer time is definitely the worst time to visit the park. It's not only scorching hot but the crowds are absolutely insane. Good luck!

 

[dawnrose]

We have been at crowded and not so crowded times....while not so crowded is definitely easier, we have fun either way, and the hours are a lot longer during the crowded times of the year. We are going Dec. 15-20th this year and are planning carefully...making some reservations for meals making use of early entry and fastpass...It takes some thinking ahead, but it can be fun at any time of year IMHO....and Christmas at Disneyland is just sooooo Christmasy!

 

[rsschneck]

We have been at crowded and not so crowded times....while not so crowded is definitely easier, we have fun either way, and the hours are a lot longer during the crowded times of the year. We are going Dec. 15-20th this year and are planning carefully...making some reservations for meals making use of early entry and fastpass...It takes some thinking ahead, but it can be fun at any time of year IMHO....and Christmas at Disneyland is just sooooo Christmasy!

You are staying pre-Christmas. Each day closer to Christmas gets busier and busier. The week of Christmas to New Year's is insane.

 

[BlueBayou]

You are staying pre-Christmas. Each day closer to Christmas gets busier and busier. The week of Christmas to New Year's is insane.

We normally go two weeks before Christmas (second week in December). This past year we went 13th-17th. The crowds were heavier than what we were used to... but got worse toward the end of the week. Friday December 17th was insane. We returned to Disneyland after watching the ELP at DCA, the crowd was so thick they opened up the area where the floats exit and had us walk backstage to tomorrowland. We were there a Saturday this past June and it was nothing like December 17th.

Back to the OP:

I could be wrong, but with this being the 50th celebration, I would be concerned about the crowds the week prior to Christmas.

But it would not cause me not to make the trip. Just be very aware of how to manage the crowds. Disneyland first thing at opening and DCA when the crowds get insane. Parades or fireworks at Disneyland should be viewed on the first or second night of the trip. The closer to Christmas the more crowded.

Sherry

 

[Vanvmom]

I would rather deal with crowds in cooler CA weather in DEC, than deal with crowds in the swealtering heat of summer. Plus even with the crowds, nobody does Christmas like Disney! The parks are beautiful all decked out in their Christmas finery! Of course I like the holiday redos of Small World and Haunted Mansion much better than the way they regularly are too, so that adds to my vote for "go in December."

 

[Vanvmom]

Forgot to mention... we were at DL in 2004 from Jan 1-4th and the crowds were almost non-existent. Still decorated for the holidays too!

 

[Gpaul]

Would Xmas decor/feeling be around Jan.10-12?

We can go either 12/26-29, or 1/10-12, what to do???????????????

Gracias!

 

[Wendot]

My family and I went to Disneyland once on December 26th and that was the only time I was ever disappointed with my trip there - it was ridiculously crowded. I've also done Dec 31 and that wasn't much better. I think the whole week between Xmas and New Year's is crazy. Maybe the best bet is to go on Xmas day, ha.

 

[Eeyorecln]

We went this August when everyone said it would be crowded and it was fine. We just utilized FP and ate on off times. We used ridemax which also helped we hardly waited longer than 30 min. for rides. Most of the time it was about 10 min. With good planning I think anytime is OK and with the longer hours, you can enjoy the nightime shows. Which in my opinion was the best part. Loved the FW and ELP. We're going back the week before Christmas 17 thru the 23. I say go ahead in Dec, you're more likely to catch the FW, ELP, Fantasmic and such then in off season. Either way have fun!

 

[lap3]

This is just my experience but we went to DL on Christmas Day last year and I can honestly say that's the last time we go there on Christmas Day. We thought the crowds would be light since everyone would be home on that day. Boy, were we wrong! It was so crowded that my kids managed to go on only 2 rides! My mom wanted all of us to go just so we can see the decorations, parades, and fireworks. That part is cool. Also, they reached capacity by 1:00 PM that day! We were telling this experience to a friend of ours and he used to work in DL many years ago. He said the worst day to go to DL was actually Christmas. We go to DL a couple of times during the summer and, yes, it does get crowded but it's nothing like what we went through...

So, if you ask me, I say wait until summer...

 

[scanmom]

I know alot of people are against this.... but I would take your son out of school for a week and go when crowds are expected to be less. I have done this with my kids, and they were fine. I don't do it now because when kids are in high school it really is too hard or impossible to make up the work. But in elementary, especially early elementary, the teachers are usually happy to give you some worksheets and things to take with you so your son will not get very far behind. Plus, that gives him something to do on the plane or at other "downtimes". Hope you have a magical trip!!