Anyone spend Christmas or New Years Eve at Disneyland?

[Disneysince82]

You're definitely my kind of people! I also have a spreadsheet for vacation. The one I did last year was more intense just because of staying on property, and all the dining packages. I planned everything, and my BFF was like whatever your little heart desires, she had no opinion. She only said just tell me what time I have to show up.

I use to camp out for the fireworks, back in 2010, and it would only be for 90 mins or less. Things have changed a lot, since then, and so have I. At 50 years old, I can't sit on the ground for too long anymore. Last year, after the electrical parade (my fav show), I stood close to the flag pole, with mostly unobstructed view and watched from there. I could see the projections along mainstreet but just not on the castle. But I was good with it.

Starting your 1st day mid day at the parks may not be as bad as you think. My family does it all the time. We would drive down early morning from NorCal and be in the parks no later than 12-12:30pm. And then close down the park. Well they did anyway, I was usually done by 10pm. Also on Christmas Eve during the evening the crowds aren't as bad, a lot of people are either at home or visiting family at some party somewhere. So parade viewing or other shows, a few rides, and a dining reservation sounds like a good plan to me!

In 2005 I don't think I waited to long either & had a really nice place right in front of the castle. I loved the electrical parade as a kid, and I am pretty sure it is a full on core memory for me lol I'll be 41 and I pretty sure there is a 50/50 I might need help back up.... or watch from the ground LOL

You are 100% right I need to stop over thinking it getting to the park probably 930-10 AM We are sort of limited in a lot of ways when it comes to flights. Well that might be put the wrong way. We have to fly 1st class because of the leg room. I am fairly short 5'4" but my husband is 6'6" flying is not a easy thing. Even with 1st class domestic flights he isnt very enjoyable but thankfully it is less than a 2.5 hr flight. So we are stuck really overpaying to get from Denver to LAX/SNA but I have found if we fly in on Christmas Eve 730 AM to LAX we can do a return flight from SNA to DEN for about $800-1000 Iess. But hey at least 2 checks bags are included!

 

[1Disneylandfan]

In 2005 I don't think I waited to long either & had a really nice place right in front of the castle. I loved the electrical parade as a kid, and I am pretty sure it is a full on core memory for me lol I'll be 41 and I pretty sure there is a 50/50 I might need help back up.... or watch from the ground LOL

You are 100% right I need to stop over thinking it getting to the park probably 930-10 AM We are sort of limited in a lot of ways when it comes to flights. Well that might be put the wrong way. We have to fly 1st class because of the leg room. I am fairly short 5'4" but my husband is 6'6" flying is not a easy thing. Even with 1st class domestic flights he isnt very enjoyable but thankfully it is less than a 2.5 hr flight. So we are stuck really overpaying to get from Denver to LAX/SNA but I have found if we fly in on Christmas Eve 730 AM to LAX we can do a return flight from SNA to DEN for about $800-1000 Iess. But hey at least 2 checks bags are included!

With having 5 park days, you will be able to go at a slower pace, and take more breaks (even in the park just sitting somewhere, or at the GCH lobby).

I understand the leg room on flights. I'm 6 feet tall, and I barely fit when flying anything coach. So I can only imagine the pain of your husband being taller than me. I would definitely save the money whenever you can on flights, and in 1st class the checked bags should be included.

 

[Disneysince82]

With having 5 park days, you will be able to go at a slower pace, and take more breaks (even in the park just sitting somewhere, or at the GCH lobby).

I understand the leg room on flights. I'm 6 feet tall, and I barely fit when flying anything coach. So I can only imagine the pain of your husband being taller than me. I would definitely save the money whenever you can on flights, and in 1st class the checked bags should be included.

OK so you GET IT!! I was telling a friend who was thinking I was just being a dramatic and she was like, "well we are tall and we fly regular economy+ and be very comfortable!".... they 5'8" & 5'10" I was almost told her our 14 y/o is just shy of 5'10" and our daughter who just turned 5 is 48 inches -- are struggles are not the same LOL Yes, we will get 2 bags checked each!

We have 5 day park hoppers/genie+ for the 8 days we will be there and I have wondered to be safe if I should add more tickets.... I would hate for us to be there and the parks to be full. I plan on having peaceful non park rest days & still planning to take mid day breaks-- maybe I can jump in the hot tub! But I could see our 15 yr old wanting to go in daily.

 

[1Disneylandfan]

OK so you GET IT!! I was telling a friend who was thinking I was just being a dramatic and she was like, "well we are tall and we fly regular economy+ and be very comfortable!".... they 5'8" & 5'10" I was almost told her our 14 y/o is just shy of 5'10" and our daughter who just turned 5 is 48 inches -- are struggles are not the same LOL Yes, we will get 2 bags checked each!

We have 5 day park hoppers/genie+ for the 8 days we will be there and I have wondered to be safe if I should add more tickets.... I would hate for us to be there and the parks to be full. I plan on having peaceful non park rest days & still planning to take mid day breaks-- maybe I can jump in the hot tub! But I could see our 15 yr old wanting to go in daily.

Yes ma'am I do. Part of being able to fit in the seat on planes is a person can be a similar height but proportioned differently. Someone may have long legs (myself) and shorter torso so they have a harder time cramming into the seat space (again me). Another person of same height has just the opposite, longer torso and shorter legs and fits in the seat without issue.

Honestly I think you'll be okay with 5 days in the park. I did it last year during 4th of July week and had 5 days in the park and 4 non park days. We spent 1 day at the beach and the other few days at the pool and an evening at the Spa at GCH getting a massage. If that's your thing it's worth it, but a bit pricey. However I was so relaxed and chill after the massage. It's called Tenaya Stone Spa.

Another thing is with all magic keys being blocked out from 12/20 - 1/2 that helps to keep it from getting too chaotic, (like it used to be in previous years anyway). Except for NYE, people will buy their day ticket just to be able to be there that day/night.

 

[Disneysince82]

Yes ma'am I do. Part of being able to fit in the seat on planes is a person can be a similar height but proportioned differently. Someone may have long legs (myself) and shorter torso so they have a harder time cramming into the seat space (again me). Another person of same height has just the opposite, longer torso and shorter legs and fits in the seat without issue.

Honestly I think you'll be okay with 5 days in the park. I did it last year during 4th of July week and had 5 days in the park and 4 non park days. We spent 1 day at the beach and the other few days at the pool and an evening at the Spa at GCH getting a massage. If that's your thing it's worth it, but a bit pricey. However I was so relaxed and chill after the massage. It's called Tenaya Stone Spa.

Another thing is with all magic keys being blocked out from 12/20 - 1/2 that helps to keep it from getting too chaotic, (like it used to be in previous years anyway). Except for NYE, people will buy their day ticket just to be able to be there that day/night.

a lot of times people think he will be fine because he is so skinny but he also is all legs and a very short torso.

Ohhh I plan to hit up Tenaya Stone Spa I have no idea what yet but I have a list lol

 

[1Disneylandfan]

a lot of times people think he will be fine because he is so skinny but he also is all legs and a very short torso.

Ohhh I plan to hit up Tenaya Stone Spa I have no idea what yet but I have a list lol

Nice you'll love the spa. I did the signature massage 80 mins. Definitely show up 30 mins prior to appointment time, they have an area where you sit in these lounge chairs and they have snacks. The cookies were the best! Do the massage while your staying at GCH, it makes it so easy to just walk down stairs and walk back up when your done.