Are we setting ourselves up for failure? DL and DAS during xmas time

[minorthr]

We have the opportunity to go to DL during xmas time travel dates would be 12/23-12/28 staying off property. Our son is 12 and is autistic and all he has talked about recently is going to cars land. We have done WDW three times before and are doing a split trip wth a dis cruise in sept. With some additional accomidations from disney and the ability to pre book fastpasses we have made the DAS work.

The thought of going to DL with him during the busiest time of the year scares me. Without being able to prebook fastpasses I have these visions that we will be sitting around trying to entertain him and most likely failing miserably while we wait 2 hours in-between rides since the DAS can only be used on one ride at a time. Or actually getting fastpasses but all the times being in the afternoon well great so what do I do in the morning unfortunately he isn't going to stand in a line for 45 minutes-2 hours to get on a ride.

How bad does it get during Xmas? Does DL shut people out who are not staying on property when it gets really busy like WDW does?

The most likely scenario is that I'm massively over thinking this and should just do it and roll with whatever happens, enjoy and make the best of our time together.

 

[SMD]

The week between Christmas and New Years is the single busiest week of the year. DL will have capacity closures on multiple days. It's not as likely at DCA. There are levels of closures based on ticket type, so the parks will close to tickets before APs. Although the first level closure is new entries. So it's worth going in the morning and using everyone's ticket even if you do one thing and leave. Then you can use an FP runner to go back to either park once a park hopper has been activated at a single park. And if they go into the first level of closure you can still get back in as a re-entry. This will be the first year since they eliminated premium APs and introduced the signature level that has all the premium benefits minus access to the parks that week. However, this may shift crowds. But the price difference between signature and signature plus is also more than several multiday tickets, and many APs may just opt to pay for those to have access to that week. Also, the FP return merge points are a lot farther back at DLR than WDW. Waiting 30-40 minutes after returning is not unheard of. If you plan for shoulder to shoulder crowds in DL park, long waits for food and rides and limited seating for food and shows then you'll be prepared for what it's like during that week.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It will be an absolute zoo. Even with a fast pass, the wait can be very long for a popular ride like Radiator Springs Racers in Cars Land. Keep in mind RSR has frequent break downs, which makes the waits even longer. I wouldn't even think about going over Christmas.

 

[Nevada Jen]

I wouldn't do it at that time unless I was staying on site and had the EMH. The DAS will make it better (you will be able to get RSR even if the fastpasses are gone) but I still don't think it will be tolerable. If cars land is your only goal, I think I would do two days in the park and one night in an onsite hotel and otherwise skip Disney. Really. I just don't think it will be a good experience. You can probably fly out for two days at a deader time of year, stay on site and hit almost everything for the same cost of what you are going to pay for that week and it will be a much better experience for a child with autism related challenges.

 

[minorthr]

The only reason I was even considering it was pretty much everything was pretty much covered except park tickets, but none of that matters if we are going to be miserable.

How are weekends there during the November December timeframe? Could probably get away with flying down Friday and returning Monday.

He doesn't start school until Sept 6th the last week of august is listed as ok on a few crowd calendars

 

[SMD]

DLR is always busy and crowds are not at the same level throughout the day. Many locals will arrive after school or after work, so it can be hard to say when crowds will be there and what an afternoon or night will be like even when the morning is more sparse. Right now the 60th is part of what is driving attendance, but that ends after Labor Day. We don't know yet what promotion or theme Disney might run next to drive attendance. We also don't know the impact of of new signature/signature plus annual pass structure on the weeks immediately before Christmas. Generally there's the Avenger's race weekend in November, and the week prior to and after that is the soft open of holiday time and the actual opening, and then the crowds continue from there, especially on weekends. The best advice is to go early, take midday breaks and then go back. We also don't know if fireworks will continue every night or go back to just weekends, and if PTN will continue nightly, go down to 1 time per night or what. Both of those could drive more crowds to weekends. If you go between Christmas and New Years you don't have to go on consecutive days, if that will help make it easier. The suggestion to stay on site for 1 night and use EE on 2 days is good too.

 

[poprouge]

We went for New Years one year, and yes I was scooter bound. I won't lie New Years, and even New Years day was horrific. Every complaint that could be had by a scooter rider is magnified. I was left at the park after closing, had to wait for a bus to be specifically dispatched for me, an additional hour wait. Others dart immediately in front of a scooter even dragging a kid, the constant looking out is exhausting. But immediately after that was heaven. Check crowd levels and avoid the main holiday dates. Otherwise choose parks more wisely, ie Epcot can handle larger crowds and may be a better option. Get in early, get out early.

Good luck and enjoy your vacation.

 

[minorthr]

Thanks everyone we decided to move it to a week in November he has two in service days so won't be missing school and a few crowd calendars have it listed as low crowds. Should have all the xmas decorations out by then so it will be like xmas but without the madness. Still staying off property using hilton points and airfare is lower so I guess win win

 

[SMD]

Just an FYI, Touring Plans crowd predictors are notoriously inaccurate for DLR. However, any week in November is going to be lighter crowds than the end of Dec. One thing I forgot to mention is during the Christmas soft opening period they usually shoot the Christmas parade and performances over 2 days.

 

[Nevada Jen]

I think that is a great solution. You won't regret it.

 

[Princess of Pirates]

You know they always say to go with your gut instinct. I think this would be a good example. Good luck!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

You know they always say to go with your gut instinct

Isn't that what the dogs told the cats about tennis?