Back to the West Coast after 18 years!!

[KiraNerys]

Hi all...I am a forever Disney fan I grew up in the PNW and went to Disneyland for every major event I could convince my parents into going...haha! 6th birthday, 13th birthday, 16th birthday....but after that I ended up moving to the East Coast for college, and spent the next 15 years always going to Disney World (including getting married there, and one glorious year awhile later working in Orlando and taking FULL advantage of my Florida Resident Annual Pass...I still miss grabbing a glass of wine in France after work and watching Illuminations just because I could...sniff!). So now I am getting ready to move back home to the PNW to be with my family, and I convinced my mom that the perfect kick off to the holiday season and my return to the West Coast would be an early-December trip to Disneyland together...hooray!

The last time I was in Disneyland, California Adventure hadn't been opened (or even announced if I remember correctly), the Indiana Jones ride was the hottest new thing on the block, I entertained myself by jumping on the back of the moving streetcars going down Main Street and singing The Trolley Song (much to my mother's chagrin) and I was there in mid-September when lines were so low that they just let us stay on PotC for about 3 trips around because there was literally NO ONE in line!

This year we are going December 7-11, and will have 3 day hopper tickets for going to the parks Tue-Thu. We are hoping to catch low mid-week crowds, but still see the beautiful holiday decorations. I guess a couple of questions:
1) Do they still run streetcars down Main Street that you can ride? I solemnly swear I will not fling my 35 year old self on the back and start singing......................mostly
2) Do you think 3 days will be enough for 3 adults to see both parks fully?
3) What do you think crowds/weather will be like around that time of year?
4) Does 'Land have any plans for switching to FP+ like 'World, or are they sticking to the old version for now?
5) Any other tips or advice you would give to someone who could probably have walked around DW in her sleep, and knew more about it than some of her friends who worked there, but will be walking back into DL with fresh new eyes and excitement in a little over 3 months?

Thanks all!!

 

[Nonsuch]

1) Do they still run streetcars down Main Street that you can ride? I solemnly swear I will not fling my 35 year old self on the back and start singing......................mostly

There are still several Main Street vehicles, but they generally only operate in the morning while crowds are low.

 

[chickapin parterre]

1. It is now crowded at Disneyland and your choice of dates will insure that it be crowded
2. you are there the weekend after Candlelight, so will be crowded on Monday Tuesday, and the Thursday and Friday become crowded because of the folks who wanted to avoid Candlelight
3. three days are fine for three adults, just purchase a parkhopper so you can have one early morning choice, unless staying on sight, then no problem.
4. The projected beginning of the worse El Nino in history should be starting sometime in Dec. So bring rain gear and plenty change of clothes
5. Disneyland is still paper on fastpass
6. If sleep is important on this trip, then this will be a tough trip. Be there 45 mins before gate opening, leave the parks from 2-6 and return for evening activites. this is the best way to manage the crowds, the weather and keep those fresh new eyes.

 

[figment_jii]

1) Do they still run streetcars down Main Street that you can ride?

Yes, there are several different vehicles that travel along Main Street. There is the horse-drawn trolley, the double decker bus, the fire engine, and the jitney. They don't run while a parade is en route.
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/disneyland/main-street-vehicles/

2) Do you think 3 days will be enough for 3 adults to see both parks fully?

It depends on what you mean by fully see both parks. I think three days is enough time to see much of the parks and do a lot of things, but I don't think you'll be able to do everything in the parks. If you're just focused on the attractions, then I think you can probably get a lot done (especially if you make use of rope drop and stay the whole day). If you want to add in all of the shows and entertainment offerings, then I think it gets tougher. It also depends on whether you plan to eat CS or TS (TS takes more time).

3) What do you think crowds/weather will be like around that time of year?

Crowds should still be manageable, especially if you're focused on going during the weekdays (Mon to Thu). Weekends in December are very busy, but the weekdays haven't been to bad. You aren't going to find walk-on attractions for the most part, but you aren't going to find peak level crowds either. The parades, fireworks, and WoC should be daily during that period, but F! is usually only presented on weekends (Fri-Sun) in early December.

In terms of the weather...well, that's harder to say. It could be perfect or it could be raining. It's too early to say what the weather will be like. To get a general sense of the weather, check out HydroGuy's Detailed Weather Data for DLR thread. There are indications that this could be a strong El Nino year, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be wet when you are there nor do the experts really know for sure if it will be an El Nino year (we're all hoping for a lot of rainfall and snowfall, but only time will tell).

4) Does 'Land have any plans for switching to FP+ like 'World, or are they sticking to the old version for now?

There are always rumors that DLR will eventually get some form of Magic Bands and FP+, but at this point, they're just rumors.

5) Any other tips or advice you would give to someone who could probably have walked around DW in her sleep, and knew more about it than some of her friends who worked there, but will be walking back into DL with fresh new eyes and excitement in a little over 3 months?

As a WDW Vet, I highly recommend checking out HydroGuy's DLR Guide for WDW Vets.

 

[Plaid Princess]

Welcome Home! I'm a former PNW'er myself!

1) Do they still run streetcars down Main Street that you can ride? I solemnly swear I will not fling my 35 year old self on the back and start singing......................mostly

Yes they do! And I don't think anyone would mind if you did sing!

2) Do you think 3 days will be enough for 3 adults to see both parks fully?

I'd say, basically yes. Realistically you will never be able to do everything, but since you obviously know how theme parks work... I'd say you can see the majority.

3) What do you think crowds/weather will be like around that time of year?

Busy. Your best days to go are days when the low level AP's are blocked out, but lately DLR has been record breaking busy just about year round.

4) Does 'Land have any plans for switching to FP+ like 'World, or are they sticking to the old version for now?

Eventually... probably. Immediately, no. For now it's the good old paper Fastpasses.

5) Any other tips or advice you would give to someone who could probably have walked around DW in her sleep, and knew more about it than some of her friends who worked there, but will be walking back into DL with fresh new eyes and excitement in a little over 3 months?

Don't try to compare, just enjoy! Comparing DLR to WDW is like comparing Toy Story to Toy Story 2... both great, but they'll never be the same thing! See all the shows, because the entertainment quality is much higher here than in FL. And every once in a while, marvel in the joy that is 75 degree, zero humidity weather at a Disney Park!

 

[chickapin parterre]

The largest collection of tuna crabs found on California Beaches, the warmest Pacific Ocean in recorded history, The Blob out in the middle of The Pacific Ocean is bigger than any seen in recorded history, the Northwest Pacific is in a drought and on course to have the worst fire season ever, these are signs folks, be prepared for the worst as a tourist visiting California!!!!

 

[Sherry E]

Welcome!

You have a lot to discover and look forward to on your upcoming trip. So much has changed, and yet many things will look almost the same.


As for weather... it is an El Nino year. There is no doubt about that. In fact, El Nino has already played a role in weather in other places (such as Texas, earlier this year), and it played a role in below average temperatures out here in SoCal (back in May, for example). That's all El Nino-related. The main issue that scientists, climatologists, meteorologists, etc., are disagreeing on or simply unsure of is how strong the rain will be when winter rolls around, and when exactly it will begin. They basically all agree that we will get more rainfall in California -- and especially Southern California -- than we usually get, and it could be substantial. The question then becomes how substantial, how much rain, how intense will it be, etc.

Right now it is looking like it is going to be a whopper of an El Nino winter, with tons of rain and all kinds of mayhem. But... within the next couple of months, the El Nino could fizzle a bit, or diminish. The ocean temperature could cool down a degree or two. There is also the possibility that the conditions could get even stronger than they are now. IF the current El Nino winter rain stays on course for arrival, or strengthens, it is predicted to hit a peak in early winter. It could always be delayed until early next year (which I think is likely).

Rain is one thing but I am not hoping for a strong El Nino. Been there, done that. It is not fun. It's a mess. It causes a lot of problems. So I really hope it diminishes and weakens a bit. Plus, in order to make a dent in the drought the bulk of the rain would have to land up in Northern California in snowpack form, but SoCal is the area that looks like it will get the brunt of it if nothing changes in the next couple of months.


As for crowds -- early December is my usual time of year at Disneyland for holiday trips. After Candlelight, a lot of people clear out though it will still seem very busy. I've noticed a decrease in crowds on Monday. And then, in another year it seemed like Tuesday was slightly less crowded. It is definitely not a slow time, nor is it quiet. The crowds are not low. The holiday season is extremely popular, and this year is the Diamond Celebration so that will just add another draw for people. However, I love going during that early December time frame. While it is more crowded than it used to be, it's not unbearable at all. It's manageable.

If it is raining in December, the crowds will thin out considerably! In fact, even when there is a threat of rain, people stay away.

If it is not raining, December can go in a few different ways. It could be hot (90 degrees) in the daytime, or it could be 50 degrees and windy. At night it could be 50 degrees or 30 degrees. December is always a surprise.


I think that 3 days is enough to have a good trip and do a lot of things, but not necessarily everything. I don't know how much of the usual holiday season entertainment (or decorations, for that matter) will be in place this year. A lot of focus seems to be on the Diamond Anniversary. There is already one element of the holiday season that is almost certain to not come back this year -- the Jingle Jangle Jamboree -- but that is more due to the prep work for the coming Star Wars Land than it is because of the 60th anniversary of Disneyland (I suspect).


Feel free to join us over in the Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread - http://disboards.com/threads/disney...-theme-week-countdown-2015-has-begun.3358217/ - to learn all about the seasonal events, food, decorations in both parks and the hotels, breaking news, rumors, ongoing discussion, etc.

 

[AZpharmacist]

That was me last year! I went to DL all the time growing up but hadn't been to DCA until my trip last December. I also went early in the month and was there Mon-thurs.

1) I believe Main Street vehicles still operate but I've never gone on them.

2 and 3) I think you'll be able to do most things in 3 days but not all. Crowds won't be horrible but 3 days is hard if you're doing attractions and shows. I felt like we did most things in 4 days. Also, rain closes or causes several attractions to breakdown. On our trip, Alice, the teacups, and Screamin' were down almost completely and RSR broke down several times a day. We were lucky to ride it once in 4 days. Please bring your rain gear. Rain actually causes crowds to thin considerably so I didn't mind at all. I think you'll be able to get a lot done. I was slowed down by my toddler or I think we could have covered pretty much everything. We stayed open to close (or close to it). I believe hours were 9-9 that week.

4) I don't think they have any plans.

5) Maybe do the "Walk in Walt's Footsteps" tour? I don't think it was offered when we were kids (and honestly, I wouldn't have cared if it was). I would love to do this but no way my 2 year old would let me.

 

[Plaid Princess]

The largest collection of tuna crabs found on California Beaches, the warmest Pacific Ocean in recorded history, The Blob out in the middle of The Pacific Ocean is bigger than any seen in recorded history, the Northwest Pacific is in a drought and on course to have the worst fire season ever, these are signs folks, be prepared for the worst as a tourist visiting California!!!!

Wow. You're really a glass half full kinda person aren't you?

 

[Indiana Scott]

Your going to have a wonderful time. The weather is mild but generally warm and comfortable that time of year and there's so many new things to see.
Oh and IAJ is still a super popular attraction!