Before or after Thanksgiving?

[wendlle]

Looking at coming to Disneyland for 10 days from Australia.

Crowd wise, should we visit Nov 10-20 or Nov 30- Dec 9th?

Main reason for visit it to finally see Disney at Christmastime with the decorations and ride overlays - always been a dream of mine.
I'll be coming with my eldest Daughter who will be almost 5 at time of visit.
(baby (2) will be staying at home with her Dad)

 

[China Expat]

Come before Thanksgiving or the crowds will be insane!

 

[wendlle]

That's what I thought but crowd calendars has the dates I'm looking at (30 - 9th) as much lower crowds than Nov 10-20
I need to ensure that I will see Christmas Decorations as well, by all past accounts it looks like they add the decorations just after Veterans Day. So my early dates should be fine (I also need to ensure I see Small World and Haunted Mansion holiday overlays)

 

[SeaDis]

That's what I thought but crowd calendars has the dates I'm looking at (30 - 9th) as much lower crowds than Nov 10-20
I need to ensure that I will see Christmas Decorations as well, by all past accounts it looks like they add the decorations just after Veterans Day. So my early dates should be fine (I also need to ensure I see Small World and Haunted Mansion holiday overlays)

I think the last few years the official start of holiday time has been before Veteran's Day, not after. And there's a few things to think about this year, now that Veterans Day has moved to mid-week, Wednesday. Last year official start of Christmas was Friday 11/08, which captured all of Veterans Day weekend (and was busy!). The equivalent this year might be Friday 11/06: but can they fully launch Christmas by 11/06? That is pretty tight if you ask me. Yes many things are in place by Halloween, but the bulk of it goes up the week after. I don't know if it's ever launched that early, but others might have more info. If the official start is 11/10 or 11/11, I think you will see crowds on both Veterans Day and the weekend following. Another issue might be the Holiday Special filming, which has jumped around the last few years. I've found those days to be a little disruptive.

For December dates, the first 10 days are really not the that bad. I don't think your crowd calendar is too far off in this case. The only issue there is Candlelight Processional on Saturday and Sunday. This affects the Hub/Main Street but also little things like the Main Street vehicles and maybe the parade schedule. But other than that we just haven't found it to be a huge disruption. And it's actually kind of fun to catch a glimpse if you can. If staying on site, we use the monorail to re-enter DL after midday break, to avoid the main gate and Main Street during the CP crowd flow.

We were there three nights over CP weekend 2019 and had a blast. No complaints on crowds at all. I think that was our third time for that weekend and they were all about the same. If Christmas was the focus of our trip, I would rather do it after Thanksgiving. Before just feels too early to me.

Best of luck!

 

[Disney Lvr of Old]

I decided on 11/26-12/3 because the hotel rates dropped significantly after Thanksgiving weekend and researching here on the boards the consensus seems to be that the first week of December is great.

 

[wendlle]

Thankyou for the replies.
I've decided to let the airfare determine my visit. Whichever dates drop in price first will be the ones that I go for.
I've got refundable reservations for accommodation for both dates and will just keep checking for rate drops.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I decided on 11/26-12/3 because the hotel rates dropped significantly after Thanksgiving weekend and researching here on the boards the consensus seems to be that the first week of December is great.

You'll be in the parks for Disneyland Candy Canes!