Best 'Christmas time' week to go?

[Carolynleanne]

Anyone know what would be the best week to go to Disneyland when all the Christmas decor is up? I know the week of Christmas and American Thanksgiving should be avoided... So when should we plan our trip for? Were open to the months of November or early December.

My question is based on rates, crowd levels and amount of decor. Would be nice if the weather was good but I'm willing to trade cooler weather for decorations

I've been to Disney many many times but never during a holiday!

 

[disneegrl4eva]

Anyone know what would be the best week to go to Disneyland when all the Christmas decor is up? I know the week of Christmas and American Thanksgiving should be avoided... So when should we plan our trip for? Were open to the months of November or early December.

My question is based on rates, crowd levels and amount of decor. Would be nice if the weather was good but I'm willing to trade cooler weather for decorations

I've been to Disney many many times but never during a holiday!

week after Thanksgiving...perfect time to go...you can also go the second week of Dec. but that is usually when CMs have their christmas party and the park closes very early...which is why I think week after Thanksgiving is perfect...the only thing you will run into is the first couple of days in Dec. are on a weekend and that sat. and sun will more than likely be candlelight processional..

 

[Argento]

I know the week after Thanksgiving is typically lighter on crowds. I would also presume the first two full weeks in Dec. to be mellow as well.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I also like the first week in December, though you MIGHT run into some rain (happens some years, other years no). Early November sometimes can be really hot, and it might affect the holiday mood in 90 degree weather.

 

[Carolynleanne]

Decorations typically are up the 2nd week ofNovember correct? I'm kind of leaning towards right after they start or that first week of December. Rain would suck... Haha. Especially since I'm from Vancouver Canada and we get alot of it!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

It typically rains the 2nd week of December, but you never know. The parade usually starts the 3rd week of November.

My top choices would be:
December week 1
November week 3
December week 2

 

[Zane21]

in 2008 we were there in mid Nov and decorations went up..to our surprise..one day it was halloween..the next day Xmas. : )

 

[JadeDarkstar]

week after thanksgiving to first week dec is best time to go

 

[Sherry E]

Carolynleanne -

Early December is my preference. The crowds were very reasonable when I went during the first week of December last year.

If your decision is also largely based on the thorough, all-encompassing level of decorations that is so amazing at DLR, and you want to experience the full array of holiday offerings, December is a better month - or at least after Thanksgiving.

If you're a true Christmas time fan and you really enjoy beautiful trees and things like that, you must soak in the Grand Californian Hotel's tree and general festive lobby atmosphere, with Santa and Dickens carolers and all of that. Often times there is a guitarist strumming holiday favorites by the fire.

However, there have been reports that the GCH's tree doesn't go up until the day after Thanksgiving - I still can't quite figure out if that's the case every single year or just certain years. It seems like there have also been years when folks said the tree went up right before Thanksgiving.

I am also a big fan of the Paradise Pier Hotel lobby tree. Towering, majestic, and aglow in warm blue-green lights, the PPH tree is very striking. Just on a strictly color-based level, I think the PPH tree is the prettiest one. The GCH tree is elegant and gorgeous in its own way, and fits the best in its particular setting.

The Disneyland Hotel usually has a main tree in each tower, and some interesting decorations around the entrance. Goofy's Kitchen has a rather wacky, whimsical tree as well.

In any case, if these things are important to you to see, it's good to keep in mind that they may or may not be in place before Thanksgiving.

I've been at DLR over the CM party nights in December when DL closed early, but DCA stayed open. It was not bad at all. Last year my first day at DLR was on the final night of the Candlelight Processional and that was not even as bad (crowd-wise) as I expected it to be.

Whatever you decide, you'll have a wonderful time!

 

[Eeee-va]

The week after Thanksgiving is very light on crowds. If you want full entertainment, you can arrive as early as the Friday after Thanksgiving...in 2011, at least, crowds were not bad from Friday-Sunday (I'd say outright light much of Sunday). Crowds are even lighter the weekdays on the week after Thanksgiving, of course, but it was nice to get long nights with full entertainment in our trip.

The first two weeks of December should be good, too. I went the second weekend in December in 2009 and I loved it. It did rain substantially on a day or two...but you can't necessarily predict that, and the rain totally took away the crowds.

 

[Carolynleanne]

Thanks so much for your input everyone! I am strongly leaning towards the week after American Thanksgiving. We would br going for a full week and would get a 5 day pass so we could play around with our days a bit if the weather is poor. We are also hoping to stay at that Grand with our family timeshare so I really want to be there when Chistmas is in full swing

Really appreciate the feedback guys!!!

 

[Priory]

We are doing our year of Disney and have our annual passes probably for this year only. One thing I have to do is see Disneyland at Christmas. I have never done it and I want to see the decorations and Small world holiday. However, it's working out schedule wise that we'll have to go the week after Christmas.

My question is: aside from crowd differences, is there any disadvantage to going right after Christmas? I assume Santa will be gone but will we miss out on anything else? Will the holiday fireworks and snow still be going? Decorations still up? Small world Holiday still running?

 

[Gongoman]

We are doing our year of Disney and have our annual passes probably for this year only. One thing I have to do is see Disneyland at Christmas. I have never done it and I want to see the decorations and Small world holiday. However, it's working out schedule wise that we'll have to go the week after Christmas.

My question is: aside from crowd differences, is there any disadvantage to going right after Christmas? I assume Santa will be gone but will we miss out on anything else? Will the holiday fireworks and snow still be going? Decorations still up? Small world Holiday still running?

The decorations and fireworks will still be going on, most holiday stuff lasts till a couple days after new years. As far as the snow I am not completely sure, but if I had to make a guess I'd say yes. Small world holiday (and haunted mansion) will still be running for sure. have fun!

 

[DisneytheKid]

I know the week after Thanksgiving is typically lighter on crowds. I would also presume the first two full weeks in Dec. to be mellow as well.

This is what I have heard as well

 

[goofyfordisney]

Hi,

We are planning a December trip as well. We have to wait until my DS is out of school. His finals end on Friday, Dec. 14th.

We want to go for 2 nights/3 days Would Sunday 12/16 thru Tuesday 12/18 be best, or would it be better to do Wednesday 12/19 thru Friday 12/21?

TIA!

 

[Sherry E]

Thanks so much for your input everyone! I am strongly leaning towards the week after American Thanksgiving. We would br going for a full week and would get a 5 day pass so we could play around with our days a bit if the weather is poor. We are also hoping to stay at that Grand with our family timeshare so I really want to be there when Chistmas is in full swing

Really appreciate the feedback guys!!!

Carolynleanne -

You'll have a truly wonderful time.

I think that the time frame immediately after Thanksgiving weekend ends and up through maybe the second week of December is a really good time to go because it is between holiday breaks. All of the folks who visited DLR for Thanksgiving will likely have gone home, while all of the folks planning to visit during their Christmas breaks will likely have not yet gotten out of work/school.

I think you'll really enjoy the Grand Californian. The great thing is that it's a nice, comfortable place to sit and rest weary bones even if you're not staying there (although, hopefully you will be staying there!). There are more people hanging around the GCH lobby than in the lobbies of the other 2 hotels at Disneyland Resort, simply because it is set up in a very welcoming, inviting way. The chairs and sofas are what I call "deceptively comfortable." They don't look all that impressive on the surface, but after you have been snugly ensconced in one of those chairs for 20 minutes or so, you may not want to get up.

During the holidays the GCH lobby is something special. There is a pianist playing Christmas songs. Then, when he/she takes a break, the guitarist close to the hearth/fireplace area starts in with his music. Santa sits by the giant tree in shifts over a 2-hour period every day (usually early evening), and he has a PhotoPass photographer with him to capture those magical memories. At some point the Dickens carolers come in to entertain the crowds and take song requests by the tree. I love watching them sing! People (the 'audience') are gathered around on any spot that can possibly be used as a seat - even on the carpet, in some cases - chatting, sipping beverages (the Hearthstone Lounge is just a few feet away) and munching on snacks. Everyone is in a festive mood (probably because half of them are drinking alcohol).

In fact, I have made the mistake of talking up the GCH lobby as being a nice little bit of 'free' entertainment during the season - so much so that I have talked myself right out of a place to sit! The last time we visited the lobby to enjoy the atmosphere (in December 2011), all of the seating was occupied! We ended up back in the Hearthstone Lounge - which is very nice, too, but it's not the same as being out in the middle of the action with Santa, the pianist, the guitarist and the carolers.

I was muttering to myself, "How did all of these people find out about this?" And then it hit me. "Oh yeah...that's right. I've been talking about it."

I need to learn to keep my mouth shut about these golden secrets!

 

[Cinderpamela]

Thanks so much for your input everyone! I am strongly leaning towards the week after American Thanksgiving. We would br going for a full week and would get a 5 day pass so we could play around with our days a bit if the weather is poor. We are also hoping to stay at that Grand with our family timeshare so I really want to be there when Chistmas is in full swing

Really appreciate the feedback guys!!!

We always go the week after Thanksgiving... its the best! Though I felt like last time (2011) many more people were in on my secret... that was until Sunday (after Tday) when the crowds seemed to thin out more. We will be back there this year that same week!

One thing that caught my eye on your post was that you were hoping to stay at the Grand Cali through your timeshare points.... that may be a very difficult transfer. I am assuming your meaning through RCI since you didn't metion DVC directly. We reserved at the 7 month mark through DVC and it booked up really quickly.

Hoping your wish comes true!

 

[RedRosie]

Can you tell me more about the candlelight processional? We are looking at Sunday Dec 2 to Friday Dec 7, Thanks!

 

[greenkai3000]

Totally subscribing! Im also thinking about going back to DL , but this time during the Holidays. Are there EE/MH in December?

 

[Carolynleanne]

We always go the week after Thanksgiving... its the best! Though I felt like last time (2011) many more people were in on my secret... that was until Sunday (after Tday) when the crowds seemed to thin out more. We will be back there this year that same week!

One thing that caught my eye on your post was that you were hoping to stay at the Grand Cali through your timeshare points.... that may be a very difficult transfer. I am assuming your meaning through RCI since you didn't metion DVC directly. We reserved at the 7 month mark through DVC and it booked up really quickly.

Hoping your wish comes true!

We are Intrawest members
And yes I totally realize we need to book 7 months to a year in advance. Were planning the Christmas trip for NEXT year or the year after; depending on when I get pregnant with baby #2 (overshare?? Haha) having to book in advance is exactly why I'm gathering my information now. Were hoping to get into Grand Californian, but if it doesn't work out we'll be more then happy to stay at our regular location and simple 'hang out' at the Grand

I just love how helpful everyone is on this board! Truly warms my heart to chat with others who love Disney as much as I do and are willing to help!!