Best dates to go to see Christmas at Disneyland?

[Kokobebe]

My husband would die if he knew I was asking, as we just got back for the second time this year---so shhhh....

But hypothetically, if you were planning your dream 2-3 day trip (staying at the DLH) so that your kids could see the magic of Disney at Christmas time (they have only been in spring and summer) what date ranges would you go? We went over spring break this year and it was beyond terrible for crowds--you couldn't even walk. We just got back and my daughter got to meet the cast of High School Musical (got autographs and pictures with them!) and that was special--but man was it hot, hot, hot. Many other summer trips in the past, but it has never been that hot or humid--never in August again!

We have free park hopper tickets and a free night in Disneyland, and I was thinking maybe we could go to see Christmas there--we have never done that, only dreamed it.

So what dates would you go? We always go mid-week to avoid crowds. December or November? I know it is always crowded there, but when is it more tolerable?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Several years ago, we went during the first week of December and it was wonderful. The Thanksgiving crowds were gone and the Christmas vacation crowds had yet to arrive. We found walking around with a double stroller to be very easy and wait times for rides were minimal. You do have to deal with shortened park hours (usually something like 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 or 7:00 p.m.). But since we got so much done during the day we didn't feel like the days were too short. And all of the Christmas decorations were up. Plus, it gets dark early so we were able to see everything lit up, even though the parks closed early.

 

[Crazy4Disney72]

My husband would die if he knew I was asking, as we just got back for the second time this year---so shhhh....

But hypothetically, if you were planning your dream 2-3 day trip (staying at the DLH) so that your kids could see the magic of Disney at Christmas time (they have only been in spring and summer) what date ranges would you go? We went over spring break this year and it was beyond terrible for crowds--you couldn't even walk. We just got back and my daughter got to meet the cast of High School Musical (got autographs and pictures with them!) and that was special--but man was it hot, hot, hot. Many other summer trips in the past, but it has never been that hot or humid--never in August again!

We have free park hopper tickets and a free night in Disneyland, and I was thinking maybe we could go to see Christmas there--we have never done that, only dreamed it.

So what dates would you go? We always go mid-week to avoid crowds. December or November? I know it is always crowded there, but when is it more tolerable?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

I would probably go either the first or second week of December. From what I've read, it's not very crowded then compared to other holiday times. We are going right before Thanksgiving and that's not really my choice, but oldest DS is in HS this year and I'm afraid he would miss too much if we took him out of school so I kind of have to go while they are off. Whenever you go, have a great time, how cool you have free tickets and a free night!

That is neat that your DD got to meet the HSM cast, my DD would be absolutely over the moon to even see them in person, let alone get autographs and pictures with them!

 

[Albort]

I would probably go either the first or second week of December. From what I've read, it's not very crowded then compared to other holiday times. We are going right before Thanksgiving and that's not really my choice, but oldest DS is in HS this year and I'm afraid he would miss too much if we took him out of school so I kind of have to go while they are off. Whenever you go, have a great time, how cool you have free tickets and a free night!

That is neat that your DD got to meet the HSM cast, my DD would be absolutely over the moon to even see them in person, let alone get autographs and pictures with them!

i dont agree with the second week of December. That is when everyone is trying to visit before their blockout starts...

its either the FIRST week of December for FIRST week of January...

 

[Kokobebe]

Thank you all! I think from your advice we will pick the first week of Dec. We usually go mid week to avoid crowds, but I called the hotel and the gentleman I spoke to said they only have the fireworks Friday, Sat, Sun. Is this true? It seems like they would be cancelled very easily as well due to weather. We have only been to Disney in the months of April and summer--and they had fireworks every night we went then.

Thanks.

 

[DLR29]

We went the week before Christmas last year and crowds weren't bad (you can read my TR below). The parks were open from 8-12 and had all the entertainment options running (fireworks/fantasmic). We hardly saw a line longer than 40 minutes and that was for Peter Pan! ToT, GRR, Splash, and HMH were basically walk ons most of the time. We got in 55 rides in 2 days Wednesday and Thursday before Christmas without EE. Yes, 55! I would recommend going then if you want the entertainment options and later hours with small crowds. Not as small as the first week, but you can't have both.

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

Thank you all! I think from your advice we will pick the first week of Dec. We usually go mid week to avoid crowds, but I called the hotel and the gentleman I spoke to said they only have the fireworks Friday, Sat, Sun. Is this true? It seems like they would be cancelled very easily as well due to weather. We have only been to Disney in the months of April and summer--and they had fireworks every night we went then.

Thanks.

The information that you were given by the person at the hotel is not correct for the Christmas season. We are planning on going during the first week in Dec. also and the fireworks and parade occurred daily during this same time last year. (I have attached a link to last year's entertainment schedule below). Also, the Candlelight Processional will most likely be on Dec. 1st and 2nd, and the cast member Christmas parties are usually held on the first Monday and Tuesday of December also (the 3rd and 4th this year) which means DL will close early (6 p.m.) on those days.

http://www.laughingplace.com/Guide-Cal-DLR2-200612.asp

 

[JadeDarkstar]

well i have heard that the secound week of dec is when those two things will be done this year
Im going nov 25-dec 2ed. It seems to be a good time
Next year were gona try go in oct for halloween

 

[Kokobebe]

The information that you were given by the person at the hotel is not correct for the Christmas season. We are planning on going during the first week in Dec. also and the fireworks and parade occurred daily during this same time last year. (I have attached a link to last year's entertainment schedule below). Also, the Candlelight Processional will most likely be on Dec. 1st and 2nd, and the cast member Christmas parties are usually held on the first Monday and Tuesday of December also (the 3rd and 4th this year) which means DL will close early (6 p.m.) on those days.

http://www.laughingplace.com/Guide-Cal-DLR2-200612.asp

Thank you for the link, I just checked it out. It is too bad that they don't have the Dec. schedule up until October--it makes it hard to plan our days out. I called the DLH back to double check, and the CM I spoke with said that there were only fireworks on Fri-Sat-Sun the first week of Dec--but she was just guessing. They have the parade every night, of course. When I looked at the link, they showed the parade, but not fireworks every night around the time we are going. For us the fireworks are a highlight--so we want to be there when those are planned.

I will call the resort hotline back during business hours tomorrow or monday to see if I can find out more.

Thanks!

 

[EnnEss]

first week of december, as mentioned, is amazing.

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

Thank you for the link, I just checked it out. It is too bad that they don't have the Dec. schedule up until October--it makes it hard to plan our days out. I called the DLH back to double check, and the CM I spoke with said that there were only fireworks on Fri-Sat-Sun the first week of Dec--but she was just guessing. They have the parade every night, of course. When I looked at the link, they showed the parade, but not fireworks every night around the time we are going. For us the fireworks are a highlight--so we want to be there when those are planned.

I will call the resort hotline back during business hours tomorrow or monday to see if I can find out more.

Thanks!

You're welome!
I just checked the link too, and fireworks are listed for every night in December for last year. The times are different because they are early on the nights that the park closes at 6 p.m.

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

well i have heard that the secound week of dec is when those two things will be done this year
Im going nov 25-dec 2ed. It seems to be a good time
Next year were gona try go in oct for halloween

They have traditionally been during the first week, but nothing has been officially announced yet. I think your dates for your trip sound great! We will be going Nov. 30 - Dec. 4 and then again next October for Halloween also.

 

[Kokobebe]

You're welome!
I just checked the link too, and fireworks are listed for every night in December for last year. The times are different because they are early on the nights that the park closes at 6 p.m.

aha! That makes sense now!

 

[Kokobebe]

Okay, I have been reading and trying to figure things out--I really don't want to be there for the candlelight processional--I hear it is so crowded at that time! I read on another disney board that they thought it would be the 8th-9th, but you are thinking it will be the 1st-2nd? I hope so! Get it done and all of the crowds out of there (not to mention the early closures).

Right now I am planning (and I got husband to agree just an hour ago ) that we will be there Dec. 6-7 (checking out and leaving the 8th). This will mean Thursday and Friday in the park for us.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

8th and 9th is what i heard for this year..nov 30th is my bday..and I hope it will be a good trip i cant wait

 

[DangerMouse]

Mouseplanet has the CP listed on their park update calendar as Dec 1 and 2 (even though DLR hasn't officially released the dates yet).

 

[Kokobebe]

8th and 9th is what i heard for this year..nov 30th is my bday..and I hope it will be a good trip i cant wait

Where did you hear this? This is what I found on mouse planet:
"The dates for the 2007 CP are Saturday Dec. 1 and Sunday Dec. 2. Vacation Planning confirmed it when I asked about dining packages and tickets. The 2007 cast member parties will be Monday Dec. 3 and Monday Dec. 4. DL will close at 6pm on Dec. 3 and Dec. 4."

I called guest services again today, and she didn't know anything--including how often they would have holiday fireworks.

At any rate, we should be okay going Dec. 6th and 7th--the only day I am worried about is Friday the 7th because I think the crowds are going to be bad for the fireworks.

Have a great time on your trip--and happy birthday!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

fireworks start nov 16th-jan 6th
thats what all the dates are for holiday things
I hearc from some where that this year cp wouldnt be the 1st and 2ed. like useal
I also asked vacation planing and they said they didnt know yet but they had heard roumers that it wouldnt be 1st 2ed but didnt know for sure yet

 

[ColoradoDis]

We're going Nov 29-Dec 2 - The dates are set because of both HS and College finals for our two DDs. We're going then because my older DD doesn't have classes on Fridays and our younger one would only need to miss one day of school.

If the Candlelight processoinal is on Dec 1-2, what should we expect the crowds to be? I understand that there will be more people, but what does that mean for the parks during the day? I guess it doesn't matter, since I don't really have any flexibility with the dates, but I just want to know what to expect.

Thanks,

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

Okay, I have been reading and trying to figure things out--I really don't want to be there for the candlelight processional--I hear it is so crowded at that time! I read on another disney board that they thought it would be the 8th-9th, but you are thinking it will be the 1st-2nd? I hope so! Get it done and all of the crowds out of there (not to mention the early closures).

Right now I am planning (and I got husband to agree just an hour ago ) that we will be there Dec. 6-7 (checking out and leaving the 8th). This will mean Thursday and Friday in the park for us.

I have seen both the 1-2 and 8-9 dates mentioned but mostly the first and second, and that is the traditional weekend. I just saw a post a few days ago where a CM confirmed the 1st and 2nd, but who knows at this point. We will be there on that weekend because we want to see the CP. Hopefully we'll all know soon so we can make plans.