Best time to go in December???

[aussiegirls]

Morning all

So I wanted to find out from the experts, what is the best time to go in December? Our choices are either first and second week of Dec or second and third week of Dec.

I am pretty sure that the closer it gets to Christmas the crazier it must get. But I was wondering too if we went for the first 2 weeks will we miss out on Christmas stuff that they might not have until just before Christmas?

So if any of you lovelies could please point me in the right direction it would be very much appreciated

xxxx

 

[Dizneydaz]

Definitely less crowded the first 2 weeks vs. the last 2 weeks.

The 2 busiest days in the first few weeks will be Thursday Dec. 16th and Friday the 17th. Both of them are last days before blockouts for the majoirty of Annual Passholders. These 2 days are historically very busy. Those AP are then blocked out for the rest of the year but more tourist will be coming in.

All the decorations will be up the entire month of Dec. Also the Christmas Parade and fireworks as well. The official start of the holiday season is actually in Nov., near Thanksgiving.

HTH.

 

[Peace.love.mickey]

For sure the earlier you go in December the better!!! We went the first week in Dec. 2009 and it was awesomely empty (granted it was raining) but still!

 

[FlameGirl]

We love going the first week of December. My husband refuses to any other time. My only problem with that is...I sure miss the old school Haunted Mansion.

 

[goldies 5]

We went the first full week. It was nice. Also, the first full weekend will be very busy due to Candleight Processional.

 

[Eeee-va]

In 2009, the second week (starting the Wednesday following Cast Member Parties, which were after Candlelight Processional weekend) was simply delightful. Crowds were fairly low, but in fairness, it rained Friday and Saturday, which kept crowds down over what could have been a much busier weekend. We left Sunday afternoon so I'm not sure how crowds got to be.

Wednesday and Thursday, they were open until 11 PM and ran Fantasmic! twice each night, which was awesome. Disneyland Park closes early for the Cast Member parties, and so one DISboard member speculated that the later hours on Wednesday and Thursday were a kind of compensation for the early closures on Monday and Tuesday. Crowds were fairly low so I think that might be correct.

 

[aussiegirls]

Thanks so much guys.

So, what is the Candlelight Processional? Is it like a kind of parade? If so do they have any kind of reserved or PS for it (like Fantasmic does)?

xxx

 

[Willow25]

This is wording taken from mousesavers.

The Candlelight Processional is an annual event on Main Street that includes a celebrity narrator presenting the Biblical Christmas story, plus a large choir and an orchestra performing traditional carols.

In 2009 the Candlelight Processional will be held December 5 and 6. If it is offered using the same schedule as previous years, there will be two performances each night, at 5:30 pm and 8:00 pm.

In previous years, preferred seating was available if you purchased a special dining package that required you to spend a designated amount at one of the resort restaurants on the night of the event, after which you were given your tickets to the Processional. This has been discontinued for 2009.

MouseSavers reader Laura C writes: "There is limited seating in the town square in front of the train station. Those seats are reserved for VIP's... However, there is plenty of room to stand and watch behind the seating. Still very enjoyable and didn't cost us an extra dime. Hint: If you get there early enough you can stand on the porch of guest services and see right over the heads of everyone - awesome spot."

 

[kcchica]

So the week after thanksgiving.. which is sort of 1st week of dec (technically starts 11/29) would be fine? I am guessing waiting until Sunday night or monday to arrive would be best, since its the tail end of the thankgiving weekend? We have gone the 1st two weekENDS in dec, but are at a point where we can go during the week, which we love since its almost always less crowded than weekends. So this year DH already put in for the full week after thanksgiving for vacation. I am thinking about planning a DL trip for then, hoping its pretty dead.....