Ca in December

[jackwalker]

Hello Everyone,

We are going to California in December and we are of course going to Disney, can anyone tell me what the weather is like around Christmas time and does Disney do anything special over the xmas holiday ?

We are planning to go Whale Whatching and take in a few of the sights. Can anyone recommend any nice places to visit within 30 miles of Anaheim?

We will be at Disney for six days.

Thank you

Andrew

 

[iceskatejen]

Weather in Dec is unpredictable--could be nice and sunny, could be cold and cloudy, could be windy (and I mean very windy), could be raining (last Christmas Day we had a torrential downpour). Special things are the parade, Haunted Mansion Holiday, It's a Small World Holiday. In the past we've had special holiday fireworks with a snow finale but I don't know if they're doing them this year. There's always some special foods being sold (Christmas traditionals like cider, tamales, etc...).

There are so many sights in So Cal that it's really hard to suggest things w/o knowing more about what kinds of things you are interested in or what your group is like.

 

[Firefly777]

Disneyland is very magical during the holidays. They do a Nightmare Before Christmas-themed overlay of the Haunted Mansion (very well-done), they do a holiday overlay of Small World, Holiday-themed fireworks (should be going this year) and parade, and of course decorations throughout the park.

 

[SomeSayImGoofy]

Whale watching is fantastic.... you'll love it. Are you into museums? There are some really great ones downtown LA (about 1/2 hour drive from Anaheim).

As for the weather...as was previously posted, it really does all depend on something...I'm just not sure what....I guess it depends on the... ummmmmmmm..... weather.

We have a SoCal family Christmas tradition: we BBQ outside and eat on the deck!!!

Have fun!

 

[jackwalker]

Thanks for the replies,

We are a family of four, with 2 sons one who is 8 and one 11, so it's mostly fun orientated holiday, my youngest has Aspergers syndrome and is just so excited to be going, he is dead keen on Whales and Dolphins so we will make a trip out on a boat for him to have a look at the Grey Whales (hopefully we may see them)

As with all children they like the spooky stuff, and of course rides !
we did not want to go to Florida as my son cannot stand it too hot so we are hoping it will be warm in California at Xmas but if it rains that is ok as it is always raining where we live in the UK.

One thing perhaps the good people can help me on this forum with, as my son can get a bit worked up waiting to get on rides (and I have to be with him most of the time) he is disabled but can walk ok, is there such a thing as a special disabled child pass or anything like that ? just thought I would ask as he has been in a few tears in our own country when queing for too long.

As regards attractions what is a 'must see' in California that we may regret not visiting when we get home,

thanks for all the replies,

Andrew.

 

[iceskatejen]

I think that Christmas school breaks here will run mostly from Dec 18 to Jan 2 and the parks are very busy then but if you come before then and visit the parks on weekdays, the lines will be very short. I know there used to be a special disabled pass you could get but I belive it's been discontinued (though I don't know for sure). I would suggest making use of the Fastpass system and really organizing your touring plan in order to go on the very popular rides that don't offer fastpass (like the Matterhorn) early in the day if you are visiting during the school break.

Another place you might be interested in visiting is Knott's Berry Farm. It's not Disneyland, but has some fun rides and will be debuting a new roller coaster in Dec. But it doesn't get the greatest crowd (meaning not the nicest of customers), it tends to be not as clean as DL and the park employees are a demonstration in inefficiency.

 

[jackwalker]

Thanks again,

We are due in Anaheim on 27th Dec so it will be school holidays but then we knew that before we booked. Can you please tell us how the fast pass system works as we have never been to Disney before.

thanks for all the help,

Andrew.

 

[SomeSayImGoofy]

Originally posted by iceskatejen
I know there used to be a special disabled pass you could get but I belive it's been discontinued (though I don't know for sure).

There used to be a SAP (Special Assistance pass) that has been re-worked and is now called something like GAP (Guest Assistance Pass). you should come to DL with a letter in-hand from your son's doctor explaining your son's condition, present it at City Hall (just inside the park, under the train tracks on the left) when you arrive and they will assist you!

Knott's is fun...messy, but fun!

Have a great trip!

 

[jackwalker]

Many thanks for that, we will of course get a Doctors letter for Howard, and may I say a big thank you for that because it has been a bit of a worry as he 'kicks off' if he has to wait too long which can be upsetting to us and others,

Thanks for all the help today,


Andrew.

 

[iceskatejen]

How the fastpass system works is you stick your park ticket into the fastpass machine (located near the entrance of a fastpass ride) and it gives out a ticket (you get your park ticket back) that gives you an hour window to come back. Ideally, you come back in that window and you ride with little wait. On the bottom of the ticket it will tell you when you can get another fastpass (usually either when your FP window comes around or about 2 hours later, whichever comes first). The rides currently offering fastpass are:
DL:
Indiana Jones Adventure
Splash Mountain
Star Tours
Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin
Autopia
Big Thunder Mountain
And I believe that The Haunted Mansion will be offering it at that time since the popular holiday overlay will still be up.

DCA:
Soarin' Over Calilfornia
Tower of Terror
Grizzly River Run
California Screamin'
Muhulland Madness

 

[AFMom]

I suppose whether it will be warm or not depends on where you're from! It will NOT be like Florida would be. It can get pretty chilly - although when the sun is shining - it is nice! Make sure you pack layers - expect it to be cold in the morning and after the sun goes down - and rather nice during the day. We always went to DL in the winter - wore coats in the morning, got lockers for them in the middle of the day, and then got them out of the lockers at dinner time!
If you're up for a littel drive while you're there - There is a Sea World in San Diego your son would love! Also a zoo and wild animal park - all 3 very nice. In LA and Anaheim - well - we always love driving to the Santa Monica pier - very CA beachy! Although - I'm not sure if the attractions on the pier would be open in Dec. Also - just driving through Holywood might be worth your time - just to say you've been there!
Oh!!! I loved this as a kid! The La Brea Tar Pits... here's the link
www.tarpits.org
Sounds goofy - but check out the website.
Try Manns Chinese Theater in Holywood - it's where all the celebrities handprints are!
Have a great trip - I can't imagine any trip to DL not to be!

 

[ksjayhawks]

To add to the post on fastpasses. Not all the machines are networked--so you can get more than one fastpass at a time. This is from another poster:

First off, there are TWO networks, one for the Disneyland Park, and a second for Disney's California Adventure. They are totally separate, so you can always get one FASTPASS for each park.

Independent Machines (AKA Stand-Alone)

Haunted Mansion (DL)
Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin(DL)
Star Tours(DL)

Grizzly River Run (DCA)
Muppet Vision 3D (DCA)
It's Tough to be a Bug! (DCA)"

Seems to me that Muppet and Bug fastpasses were not working when we were there, but that could change for December.

What this means is that you can get a fastpass at one of the networked machines, then go to the stand alones and get more passes. For example, at DCA you can get a fastpass for Tower of Terror and also get one for Grizzly River Run.


We liked Hollywood--where the Chinese theater is. In Long Beach there is an aquarium and the Queen Mary ship and a harbor cruise.

 

[LeftCoaster]

Christmastime at Disneyland is my favorite time of year there. Lots of holiday addititons that people have already mentioned.... Lots of details to the additions too.
My best advice for the weather is to keep looking at the weather forcasts before you leave. Obviously, December will be cooler and could have rain. However, you never know when we're going to get a heatwave. If the temperature just happens to be pleasant (highs in the mid 60's - 70's), I'd still be prepared for chilly evenings.

 

[LeftCoaster]

Currently, Haunted Mansion does not have fast pass available. It will have it when Haunted Mansion holiday returns. In the past, the Haunted Mansion has been networked to the main system during the aunted Mansion Holiday.

 

[jackwalker]

Many thanks,

Thanks to all that have replied to me we have learned a great deal about DCA and what to expect when we get there.

I know where to come to to get great advice !
Here's to a great Holiday,

Andrew Livesey and Family

Blackburn, Lancashire, UK.