Capacity at Christmas Common?

[Cindy B Good]

We usually do "the land" at off season. This year we'll be there over the week of Christmas. Already I'm starting to get anxiety over the crowds & anticipation of problems.

Does the park usually close once they've reached capacity during this time of year? How does that work? If you have a 5 day park hopper, will they honor it regardless? Or is there a chance we won't get in at times during our stay?

 

[disney-inspired]

Goodness gracious! Spring break, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and the week of Christmas are times where the park reaches capacity. You are a brave, brave soul for going that time of the year. Even though it will most likely be elbow to elbow you can still have a great time!

Look at Hydroguy's stickies if you haven't already but a main thing is to get there EARLY EARLY EARLY! I'd plan on being there at least 1.5 hours before opening (but that's me). If the park does reach capacity, let's say after you leave for a rest at your hotel, your hand stamp is your golden ticket back in.

Zig when the crowds zag and vice versa.

Have a plan of "attack" before you go including such things as a FP runner/collector, food places & times, and a rest period. If you have a MM, which most multi-day park hoppers do, then take full advantage of it and hit up some rides.

I'm not sure if you are a big fan of parades but the Christmas one is so great, if it's possible, try to get a seat early (1 hour prior minimum).

I hope you guys have a great time because being at Disneyland during Christmas time is so magical!

 

[DangerMouse]

Yes, the parks typically reach capacity several days the week between Christmas and New Years Eve. Bring a load of patience, get to the parks and don't leave for mid-afternoon breaks, because you might not be let back in. Personally, you couldn't pay me to go during that time.

 

[disney-inspired]

Personally, you couldn't pay me to go during that time.

I totally agree.

 

[momofeva]

We usually go during Christmas break. My DH writes marching band shows in the summer, so summer vacations are few and usually close to home and not more then 3 days at a time. We usually do two days before Christmas, Christmas, and then the other two days. The crowds are lighter before Christmas and Christmas Day. After Christmas you start getting the crowds for the bowl games and the Rose Parade. We make sure that we are home(Utah) before New Year's, I don't want to share the road with drunk drivers.

You just have to know that it will be crowded. We usually do DLR in the morning and about 1 or 2 we go over the DCA and hang out there until 6 or 7 then go back to DLR. We also plan our big meal, usually lunch and off site, around 1 or 2. That seems to be when DLR really gets crowded. Around 8 or 9pm DLR crowds start to thin as families with small children reach the limits of their patience and go back to their hotels. We also plan a day in the middle to spend at the beach or away from DLR to get away from the crowds. Coming from Utah, the beach at 60 degrees is warm and the kids love to find shells. We must be crazy, but we love DLR and DCA in December, crowds and all.

 

[Cindy B Good]

You are a brave, brave soul for going that time of the year. Even though it will most likely be elbow to elbow you can still have a great time!

If the park does reach capacity, let's say after you leave for a rest at your hotel, your hand stamp is your golden ticket back in.

Disneyland during Christmas time is so magical!

Fantastic advice. We'll definitely make sure we're "stamped" each day. Thanks!

And yes, we're one crazy bunch. Maybe I'm more idealistic than need be...but, the thought of not having to do ALL the work this year for the holidays-priceless!! Here's to maid service, room service, and actually being able to relax, while soaking in the Disney experience!

Yes, the parks typically reach capacity several days the week between Christmas and New Years Eve. Bring a load of patience, get to the parks and don't leave for mid-afternoon breaks, because you might not be let back in. Personally, you couldn't pay me to go during that time.

Thanks for the advice. We're gonna give it a try, take our time & not be hurried. Give people a lot of space, grace, a friendly smile & make sure we pack a BIG bottle of zanax!!

We usually do two days before Christmas, Christmas, and then the other two days. The crowds are lighter before Christmas and Christmas Day.

You just have to know that it will be crowded.

Thanks, point noted.

We usually do DLR in the morning and about 1 or 2 we go over the DCA and hang out there until 6 or 7 then go back to DLR. We also plan our big meal, usually lunch and off site, around 1 or 2. That seems to be when DLR really gets crowded. Around 8 or 9pm DLR crowds start to thin as families with small children reach the limits of their patience and go back to their hotels.

This is the scenario I was imagining. MK in the AM, DCA in the afternoon & being able to "zig when folks zag". This is also the 1st trip we're not staying at DLH & instead we're at a good neighbor hotel. Looking at all hydro guy's tips, looks like it's equal walking distance. So, we're willing to bail & hang at the hotel or whatever-when need be.

We also plan a day in the middle to spend at the beach or away from DLR to get away from the crowds. Coming from Utah, the beach at 60 degrees is warm and the kids love to find shells. We must be crazy, but we love DLR and DCA in December, crowds and all.

The beach idea sounds perfect! Pacific beaches are a little cold for me. But, one day at any beach is better than one day in suburbia! We must be crazy too, because we're also planning on loving Disneyland in December!

My DH writes marching band shows in the summer, so summer vacations are few and usually close to home and not more then 3 days at a time.

How cool is your DH!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Okay, somebody correct me if I am wrong, but I thought if they reach capacity, you can't get back in hand stamp or not? As I understand it, once they reach capacity, they will let onsite guests in and even that may eventually cap out. I have heard reports of people not being let back in after they ran back to a hotel to get a jacket, even when they had family members still in the park.

I will be interested to see if anyone has experience with being turned away with a hand stamp.

I know I was there a few years ago during a time when it reached capacity and as we left, we were told to make sure we were really done since we might very well not get back in. We didn't try, since we were done for the day! And I might add, this was early in December, the weather was warm and dry for the first weekend in a few weeks and the locals were just coming in droves to enjoy the parks and holiday decor. I was shocked that in the second weekend of December the crowds were that insanely high. It had been just a crowded, insane day and we finally had enough.

I think if you are going with an "experience" in mind, and not an expectation that you'll get everything done you normally do, you will have a great time. And if you can, I might rethink not staying onsite. Because onsite guests do get some sort of priority of getting into a filled up park.

 

[Disneylvrforever]

Yeah, once they reach capacity, they don't want to let any more ppl in. From my experiences, the only holiday that would actually reach capacity would be New Year's Eve. All the other ones like the 4th and Christmas are super crowded but not to where they would have to close the park.

 

[jlima]

I have been on Christmas Day before and it gets REALLY packed.

Also for New Years Eve. Bring your patience and lower your expectations.

 

[bumbershoot]

From what I've heard there are levels of capacity. If you have your tix and have already been into the parks earlier, you're better than those who had to buy tickets and/or haven't been in yet. If you're staying onsite, I hear that's the next level of goodness.

But if it reaches fire marshall capacity, it's FULL. And I don't want to be inside when it's THAT full, personally!

I liked our early December trip...all the prettiness, much lighter crowds. Then we went home and had very low-key Yule stuff, no big deal was made at all.

 

[disneychrista]

Yes there are different levels of "capacity"

Level 1 - they stop selling one day tickets.
Level 2 - they stop letting in new people, only reentries allowed
Level 3 - they only allow diseyland resort guests
Level 4 - noone is allowed in, no exceptions.

They will generally reopen to reenteries in the evening when crowds begin the 'thin' out.

I will also be there at this time Christmas Eve, Day, New Years Eve and one or two other days between Chritmas and New Year. I am excepting it to be INSANE. This is the first time we are going for Christmas and I am VERY excited.