Christmas and AP Blackouts

[lynzi2004]

We are WDW vets.I’ve looked at DL off and on as we had a California trip planned and then canceled in 2020 due to Covid. We have a Christmas trip scheduled for WDW but the price is crazy high. I checked DL and it appears to be cheaper, especially if we stay at one of the close offsite hotels. I don’t follow crowd patterns at DL very closely, but I know APs make up a good majority. Do enough people still have APs that it might really help the crowd situation there at Christmas by them being blacked out? Since I know we will “feel” the changes at WDW (FP, shows, etc), I’m wondering if making a trip to DL might be smart as we wouldn’t have as many expectations going in??? Thoughts or suggestions on where to stay and how DL Christmas would compare to WDW? With Epcot currently a mess, I’m thinking this might be our chance! Also really hoping for a traditional Christmas party! Dates would be Dec 18-Dec 23. Family of 5, Kids are 10,8, and 4. Thanks in advance!

 

[smeg3030]

We don't currently have the AP program at Disneyland. It's been cancelled. However, you do have to make park reservations if you want to enter. Otherwise you'll be turned away at the gates. When you buy tickets you are offered to make your park reservations then.

 

[Cal-Pie]

In the past, only the highest level of AP had access during the 2 weeks around Christmas. No matter what happens with APs, you will see crowds at Christmas time, but I wouldn't let that stop you from giving Disneyland a try. Our family recently returned from our first visit to WDW. With no experience and no expectations, we definitely were not disappointed, we had a great time. DL has super close off-site options for hotels, you might look at Courtyard Marriott Waterpark for your family size and kids ages. Other, closer, motel style accommodations include, Park Vue Inn, Best Western Park Place Inn, and Tropicana Inn. There are lots of options all within a 10 minute walk.

 

[TikiTikiFan]

I'm hoping crowds this holiday season will be much more balanced without APs. We would always visit before the blackouts happened and usually the last weekend before a blackout started would be absolutely slammed so I'd always try to avoid that. Still I'm sure it'll be crowded, but hopefully spread out more evenly.

I think Disneyland absolutely wins at Christmas over WDW because you get the same things (holiday parade and fireworks) without the extra cost of a ticketed event. Plus Disneyland has the holiday overlays on Haunted Mansion and it's a small world. I think you should go for it! And it's totally cheaper.

We were just at WDW and Epcot is totally a hot mess with the construction. There's also rumors Disneyland will offer more this year for xmas so I think it's a perfect time to do it. I wouldn't be surprised to see WDW skip the usual xmas party and just do an after hours event like they're doing for Halloween.