Christmas Crowds and Changing Plans

[katmigordon]

We were planning May, now we're thinking December - what would be the best time to go for out of towners staying on property? We're going to be chair bound so non handicap accessible rides - most of the big ticket rides - are not an option for us anyway so they wont matter all that much to what we can and can't do. We can transfer, but only if they have that little door that opens so i can sit down and swing my legs around - I can't really do steps at all. I know that Christmas at Disneyland isn't a party thing - but an all day every day kind of thing - which means if it's ever going to impress me it will be at Christmas. Did I mention I love all things Christmas? What's the closest to actual Christmas day we should get - and when is the best time to go - weekday or weekend that time of year?

 

[Pluto468]

We were planning May, now we're thinking December - what would be the best time to go for out of towners staying on property? We're going to be chair bound so non handicap accessible rides - most of the big ticket rides - are not an option for us anyway so they wont matter all that much to what we can and can't do. We can transfer, but only if they have that little door that opens so i can sit down and swing my legs around - I can't really do steps at all. I know that Christmas at Disneyland isn't a party thing - but an all day every day kind of thing - which means if it's ever going to impress me it will be at Christmas. Did I mention I love all things Christmas? What's the closest to actual Christmas day we should get - and when is the best time to go - weekday or weekend that time of year?

The week before Thanksgiving is usually a good time to go, like November 17-21 this year. Crowds aren't as bad as they will be closer to Christmas and all the decorations will be up. Weekends will probably be better.

 

[LKing]

You were planning on May 2026. Are you thinking of Christmas 2025 or 2026?

 

[katmigordon]

You were planning on May 2026. Are you thinking of Christmas 2025 or 2026?

2025 - That would not only give Disneyland it's best chance for me (my wife really wants me to love it), it would allow me to focus on our September WDW/Cruise trip in 2026
.

 

[Mathmagicland]

know that Christmas at Disneyland isn't a party thing - but an all day every day kind of thing - which means if it's ever going to impress me it will be at Christmas. Did I mention I love all things Christmas? What's the closest to actual Christmas day we should get - and when is the best time to go - weekday or weekend that time of year?

I would suggest the week after thanksgiving. It tends to be the lowest crowds of December, and comparable to the week before thanksgiving. Since you love all things Christmas, going after Thanksgiving you will also get to experience all of the Christmas entertainment (the Toy Drummers are such fun!!), as well as all of the seasonal Christmas food options. Before thanksgiving, a lot of the foods are still fall/thanksgiving based, and some of the special holiday entertainment in CA is not yet performing. And, only after thanksgiving is when you can watch the CMs making those famous handmade candy canes,

Unless you really want to see DL version of Candlelight, which brings lots of crowds to the parks the first weekend of December, I would avoid that first December weekend. However, the Sunday after thanksgiving tends to have much lower crowds, similar to mid-week, best guess is because most everyone who traveled for the holiday is heading home.

The closer you get to Christmas, the busier the parks get.

ETA - here are links to the Disney blog posts (except the Candy cane info) for the 2024 Christmas holiday happenings -

Entertainment— https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/guide-to-2024-holiday-entertainment-at-disneyland-resort/
DL food -

https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/disney-eats-foodie-guide-to-holidays-at-disneyland-resort-2024/
CA Festivsl of the Holidays -
https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/dis...stival-of-holidays-2024-at-disneyland-resort/
General,holiday info across the resort -
https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/2024-holiday-season-arrives-at-disneyland-resort-november-15/
2024 handmade candy cane info -
https://wdwnt.com/2024/11/disneyland-2024-hand-pulled-candy-canes-schedule/
DL Holiday dining experiences-
https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/dis...periences-coming-to-disneyland-resort-hotels/

 

[katmigordon]

I would suggest the week after thanksgiving. It tends to be the lowest crowds of December, and comparable to the week before thanksgiving. Since you love all things Christmas, going after Thanksgiving you will also get to experience all of the Christmas entertainment (the Toy Drummers are such fun!!), as well as all of the seasonal Christmas food options. Before thanksgiving, a lot of the foods are still fall/thanksgiving based, and some of the special holiday entertainment in CA is not yet performing. And, only after thanksgiving is when you can watch the CMs making those famous handmade candy canes,

Unless you really want to see DL version of Candlelight, which brings lots of crowds to the parks the first weekend of December, I would avoid that first December weekend. However, the Sunday after thanksgiving tends to have much lower crowds, similar to mid-week, best guess is because most everyone who traveled for the holiday is heading home.

How bad will the weekend before Christmas be?

 

[Mathmagicland]

How bad will the weekend before Christmas be?

Crowd calendars estimate it to be medium-plus, sort of like a typical summer day. It is last weekend for Inspire Magic Key access before all passes are blocked for a two-week holiday period, so can bring out a lot of locals for one last visit. It is also the weekend many schools start their winter break, which could draw potential locals away if traveling out of town.

Not sure how many days you are looking at - the Wednesday-Friday before the weekend should be less busy than the Monday- Wednesday of the week after as that is the holiday week leading to Christmas. Also you mention staying on site - if you are able to take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours in the mornings, that helps a lot with ride access for some non-LL rides in say fantasyland. Not sure if you’d be looking at LL if skipping most of the big ticket rides, as you mentioned in your OP.