Christmas Day

[Dennis O'Shields]

1st: I can't believe I've never actually created a login for the disboards. Weird.

2nd: I can't find much information about what is FOR SURE happening on Christmas Day in Disneyland. It will be our first trip (my wife and I) to any park together and we're doing it without kids (they go to their OTHER parent on Christmas eve). We fly in and land at 10am at John Wayne and then rental car directly to the park. Hopefully, we will make it in and I have reservations for dinner @ Blue Bayou but hope for Plaza Inn for lunch.

We're there for 5 days and leave on the 30th, but what would you do? I'm planning a dinner reservation at Carthay Circle for world of color winter dreams for the 27 (Sunday). Maybe? Should I try for the 26th?

What about Fantasmic dining? Yes? Is the seating that much better for it?

Too many questions.

 

[tlovesdis]

Definitely book as much as you can as soon as you can because that week is the busiest week of the year and this year will probably be the busiest EVER!!! Have a good solid plan for each day because there will most likely be gate closures. Once you are in Disneyland, you should probably plan on staying in there, especially if you have reservations. Christmas Day won't be too bad, but the days following will be!

 

[Dennis O'Shields]

And I've been told the very opposite. I was told Christmas Day is the busiest with gates being closed most years fairly early. But I completely agree. I'm flexible about plans though. I really don't like to make plans unless I absolutely have to.

 

[figment_jii]

I would also highly recommend making dining reservation if you know you want to eat at TS location. It's getting harder and harder to get a walk-up at any of the in-park TS locations on a non-special/non-peak days, so I would guess that from Christmas to New Years (inclusive), the chances of getting a walk-up (especially a dining package) would be close to zero.

I've also heard that closures could happen at any point, on any day from Christmas through New Years. Last year (2014), there were closures on Christmas Day (LATimes Article). Micechat had a pretty intersting article about attendance in the parks during the holidays last year. I'd give it a read, so you have a sense of what you're in for. With the Diamond Anniversary Celebration underway, I'd expect things to be even busier. The anniversary celebration really has seemed to increase crowds (above what most DLR Vets have been expecting based on past years experiences).

I don't think it's going to matter whether you see the show on the 26th or the 27th. I would expect both nights to be very busy, so I would just make a reservation for whichever day you would prefer to know you'll have a TS meal. Given that at or near capacity crowds are likely, I would also plan for very long lines at the CS locations. I was just there on the Tuesday after Columbus Day and the lunch line for Hungry Bear extended down onto the ramp to almost the bend.