Christmas/New Years

[dwwlmw]

I am wondering about crowds during the Christmas holiday. I am looking into a trip for my sister to DL on Dec. 28-30th (the 30th is my nieces birthday) Is it so crowded that you cannot move? What are the ride waits like? She wanted to know if it would be better to go Dec. 21st-23rd? I have been in July and over spring break, how do the crowds compare to those times? Thanks!

 

[Albort]

I am wondering about crowds during the Christmas holiday. I am looking into a trip for my sister to DL on Dec. 28-30th (the 30th is my nieces birthday) Is it so crowded that you cannot move? What are the ride waits like? She wanted to know if it would be better to go Dec. 21st-23rd? I have been in July and over spring break, how do the crowds compare to those times? Thanks!

like what you said, its like Spring Break but during December. THose days though cant compare to Dec 31st as that is the worst day. Most packed ever!

 

[DLR29]

It's worse than July, slightly worse than Spring Break. Ride wait times for major attractions range from 1-2 hours for most of the day. Paths are packed with wall-to-wall crowds. Yeah, it's crowded.

BUT, December 21-23 is not as bad at all. I have been twice right before Christmas and the crowds were comparable to a summer weekday, if not smaller. I just went this past year on December 23rd and we did a TON! But once Christmas hits, the crowds spike up quickly.

 

[ukstitch]

Just thought I'd piggy back this thread as it's very similar to what I'd like to know anyway (hope that's ok)...

What sort of crowds / wait times should I be expecting from 12 - 19 December?

 

[Sherry E]

Just to reiterate what DLR29 said, we also went to DLR on the weekend immediately before Christmas in 2007 and again in 2008, and while it was certainly 'busy,' and they were not hurting for people, it was manageable. Yes, there are people everywhere and yes, there will be long lines for certain rides and at restaurants, but there are ways to get around that and it was not at all unbearable or suffocating. Everyone was in good spirits and friendly and feeling the holiday cheer! Like DLR29 said, it is immediately after Christmas - and on through New Year's - that the crowd levels really pick up because people have gotten their holiday gift money and have time off from school and/or work, and they all pack into DLR. Not to mention the fact that Santa leaves right after Christmas, and the carolers only hang around for a couple of extra days after the 25th and then leave before New Year's. So if you really want to be able to fully enjoy the parks during the holidays at a leisurely pace and not feel smothered, I would opt for the pre-Christmas dates rather than between Christmas and New Year's. However, if this is your only chance to ever see DLR during the holiday season, and it happens to be right before the New Year, I would do it anyway. You may have to deal with more people everywhere, but DLR is so special and magical during the holiday season that anyone should see it - even at the most crowded time.

(Now that said - you may want to skip trying to ever be there ON New Year's Eve - the 31st is one date I will not be repeating at DLR! I did it once and never again! There is a difference between 'really, really crowded' and 'New Year's Eve crowded,' and the latter is bordering on the unbearable side.)

 

[PrinceGrumpy]

When do they start decorating for christmas? The reason that I ask is I was wondering if the park was even going to be decorated and how busy will it be? We are going Dec. 14-18.

 

[Sherry E]

When do they start decorating for christmas? The reason that I ask is I was wondering if the park was even going to be decorated and how busy will it be? We are going Dec. 14-18.

DLR will definitely be decorated when you are there. As I stated in my above post, they start slowly putting up decorations for Christmas as soon as Halloween is out of the way (in fact, the decorations in NOS may even overlap a bit with the Halloween stuff), and they continue the decorating all the way up until the official start of the DLR Christmas season, which should likely be November 20th this year. They roll out the 700 Christmas trees of all shapes and sizes, they decorate all the shops, the restaurants, they put up the garland and wreaths, they start making the gingerbread men with mouse ears and the fresh candy canes, they do the Winter Castle and its pretty light show, they light up the gorgeous IASW Holiday - so everything will be up and in full holiday swing by December 14th when you are there. It will be busy - because December is always busy at DLR - but it will be tolerable. Many people will not be traveling until right before Christmas or right after, so your time frame should be good. And it will be well worth it!!

 

[PrinceGrumpy]

Ok that will be a nice time then. Those dates are flexible. We were thinking either the first, second, or third week of dec. We just wanted to make sure that the decorations were going to be up and the crowds not so bad.

 

[Sherry E]

Ok that will be a nice time then. Those dates are flexible. We were thinking either the first, second, or third week of dec. We just wanted to make sure that the decorations were going to be up and the crowds not so bad.

I think any of those weeks will be fine, and you will definitely get to see DLR fully decked out 100% in holiday splendor. They do a thorough job - pretty much every corner and every inch of the parks is covered in some kind of holiday something or other. It's definitely the best time of year to be there (for me)! You guys will love it!

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Ok that will be a nice time then. Those dates are flexible. We were thinking either the first, second, or third week of dec. We just wanted to make sure that the decorations were going to be up and the crowds not so bad.

The 2nd and 3rd weeks this year would probably be best. The first week will probably be Candlelight Processional and CM parties, and the last week before NY will definitely be busier than the first 2 weeks. IMO, the best time to go is when the kiddos are still in school right before the December Xmas break. Once that break happens, the parks get a lot busier. Before the break, everything is a walk on and weekends are even decent. After the Xmas break starts, it's a whole other ballgame.
DAP holders are blocked out Dec 24-Jan 2 and SocalAPers are blocked out Dec 19-Jan 2. They're blocked out because DL is expecting higher levels of crowds probably due to all the people on Xmas Break.
Christmas is the best time to go, imo, because usually everything is up and running, and even if the lines are long people are usually a lot cheerier, happier, and it's cool/cold, so the longest waits are easily bearable. It's easier to get warm than it is to cool off in the heat of summer. Overall, I just find people's temperament to be a lot happier in the Christmas season at DL. It's beautiful in the park at Christmas. In fact, it's so beautiful, I'm a little worried about planning a trip during the summer. I'm afraid I'll be disappointed without all the little extra Christmas touches.

 

[Sherry E]

I have the same problem, DisneySuiteFreak. I have been so spoiled by the beautiful and glorious Christmas season at DLR - which is really 100 times more magical than DLR is any other time of year - that I find myself worried about being slightly let down or disappointed if I go in a non-holiday perdiod! I mean, I know that once I got there everything would be fine, and I had been on many DL trips in my life before I ever really 'discovered' the holiday season at DL, so I should be able to return to the regular magic of DLR. Certainly, families all over the world are lucky and fortunate to go to DLR any time of year, even only once in their lives, and I am very grateful when I am able to go.......But that holiday time at DLR is something extra special, and it is addictive all on its own. So everyone who hasn't been to DLR during the holidays yet, beware: when you do finally get there, you may never want to go during any other time of year!!

 

[pixiewings71]

Crowds are doable earlier in the month. We went dec 07 over the weekend of the 15-16th. It was very manageable. We are going this year the 12-16th and we are anticipating a very manageable crowd.

 

[Niele]

When do they start decorating for christmas? The reason that I ask is I was wondering if the park was even going to be decorated and how busy will it be? We are going Dec. 14-18.

We're going at the same time, hoping it will be not so crowded. We went basically the same week in 2006 and it was really great. Sure, there were lot's of people but it was not nearly as bad as spring break or summer. The decorations are all up, it "snows" after the fireworks, lot's of holiday special foods, and everyone is in good spirits!!! Even the hotels are beautifully decorated. I'm not sure of the other hotels but GC has Santa for picture taking by the huge Christmas tree in the lobby. Wishing you a wonderful holiday trip.

 

[roxy72]

Now I'm getting excited for the holidays at DL. I'm still a newbie, and have only gone to DL a few times...and never during the holidays! Christmas will be very special there.

 

[Sherry E]

We're going at the same time, hoping it will be not so crowded. We went basically the same week in 2006 and it was really great. Sure, there were lot's of people but it was not nearly as bad as spring break or summer. The decorations are all up, it "snows" after the fireworks, lot's of holiday special foods, and everyone is in good spirits!!! Even the hotels are beautifully decorated. I'm not sure of the other hotels but GC has Santa for picture taking by the huge Christmas tree in the lobby. Wishing you a wonderful holiday trip.

Yes, all 3 hotels have Santa by the tree, but only the GCH Santa is a PhotoPass location. The trees are beautiful in the DLH and the PPH, but there is something about the cozy feeling, the fireplace and dim lighting of the GCH that lends itself to the holiday feeling.

 

[bumbershoot]

I personally enjoyed the PPH tree over the GCH tree. Mainly b/c, I realized in March, I can't SEE in GCH when the tree is there, b/c it either takes up a bunch of light or they dim the lights for the tree. I have problems in low light, and I almost need help getting through the lobby when the tree is there. But the PPH is bright and lovely and I love the tree.

Haven't seen DLH's tree yet.

We've now gone in early December twice, and it was nice. I think we missed the Candlelight Processional and cast party stuff entirely the first trip, but last year we just planned to be out of DL during the time of the CP (we're not of that religion (or any) and we are anti-crowds, so we stayed away from it all), and we left on the day of the first cast party (where they close DL very early but keep DCA open a bit later).


I remember talking to a Small World cast member about New Year's, and he visibly shuddered at the memory and thought of it coming up. I do not want to be there if the CMs are shuddering at the thought of it!!!!!

 

[Sherry E]

I personally enjoyed the PPH tree over the GCH tree. Mainly b/c, I realized in March, I can't SEE in GCH when the tree is there, b/c it either takes up a bunch of light or they dim the lights for the tree. I have problems in low light, and I almost need help getting through the lobby when the tree is there. But the PPH is bright and lovely and I love the tree.

Haven't seen DLH's tree yet.

We've now gone in early December twice, and it was nice. I think we missed the Candlelight Processional and cast party stuff entirely the first trip, but last year we just planned to be out of DL during the time of the CP (we're not of that religion (or any) and we are anti-crowds, so we stayed away from it all), and we left on the day of the first cast party (where they close DL very early but keep DCA open a bit later).


I remember talking to a Small World cast member about New Year's, and he visibly shuddered at the memory and thought of it coming up. I do not want to be there if the CMs are shuddering at the thought of it!!!!!

Yes, New Year's Eve - . Not good. Not good at all.

You know what I think I decided about GCH this past December? The 'dim mood lighting effect' seems to somehow work better at night for me. In the daytime, it seems TOO dim, but it felt right in the evening to me, for some reason! It felt odd to see it that dim at 6:45 a.m., as we tromped through the lobby to get to the MM at DL! But at 6:45 p.m., just right!

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I mean, I know that once I got there everything would be fine, and I had been on many DL trips in my life before I ever really 'discovered' the holiday season at DL, so I should be able to return to the regular magic of DLR. Certainly, families all over the world are lucky and fortunate to go to DLR any time of year, even only once in their lives, and I am very grateful when I am able to go.......But that holiday time at DLR is something extra special, and it is addictive all on its own. So everyone who hasn't been to DLR during the holidays yet, beware: when you do finally get there, you may never want to go during any other time of year!!

I feel the same way! I'm always grateful to get to go, but the holiday time just adds a little more extra special magic!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

If you are debating before or after xmas....BEFORE!!! The week between Xmas and New Yrs is the worst. We went the 2days after xmas in 2007 and on the 27th, they weren't letting people in DL unless they had multi-day hoppers. My SIL was there for New Yrs this last year and she said they weren't letting ANYONE in (even if they had passes) at one point because they were at maximum capacity. The CMs were telling us that it was the ABSOLUTE WORST time to go.