Christmas Week

[Candycane83]

tell me how bad is Christmas week? I know it’s bad and hits capacity... does it hit capacity on both parks? Im thinking of Dec 21-27. (Dates are not flexible) Will we be miserable? It’ll be me, my DH and DS4. We would probably stay at GCH if we go. My other alternative is DCL (which I’m booked for but worried about not having enough to do and DH and DS4 not enjoying or being bored...)

Disneyland during Christmas is just so tempting! I’ve never been during this season and may take a few more years to reconsider it again if ever since I usually can’t take time off during Christmas.

 

[tink89]

tell me how bad is Christmas week? I know it’s bad and hits capacity... does it hit capacity on both parks? Im thinking of Dec 21-27. (Dates are not flexible) Will we be miserable? It’ll be me, my DH and DS4. We would probably stay at GCH if we go. My other alternative is DCL (which I’m booked for but worried about not having enough to do and DH and DS4 not enjoying or being bored...)

Disneyland during Christmas is just so tempting! I’ve never been during this season and may take a few more years to reconsider it again if ever since I usually can’t take time off during Christmas.

Disneyland during Christmas is wonderful. It will be very very busy. It will reach capacity on some days. But if you plan ahead and use MP you will be fine. We went last year during 27-31 we got on all rides we wanted to and had character dining another reservations so we did not have to worry bout seeing characters the park. We love holidays at Disneyland.

We will be there Dec 21-25 at DLH.

 

[katyringo]

Last year the worst days that hit capacity were the 27,28 and 29th.

We were there those 3 days lol.

That being said we had a wonderful time. Use the early entry, use max pass, have realistic expectations and bring some patience and it will be great! Doing character meals and show packages also helped us. Have a general plan of your must do things and make it happen.

So many people will come and say very negative things about this time in the park, but I’d go back in a heartbeat. You get a trade off during this time. It’s crazy busy, but it’s fully staffed, alll the rides are open and shows are going. With a little planning there is tons of magic to be had!

 

[Candycane83]

Disneyland during Christmas is wonderful. It will be very very busy. It will reach capacity on some days. But if you plan ahead and use MP you will be fine. We went last year during 27-31 we got on all rides we wanted to and had character dining another reservations so we did not have to worry bout seeing characters the park. We love holidays at Disneyland.

We will be there Dec 21-25 at DLH.

Nice! I am now even more sorely tempted to go!! Have a magical time on your Christmas trip!

Last year the worst days that hit capacity were the 27,28 and 29th.

We were there those 3 days lol.

That being said we had a wonderful time. Use the early entry, use max pass, have realistic expectations and bring some patience and it will be great! Doing character meals and show packages also helped us. Have a general plan of your must do things and make it happen.

So many people will come and say very negative things about this time in the park, but I’d go back in a heartbeat. You get a trade off during this time. It’s crazy busy, but it’s fully staffed, alll the rides are open and shows are going. With a little planning there is tons of magic to be had!

I was expecting negative comments! Lol! Thanks so much. I am thinking we would be fine going and will have a great time... now to decide between Disneyland and merrytime cruise!

 

[tarheelalum]

It will be the worst crowds at Disneyland you will ever see. We did it in 2014 on the 25, 26th and 27th. It was our first and last time during Christmas.

 

[Winnowill]

We were there the 28th and 29th last year. Yes, it was crowded. But we had MP and did everything we wanted to do and didn't wait much for anything.

 

[Malcon10t]

tell me how bad is Christmas week? I know it’s bad and hits capacity... does it hit capacity on both parks? Im thinking of Dec 21-27. (Dates are not flexible) Will we be miserable? It’ll be me, my DH and DS4. We would probably stay at GCH if we go. My other alternative is DCL (which I’m booked for but worried about not having enough to do and DH and DS4 not enjoying or being bored...)

Disneyland during Christmas is just so tempting! I’ve never been during this season and may take a few more years to reconsider it again if ever since I usually can’t take time off during Christmas.

It will be very busy the 21-25. Fun but busy. Then on the 26th, you will enter the park and go "Where did all these people come from???" The 26/27 will be over the top busy. Expect possible gate closures.

 

[Candycane83]

It will be very busy the 21-25. Fun but busy. Then on the 26th, you will enter the park and go "Where did all these people come from???" The 26/27 will be over the top busy. Expect possible gate closures.

Wow! I thought it would be the 25th! 21st and 27th would be travel day so we’re probably going to do parks only 22-26th. Still debating whether to do this or the cruise... DH seems to be leaning towards to cruise

 

[Nevada Jen]

Where does the cruise go? Have you ever done a cruise with DS before? With a 4 year old in tow, I tend to think the cruise is a much better idea. Massive crowds that you essentially get stuck in with a 4 year old who doesn't even want the rides that have Max Pass sounds pretty miserable to me. 2 years from now you could take a 6 year old to Disneyland who has great disney memories from the cruise at a time when the park is considerably less busy and he is excited about the bigger rides. Keep in mind that some of the people saying it was crowded but they still managed to have a great time are very familiar with the park. If you are not familiar with the park, capacity crowds are a set up for a horrible experience. If you do it, definitely stay on site and utilize early entry every day.
The cruise at Christmas will be just as crowded as it normally is. He is the perfect age for it. It works in your schedule (trust me that won't always happen). I would go with the cruise.

 

[Candycane83]

Where does the cruise go? Have you ever done a cruise with DS before? With a 4 year old in tow, I tend to think the cruise is a much better idea. Massive crowds that you essentially get stuck in with a 4 year old who doesn't even want the rides that have Max Pass sounds pretty miserable to me. 2 years from now you could take a 6 year old to Disneyland who has great disney memories from the cruise at a time when the park is considerably less busy and he is excited about the bigger rides. Keep in mind that some of the people saying it was crowded but they still managed to have a great time are very familiar with the park. If you are not familiar with the park, capacity crowds are a set up for a horrible experience. If you do it, definitely stay on site and utilize early entry every day.
The cruise at Christmas will be just as crowded as it normally is. He is the perfect age for it. It works in your schedule (trust me that won't always happen). I would go with the cruise.

It would be the Merrytime cruise to western Caribbean- stopping at Grand Cayman and Cozumel. (No castaway cay ) it would be DH and DS’ very first cruise. I myself have been to DCL once before (almost 15 years ago! )

This was the same advise I was given by some of my friends actually and I know it is the logical choice. The illogical part of me would really love to see Disneyland during the holidays!

 

[drjackal31]

I would have to agree. We did a DCL last year for our honeymoon. We don't have kids and i thought it seemed like a much better environment for the littles, specially if they can't do some of the rides. If we have kids i said we'd probably do cruises or the unrelated resorts like Hilton Head. (We have DVC though)

 

[Nevada Jen]

The holidays are very long at Disneyland. Tell your hubby you will agree to the cruise if you are allowed a girls (or solo) weekend at DL during holiday time Remember to act like you are making a big sacrifice.

 

[Candycane83]

The holidays are very long at Disneyland. Tell your hubby you will agree to the cruise if you are allowed a girls (or solo) weekend at DL during holiday time Remember to act like you are making a big sacrifice.

Lol! That wouldn’t work since he feels anything Disney is a sacrifice on his part! Plus, we live on the east coast in Canada, I’ll need a solo week or two if I go to California

 

[Kender]

That's tough.

Honestly, I think you'll have plenty to do on DCL. There was a lot I had to give up doing when I went on one because there wasn't time to enjoy everything (especially since I was doing the Castaway Cay Challenge post Dopey). And I know there's a ton of stuff for kids to do (I was jealous of the cool play area they had!).

But DLR is also incredibly magical during the holidays. It's crowded, but if you go expecting that, I don't think it's that bad. And I say this as someone with severe crowd anxiety who has safe places in the parks she knows are less crowded.

With a younger kid DCL might be the easiest. No Castaway Cay would give me pause, though...

If it were me? I'd probably do DLR. Lack of Castaway Cay would be the deal breaker for me.

Have a blast whichever you decide . No matter what, it'll be fun.