Crowds Dec 27-28?

[NewbieMouse]

So we're back now for a few days and swore (even in writing!) I wouldn't even consider going back until my kids were a couple of years older. But now I've been looking through that Disney at Christmas thread, and we are going through LA December 26 - 29th.... and well.... maybe we should just drop in? It was so much fun!

I haven't even mentioned it to my dh yet as he is totally "disneyed out" right now, but I wanted to ask about crowd expectations on December 27 or 28th. Would it be a madhouse? Looks like AP's are blocked out and I know it would be busy, but I am wondering if it would be worthwhile? I'd have to plan it on the down low and then approach dh with it in a couple of months when he may be more receptive to the idea.

 

[Flitterific]

So we're back now for a few days and swore (even in writing!) I wouldn't even consider going back until my kids were a couple of years older. But now I've been looking through that Disney at Christmas thread, and we are going through LA December 26 - 29th.... and well.... maybe we should just drop in? It was so much fun!

I haven't even mentioned it to my dh yet as he is totally "disneyed out" right now, but I wanted to ask about crowd expectations on December 27 or 28th. Would it be a madhouse? Looks like AP's are blocked out and I know it would be busy, but I am wondering if it would be worthwhile? I'd have to plan it on the down low and then approach dh with it in a couple of months when he may be more receptive to the idea.

I was at DLR Dec 24-27 in 2009 and the crowds were horrific! It gets progressively more busy every week in December, with the crowds being the worse on New Year's Eve. I'm not sure if you'll be able to do much if you just drop in for a day but it'll still be worth it to check out the HMH and IASWH overlays and just soak in the Disney magic during the holidays. Just don't go with the expectation that you'll be able to get a lot done and enjoy the Christmas transformation in DLR...you guys will have tons of fun

 

[oc_tony]

The week between Christmas and New Year's is VERY VERY crowded. It is the busiest time of year for DLR. Manage your expectations if you decide to go. However, the park is beautiful and the holiday overlays on Haunted Mansion and Small World are lots of fun. Just have a game plan (arrive before park opening, use FPs, eat at off-peak times, etc).

 

[Sherry E]

The "Disney at Christmas" thread worked its magic again!! I swear, that thread has inspired more holiday DLR trips or more ideas of holiday trips!! It is quite an addictive thread.

I agree with Flitterific and oc_tony! It will be very crowded after Christmas - no getting around that. Even the weekdays will be packed because lots and lots of folks are out of work and school and they flock in droves to DLR, armed with holiday gift money that they can spend on Hoppers and new APs!!

Last year I found DLR to be tremendously crowded even right before Christmas - more so than I was used to encountering at DLR right before Christmas. I think this year will be no different, and possibly even worse because of WoC. So after Christmas - which is notorious for being packed anyway - will inevitably stay the same, at the very least.

But, all that said, like Flitterific and oc_tony advised, if you mentally know what you are in for and know how to work around it, and don't plan on getting a whole lot done in a day, you can really have a great time soaking up the atmosphere. If you've never been to DLR during the holidays before, I suggest seeing it at least once - and if the only chance you have to see it is one day during a busy week, you can make the best of it.

Let me put it this way - if I knew that I was only going to be able to go to DLR one time for several years, or even one time in a year, I would choose the holiday season to go. I would choose that time for either a day trip or a multi-day trip. It's just my favorite time, and it's magical!!

(Flitterific - my DLR Christmastime built-in PR machine is at work again!!)

 

[NewbieMouse]

Ahhh.....the crowds. I knew it would be busy, but it sounds like it would be insane. I think we'd probably just go one day and stick to DL, not DCA.

Would it be outrageous to assume we could (using FP and arriving at opening time, on a non-MM day) fit in:

• Indy
• IASW
• HM
• Space Mountain
• Autopia
• Peter Pan
• Snow White
• Pinnochio
• POTC
• BTMRR
• Storybook Land Canal Boats

Am I asking for the moon?

 

[Flitterific]

Ahhh.....the crowds. I knew it would be busy, but it sounds like it would be insane. I think we'd probably just go one day and stick to DL, not DCA.

Would it be outrageous to assume we could (using FP and arriving at opening time, on a non-MM day) fit in:

• Indy
• IASW
• HM
• Space Mountain
• Autopia
• Peter Pan
• Snow White
• Pinnochio
• POTC
• BTMRR
• Storybook Land Canal Boats

Am I asking for the moon?

If you get there at opening on a non-MM day, you should definitely be able to do all the Fantasyland rides within the first hour. You'll definitely want to use FPs to your advantage (note that HMH does have FPs for the holidays, and of course Indy, BTMRR, Space Mountain and Autopia also have them). Realistically, I think you should be able to do all the rides that you listed but that is assuming that you are not taking any breaks/seeing any of the parades/fireworks/Fantasmic shows. The lines are also a lot shorter as it gets closer to park closing (around 10ish but DL didn't close until midnight).

FYI, FPs for Indy ran out by 5pm when I was there for the holidays so you'll definitely want to make sure you get one early on. I don't like roller coasters so I'm not sure if the FPs ever ran out for BTMRR and Space Mountain.

 

[Sherry E]

Ahhh.....the crowds. I knew it would be busy, but it sounds like it would be insane. I think we'd probably just go one day and stick to DL, not DCA.

Would it be outrageous to assume we could (using FP and arriving at opening time, on a non-MM day) fit in:

• Indy
• IASW
• HM
• Space Mountain
• Autopia
• Peter Pan
• Snow White
• Pinnochio
• POTC
• BTMRR
• Storybook Land Canal Boats

Am I asking for the moon?

If those are your priorities, I think you can work it in - if it's a good, long day trip. You know how to use the FP system. You know to get there right when it opens. You know the tricks.

One thing I would suggest is to get on IASW Holiday immediately after being let in the park in the morning. I know many folks will say go straight to Peter Pan, but because IASW Holiday is an overlay, that line builds up very fast. I would dash right to IASWH, then try to get back to Haunted Mansion Holiday soon after. The line for HMH was 45 minutes long before 11:00 a.m. last year when I was there on December 19th, so in that time frame you want to go between Christmas and New Year's, the HMH line will build faster and more quickly.

 

[Flitterific]

(Flitterific - my DLR Christmastime built-in PR machine is at work again!!)

Yup! I just hope that what I just told NewbieMouse will still hold true for the holidays this year (otherwise she may be upset if she only ends up doing half the stuff that she wanted to do). But seriously, you're doing a fantastic job promoting DLR during Christmas...the holidays are that much more special at the parks

 

[NewbieMouse]

It sounds very convincing. I'll have to mull it over. Dh will think I'm out of my mind.

Your thread does an excellent sales job though!

 

[NewbieMouse]

What about Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?