DD's wish: 16th Birthday at DL! Yea! But...

[Stinasmom]

Her birthday is December 31st! or

Are we crazy to plan a trip to DLR for that time of year?

We were there in 2008 most recently, so, not our first trip.

I am trying to decide whether to bite the bullet and going for her actual birthday, or plan something later into next year.

We would be on a bit of a budget, and maybe even stay in a timeshare nearby if we could get one. She wants to bring a friend and a condo would afford us more room.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!!

 

[ArchOwl]

Her birthday is December 31st! or

Are we crazy to plan a trip to DLR for that time of year?

We were there in 2008 most recently, so, not our first trip.

I am trying to decide whether to bite the bullet and going for her actual birthday, or plan something later into next year.

We would be on a bit of a budget, and maybe even stay in a timeshare nearby if we could get one. She wants to bring a friend and a condo would afford us more room.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!!

I was at the DLR this past New Year's Eve (including a few days before and after the holiday). Yes, it was VERY busy. But we were able to enjoy ourselves and do everything we wanted with good planning.

When we were there on NYE, Disneyland got very, very crowded as the day went on, closing briefly in the afternoon. DCA, however, was quite comfortable that entire day and night. However, with Carsland and the grand re-opening, I am guessing DCA might be more crowded next NYE. But who can know for sure? I think being in Disneyland for NYE is a tradition for a lot of folks and DCA isn't the same for them. I found DCA to be very fun for NYE and the show right before the midnight WOC was very fun.

I would say if you are okay with spending most of the day in DCA on the 31st, go for it! However, if you cannot stand crowds or lose patience quickly, then perhaps wait until the crowds thin out. Another caveat is that the parking situation during that time of the year is a little crazy, so you may want to reconsider staying far away.

But the DLR during the holidays is so very magical, so if you can put up with the crowds, I think it may be worth it.

 

[Disneyqueendenmark]

I would properly not plan a trip to DLR, if it was only for NYE - I would plan another more 'quiet' day OR if possible, stay at least 3 days *

The week between Christmas and New Years is pretty crazy crowded. I went Dec 23 and 24 last year. It was a great trip but it was really crowded, there didn't seem as clean as usual and two days was not enough at all!*

If I were planning to go to DL on NYE, I would make NYE my first day at DL and then the extra days after. Last year the christmas decorations stayed up a week or something after NYE.*

NYE is a monday this year, but you can't really predict if it will make it less crowded. But my guess is that the first days of january might be a little less crowded than the weekend before NYE, but you never know :b (I'm from Denmark, soo maybe there's some special holiday/events that I'm forgetting about? )

But I would say :*
Plan wisely - GO FOR IT *

(and.. I don't think it's a problem to stay off-site, since it gives a lot more money to use inside the parks - you can stay at some of the motels for $55/night with two beds..)