December 18 hours and crowds

[madjohn]

Ok experts,

Going for one day to Disneyland on December 18, friday. Last year the park hours were from 8 am until 12 am. Will they be the same hours this year? What will the crowd level be on that friday. My plan for DW, DS DD and me is to get their at rope drop. Real plan for this trip is to enjoy the holiday lights and ride some rides but how crowded it is will tell me what else to plan. Any insights would be great.

thanks
John

Oh and if you know if is going to rain that day to would be great--ok thats a joke

 

[ukstitch]

Not sure exactly on crowd levels as I've not been that time of year before, but I believe that day "should" be the first day for the Electrical Parade so I would imagine that a reasonable number of people will be there for that.

As for raining - it's my last night and the only night I'll get on my trip to see the electrical parade, so I'm predicting thunderstorms suitable to cancel both the electrical parade and the fireworks

 

[PhotoJoe]

Oh, come on, it rains twice a year in SoCal. However, this is SUPPOSED to be an El Niño year, so it could be up to four days! The odds are good that you will be rain-free.

I'm a volunteer bus driver for my church and I'll have at least 45 kids down there that day. We always go on this Friday and our experience with crowds has been pretty good. Now, the first day of ANYTHING could make it worse.

 

[ChristiJ]

We were there at that time last year and it rained (poured) the entire time, which I initially though was horrible. But having been back twice since than, I have decided that rain at Disneyland totally rocks - we walked on every single ride. My husband and daughter rode Space Mountain 17 times one day. We would go 10-15 minutes without seeing any other visitors. The characters were out in full force - I think we saw everyone, some twice, and they all were great at spending time with my daughter. With four visits in the past year I would say hands down the rain was the best. Rain boots and a jacket and you are good to go.