December 2015 Check-In Thread

[Tyggress]

Planning wise we R doing More table service than normal. its costly but I figure might reduce the stress of fighting the crowds for tables?

Yep...and with the anticipated crowds, I would say anyone who DOESN'T make ADR's may not be able to walk up and get a seat at any TS restaurant.

 

[millie0312]

Yep...and with the anticipated crowds, I would say anyone who DOESN'T make ADR's may not be able to walk up and get a seat at any TS restaurant.

Lol since I'm not sure about weather we have 2 different F! Ressies and I think we will do the same for our character breakfasts until we know what day we are for sure going. I'm hoping to get the bulk of our rides done 9 and 10 so by that Fri and Sat we are just doing a few shows and rides we missed or re-riding. Having 5 park days this year instead of 3 will be nice for crowds- I have a feeling it will be hard to walk/closure busy much earlier then last year (the 3rd week on Monday was that way last year). Hoping with cs and adr for any sit downs even at the hotels/DTD and reasonable expectations and hitting what we can earlier in our trip it will help.... But I've got to be honest- I'm scared!!! Lol

 

[Kittyskyfish]

To account for the extra crowds this year, we extended our trip to 9 days in the parks. This is a record! But it's enough time to experience everything while having more table service dinners and breaks from the wall-to-wall, tired and frustrated...I mean... lovely park-goers.

We set - so far - one WOC dinner at Carthay, one Fantasmic dinner at Blue Bayou (and back again another day for an 11:30 a.m. ressie), and reservations at all the other table service locations w/in DCA and DL. I'm trying to leave a few nights open for Rancho del Zocalo and other counter service types, though we'll need our pirate swords to get a table! Or eat dinner at 4:00 p.m. - that's an option, too. *guffaw*

 

[Tyggress]

To account for the extra crowds this year, we extended our trip to 9 days in the parks.

Well that's one way to go about it!

 

[Kittyskyfish]

lol, it's a lot easier for two adults to do this. No pulling kids out of school, make-up class work...

 

[lalasmama]

What is everyone planning to make the most of your trip? More breaks? Different touring strategy than normal? Just a lot of patience? Doing off-the-beaten-path activities?

I'm curious how everyone is planning to deal with the craziness!

I avoid crowds very easily I'm a solo traveler, so I don't take up much room!

I've been twice this year already--one other solo trip, and a family vacay--so I've gotten used to the crowds, more or less. I generally try to make a point to not follow the crowds... So, on rope drop, I don't rush to Peter Pan; I may head over to Adventure Land, or Buzz Lightyear, then grab my FPs. I make good use of single rider lines a lot too! In the evenings, my plan is to concentrate on some photography when ride lines just get too long... And I'll be taking advantage of the shorter lines during the parade!

 

[Mividadisney]

It appears that December, especially from mid-point of the month on, is going to be one big mass of crazy crowds this year.

What is everyone planning to make the most of your trip? More breaks? Different touring strategy than normal? Just a lot of patience? Doing off-the-beaten-path activities?

I'm curious how everyone is planning to deal with the craziness!

I just plan on putting a smile on my face and remain positive...that always helps when things get crazy. A bad attitude is contagious and no one needs that at Disneyland

 

[Gyoza Dog]

Dec 25 to Jan 8 at Paradise Pier Hotel.

We'll have Christmas morning in Australia with the family then a long flight and arriving at LAX at 6:25 am still on Christmas Day. (Time Zones are funny)

Current plan is a second Christmas Day breakfast at Minnie and Friends. (Assuming we can get a booking, can get there in time, and the park hasn't close due to capacity).

 

[JennyN]

We will be at DL from December 6th til the 12th, staying at The Fairfield.

 

[Tink1987]

To account for the extra crowds this year, we extended our trip to 9 days in the parks. This is a record!

I like your style

Dec 25 to Jan 8 at Paradise Pier Hotel.

We'll have Christmas morning in Australia with the family then a long flight and arriving at LAX at 6:25 am still on Christmas Day. (Time Zones are funny)

Current plan is a second Christmas Day breakfast at Minnie and Friends. (Assuming we can get a booking, can get there in time, and the park hasn't close due to capacity)

This is one of the coolest things I have ever read. Gotta love them time zones

 

[Tink1987]

We are thinking of switching from the Sheraton Park to the Hotel Indigo. Same cost on the booking website we used and we can just switch. Indigo looks a lot fresher and about the same distance too. Anyone stayed at either one or even both?

 

[Lost Girl]

FYI disneyland hotel still has room reservations open for a deluxe view room. For dates dec 8-12th. I believe they are giving a 20% seasonal discount up until dec 17th. just in case anyone was curious.

 

[TrySomethingNew]

Myself and DD9 will be at DLH Dec 14-17. First time for Disneyland -we did WDW in 2012. My sister lives in LA area, so we will visit with her before and after our DL stay.

 

[Chris9ty]

We are thinking of switching from the Sheraton Park to the Hotel Indigo. Same cost on the booking website we used and we can just switch. Indigo looks a lot fresher and about the same distance too. Anyone stayed at either one or even both?

We just stayed for 10 days at Hotel Indigo and loved it. Hardwood floors in the rooms. Shower only, modern sinks, sone rooms have fireworks views. Free WiFi, I believe free parking. Friendly front desk.
It is #1 or #2 in Trip advisor since July when we started looking at it. Our travel agent had a group there the week before she booked our trip.
This was our first DLR trip so I know no other hotels there. We crossed the street at Disney Way since it was easier there.

 

[Feej]

23rd Dec - 3rd Jan @ Grand Californian, armed with 10 day park hoppers!

 

[Stacy O]

We are going to be there from the 22nd-27th. Taking my two teenagers and my daughters boyfriend. He came from a pretty abusive home and is staying with us so I consider him my third kiddo....me and 3 teens and Disneyland. This will be so much fun. My bonus child has never been to Disneyland so we are all so excited to share thendisneyland magic with him.

 

[Tink1987]

We just stayed for 10 days at Hotel Indigo and loved it. Hardwood floors in the rooms. Shower only, modern sinks, sone rooms have fireworks views. Free WiFi, I believe free parking. Friendly front desk.
It is #1 or #2 in Trip advisor since July when we started looking at it. Our travel agent had a group there the week before she booked our trip.
This was our first DLR trip so I know no other hotels there. We crossed the street at Disney Way since it was easier there.

Thank you - think I am gonna go ahead and change our hotel. The Indigo looks beautiful!

 

[disneymum58]

The hours just went up on the Disneyland website for our first 2 days in the park. Does anyone have an explanation for why the Disneyland Park closes at 9 pm on Thursday, December 3? It closes at 10 the night previous.

 

[Angrose]

OK, you can take me off the list for Dec 5-6 since we'll have family visiting us that weekend instead. I'm trying to get a quick trip together for Nov 21-22 so I'm jumping back over to the November board. Hope everyone enjoys their trips!

 

[Pokeberry]

Kids don't know yet, but hubby, I and our 4 kids will be staying Dec 1-6 at Desert Palms hotel. We will be in the parks Dec 2-5.

DH is moving to PA next week (we're staying until school ends next summer), so this will be great to spend time together. And youngest DD's bday is Dec 3rd. She will turn 6 and I can't wait to tell her we'll be in Disneyland for her birthday!!