December 2018

[ClaraOswald]

I haven't been to the parks at Christmastime in a decade or so. We have plenty of time to plan our trip. We were thinking we'd go in late January/early February 2019.

But then I got to thinking that it might be fun to go back around Christmastime again. I just love the park at that time.

So I was thinking the week after Thanksgiving? Or the week after that?

How do you guys think crowds in late November/early December would compare to late June? That's when we went this year (June 22nd - 28th.) We found a few of our days in June to be not too crowded. A few were worse but we still did all of the rides we wanted with decent wait times.

Oh...just as an FYI, we don't really do many of the e-tickets because my son doesn't ride those. So we stick to mostly dark rides and family rides. My son's favorites were Luigi's, Small World, Mr. Toad, and Lady Bug Boogie. (Though he liked tons of others too.) My husband and I took turns fast passing a few of our favorite e-tickets but that was it.

So I'm mostly concerned with wait times for the family/dark rides. As well as just general crowds and congestion of walkways. We managed fine in June but just wondering if that timeframe in December is way worse or not.

 

[Jedi Mouse]

We were there last year from Tue. 12/13 to Sun. 12/18. During the first three days crowds were moderate, then picked up considerably on Friday and Saturday (first weekend of Christmas break for most schools) and was absolutely packed on Sunday (last day before all but Sig+ AP's were blocked). I remember reading that people there the week before reported moderate crowd levels.

 

[mom2rtk]

Watch the AP blackout dates. We were there the last weekend before they blacked out a couple years ago and it was very unpleasant. First weekend of December will be Candlelight Processional so that will be busy, but the weekdays before and after should be decent. Maximize your Tues, Wed, Thurs time for the best chance at lower crowds.

 

[chickapin parterre]

...it could be a good gamble....maybe....there is an extra week of holidays in the park.....it use to be a good time....but then Thanksgiving week has now become a school holiday.....all five days, which has made Thanksgivig crowded, so folks who are aware of the crowding, push into the other weeks after thanksgiving. These could be the folks who will make it crowded, 2018 has that extrat week, then 2019, that week disappears and then it will be extremely crowded for the duration of Christmas at disneyland untill crowds are addressed. So if you are thinking of Christmas at Disneyland, 2017 or 2018 is the last chance for manageable visits, with star wars and residual crowding, Christmas will be very difficult

I visit the Monday-Wednesday after Candle, Monday mornings are crowded, tuesday night crowded, but Wednesday is fantastic in the morning, but by noon, that park hopper to DCA comes into play. Then back into Wednesday night, with fingers crossed, that fireworks will go on due to no wind.

 

[ClaraOswald]

In June, Saturday wasn't too bad because so many APs were blocked out. But it looks like after Thanksgiving/first week of December just has the lowest pass blocked out Saturdays. Nothing else blocked at all really. That's pretty much how it was for our February 2015 visit and it seemed more crowded than I expected.

We definitely do NOT want to go after Star Wars Land opens. At least a few years.

So basically we will either go Nov/Dec. 2018 or Jan/Feb 2019.

If early December is similar to our June crowds...I think we could handle that and it would be worth it for the Christmas stuff.

 

[Kiwidream]

Hey everyone, I'm from New Zealand and have been wanting this trip since I was 12. Planning on going for my 40th early Dec 2018 and taking my hubby and kids who will be by then 11 an 6. Ive been spending WAY too much time stalking these forums the last few months but its all part of the fun. First post!

 

[azdisneylover]

Hey everyone, I'm from New Zealand and have been wanting this trip since I was 12. Planning on going for my 40th early Dec 2018 and taking my hubby and kids who will be by then 11 an 6. Ive been spending WAY too much time stalking these forums the last few months but its all part of the fun. First post!

Welcome! Have fun planning for your vacation. It will be here before you know it.

 

[lalasmama]

In June, Saturday wasn't too bad because so many APs were blocked out. But it looks like after Thanksgiving/first week of December just has the lowest pass blocked out Saturdays. Nothing else blocked at all really. That's pretty much how it was for our February 2015 visit and it seemed more crowded than I expected.

We definitely do NOT want to go after Star Wars Land opens. At least a few years.

So basically we will either go Nov/Dec. 2018 or Jan/Feb 2019.

If early December is similar to our June crowds...I think we could handle that and it would be worth it for the Christmas stuff.

Remember that the first weekend of December is Candlelight Processional.... Blocks Main Street, but other areas are more open