December 2019 trip

[ErikkFriberg]

We are looking at a trip (our first) the first week in December (2019). This will be the week following Thanksgiving weekend. Our hope is to beat the Christmas crowd, but reap the benefits of the Christmas theming and all that comes with the Holiday.

We are not well versed in DL/SoCal. What should we expect with crowds, weather, pricing, etc (especially since it’s the week after Thanksgiving)? What are y’all’s tip, trick and secrets?

 

[StarSpeckledSky]

Can’t reap those benefits alone, sorry. Christmas decor goes up, crowds go up. No cheating!

I would suggest doing some reading to get familiar with the basics of DL and then coming here with more specific questions. There are a ton of “tips, tricks, and secrets” and you’ll have to be more specific.

 

[ErikkFriberg]

Can’t reap those benefits alone, sorry. Christmas decor goes up, crowds go up. No cheating!

That makes sense. I’m not real familiar with Disneyland (never been), but I know Disney World is really slow the first week or two of December, to the point it used to be on par with the slowes time of year, even though Christmas was in full force. But I also know Disneyland SI NOT Disney World. They are close cousins, but with very distinct “personalities”.

I would suggest doing some reading to get familiar with the basics of DL and then coming here with more specific questions. There are a ton of “tips, tricks, and secrets” and you’ll have to be more specific.

Well, since the post was about December/Christmas, I That it was understood I was hoping for “tips, tricks and secret” specifically for that timeframe. But, I get your point, I didn’t say that, and I wasn’t real clear who was going, where we are staying, what some “goals” may be, and on and on.

You also made a good point of “doing some reading to get familiar with the basics of DL.” I am working on that, I guess I should have waited for that.

A specific question I am interested in...What should we expect with crowds, weather, pricing, etc (especially since it’s the week after Thanksgiving)?

StarSpeckledSky, thank you for the direction. I hate forums becaus, often times, I don’t know how to ask what I want to know.

 

[StarSpeckledSky]

That makes sense. I’m not real familiar with Disneyland (never been), but I know Disney World is really slow the first week or two of December, to the point it used to be on par with the slowes time of year, even though Christmas was in full force. But I also know Disneyland SI NOT Disney World. They are close cousins, but with very distinct “personalities”.



Well, since the post was about December/Christmas, I That it was understood I was hoping for “tips, tricks and secret” specifically for that timeframe. But, I get your point, I didn’t say that, and I wasn’t real clear who was going, where we are staying, what some “goals” may be, and on and on.

You also made a good point of “doing some reading to get familiar with the basics of DL.” I am working on that, I guess I should have waited for that.

A specific question I am interested in...What should we expect with crowds, weather, pricing, etc (especially since it’s the week after Thanksgiving)?

StarSpeckledSky, thank you for the direction. I hate forums becaus, often times, I don’t know how to ask what I want to know.

I suggest reading Disneyland Daily, it’s a good place to start. Mouse Hacking and Disney Tourist Blog are sites that I use as well.

 

[ErikkFriberg]

Thank you @StarSpeckledSky!

 

[Malcon10t]

Monday - Thurs shouldn't be bad, but the weekend following Thanksgiving will be Disneyland's Candlelight Processional. Unlike WDW< Disneyland only does it 1 weekend, which should be Dec 7 and 8.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

This sticky thread from the top of the first page has TONS of great information for you: * DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here!. Start researching there.
From that sticky:
A DLR Guide for WDW Vets -- a classic thread! Pre-SWGE, but still has so much helpful info!
HydroGuy Tips Compilation -- a gold mine of great threads with super helpful info!
From the above thread:
"Detailed Weather Data for DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158
"Comparison of Weather For WDW and DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1711098
OFFICIAL 2018 Christmas & Holiday Time at DLR Superthread!! -- this was last year's superthread -- read through it for info on what to expect for Holiday Time at DLR re: crowds, events, decorations, etc.
Go through these threads (and more!), then come on back with all your questions! Holiday Time at DLR is so wonderful!

 

[Jperiod]

We go during this time almost every year. It's our favorite and usually pretty low crowds (plus value season for prices). Weather is all over the place! We've had 80s all the way to heavy rains! Most of the years, it's just fine in the upper 60s-mid 70s. Watch the weather leading up to your trip.

Fireworks and shows like fantasmic usually only run on the weekends during that week, so plan accordingly. Candlelight Processional will be the first weekend in December and take over Main Street station. We try to avoid DLR during that weekend because we don't like the congestion on main street it creates.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Candlelight Processional this year should be Dec. 7th and 8th.

 

[Kittyskyfish]

Fireworks and shows like fantasmic usually only run on the weekends during that week, so plan accordingly.

Just to clarify, the Believe in Holiday Magic fireworks run nightly (weather permitting) at 9:30 p.m., and the 9:00pm /10:30pm Fantasmic shows are Fri/Sat/Sun during the first half of December. @ErikkFriberg , California gets the Santa Ana winds in December, potentially canceling fireworks at the last minute. You should plan on seeing the fireworks early in your schedule to avoid missing them completely.

Disneyland December 2018 Hours/Schedule

My contribution to "different" tips and tricks: I plan patio meals based on the local sunrise/sunset calendar to catch the best evening lighting possible. Places like New Orleans Square and Pixar Pier become magical at twilight when the sun sets and the gloaming begins. For example, an evening dinner takes about 45 minutes, so we plan on a River Belle Terrace or Lamplight Lounge table at sunset. Based on the calendar link provided, I would reserve a table for 2 at 4:45 p.m. on Thursday, December 5th. That way, the sun will be just below the horizon and easier on the eyes when we sit down, and we can enjoy an evening 'show' as the park lights shimmer in the fading light, throughout dinner. The sky will appear mostly dark by the time we are done eating.

The same trick can be done for Fast Pass reservations if you want to be on a ride at twilight of to guestimate when Carsland lights up main street.

Disneyland December 2019 Sunrise/Sunset

Definitions (for evening)
Sunset: Sun is 0-5 degrees below horizon. Sky is still reasonably bright. Lights are turning on.
Twi: Sun is 6-11 degrees below horizon. Getting dark out, horizon sunset colors become deeper. You can make your way around without lamplight. This is the sweet spot. (Civil Twilight)
Twi N: Sun is 12-17 degrees below horizon. The beginning of visual "night" - dark outside. Illumination becomes necessary at this point. (Nautical Twilight)
Twi A: Sun is 18+ degrees below horizon. True night. Full dark. (Astronomical Twilight)

 

[Jperiod]

Just to clarify, the Believe in Holiday Magic fireworks run nightly (weather permitting) at 9:30 p.m., and the 9:00pm /10:30pm Fantasmic shows are Fri/Sat/Sun during the first half of December. @ErikkFriberg , California gets the Santa Ana winds in December, potentially canceling fireworks at the last minute. You should plan on seeing the fireworks early in your schedule to avoid missing them completely.

Disneyland December 2018 Hours/Schedule

Thank you, I guess it hasn't been that way for quite some time!

 

[B3rlingirl]

Just to clarify, the Believe in Holiday Magic fireworks run nightly (weather permitting) at 9:30 p.m., and the 9:00pm /10:30pm Fantasmic shows are Fri/Sat/Sun during the first half of December. @ErikkFriberg , California gets the Santa Ana winds in December, potentially canceling fireworks at the last minute. You should plan on seeing the fireworks early in your schedule to avoid missing them completely.

Disneyland December 2018 Hours/Schedule

My contribution to "different" tips and tricks: I plan patio meals based on the local sunrise/sunset calendar to catch the best evening lighting possible. Places like New Orleans Square and Pixar Pier become magical at twilight when the sun sets and the gloaming begins. For example, an evening dinner takes about 45 minutes, so we plan on a River Belle Terrace or Lamplight Lounge table at sunset. Based on the calendar link provided, I would reserve a table for 2 at 4:45 p.m. on Thursday, December 5th. That way, the sun will be just below the horizon and easier on the eyes when we sit down, and we can enjoy an evening 'show' as the park lights shimmer in the fading light, throughout dinner. The sky will appear mostly dark by the time we are done eating.

The same trick can be done for Fast Pass reservations if you want to be on a ride at twilight of to guestimate when Carsland lights up main street.

Disneyland December 2019 Sunrise/Sunset

Definitions (for evening)
Sunset: Sun is 0-5 degrees below horizon. Sky is still reasonably bright. Lights are turning on.
Twi: Sun is 6-11 degrees below horizon. Getting dark out, horizon sunset colors become deeper. You can make your way around without lamplight. This is the sweet spot. (Civil Twilight)
Twi N: Sun is 12-17 degrees below horizon. The beginning of visual "night" - dark outside. Illumination becomes necessary at this point. (Nautical Twilight)
Twi A: Sun is 18+ degrees below horizon. True night. Full dark. (Astronomical Twilight)

Good tips... thanks...!

I totally forgot about fantastic not showing on weekdays. This will make it hard to work it in to my plans but if it doesn’t work out, I’ll at least save the money for the BB F! package...

And yes, DL/DCA at Night/ twilight is great I really enjoy the evenings such a great atmosphere...

 

[DnA2010]

Following as we are going around the same time