December 26 Crowds - Please advise!

[lostatdisney]

I know that the week before Christmas and New Year's is crazy, but is December 26th any better? My DH, DS20, DS18, and DD17 are traveling to San Diego to cheer for the Baylor Bears at the Holiday Bowl on the 27th. We arrive late on the 25th and don't have anything planned for the 26th. We all love Disney and have been to DL three times, but we would love to see it during the holidays. I just don't want to drive all the way from San Diego to find that it's too crowded to move around in and that all the lines are hours long. We can handle crowds, and we are actually headed to WDW for spring break, so if we miss some of our favorite rides, that's okay. I just want to know what to expect. Thank you for the help!

 

[Topolina]

Hi there! There's a thread already going on discussing the day after Christmas...you might want to check there for info. I was there last year (the 26th was our departing day), and it worse on the 26th than the 25th. My understanding is that crowds build from the 25th until the 31st, hitting a crescendo on New Years Eve. Anyhoo, here's a link to the other thread in progress. Hope that helps!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3027587

 

[lostatdisney]

Oh wow thanks - that's perfect! I was looking through the multi-page holiday threads trying to find something, and I missed this!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Could you stay closer to DLR that night *the 25th, maybe the 26th too? That way you're there in the morning *parks will open @ 8am and you can go straight to your hotel when the parks close @ 12am and you can take a mid day break/nap if you dare, parks may reach capacity. Have fun! Here's how we spent one day *mid July -also a Wednesday- 2009

 

[lostatdisney]

Could you stay closer to DLR that night *the 25th, maybe the 26th too? That way you're there in the morning *parks will open @ 8am and you can go straight to your hotel when the parks close @ 12am and you can take a mid day break/nap if you dare, parks may reach capacity. Have fun! Here's how we spent one day *mid July -also a Wednesday- 2009

That's a very good idea! We could probably arrange that!

 

[llump41]

Maybe the zoo or Sea World would be a better bet. It's quite possible you could get to DL and not be able to buy a ticket to get in. In any case, it will be crowded, crowded, crowded&...

 

[Malcon10t]

I just don't want to drive all the way from San Diego to find that it's too crowded to move around in and that all the lines are hours long.

You are going to drive all the way to find large crowds and lines that are 60-100 mins line.

 

[Disney Dreams]

December 31st is without question THE busiest day of the year at Disneyland. The second busiest is either Christmas Day or July 4th (depending about who you ask). From the 25th to the 31st is simply builds, crowd-wise.

If you want to be in the Park and not have long lines, crowds, be able to watch a parade without much planning ahead, and eat anywhere without waiting with a moment's notice, do not go on December 26th.

If you want to see the Park beautifully decorated for Christmas, if you want to see the Christmas Parade, see the Believe... In Holiday Magic fireworks, and simply be in the Park, go and enjoy.

It won't be a day to do a lot, but it can be a great day to enjoy just being in the Park.

- Dreams

 

[lostatdisney]

Thanks for all the good advice! I will check with my kids - are they willing to just enjoy seeing the park dressed for the holidays or would they rather just go somewhere else. I know what I would pick, but I don't want any complaining! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all!