December trip on cast member party days

[toodles2009]

We are looking at Dec 11-14 for a DL trip and see that these fall on the days of cast member parties. The obvious disadvantage is an early 6 pm close. Are there any other issues or disadvantages we should be aware of based on those parties being held? Also will the crowds be awful or are we still getting in before school is out to miss the highest crowds? Our other option is the week after Thanksgiving, which we would have preferred, but then one in our group can't come with us. We have a toddler so the main focus will be rides for him, parade, and characters in case that makes a difference. Thanks!

 

[roxydotty]

I don't know any local schools that are out that early except some colleges. The cast party days are usually not super busy. I'm sure most move over to DCA when DL closes or go home like we do! Just plan to do something else once DL closes. I think it will be a good time for you.

 

[skiingfast]

That week isn't comparabe crowdwise to the one that comes between Christmas and New Years.

It will have crowds but nothing close to insane.


Yes, there will be a lot of people going to DCA in the evening to get 3 more parks hours. Plan to see WoC one of those nights, its crowds are the same regardless of the day, and a good place to be when DCA is extra busy.

 

[Sherry E]

My trip coincided with the Cast Member parties last year. Last year was also the first time the parties had been moved to one week later than they normally occur. It seems like, from reports I have read, when the CM parties happened one week earlier, crowds in the daytime were pretty light. I mean, realistically, it is still the holiday season so it will be never be slow, but crowds were lighter than you'd expect.

However, once the CM parties were moved to one week later last year, crowds picked up. Honestly, I found it to be very crowded on Monday and Tuesday (Monday more so than Tuesday). I was shocked at how many people were in Disneyland on the CM party days. It was not the worst I've ever seen in DL, of course, but it was way more crowded than I expected.

Yes, Disneyland will close at 6 p.m., but they still do the Winter Castle lighting, they still do the fireworks, they still do the snow on Main Street, they still do the parade - all before they kick the guests out!

There was a mass exodus from DL at around 6 p.m., as tons of people moved across the Esplanade to DCA, or spread out and hit the different hotel restaurants or DTD for dinner.

 

[emmysmommy]

There was a mass exodus from DL at around 6 p.m., as tons of people moved across the Esplanade to DCA, or spread out and hit the different hotel restaurants or DTD for dinner.

So funny that you described it that way because that is exactly how it was for the days that DL closed early for the Halloween parties!!!