December Trip Planning

[Quest4Kingdom]

Would like to plan a trip in December to see Holiday Displays, does anyone happen to know if there are any major events at DL going on in the first two weeks? Anyone make a trip during the first week before? ANy feedback would be great, thanks.

 

[bumbershoot]

Usually the first week (or possible the first weekend and days after that) of December has the Candlelight Processional (which brings BIG crowds to DL, Main Street specifically I believe), and 2 nights of DL closing early for the Cast Member parties (DCA stays open later on those 2 nights).


CP was on Dec 1 and 2 last year, I think, and the CM parties were shortly after that, and we had a trip from the 5th to 9th and it was great. All the decorations and displays, none of the huge crowds that would be there in a couple weeks. But I think the weekend is "later" in the beginning of December this year, so it's possible those events will be later, and a 5-9th trip woudln't work as well this year.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

last week of nov first week of dec was good except the crouds from candelight perscion.

 

[Sy-]

I love disney In December. Ya avoid the candlelight processional if you don't like crowds. Also bring your jacket.

 

[Quest4Kingdom]

So, what is this candlelight processional? is it part of DL or just a group of people going to be there? Awww! those are the exact dates i was considering nov 30, dec1, 2... looks like we need to re-schedule! thanks for the heads-up though. so dec 4 huh? gotto keep a personal disney-planning calendar of best travel dates...

 

[Sleepless Knight]

They tell the story of the birth of Jesus Christ and have a candlelight processional down Main Street. I'm hoping to do it this year.

 

[Quest4Kingdom]

Usually the first week (or possible the first weekend and days after that) of December has the Candlelight Processional (which brings BIG crowds to DL, Main Street specifically I believe), and 2 nights of DL closing early for the Cast Member parties (DCA stays open later on those 2 nights).


CP was on Dec 1 and 2 last year, I think, and the CM parties were shortly after that, and we had a trip from the 5th to 9th and it was great. All the decorations and displays, none of the huge crowds that would be there in a couple weeks. But I think the weekend is "later" in the beginning of December this year, so it's possible those events will be later, and a 5-9th trip woudln't work as well this year.

wow, so they do close the parks earlier for CM parties? do they inform the public ahead of time? that would be bummy to plan for a trip that day without knowing it closes earlier. although it makes me wonder when they could ever do private parties with DL being open year round & all holidays etc... it would always have to be late it seems.

 

[Quest4Kingdom]

THe CP does sound kinda nice though might just plan on those days, we'll see. I just called DL Guest Relations and found out that this year it will be Dec 6 and 7- the first Saturday & Sunday of December. And those CM parties are tentatively Dec 2 &3 and then 9 & 10 though she wasn't sure abouts how early they close, around 8 or 9pm...

 

[Sy-]

They'll put it on the calander online. I think when we were there the ushered everyone out of the park at 7pm

 

[bumbershoot]

4 nights of parties! Last year I only remember 2, wow.

Looks like the "first weekend of december" thing is right for the CP, at least for last year and this year.

 

[ministrychick77]

i'm looking into going either the weekend of the 12th or the 19th.. do you think the time period of the 19th might be a little too busy?

 

[Sleepless Knight]

The 19th will be busier than the 12th. I went down around the 15th last year and Saturday night waiting for the fireworks all I could see down Main Street were people standing next to each other. I was sitting right in front of the castle on the little bench with the Partners statue a couple of feet behind me. That was the last day that CMs could get friends and family into the park because of the expected increase in crowds beginning the 17th or so.

Your best bet is to have a day or two during the week to minimize crowds since they will pick up on the weekends.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

when we go next year it will be in the middle of dec trying to ctahc electric parade and miss the CP and all that

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Ok ~

I just called Guest Relations and was told the CM parties will be held on 12/8th & 9th. Bummer, airfare is cheaper the 2nd week of Dec than the 1st week of Dec. (I figure cause Thanksgiving is later in Nov. this year) Maybe we'll go the 2nd week anyways ~ Mon~Thurs., Mon. & Tues. evening can be our CA days.

 

[Dis Ohana]

We were there a few years ago on the night of the CM party -- what a nightmare. I wasn't on the DIS yet and had no idea why the park was closed early. The worst part about it was that we had no reservations or plan about where to eat. DTD was CRAZY busy, wall to wall people and forget about eating anywhere if you have no ressie. I'd avoid it if at all possible.

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

Ok ~

I just called Guest Relations and was told the CM parties will be held on 12/8th & 9th. Bummer, airfare is cheaper the 2nd week of Dec than the 1st week of Dec. (I figure cause Thanksgiving is later in Nov. this year) Maybe we'll go the 2nd week anyways ~ Mon~Thurs., Mon. & Tues. evening can be our CA days.

I'm a little surprised about the dates and I'm hoping (fingers crossed ) that Guest Relations is wrong.
I looked up the dates of the CM parties in the last several years, and they were ALWAYS on the first Monday and Tuesday of December, which would be the 1st and 2nd this year. They weren't automatically after the CP's.....they were only after them when the weekend (when CP's are held) was before the first Monday and Tuesday, as it was last year. Going by by research and what the last several years showed, we booked our visit for the 4th - 12th, hoping to avoid the CM parties which I hoped would be the week before. Oh well, I guess we'll just wait and see when the official announcement comes out. If if is the 8th and 9th, we'll just hop on over to DCA with the rest of the world....LOL

 

[Sy-]

They probably wanted the Christmas party closer to Christmas. I still haven't completely digested the turkey from Thanksgiving by Dec 1 & 2.

 

[Dis Ohana]

If if is the 8th and 9th, we'll just hop on over to DCA with the rest of the world....LOL

I'm not sure if this has changed, but when we got caught on the CM party night a few years ago DCA and DL were both closed at 6:00. That's probably why DTD was so crowded, both parks emptied at the same time. I would try to leave the area to have dinner or make sure you have reservations somewhere.

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

But they never have done it in the past...so, I would wonder why now? I looked up the last 6 years or so, and they were always on the first Monday and Tuesday, even as early as the first and second of the month.

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

I'm not sure if this has changed, but when we got caught on the CM party night a few years ago DCA and DL were both closed at 6:00. That's probably why DTD was so crowded, both parks emptied at the same time. I would try to leave the area to have dinner or make sure you have reservations somewhere.

Last year's December calendar from the DLR website shows DL closing at 6 p.m. and DCA closing at 9 p.m. on the CM party nights . I know that I read on here about people going to DCA when DL closed early last year so hopefully it will be the same this year.