December trip planning

[MyGirlsRock]

Our family of 5 is planning a trip to Disneyland/San Diego. Right now, December seems to work best for schedules - December 10-23. Our 3 daughters will be 7, 4 and 4 then. DH, oldest DD and myself have been to WDW once before. All this planning is overwhelming!

My questions:
1) how will the crowd levels be during this time? Are the parks very busy before Christmas?

2) we would like to spend time in San Diego (sea world, zoo). Would it be better to plan to do this at the end of our trip?

I appreciate any advice/tips! Thank you

 

[skiingfast]

Normally I suggest finishing your trip like a meal with dessert at the end, by visiting DLR.

December crowds in WDW and DLR are the same, the later the worst they are. The attendance pattern looks like an exponetial curve.

So you may want to do DL first to escape the worst crowds. Though a little inconvinient you might want to start at DL, go to SD and come back to DL for your last day or two.

Keep in mind that SD will also be busier the week before Christmas and on weekends just like DLR.

 

[SkRiderMom]

Since the search isn't working right now I thought I'd post the link to Sherry's awesome Christmas superthread. It is full of great information and pictures. You can find it here - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2612827