disney at christmas

[summer0407]

Park was at full capacity today I cannot believe that. I saw some amazing pictures I cannot wait for our trip my excitement is boiling over. Is it really bad that I am way more excited then my kids? I have kind of kept them in the dark as far as photos and what not I want them to experience it first hand. They have seen some photos but not to much. Trip is less then a month awaw now

 

[funatdisney]

Yeah!! Some pictures from the first day of the holiday season at DLR. Thank you Stephanie! What a treat to be able to see the first holiday parade of the year.

 

[funatdisney]

Park was at full capacity today I cannot believe that.

Oh I can. I bet lots of people had a four day weekend this week.

 

[billwendy]

Hi Everyone!!

We are on our way!!!! We did choose to get bumped from our flights though, so we wont be getting in this afternoon, wont get in till 8pm tonight - its okay we got compensated very nicely!!!

Sooooo, do you think we should take sunday as our day off and go mon, tues, wed and fri for our 4 days (thurs is the day of my conference)????? I do want to see fantasmic, but was thinking we could switch that to friday night?

We wanted some time to stop at target/walmart to get some breakfast stuff for the room - will it be crowded on sunday? should we go ahead, run our errands and then go into the park on sunday????

dont know the best plan!!! HELP!!!

 

[JH87]

Stephanie thanks for those pictures!!!

 

[amamax2]

Yes, lapdwife got the Tree Quest underway, indeed. Well, technically, Funball got the Tree Quest underway with the DCA tree, but lapdwife's photos are the first two tree photos since the season officially began!!

Yes, I suddenly woke up in the middle of the night and realized my mistake - sorry Funball!!!

 

[amamax2]

Do you want me to add the "Coke" tree or let someone else?

Please, everyone, post ALL pictures! We want to see everything and everyone's perspective. As Sherry often says, even if you think someone else has posted the same picture, it isn't really the same. It has each person's unique view and style. And if you are reading this thread, you know how obsessed we all are with seeing pictures.

Oh I can. I bet lots of people had a four day weekend this week.

I had forgotten about that! A friend who goes every year on this Friday told me they weren't going this year because their school district gave them both the Thursday and Friday off, so they figured it would be crowded. Plus, of course, the first day of the Holiday season.....

Sooooo, do you think we should take sunday as our day off and go mon, tues, wed and fri for our 4 days (thurs is the day of my conference)????? I do want to see fantasmic, but was thinking we could switch that to friday night?!

That is a real tough one! I'm tempted to say stick to your original plan and hope many of the four-day weekend crowd leaves Sun afternoon...I do think Friday will be very crowded. Friday afternoon/evenings are generally crowded. Hopefully others will pipe in here with some opinions.

 

[mvf-m11c]

That is a real tough one! I'm tempted to say stick to your original plan and hope many of the four-day weekend crowd leaves Sun afternoon...I do think Friday will be very crowded. Friday afternoon/evenings are generally crowded. Hopefully others will pipe in here with some opinions.

I agree with amamax2 that you (billwendy) should go with your original plan and go on Sunday since most the people who were there this weekend will most likely leave on Sunday. It will be less crowded tomorrow than this upcoming Friday.

 

[Janell]

Hi Everyone!!

We are on our way!!!! We did choose to get bumped from our flights though, so we wont be getting in this afternoon, wont get in till 8pm tonight - its okay we got compensated very nicely!!!

Sooooo, do you think we should take sunday as our day off and go mon, tues, wed and fri for our 4 days (thurs is the day of my conference)????? I do want to see fantasmic, but was thinking we could switch that to friday night?

We wanted some time to stop at target/walmart to get some breakfast stuff for the room - will it be crowded on sunday? should we go ahead, run our errands and then go into the park on sunday????

dont know the best plan!!! HELP!!!

I would skip Sunday because I think there are no black out days for aps on that day. And my guess is the park will be busy. It usually is but with the holiday season just starting I'm guessing the ap will come out while they can. I read on another board that DL hit capacity yesterday. I'm not sure how true that is. So you just don't know from day to day this time of year.

If it's busy when you are there, get FP all morning, save them till the afternoon evening. And get to the parks when they open. You will have a lot of fun. Haves safe trip

 

[specialks]

Okay, another scheduling question for all you Christmas time experts...

I just found out that Knotts is doing a Toy Drive during our visit (Dec 4-19). Of course, I found this out after I already pre-purchased our tickets online . So my question is this:
Should we go to Knotts on Thursday instead of Friday and then go to DLR on Friday? We had planned to use our MM admission on that Thursday because we normally can't get up early enough to use it on the weekends. I am worried that Knotts will be much busier on Friday than Thursday with the free admission ($15) promo. But, I don't know if it will be that busy to warrant missing a weekday at DLR. Our trip to Knotts last year was so great because there was no one there and we went straight on whichever rides we wanted.

Thanks for any help/advice.

 

[Ariel224]

The crowds yesterday were crazy. Given that I didn't really have a plan for day 1 and everyone wanted to sleep in, we got there later than opening. It was frustrating. Then the rumor on here about the Holiday Tour not including parade seating got started, which added to my stress until I saw for myself that the 2:30 parade had the reserved seating setup.

We ended up leaving the park at 4:00 and letting the kids swim for a couple of hours. Headed back about 7:30 and got a spot on the back on Main St for fireworks. It wasn't until then that DL seemed Christmasy or even magical to me.

After fireworks, Grandma took the exhausted little kids back to the hotel, and DD9 and I got to use FPs for Indy and BTMRR. We jumped into a spot literally at the last moment for the 10:15 Fantasmic! and then walked right onto Pirates after F! The park seemed to really clear out after the fireworks were over.

DD9 and I used our MM this morning. The cool crispness in the air really helps with the Christmasy atmosphere. Once it warms up, that feeling kind of gets lost.

It will be interesting to see what the crowds are like today. Thankfully, our Holiday Tour is this afternoon!

 

[amamax2]

I have been looking for that promotion at Knotts, but hadn't seen it yet!

A friend has gone before during the week for that promotion and she it is generally not busy, so probably either day would be fine.

I do not know if Knotts is like DL, where locals show up Friday afternoon/evening. , but if that case, you would get that at either park.

IMO, the promotion would probably more likely affect the weekends, where people can get a whole day at the park. Many people do not want to pull their kids out of school/miss work so close to the holidays, which is why they run the promotion when they do. I am hoping to take my family during this promotion (we haven't been to Knotts in 10 years), so I am hoping my reasoning is sound, lol.

If you can get up for the MM at DL on Thurs, I would not miss that. It is a great time at DL.

 

[Funball]

i wont get photos till tomorrow!! but i will try i love the castle and the tree at this time!

..and umm its going *to* be busy this weekend i am sure.. as christmas time is now started at DLR. so i am sure sunday and saturday will be a mad house...either way if you go to for rides. dont forget your fast passess!!!

 

[DizDragonfly]

Mouseplanet just posted on Facebook:

A MousePlanet reader just sent us confirmation from Disneyland about the 2010 Candlelight Procession. The event is confirmed for December 4th & 5th; show times are at
5:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. each night. Tom Skerrit is the narrator both nights. Unfortunately Disney is not offering ANY dining packages this year.

 

[azax456]

I am also going to Knott's during that time. We are going Dec 8-10 (Wed-Fri) with one day at each DL/DCA and Knotts. We have been trying to figure out what days to each park to maximize our time with lowest crowds. We already get in free with the police discount so that wont be a problem. Has anyone gone in early December who can help us figure out what is best. Is there a difference in crows at Knott's from Wed/Thurs to Friday? Thanks!

 

[Janell]

I live very closes to DLR, have a PAP and use to be a CM. Sundays is typically the busys day of the week for DL. Due to DLR is a locals park, where WDW more guest are from out of town. All AP are not blocked on Sundays where Saturdays only PAP aren't blocked. Friday mornings to mid afternoons are less crowded (then Sunday). When locals get off work, then the park tends to get more crowded. I see a lot more local APs going these next few weekends due to the holiday decor is up and they are not blocked out, where soon they will be blocked out. So they need to see it while they can.

 

[disneylovingfamily:4]

Mouseplanet just posted on Facebook:

Thank You!! Thank You!! for posting that!!

 

[ConnieB]

I live very closes to DLR, have a PAP and use to be a CM. Sundays is typically the busys day of the week for DL. Due to DLR is a locals park, where WDW more guest are from out of town. All AP are not blocked on Sundays where Saturdays only PAP aren't blocked. Friday mornings to mid afternoons are less crowded (then Sunday). When locals get off work, then the park tends to get more crowded. I see a lot more local APs going these next few weekends due to the holiday decor is up and they are not blocked out, where soon they will be blocked out. So they need to see it while they can.

According to the Disneyland calendar Saturday and Sundays in December are both blocked for SoCal Select. Only Saturdays for SoCal.

SoCal Select is also blocked from December 17 thru January 2; SoCal from the 18th thru 2nd.

Deluxe only from December 23 thru January 2nd.

 

[Torgue]

Mouseplanet just posted on Facebook:

We arrive on Dec. 4th and were planning on getting to the park around 4:00. Will it be really crowded for the Processional? How long does each last? Thinking about going to DCA instead. We would love to see the Processional but don't want to fight a crazy crowd for a good seat. Do people leave after the first one so maybe we can grab a good spot?

 

[lapdwife]

11/26+30 12/9+11+13+17+21+24+29

Hubby just found the dates. I must be too blonde.