Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #2 (Closed)

[focusondisney]

Hi! I knew I couldn't wait til our DL trip later this year, so I've been busy planning a short WDW trip for May. Now that those plans are pretty wel set, I'm back to thinking about DL!


Our probable dates are Nov. 26 (Mon)- Nov 30 or Dec 1 (Fri or Sat). Waiting for Jetblue & Southwest to release flights for those dates to decide for sure. I think I'd like the return to be on Dec 1, otherwise we'd really only have 3 full days. Our must do's will be the parade, HM, IASW, World of Color & the Holiday Tour if they offer one. We aren't big on Fantasmic, so can easily skip that.

I haven't noticed any mention of filming for the for the Christmas Day Holiday Parade Show. I know @ WDW it is a big production which disrupts the MK the first weekend in Dec. So is there any time/ dates that this usually happens in DL? I'm sure with Cars Land opening, they will be doing a segment on it. Any guesses/ past info Christmas Day Parade filming ? Thanks!

 

[fronkfam]

Hi Everyone!!

I'm so glad to see this thread active right now! We had planned a Christmas-time trip for last year, but we weren't able to go. In May, I broke my ankle. So, financially and physically, we just didn't have everything together to go in December. I was SOOOO sad. I actually stayed off the boards for a long time because it was just depressing.

Well, now we are planning for Christmas-time this year. And I can hardly contain myself!!!

Can't wait for Christmas!!

 

[DTDkettleCORNfan]

Hi! I knew I couldn't wait til our DL trip later this year, so I've been busy planning a short WDW trip for May. Now that those plans are pretty wel set, I'm back to thinking about DL!


Our probable dates are Nov. 26 (Mon)- Nov 30 or Dec 1 (Fri or Sat). Waiting for Jetblue & Southwest to release flights for those dates to decide for sure. I think I'd like the return to be on Dec 1, otherwise we'd really only have 3 full days. Our must do's will be the parade, HM, IASW, World of Color & the Holiday Tour if they offer one. We aren't big on Fantasmic, so can easily skip that.

I haven't noticed any mention of filming for the for the Christmas Day Holiday Parade Show. I know @ WDW it is a big production which disrupts the MK the first weekend in Dec. So is there any time/ dates that this usually happens in DL? I'm sure with Cars Land opening, they will be doing a segment on it. Any guesses/ past info Christmas Day Parade filming ? Thanks!

I'm sure someone will have a better idea of exact dates, but we have always gone the week after Thanksgiving (the most recent trips have been the Sun, Mon and Tues after TG), and the parade has already been filmed. I think they have to keep the Main Street garlands down until the parade has been filmed. And I can't imagine they film it during the busy Thanksgiving week. So I think it will be filmed before your arrival dates.

 

[tlovesdis]

Hi! I knew I couldn't wait til our DL trip later this year, so I've been busy planning a short WDW trip for May. Now that those plans are pretty wel set, I'm back to thinking about DL!


Our probable dates are Nov. 26 (Mon)- Nov 30 or Dec 1 (Fri or Sat). Waiting for Jetblue & Southwest to release flights for those dates to decide for sure. I think I'd like the return to be on Dec 1, otherwise we'd really only have 3 full days. Our must do's will be the parade, HM, IASW, World of Color & the Holiday Tour if they offer one. We aren't big on Fantasmic, so can easily skip that.

I haven't noticed any mention of filming for the for the Christmas Day Holiday Parade Show. I know @ WDW it is a big production which disrupts the MK the first weekend in Dec. So is there any time/ dates that this usually happens in DL? I'm sure with Cars Land opening, they will be doing a segment on it. Any guesses/ past info Christmas Day Parade filming ? Thanks!

In 2011 the parade was filmed the first weekend in November! We were there, saw One Republic, Christina Aguilara and Nick Cannon!!! I beleive it was also filmed the first weekend in November in 2010, but I am not 100% sure!

 

[focusondisney]

I'm sure someone will have a better idea of exact dates, but we have always gone the week after Thanksgiving (the most recent trips have been the Sun, Mon and Tues after TG), and the parade has already been filmed. I think they have to keep the Main Street garlands down until the parade has been filmed. And I can't imagine they film it during the busy Thanksgiving week. So I think it will be filmed before your arrival dates.

In 2011 the parade was filmed the first weekend in November! We were there, saw One Republic, Christina Aguilara and Nick Cannon!!! I beleive it was also filmed the first weekend in November in 2010, but I am not 100% sure!

Thank you both for the quick answers! Glad we won't have to work our plans around that. And I'm assuming the week after Thanksgiving is a good week, DTDkettleCornfan, since you always go that week. At this point, I think I'm more worried about airfare than I am about crowds in the parks.

 

[focusondisney]

OK, we're definately coming now--- booked the airfare!!!

Jetblue Dec 2- 7th; changed from Nov 26- Dec 1 because of the cost. We paid $390 each round trip from Buffalo. The one way fare on Nov 26 was $396! Basically by pushing back a week, we are getting the return flight free! Could have waited for SW, might have been a little cheaper, but I'm really spoiled by those TV's, I didn't want a 7 hour flight without them.

Now to wait patiently for hotel discounts & holiday info.

 

[Sherry E]

OK, we're definately coming now--- booked the airfare!!!

Jetblue Dec 2- 7th; changed from Nov 26- Dec 1 because of the cost. We paid $390 each round trip from Buffalo. The one way fare on Nov 26 was $396! Basically by pushing back a week, we are getting the return flight free! Could have waited for SW, might have been a little cheaper, but I'm really spoiled by those TV's, I didn't want a 7 hour flight without them.

Now to wait patiently for hotel discounts & holiday info.

Cool!

So that's a Sunday - Friday, correct? You'll be arriving on what will most likely be the second day of the Candlelight Processional (unless my hunch is correct and it starts on 12/8 instead), so you may encounter some large crowds if that is the case, but the next day - Monday - will probably be wonderful.

Last year I arrived on CP day #2 (December 4th) and left on Thursday, Dec. 8th - so, basically the same days of the same week that you will be there this year (more or less). Sunday, 12/4 was not really too bad for us, crowd-wise (better than we expected, anyway), until mid/late afternoon. Then it got packed. Monday, 12/5 was delightful. DCA had very light crowds. Main Street was not crowded. Gibson Girl Ice Cream had no lines (which was shocking to me). Our party of 8 got seated at our table about 40 minutes early at the Goofy's Kitchen dinner because the restaurant was not full. It was great!

Now, on Tuesday (12/6 last year; 12/4 this year), it got very crowded, all of a sudden. It was not the worst I've ever seen - and it was certainly less crowded than it would have been 2 weeks later in the month - but it was much more crowded than I expected.

I would definitely pick that same time frame in that same week again. I've gone to DLR during other weeks in December and this past trip felt less stifling overall in terms of crowds. I felt like I could actually wander around and see some things, chat with some Cast Members, all of that, without having to move aside every few seconds for oncoming foot traffic.


Have fun!!

 

[focusondisney]

Cool!

So that's a Sunday - Friday, correct? You'll be arriving on what will most likely be the second day of the Candlelight Processional (unless my hunch is correct and it starts on 12/8 instead), so you may encounter some large crowds if that is the case, but the next day - Monday - will probably be wonderful.

Last year I arrived on CP day #2 (December 4th) and left on Thursday, Dec. 8th - so, basically the same days of the same week that you will be there this year (more or less). Sunday, 12/4 was not really too bad for us, crowd-wise (better than we expected, anyway), until mid/late afternoon. Then it got packed. Monday, 12/5 was delightful. DCA had very light crowds. Main Street was not crowded. Gibson Girl Ice Cream had no lines (which was shocking to me). Our party of 8 got seated at our table about 40 minutes early at the Goofy's Kitchen dinner because the restaurant was not full. It was great!

Now, on Tuesday (12/6 last year; 12/4 this year), it got very crowded, all of a sudden. It was not the worst I've ever seen - and it was certainly less crowded than it would have been 2 weeks later in the month - but it was much more crowded than I expected.

I would definitely pick that same time frame in that same week again. I've gone to DLR during other weeks in December and this past trip felt less stifling overall in terms of crowds. I felt like I could actually wander around and see some things, chat with some Cast Members, all of that, without having to move aside every few seconds for oncoming foot traffic.


Have fun!!

Our plane doesn't land til 1:30 PM @ LAX, so I'm not expecting to get to the hotel til 3:30 or later. We'll probably get 6 day park hopper tickets, so maybe we'll go into the parks just to look around . If we get on a ride or 2 it will be a bonus. If the parks are too crowded to move or if MK closes early for CP, we can check out the resort decorations & DTD.

Thanks for sharing your experience last year.

 

[Sherry E]

Our plane doesn't land til 1:30 PM @ LAX, so I'm not expecting to get to the hotel til 3:30 or later. We'll probably get 6 day park hopper tickets, so maybe we'll go into the parks just to look around . If we get on a ride or 2 it will be a bonus. If the parks are too crowded to move or if MK closes early for CP, we can check out the resort decorations & DTD.

Thanks for sharing your experience last year.

Disneyland probably won't close early for Candlelight Processional - at least, this has not happened anytime in recent years. It will close early on Cast Member party nights or for any other private party. But on CP weekend, the park stays open. All the people who are there to see the CP will pack in, on and around Main Street. And all the people who are not interested in the CP or who do not have tickets for it will pack into other areas of the park. We had a 'fun' time getting from IASW Holiday to Main Street later in the afternoon because it had gotten very crowded by then. But, again, up until the mid/later afternoon point, we were all saying, "Well, this is not too bad at all." It was better than we expected, especially based on the reports I had heard of the day prior to it.

California Adventure will, of course, be open too.

Yes, you've got the right idea! If the crowds are too much to take in both parks, just use that time to stroll around DTD or mosey over to the Grand Californian and maybe get a photo with Santa in the lobby, or have a nice beverage while watching the carolers by the tree, or whatever. Wander across the street to the Paradise Pier to see its stunning tree. There are absolutely a lot of things to do to soak in the holiday atmosphere without actually being in Disneyland park.

I will be curious to find out if Monday, December 3rd, is delightfully uncrowded. I was so pleased with that post-CP Monday last year! (Of course, the fact that it was an extremely windy day may have kept a few folks away too!)

 

[kaoden39]

We were there one year during the week of the cast party. You know it was cold and it was wet so I didn't mind leaving early. We were staying at the DLH so I guess I didn't feel like we were missing that much.

 

[Escape2Disney]

Thank you SO MUCH for starting this thread! It's really getting me excited about our trip this year!

Here are the dates:

December 6-7: Los Angeles
December 7-13: DISNEY

I'm pretty sure our trip will include CM Party days, but that's alright. I don't mind leaving early as long as we get to be at the parks.

 

[MyMuse]

OK, we're definately coming now--- booked the airfare!!!

Jetblue Dec 2- 7th; changed from Nov 26- Dec 1 because of the cost. We paid $390 each round trip from Buffalo. The one way fare on Nov 26 was $396! Basically by pushing back a week, we are getting the return flight free! Could have waited for SW, might have been a little cheaper, but I'm really spoiled by those TV's, I didn't want a 7 hour flight without them.

Now to wait patiently for hotel discounts & holiday info.

Wow! that's wonderful airfare! We never get that out of Newark, it's always sky-high.

I decided to use miles instead - airfare for my dates were $1,100+

 

[focusondisney]

Wow! that's wonderful airfare! We never get that out of Newark, it's always sky-high.

I decided to use miles instead - airfare for my dates were $1,100+

I am very happy with the fare! DH has to change his vacation week, so he was thinking I should wait til today to book. I was too nervous to do that- told him you never know when the price will jump. Made him log on from home & check other managers posted vacation schedules so I could book right away.

Is that $1100 for 2 people? That's what I was expecting to pay for 2 of us. Please tell me it's not per person?! Last we were in DL was about 6 years ago...I paid $200 round trip each. Ah, the good old days!

 

[mouseymommy]

We usually go during Spring break. Will the crowds be about the same when we go 11-17 to 11-20? We are going for our DS10 birthday, and I just realized the Christmas decor would be out. Now I'm worried about the crowds. Also, I realize any answers will be just speculation, but I will appreciate any I get. Thanks!

 

[Sherry E]

Thank you SO MUCH for starting this thread! It's really getting me excited about our trip this year!

Here are the dates:

December 6-7: Los Angeles
December 7-13: DISNEY

I'm pretty sure our trip will include CM Party days, but that's alright. I don't mind leaving early as long as we get to be at the parks.

Escape2Disney -

You're very welcome! Thank you so much for joining us.

I know the thread is long, but I think that kind of casually scrolling through it from start to finish (when there's extra time) can be a lot of fun. There are many wonderful photos scattered throughout the pages (not listed in the Table of Contents)!

I think you're probably right in that, most likely (we won't know for sure until probably November), there will be CM parties on Monday, 12/10 and Tuesday, 12/11. It's really okay, though. If you only had one or two days at the parks, then having to leave Disneyland at 6 p.m. might be a problem because you'd miss really being able to walk around and fully absorb the nighttime holiday atmosphere, with all the twinkling lights, etc. But since you will have 6 or 7 days there, it won't be a problem at all.

I was at DLR on Cast Member party nights in 2010 and, while it would have been nice if Disneyland were open past 6 p.m., it was fine. I just went and did other things in DTD and at the Grand Californian Hotel.

We usually go during Spring break. Will the crowds be about the same when we go 11-17 to 11-20? We are going for our DS10 birthday, and I just realized the Christmas decor would be out. Now I'm worried about the crowds. Also, I realize any answers will be just speculation, but I will appreciate any I get. Thanks!

mouseymommy -

Hello and welcome!

Let's see - I have not been to Disneyland for a Spring Break trip in years and years, so I cannot personally compare that period of time to the period of time you are going in November. I know I have read and heard that the Spring Break crowds nowadays are horrible.

Here are the things to kind of keep in mind for the 11/17 to 11/20 time frame:

1. It's the weekend (and weekdays) immediately before Thanksgiving. People have said that the days leading up to Thanksgiving are very crowded.

2. It's a weekend in general - weekends during the holiday season are always busy.

3. It's most likely going to be the first full weekend of official holiday season entertainment (assuming that the season begins on 11/12 or 11/16), and the novelty of that will attract people who want to come out and look for any new decorations or new merchandise, etc.



That said, those are just kind of things to keep in mind so you are not shocked if it turns out to be really crowded. Just plan accordingly, or make back-up plans, just in case. I don't think it will be Spring Break level crowds, but I can't say for sure. I think it will be better than Spring Break crowds, while still being crowded.


I think that, at the very least, the gorgeous Paradise Pier Hotel tree should be up by the 19th or 20th, so that's worth a look. I'm not sure how far along the other 2 hotels will be in their decoration process.

I think you'll have a great time!

 

[mouseymommy]

Thanks Sherry! You just relieved all the doubt I had about our trip. We have a pretty good system down for the crowds, and we won't have the stroller, so we should be ok. Thanks!

 

[focusondisney]

Disneyland probably won't close early for Candlelight Processional - at least, this has not happened anytime in recent years. It will close early on Cast Member party nights or for any other private party. But on CP weekend, the park stays open.

I will be curious to find out if Monday, December 3rd, is delightfully uncrowded. I was so pleased with that post-CP Monday last year! (Of course, the fact that it was an extremely windy day may have kept a few folks away too!)

See what happens when I've got plans going for 2 different trips at the same time? The brain gets scrambled. Of course I got CP confused with CM parties! Thanks!

I will be sure to report back after our trip on the crowds. Hope we have the same luck as you did.

 

[TashaJilek]

I did WDW for Christmas 2011 for my first time and it was beautiful and crazy busy at the same time!!!


I am going to DL from the 24th-1st along with visiting other things in SoCal. I am really excited and i also know what to expect for crowds. Disneyland sure seems to be really festive and i cant wait to see DCA during the holidays with all the wonderful changes!


I really hope that DCA can get something spectacular for XMAS like the osbourne lights over at the studios in Orlando!

 

[Beee]

this is an awesome thread thanks! I have loved seeing everyone's photos and every photo gets me more and more excited about our first trip to Disneyland in December (first trip to the USA as well!) We're in Hawaii for an extended family Christmas holiday from the 18th-24th Dec and thought we should absolutely take advantage of being so close and head to LA/Disneyland beforehand - I am so jealous of $390 return flights to LA! When we're paying $NZ8091 for flights
So my current plan is that the flight arrives in at mid morning on the 11th Dec, I'm guessing getting through immigration will take awhile and I have no clue how long it takes to get from LAX to anaheim!? so that first day we'll check into DLH, DP wants to go to a particular shop in Anaheim so we'll do that, buy snacks and drinks for the week somewhere (DD12 is always hungry!)and head back to settle into the room, maybe check out downtown disney, early dinner and early night - guessing I will be pretty tired after a nearly 13hr flight! Then up bright and early for 3 full days at the parks, 4th day will maybe be a half day at the parks - I assume being a saturday it will be much busier than during the week and DP is not the greatest in crowds so I don't want to push our luck! Then head to our yet to be determined LA accommodation for 2 full days doing the other touristy things, no idea what that'll be yet apart from the usual walk of fame etc. Then fly out the morning of the 18th for almost a week of relaxing (and probably quite a bit of shopping!) before heading home on the 24th. DD and I love Christmas so we are both a bit bummed that we will completely miss Christmas Day this year thanks to the timezones while flying home but I have a feeling we will well and truly get our Christmas fix at Disney!

 

[MyMuse]

Is that $1100 for 2 people? That's what I was expecting to pay for 2 of us. Please tell me it's not per person?! Last we were in DL was about 6 years ago...I paid $200 round trip each. Ah, the good old days!

Nope, one person. I have no idea why it's so crazy nuts, but airfare is always super high from Newark to LA (whether its LAX or SNA). It never seems to go down.