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

[oilrok]

Hi All

I am a long time lurker first time poster.

Just wondering how people think the crowd levels will be in the week after New Years?

As crazy as in between Christmas and New Years?

This is our 2nd time going......last time at the last minute we were not able to take our youngest (would have been two at the time) with us as his passport was lost/stolen.

The kids will be 4 and six when we go and we haven't told them yet.

Thanks in advance for everyones input on crowd levels.

 

[Sherry E]

Hi All

I am a long time lurker first time poster.

Just wondering how people think the crowd levels will be in the week after New Years?

As crazy as in between Christmas and New Years?

This is our 2nd time going......last time at the last minute we were not able to take our youngest (would have been two at the time) with us as his passport was lost/stolen.

The kids will be 4 and six when we go and we haven't told them yet.

Thanks in advance for everyones input on crowd levels.

welcome, oilrok!!

I'm so glad to see some new people joining us here on the DIS and on this thread! I figured there had to be some lurkers out there would eventually chime in.

Will this be your second time going to Disneyland in general, or the second time going for the holiday season?

About crowds in that post-New Year's week...I'd be curious to hear other folks' thoughts about this too (please, everyone, feel free to speak up!).

This is a very interesting question you raised - because, to be honest, I don't think there has been a time in recent history when the holiday season at DLR has "officially" extended as far into January as it will in 2012. What usually happens is that It's a Small World Holiday quietly remains open past the time that the season officially ends. This past holiday season, the final official day was 1/2/11, but IASWH stayed open until mid-to-late January. (Disney doesn't want IASWH and Haunted Mansion Holiday closed at the same time for overlay removal.)

Now we are looking at a January 8, 2012 official season ending date, which is very surprising to me. So my personal guess would be that the parks will be a bit more crowded than they usually would be in that post-New Year's week, just because it will still be the official holiday season and that will draw some extra folks.

BUT, at the same time, I have to believe that a huge number of people will have returned to work and school after, maybe, January 2. There's no way it could possibly be anywhere near as crowded as it is between Christmas and New Year's, at least not in my estimation. That week between Christmas and New Year's is so packed because so many people are off of work and school at the same time.

In fact, I would bet that many people will not realize the season extends that far into January in 2012. But there will be some who do realize it and that may increase crowds a bit - I don't think it will be too bad, though.

 

[irisheyes123]

Welcome aboard!! I'm so glad you have joined us - and all the way from Ireland, no less! Wow! One of these years I will eventually get to Ireland - I must delve into my heritage! Ireland, Italy and Greece are on my European must-do/bucket list before I die!

I am so excited for you that not only will you be making your first trip to DL, but during the Christmas season! It is absolutely magical and enchanting at that time of year. That can't be said often enough. The sights and sounds are just amazing to behold. You will love it!

Thank you for taking the time to look through the information and photos in this thread! Stay tuned for updates as they come in - our DIS'ers (like jernysgirl and others) are great about sharing breaking news as soon as it's available, and I will post anything pertaining to this year's season on the first page (in either Post #1 or Post #3).

Thank you for the welcome I hope you get to visit one day Ireland and Europe are wonderful places to visit lots to see and do .

I will for sure be keeping up with this tread as it will keep the excitement up for me lol and will keep an eye on post #1 and #3 also . Im sure I will love it too as I love everything about christmas .

 

[oilrok]

welcome, oilrok!!

I'm so glad to see some new people joining us here on the DIS and on this thread! I figured there had to be some lurkers out there would eventually chime in.

Will this be your second time going to Disneyland in general, or the second time going for the holiday season?

About crowds in that post-New Year's week...I'd be curious to hear other folks' thoughts about this too (please, everyone, feel free to speak up!).

This is a very interesting question you raised - because, to be honest, I don't think there has been a time in recent history when the holiday season at DLR has "officially" extended as far into January as it will in 2012. What usually happens is that It's a Small World Holiday quietly remains open past the time that the season officially ends. This past holiday season, the final official day was 1/2/11, but IASWH stayed open until mid-to-late January. (Disney doesn't want IASWH and Haunted Mansion Holiday closed at the same time for overlay removal.)

Now we are looking at a January 8, 2012 official season ending date, which is very surprising to me. So my personal guess would be that the parks will be a bit more crowded than they usually would be in that post-New Year's week, just because it will still be the official holiday season and that will draw some extra folks.

BUT, at the same time, I have to believe that a huge number of people will have returned to work and school after, maybe, January 2. There's no way it could possibly be anywhere near as crowded as it is between Christmas and New Year's, at least not in my estimation. That week between Christmas and New Year's is so packed because so many people are off of work and school at the same time.

In fact, I would bet that many people will not realize the season extends that far into January in 2012. But there will be some who do realize it and that may increase crowds a bit - I don't think it will be too bad, though.

Thanks for the welcome.

No we have never been to DL for the Christmas season.....we are so excited to see it.

I am in the process of coming up with a good treasure hunt to let the kids know we are going.

SO EXCITED

 

[pattyduke34]

Time is getting closer...I love reading about everything and seeing all the pictures! Sherry that seems like a great idea for the lot of us to have a quick get together for those of us going around the same time..me Nov 28th thru Dec 4th...

 

[tractorchick]

So do the Christmas fireworks run on all of the weekdays during the holiday season or still only on the weekends? I saw that last year the park closed most weekdays at 9:00 so wouldn't that mean no fireworks?? Just trying to plan accordingly! We just have to see the fireworks!!

 

[Jillchristina]

Jill -

Wow - you're going to be at DLR at a time when it seems like a lot of us are going to be there this year! I am noticing how many people from this board are going to be in the parks in that post-Thanksgiving time frame! We should all arrange a quick meet-up by the GCH lobby tree or something!

That sounds like fun! I'm always up for meeting new people, especially people who Disneyland.

Jill

 

[mvf-m11c]

So do the Christmas fireworks run on all of the weekdays during the holiday season or still only on the weekends? I saw that last year the park closed most weekdays at 9:00 so wouldn't that mean no fireworks?? Just trying to plan accordingly! We just have to see the fireworks!!

"Believe...In Holiday Magic" fireworks do run all the time during the Holiday season at night including the short hour days at DL. Mostly on the short days, they show the fireworks 30 minutes until the park closing time. The only time that it will not be performing is due to high winds & lightning.

 

[rentayenta]

(Although 105 days still sounds kind of long...)

Summer is flying by! It will be here before you know it.

 

[areweindisneyyet]

areweindisneyyet -

I was waiting to see if anyone else replied to your question about the mall hours. I don't know the exact hours, but I know the malls in SoCal (at least the ones right around where I live) extend their hours for the holiday season, especially between Thanksgiving and Christmas and right before Christmas (to accommodate the last minute shoppers!). Some of them open earlier than normal and stay open later than normal. Others only stay open later. I would think that most major malls would be open at least by 9 a.m., if not 8 a.m.


.

Thanks Sherry

I thought so, I am leaving almost all of my Christmas shopping until we get to the States so am I trying to work out the best times to slip away and shop and make the most of our time at DL. So many things to do, World of Colour is new since we were last at the parks, haven't made it to Fantasmic and of course I will have to do the Holiday Tour.

DD2 promises that if we visit the Reindeer Roundup this time she will wait to see Santa - last time we stood in line for 20 minutes and with Santa in sight decided it was time to ride Big Thunder Mountain again. Bless her cotton socks.


Mia

 

[areweindisneyyet]

Bump

Can someone remind me of the special Christmas fudge flavors?

Making a list to eat them all twice....

 

[I❤MICKEY]

I think I may have Disney fever! We were at DL for the 1st time in June. I've always wanted to see the parks decorated for Christmas. Now that we moved to Utah DL is only a car ride away. So I am very tempted and just trying to figure out if we can swing it.

I am debating December 30 - January 3. I've read through the posts and know the decorations will be up at this time. I have a few questions:
- Is there anything that we will be missing not being there before Christmas?
- I've seen some pictures w/ Santa. Will he still be there even after the holiday?
- Are there typically any refurbs during this time?
- Is there generally anything special on New Year's Eve?
- The Rose Bowl parade is on New Years Day -- does that impact the park?
- When they say the park will be busy what does that really mean - What can we expect for wait times? We were there the week of Memorial Day - would it be comparable as far as crowds?
- I read in a post that some days the park reaches capacity - does that mean they no longer let people enter the park?
- How does DL compare to WDW for the holidays?

Any insight anyone is willing to share about this time period is appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Sherry E]

I was going to reply to a couple of other posts, but I wanted to catch these two below before too much time has passed, because I don't think anyone else has replied.

Bump

Can someone remind me of the special Christmas fudge flavors?

Making a list to eat them all twice....

Mia -

As far as I know, it's just pumpkin and peppermint fudge. The pumpkin fudge comes out for Halloween Time and stays out for the holiday season. I don't think there are any other special holiday fudge flavors, though I may not have paid close enough attention.

But there are all kinds of other treats, of course - the demitasse dessert in the Santa Mickey mug, the the gingerbread beignets, the peppermint ice cream, the pumpkin pie, the various shortbread cookies, the peppermint mochas, cupcakes, muffins, etc.

I think I may have Disney fever! We were at DL for the 1st time in June. I've always wanted to see the parks decorated for Christmas. Now that we moved to Utah DL is only a car ride away. So I am very tempted and just trying to figure out if we can swing it.

I am debating December 30 - January 3. I've read through the posts and know the decorations will be up at this time. I have a few questions:
- Is there anything that we will be missing not being there before Christmas?
- I've seen some pictures w/ Santa. Will he still be there even after the holiday?
- Are there typically any refurbs during this time?
- Is there generally anything special on New Year's Eve?
- The Rose Bowl parade is on New Years Day -- does that impact the park?
- When they say the park will be busy what does that really mean - What can we expect for wait times? We were there the week of Memorial Day - would it be comparable as far as crowds?
- I read in a post that some days the park reaches capacity - does that mean they no longer let people enter the park?
- How does DL compare to WDW for the holidays?

Any insight anyone is willing to share about this time period is appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

I❤MICKEY -

Sorry it took so long for me to reply. I was hoping someone else would jump in an answer! Sometimes we have several people ready to chime in with information, and other times everyone disappears!

I'm so glad you have joined us here and are considering a holiday visit to DLR on December 30. You have a lot to look forward to!

Okay, to your questions -

1. The only things I can think of that you will miss by going on December 30th are most of the Santas (probably 4 out of 5 of them will be gone) and the strolling carolers in the parks and at the hotels. Sometimes the Dickens carolers stick around for a couple of days past Christmas, but they leave as soon as Christmas passes.

2. As far as Santa, he may still be at the Reindeer Round-Up in Disneyland on the 30th. There have been mixed reports. Some say he is gone completely after Christmas, while others say he is still at the Round-Up in his 'regular' clothes (no red suit). But he will be gone from all 3 hotels and probably from California Adventure as well. Otherwise, I think everything else will still be happening on December 30 - January 3.

3. No. There shouldn't be any major refurbs happening during your time frame - mainly because the period of time between December 25 and January 1st is one of the most popular/busiest times of the year, and it's too inconvenient to close down rides at this time. Plus, the holiday season is officially lasting through January 8 this time around, so I don't anticipate that anything will close until after that.

4. As for New Year's Eve - there is a countdown on Main Street and also back by IASW, if I recall. There were hats and noisemakers handed out. I have not been there for New Year's Eve and Day in 10 years. This is where fellow DIS'er Belle Ella (Jessica) should weigh in, as she was just at DLR for New Year's Eve/Day this past season! Jessica, where arrrreeeee yoooouuuuu?

5. The Rose Parade is not happening on New Year's Day in 2012. There is a 'rule' that whenever New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the Rose Parade will instead happen the next day. So this time, the Rose Parade will happen on January 2nd (Monday). I don't know if it dramatically affects crowd levels, but I'm sure it affects them somewhat, as many out of state people come to SoCal to see the Rose Bowl and the Parade, and then venture over to Disneyland during their trips.

6. As for "busy" and what it means in terms of crowds, well, again, I have not done a New Year's Eve/Day visit to DLR in 10 years. At the time I did, it was very, very crowded - like mobs of people on Main Street and they were not moving. It was scary and claustrophobic. But, at that time, California Adventure was not an option, nor was Downtown Disney or the Grand Californian or the Paradise Pier. I suspect that much has changed in the last decade in terms of how the crowds shift around - they simply have more places to go now, and so maybe Main Street is not as scary and packed on NYE anymore? Also, I think people perceive crowds differently - what some folks think is horrific may be what others see as "not that bad." That week between Christmas and New Year's is notoriously packed, often reaching capacity, but many people have said that they went during that time and found it "not that bad."

7. When the park (either park) reaches capacity, it means they stop letting people into that park for a while (several hours at least), and they stop selling tickets. They may still let AP holders in - possibly. Eventually, when people leave the park in question, then they start letting other people in. Usually, only one park reaches capacity...Disneyland. This past post-Christmas/pre-New Year's time frame broke records because both DL and DCA reached capacity at certain points - and quite early in the day, too!

8. I have never been to WDW (if I ever go, it will definitely be for the holiday season). DLR doesn't have quite the magnitude of festivities as WDW (no elaborate edible displays in the hotels and no Osborne Lights), but it's certainly great! Did you look at Page 1 (posts #1, #2 and #3) of this thread? That will give you an idea of what to expect at DLR that may or may not be at WDW.




We have several DIS'ers on this thread who have been to both DLR and WDW for the holiday season and I wish they would speak up! (Hint hint hint Bret, Marie and TK, among others!!!)

 

[tksbaskets]

WDW vs DL at the Christmas Holidays. I think WDW 'wins' for overall volume of decorations. As Sherry said they are decked out in ALL the halls for the holidays.

I find both resorts equally busy (as we've been many times to WDW at Christmas and this trip will make our second time at DL at Christmas)

I do think DL 'wins' for unique experiences at the holidays. Homemade candy canes, Haunted Mansion Holidays, It's a Small World Holiday. WDW has NONE of those. WDW does have a grand scale Candle Light Processional.

We've been at both parks for NYE festivities. For our family there are plenty of activities but we are usually back at our hotel before the 'ball drops' as the sheer volume of people overwhelms our desire to watch fire works.

If you want to compare you could look at a couple of my trip reports.

We are going to be in DL from 12/31 to 1/8 this year

 

[UTMOMOF6]

If you had a choice to go to DL either the first week of December or the first week of January which would you do and why. Which one do you think would be "less" busy? I know it's probably been asked a million times but I would love to have my 6 kids (and me) experience the magic of Christmas without as much crowding. It's hard enough to keep track of them as it is without fighting millions of people.

 

[Sherry E]

TK -

Thanks so much for jumping in to answer some of I❤MICKEY's questions - sometimes there are specific questions that come in that you, Bret or others are much better equipped to handle than I am and we desperately need your expertise!

If you had a choice to go to DL either the first week of December or the first week of January which would you do and why. Which one do you think would be "less" busy? I know it's probably been asked a million times but I would love to have my 6 kids (and me) experience the magic of Christmas without as much crowding. It's hard enough to keep track of them as it is without fighting millions of people.

UTMOMOF6 -

Hi there! Don't worry about asking a question that's been asked before - that's the nature of discussion boards. The same questions come up a lot, on all topics, but we try to tackle them as much as we can!

I am hoping that others will give their 2 cents as well, but I will chime in for now.

Personally, I would go with the first week in December, and here is why:

Not only is that first week of December said to be one of the lowest crowd points of the holiday season (even the Cast Members will acknowledge this) because it's in between the Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks, but you will get the full holiday experience if you go during this time instead of the first week of January. This means you will get Santa in 5 places around the whole Resort (including the 3 hotels), you will get carolers strolling around, you will get the full array of holiday souvenirs and trinkets (whereas, by January, many of that stuff has sold out) - just the whole experience.

Now you may wonder why it makes a difference to meet Santa at, say, the Grand Californian Hotel as opposed to anywhere else. Well, this is the only hotel Santa (of the 3 Disney hotels) that has a PhotoPass person with him. The GCH has a gorgeous tree, and a lovely atmosphere in its lobby during the holiday season - it's nice to just sit in the comfy chairs or by the fireplace, sipping a beverage, and listen to the carolers or the guitarist or the pianist, and then meet Santa. Plus, the Disneyland Hotel has some whimsical decorations on its property here and there.

After the New Year, I'm honestly not sure if the 3 hotels will still be decorated - it may only be Disneyland itself that stays decorated and full of holiday entertainment until January 8, and some of it may be removed right after New Year's. I have a strong feeling that the hotels may remove their decor as soon as New Year's passes, and that will reduce your holiday options. We've never had such a late ending date to a holiday season before so it's kind of a question mark as to how much stuff will still be holiday-ized by the first week of January. I'm just not sure.

But if you go in that first week of December, you will get the full, complete Christmas time experience on all levels, and at a lower crowd point for the season.

So I vote for December!!

 

[mvf-m11c]

I will also debate on DL vs WDW during the Holiday season that Sherry & TK have mentioned. WDW by far have much more Holiday decorations and events than the DLR. The one thing that caught my eye at WDW during the Holiday season was "The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights", that was so amazing to see all of those Christmas lights and decorations down the Streets of America. The CP at WDW EPCOT is amazing with so many days offered and the different narrators for each of these CP.

But DL is way more unique just like TK said because of HMH, IASWH, homemade candy canes, SLCB with some Holiday decorations, Santa's Reindeer Round-Up, and SB castle is way more decorated than Cinderella's castle. Even though WDW has more decorations than at DL, but you can't beat the fact that DL has rides that are decorated during the Holiday season and also the Halloween season with SMGG.

The good thing about the Holiday season at DL over WDW MK is that DL Holiday season offers "Believe...In Holiday Magic fireworks" & "A Christmas Fantasy" parade as part of the regular admission (park tickets and AP). While the MK "Holiday Wishes" fireworks, Mickey's Once Upon A Christmastime Parade, & "Celebrate the Season" show are part of a separate admission where you have to buy an exclusive event ticket to see those nighttime shows. Which of course the Holiday event at the MK is called Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP). It is so nice to have the Holiday shows as part of the regular admission to DL than at WDW where you have to buy another ticket to see. I am not being disrespect to the WDW people who love MVMCP, I do love MVMCP when I went last year, but it would be better if it was like DL during the Holiday season. We might see a exclusive party at DL after the successful MHP last year.

No matter what WDW has with decorations and events, the DLR will always be my favorite place to go during the Holiday season.

 

[deesquared]

Sherry, I see from your TRs that you've seen Santa at the GCH. Is there a way to find out what times he will be there? I thought that might be a nice way to start our trip on the evening we arrive. (Sunday Dec 4th)
Thanks!

 

[Sherry E]

Sherry, I see from your TRs that you've seen Santa at the GCH. Is there a way to find out what times he will be there? I thought that might be a nice way to start our trip on the evening we arrive. (Sunday Dec 4th)
Thanks!

Hi, Dianna!

That's a great question! And, in fact, the Santa schedule is something I have specifically asked about in the past and kept an eye on. (Yes, I stalk the GCH Santa, so sue me!) In fact, I think that the PhotoPass photo I took with Santa at GCH in 2008 was also on the night my friend and I first arrived, just like you plan to do! It is a very nice way to kick off your trip and get in the holiday spirit, indeed! Well, actually Santa, the carolers, the piano player, the guitarist and the whole lobby atmosphere is a really nice way to kick off the trip, if you can spend a little time there!

Here's what I know about Santa at the GCH (and this is a particularly nice PhotoPass spot by the tree):

The DLR Guest Communications people told me that they get a schedule of sorts for Santa and the carolers, but it's not anything that appears on the main DLR entertainment schedule. Instead, it's like a secondary, 'minor' entertainment schedule with approximate times. So at some point closer to December, someone in the Guest Communications office will know exactly when to catch any of the entertainment at the GCH.

If the Guest Communications people are clueless, then the actual GCH staff will know. By the time you arrive at DLR on 12/4, Santa and the carolers and other entertainment will have been around the GCH since the day after Thanksgiving. So the GCH staff will know by 12/4 when you might expect to run into Santa, etc. in the lobby. You can either call DLR a couple of days before hand and they will put you on hold while they contact the GCH desk and get the schedule, OR you can ask the GCH front desk staff yourself when you arrive at DLR, although, depending on when you arrive, you may miss Santa.

If all else fails, from what I have personally observed, Santa seems to be at the GCH in the early evening. I think that 5 p.m. might be too early, but I can't be sure. I am trying to recall what time it was when I saw him last December, as opposed to when I saw him in 2008. Last year I think it was Monday night, early evening, after I left Disneyland when it closed for the Cast Member parties. I am thinking I saw him somewhere in the 6 p.m. hour, closer to 7 p.m.

I think Santa sits for 45-minute intervals, from what I recall. Then he takes a break (not sure how long the break is). His 'shift' at the GCH covers a 2-hour time span, but he will be taking breaks in there somewhere.

So I would say that you are probably guaranteed to see Santa if you hang around the GCH lobby in the 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. hour, maybe up to 8 p.m. But it may differ from year to year, so you might want to check with DLR/the GCH about the schedule beforehand if it's important to you to catch him.

 

[Sherry E]

I just replied to Dianna, but I didn't want to forget to thank Bret for his excellent comments and comparisions on the WDW vs. DLR holiday season! Thank you very much for chiming in - your opinion and observations were very much needed! You, TK, Mariezp and a handful of others have experienced the season at both DLR and WDW, so that information is vital when someone who is a WDW holiday season veteran wants to know what to expect at DLR that may be different!