Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #5

[Sherry E]

I should reiterate -- last year RaverDay, a pharmacist convention in Anaheim and Candlelight all took place on the same weekend, creating a perfect storm of crowds in the parks. By most accounts, the parks were busier than people had seen them on that weekend in the past.

This year -- Raver Day is not happening on Candlelight weekend. And the pharmacist convention is heading to another state.

Woohoo! That means Candlelight weekend should return to the normal crowds that it usually involves (unless something else pops up)!

 

[pittypat]

I was at DL last year during the week in question and I can confirm...it was PACKED. We've gone the same week in December for the last several years so we were pretty surprised by the crowds. We're headed that way again this year and it sounds like it will be back to what we're used to. Yay!!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

what week are you talking about? How bad was it? Was it only on the weekend that it was super packed? I chose my time so that it would be less crowded I know the weekend will be but I didn't think the week days would be.

 

[Sherry E]

what week are you talking about? How bad was it? Was it only on the weekend that it was super packed? I chose my time so that it would be less crowded I know the weekend will be but I didn't think the week days would be.

It was Candlelight weekend last year (which was 12/6 an 12/7), and probably the immediate weekdays surrounding it. There were a lot of things going on at the same time, which contributed to the crowds. But as I mentioned above, those same things are not happening on Candlelight weekend this year. Raver Day weekend is 12/12 and 12/13 this year.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

is the candlelight, fri and sat or sat and sun nights?
We are taking a day off on Fri before hitting tow weekend days with early days and late nights. wed and thur we are hoping it is light enough for our family and we are planing on not being in dl for one of the candlelight nights but being at woc.

Can you tell me if the crowds the week after candlelight is any better? Or is it just gonna be busy any time in dec and the first week is still best bet out of all dec?

 

[peanutmomma]

We hadn't planned on going into the parks on the weekend and just hanging out at the resort pool. But if the entertainment calendar stays true to previous years, we'll tack on a day to our tickets in order to come into the parks to play at DCA then hop over for dinner and Fantasmic.

Our last DLR trip was in 2012 and the boy was 5. Getting him to sit still for anything that wasn't Lightning McQueen related was difficult back then!

 

[Sherry E]

is the candlelight, fri and sat or sat and sun nights?
We are taking a day off on Fri before hitting tow weekend days with early days and late nights. wed and thur we are hoping it is light enough for our family and we are planing on not being in dl for one of the candlelight nights but being at woc.

Can you tell me if the crowds the week after candlelight is any better? Or is it just gonna be busy any time in dec and the first week is still best bet out of all dec?

Candlelight should be on Saturday, 12/5 and Sunday, 12/6 this year, unless there are any surprises in store. That would be the traditional weekend for it.

I think that early December (especially right after Thanksgiving) is a good time to go, because a lot of people have gone back to work and school after Thanksgiving and it is still too early for a Christmas break. So, there should be somewhat of a drop off in crowds right after Thanksgiving weekend. Then the crowds will pick up a bit again for Candlelight weekend (but not like they were last year). And then, after Candlelight -- unless there is some unknown event happening that is yet to be announced -- there should be a little bit of a drop in crowds again. The parks won't be empty, but there should be fewer people -- at least, that's what I've noticed after Candlelight ended.

Then, 12/12 and 12/13 will be Raver Day -- whatever that entails -- so I would expect more people in the parks than usual that weekend, but probably not insane, packed house crowds.

Once you get past the middle of December, the crowds start increasing a bit at a time as people begin getting out for Christmas break, and then reaching the boiling point right after Christmas and up until the New Year.

I think you'll be fine, whenever you choose to go.

 

[mom2rtk]

I haven't read everything in this thread since we're swapping to Halloween this year. But one of the reasons that weekend was so busy last year was a huge hospital pharmacy convention that was getting under way. Our shuttle from the airport was packed with participants. One claimed there were 20K people attending. I do know PPH was booked solid (well, for the standard room I wanted anyway) from very early on.

We went into DCA that night and had dinner at CCR and saw WOC after. It never struck me as crazy busy. We spent most of Sunday at DCA, then hopped over to DL Sunday afternoon to see the parade. It was really very busy that day as you might expect, but we did a few FPs then had reservations for the dessert party at Fantasmic.

The year before we did our Holiday Tour on one of those really busy Candlelight weekend days. I have found that having reserved things on that weekend helps. The next week was very pleasant.

 

[NancyIL]

December 12th will be my last day at DLR, so now I know to spend it at California Adventure!

 

[Sherry E]

I haven't read everything in this thread since we're swapping to Halloween this year. But one of the reasons that weekend was so busy last year was a huge hospital pharmacy convention that was getting under way. Our shuttle from the airport was packed with participants. One claimed there were 20K people attending. I do know PPH was booked solid (well, for the standard room I wanted anyway) from very early on.

We went into DCA that night and had dinner at CCR and saw WOC after. It never struck me as crazy busy. We spent most of Sunday at DCA, then hopped over to DL Sunday afternoon to see the parade. It was really very busy that day as you might expect, but we did a few FPs then had reservations for the dessert party at Fantasmic.

The year before we did our Holiday Tour on one of those really busy Candlelight weekend days. I have found that having reserved things on that weekend helps. The next week was very pleasant.

I mentioned the perfect storm that was the convention, Raver Day and Candlelight converging in DLR at the same time! Luckily the convention is not happening in Anaheim this year, and Raver Day is happening the following weekend instead of on Candlelight weekend, so Candlelight crowds and the hotel situation should hopefully go back to the usual scenario.

 

[mom2rtk]

I mentioned the perfect storm that was the convention, Raver Day and Candlelight converging in DLR at the same time! Luckily the convention is not happening in Anaheim this year, and Raver Day is happening the following weekend instead of on Candlelight weekend, so Candlelight crowds and the hotel situation should hopefully go back to the usual scenario.

And you forgot the biggest event of all..... I was there. So don't go the last week of October this year (since that's the one we're targeting). I'm sure some sort of new storm will develop then!

 

[NancyIL]

So what is it? Just curious!

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rave

From the group's Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/events/1407419249587372/:

Start saving for magical winter memories!! We're doing 2 days this year at the Happiest place on earth.. Disneyland !!
December 12th & 13th 2015

Q&A'S Below
vvvv

Question: When is Winter Raverday?

A: It is our pleasure to introduce Winter Raverday at Disneyland December 12th & 13th 2015!

Question: What is Winter Raverday at Disneyland?

A: A magical gathering that happens 2 times a year. Summer and Winter Season. Its purpose is to unite those within the rave/edm community together to share stories, trade kandi, and make new friends. We encourage old & new school ravers of all ages to unite and make new beginnings.

Questions: Why is Winter Raverday at Disneyland 2-Days?

A: Going 13 years strong and with the success of Raverday this past summer, we want to make this magical event double the fun for 2-Days!
Also, we've taken into serious consideration there are a number of Ravers that have Annual Passes who will now have the opportunity to use their passes. All passes are valid with the exception of SoCal select that is blocked out. Block-out dates are subject to change, but we will do our best to keep everyone updated.

Q: Do I have to buy a multi-day Disneyland pass to attend Winter Raverday?

A: Single-Day, Multi-Day, and Annual Pass tickets are available, but optional. We encourage you to attend one of the days, but we understand Ravers schedules & the holidays may conflict attending both days. This can be a great gift opportunity for those looking for ideas!

Q: Anything going on at Disney California Adventure (DCA)?

A: Traditionally, Raverday has been held at Disneyland. However, we are not restricting Ravers exploring the other theme park. A Park Hopper ticket or Annual Pass is required if you chose to visit both Disneyland & DCA. Note this is optional and not required.

 

[Sherry E]

And you forgot the biggest event of all..... I was there. So don't go the last week of October this year (since that's the one we're targeting). I'm sure some sort of new storm will develop then!

 

[Sherry E]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rave

From the group's Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/events/1407419249587372/:

I edited your post to include the link to their page (which I had actually posted in response to sgrap on the previous page of this thread, so I had it handy!) and to put their text in quotes. Whenever we copy text directly from a page, we should just post a portion of it (not the whole thing), put it in quotes and add the link. Someone actually contacted us behind the scenes once, because someone thought it was okay to copy and paste the entire text from the person's article or blog, without including a link or quotes or anything. So we have to be careful. :

 

[NancyIL]

I edited your post to include the link to their page (which I had actually posted in response to sgrap on the previous page of this thread, so I had it handy!) and to put their text in quotes. Whenever we copy text directly from a page, we should just post a portion of it (not the whole thing), put it in quotes and add the link. Someone actually contacted us behind the scenes once, because someone thought it was okay to copy and paste the entire text from the person's article or blog, without including a link or quotes or anything. So we have to be careful. :

Thanks, Sherry. I almost put the Facebook text in quotes, but didn't because you did post the link.

 

[Sherry E]

Here is another link as well - https://www.facebook.com/MITM02?fref=ts

 

[NancyIL]

Here is another link as well - https://www.facebook.com/MITM02?fref=ts

Some groups, like the Ravers, make Disney internet fans look pretty tame!

 

[Sherry E]

Some groups, like the Ravers, make Disney internet fans look pretty tame!

What's funny is that, based on their choice of dates for the winter event this year and last year, it almost looks like they are trying to avoid Candlelight weekend. Last year, I think that their event was supposed to have unofficially begun on a Friday night (it would have been 12/5, I guess?), with the main event on Saturday, 12/6. I don't think that Sunday, 12/7 was announced as being part of the event at all, but presumably a lot of the attendees stayed throughout the entire weekend -- especially if they traveled quite a distance. I believe that someone on this forum said that the Disney hotel people told them last year that some of the Raver Day folks were staying onsite too (along with the pharmacists), which accounted for the booked up rooms. Maybe they thought they would avoid some of the Candlelight crowds if they got going on the Friday night before Candlelight began?

And this year, of course, their event is taking place a full weekend after when Candlelight is expected to happen. It seems that maybe the massive crowds last year made an impression? So what will end up happening is that Candlelight weekend will be less crowded this year than it was last year, and the weekend after Candlelight weekend will be more crowded than it was last year, more than likely. All of the crowds are trying to avoid the other crowds!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

lol well we are staying out nov 30 or dec 1- 7th so we know we have two days with the candlelight but we will try and do plans for those days. sat will be our EE day so there is that. Maybe that night we make our woc night. Or parade fireworks night? If a mass of ppl are up front maybe down by the castle and small world could be lighter crowds lol.

I do know one year we did happen to be there for the candlelight and it was so busy upfront we were trying to find a cd or dvd and we couldn't get through the street to get to the store. I was very irritable this day and it didn't help. It was also over 4 years ago before I was doing much better and before i stopped some meds that messed with my moods bad. *smiles* i'm very happy now a days and even when things go wrong I am not near a time bomb as I had been so I don't think the candlelight this year will bother me to much. If i plan for it.

 

[OHBelle]

What's funny is that, based on their choice of dates for the winter event this year and last year, it almost looks like they are trying to avoid Candlelight weekend. Last year, I think that their event was supposed to have unofficially begun on a Friday night (it would have been 12/5, I guess?), with the main event on Saturday, 12/6. I don't think that Sunday, 12/7 was announced as being part of the event at all, but presumably a lot of the attendees stayed throughout the entire weekend -- especially if they traveled quite a distance. I believe that someone on this forum said that the Disney hotel people told them last year that some of the Raver Day folks were staying onsite too (along with the pharmacists), which accounted for the booked up rooms. Maybe they thought they would avoid some of the Candlelight crowds if they got going on the Friday night before Candlelight began?

And this year, of course, their event is taking place a full weekend after when Candlelight is expected to happen. It seems that maybe the massive crowds last year made an impression? So what will end up happening is that Candlelight weekend will be less crowded this year than it was last year, and the weekend after Candlelight weekend will be more crowded than it was last year, more than likely. All of the crowds are trying to avoid the other crowds!

I was at DLR that weekend last year. It was a bit crowded, especially on Saturday, but it wouldn't deter me from going the same weekend again. I am scheduled to go the same weekend this year (Dec 2-6). Now hearing that the pharmacists and the ravers will both not be there, I think it will be even better.