Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread #5

[tlcdoula]

As a person that likes to plan ahead, the slow release of information drives me crazy!

I am also a planner and waiting drives me a little crazy haha.

Flights are booked we arrive Dec 11th in the afternoon, first park day will be December 12th

 

[Kauinohea]

Omg.....I got an email with a Special offer pin 20% weekday and 10% weekend......I was soooo excited, unfortunately it was for September
I know, I know....ther aren't any pins offers, AP discounts or any other discounts for the week of Christmas and New Year, but I can still hope that I am the exception, right?

 

[chickapin parterre]

So while I love Holidaytime at DLR, I have never been in the month of December! Usually, I go in November between when Holidaytime starts and Thanksgiving week and it's always perfect. I'm going in September, but my mom who always comes, can't come with, so she's talking me into a December trip. If it was you (you being anyone who has experience with early December), when would you go for 4 days between 12/1-12/16? I'd like to avoid the processional and/or parade taping days, anything that would cause the attendance to go up. I usually like to group it with a weekend, two days before or after Saturday/Sunday. Thanks!

this is for others who are reading this thread......NICOLI>> is desiring to have a weekend visit....which many folks plan, so that is a factor in M/T or T/F crowds for the holiday weeks. Wednesdays, during the holidays are not crowded in the morning because of this type of planning strategy. If not wanting fantasmic, then having a Wednesday in the mix is always great!!!

 

[keahgirl8]

I am trying to plan a November trip, so I wish they would just announce something! Don't they know us Disney fans like to plan?

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Omg.....I got an email with a Special offer pin 20% weekday and 10% weekend......I was soooo excited, unfortunately it was for September
I know, I know....ther aren't any pins offers, AP discounts or any other discounts for the week of Christmas and New Year, but I can still hope that I am the exception, right?

I got the same email this morning....and just like you was let down by the dates. Oh well.

 

[nicolispicoli]

I think that, if you really want to avoid the Candlelight weekend (most probably, 12/5 and 12/6), your next weekend option would be the Raver Day weekend - https://www.facebook.com/events/1407419249587372/ -- and I don't know how substantially that event could affect crowds. It's kind of unknown to most people outside of the Rave community, I have to imagine, and I suspect that there are not thousands and thousands and thousands of Raver Day-specific attendees, so maybe it would not be too bad. Last year, the Candlelight weekend crowds were combined with the Raver Day crowds and pharmacists from a nearby convention. This year, there is no pharmacy convention and the Candlelight crowds and Raver Day crowds will arrive on separate weekends..

The days after Candlelight are pretty decent -- the crowds are not horrible, and sometimes even quite reasonable. You could do Candlelight weekend and then the Monday and Tuesday after it?

At this rate, we don't know if Disney will throw in any surprise events that cause the crowds to go up. So if your trip has to include a weekend, then you only have Candlelight weekend and Raver Day weekend to choose from. Otherwise, I would try to avoid those weekends and just try to go on the weekdays around them. I love early December, and the Candlelight weekend is busy, but it was not bad enough to scare me off. You could focus on DCA over the Candlelight weekend, and then head to DL when Candlelight is over.

Thanks SO much @Sherry E !! Like you mentioned, the only thing I could see besides Candlelight is Raver Day. While I know the crowds might not be horrible, I'd almost be willing to put up with the Candlelight crowd to avoid the Raver crowd. Nothing against them, just not interested in sharing my happy place with that biz

If I remember right, you've gone during Candlelight, correct? If so, how were the crowds? I'd definitely consider doing Friday through Tuesday that week, assuming Candlelight is that 12/5-12/6 weekend.

 

[Kiwiprincess]

Hi. I am from New Zealand and new on here. Myself, my friend and my friends 21 year old daughter are planning a trip to Anaheim December 18 to December 26. Our dates aren't changeable as we are going on a cruise December 26. I am going to have so much fun reading through this thread for all sorts of information but have a few questions.
1. What is paint the night?
2. Would love any suggestions of must dos or should dos.

Thanks in advance

 

[sgrap]

Hi. I am from New Zealand and new on here. Myself, my friend and my friends 21 year old daughter are planning a trip to Anaheim December 18 to December 26. Our dates aren't changeable as we are going on a cruise December 26. I am going to have so much fun reading through this thread for all sorts of information but have a few questions.
1. What is paint the night?
2. Would love any suggestions of must dos or should dos.

Thanks in advance

Paint the Night is the new night-time parade.
So many must do's! All of the shows, including Aladdin in California Adventure (DCA), all the major rides. One of my favorite places is the animation building in DCA, especially Turtle Talk with Crush and the Beast's Library. Have a blast!!

 

[chickapin parterre]

Monday candlelight will be more crowded than your expectations of a Monday. I chalk it up to folks waiting to fly out on tuesday. Tuesday rope drop was crazy, but that was also Candy Cane morning and i was surprised by the few folks who had been waiting for the wrist band. My problem with morning observations is that I never look behind me to the depth of the line at rope drop, though at Candy Cane i did watch the line up process and the rope drop was a ways back.

be prepared for heavy rain in December , the forecast calls for major weather problems on the west coast. And announced on national news today, a devastating earthquake is in the making...give or take 50 years.

 

[lorryx3]

So does anyone have any tips for handling Dec 27-29th?
Planning on rope dropping, with an EMH but is there any other way to beat the crowds?

 

[77catwoman]

Subscribing for information related to December 7-11 for a WDW vet's trip to DL. Can't wait to hear what will be happening with holiday stuff vs 60th anniversary celebration stuff.

 

[Kauinohea]

DisneyJamieCA - Love that there are others who "know" the excitement of a Disney Pin code, lol ....Maybe just maybe we will get another pin code for December!

 

[DreamtheImpossible]

How bad / busy will it be for the Candlelight? We really want to see the nighttime entertainment, but my MIL doesn't do well with heavy crowds. Trying to weigh between the 3-7th and the next weekend.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

wait the candlelight is sat sun not Friday sat? darn i had or day off Friday to try and miss one crazy day. Humm Ok so whats better wed, thu, fri (before the candlelight?) or Mon tue after the candlelight? What will have less crowded days?

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

be prepared for heavy rain in December , the forecast calls for major weather problems on the west coast. And announced on national news today, a devastating earthquake is in the making...give or take 50 years.

This may or may not happen. They predicted a big El Nino for last Dec that never showed up. As a Californian, I hope some of it right because we need the rain, but I also worry about how much damage that much rain will cause when we're so dry.

And the predicited earthquake is supposed to hit the Pacific Northwest.

In any case, I didn't want people to start panicking prematuraly.

 

[chickapin parterre]

There is currently a tropical Blob in the Pacific Ocean, a mni tropical ocean, ask anyone who lives in the tropics, what kind of rain they experience?

The earthquake, yes it was projected for the PNW, but released this week was a new study and a map of the damage and they used all west coast Pacific Ocean headlands as the border, Santa Barbara is the end of the headlands. And hearing Gayle King say "Interstate 5" was just odd. I was just giving international folks the advice that we should all follow when traveling anywhere, have a flashlight and transistor radio.....not that it matters, 500mph, nothing will be left anyhow.

sure, no one can panic prematurely , but you can always pack prematurely and have it available to pack for your California visit list in New Zealand, CHECK THE WEATHER!!!

 

[Kiwiprincess]

Coming from New Zealand we are very use to earthquakes. There isn't anything you can do about the big one hitting. Mother Nature will do what she will do. We are told we are way way overdue for a big earthquake to hit Wellington near where I live.

I realize the weather is very unpredictable and understand December isn't th ideal time to visit weather wise. Unfortunately it's that only time we can do it together. Thanks so much for the advice though, I really appreciate it.

 

[chickapin parterre]

all right then......I suggest you create a thread about the ECV questions.

 

[tiffjoy]

Coming from New Zealand we are very use to earthquakes. There isn't anything you can do about the big one hitting. Mother Nature will do what she will do. We are told we are way way overdue for a big earthquake to hit Wellington near where I live.

I realize the weather is very unpredictable and understand December isn't th ideal time to visit weather wise. Unfortunately it's that only time we can do it together. Thanks so much for the advice though, I really appreciate it.

I live in the Bay Area. Life doesn't stop because of the potential for an earthquake. There is always a chance for "the big one" regardless of whatever studies people are digging up funding for. Nature does what nature does and statistics can only go so far (I say as a scientist).

We might get a ton of rain. We might not. I do know that we went two Decembers ago and it was a rainy, cold weekend, and we absolutely loved it. Chased all the locals away. The news was going on and on about an artic blast and all this nonsense. It was honestly not that bad. Dressed my girls in raincoats and boots during the day and winter coats for night and put the raincover over the stroller and it was go time. That was a great visit. I am actually hoping for some rain when we go again this December. My DH and I are originally from the Northeast, so unless it's 6' of snow, we aren't terribly bothered (they make umbrellas and coats for rain), and that attitude has translated to our kids. So I think December is a nice time to visit because of the decorations, and just be prepared for the weather, but it certainly isn't a bad time to go.

Paint the Night is the new nighttime parade. There's a thread dedicated to it and viewing strategies as it's quite crowded. Odds are good that they will still be showing it during the holiday season.

Some not to misses during the holiday season: special holiday treats, hopefully the Feliz Navidad activities (including small parade) in DCA if they have it again, characters dressed in holiday clothes, IASW and HM holiday overlays, gingerbread house at GCH, the decorated trees at the resorts, and enjoying the decorations around both parks. I love holidays at DL!

 

[Sherry E]

Those of you who are hoping for a PIN code or discount at the onsite hotels for the holiday season, remember that if one comes along it won't be until September. Since the current discount lasts until late September, I would expect the next discount to be announced by early or mid-September, and then begin in October. It would cover certain weeks (not all weeks) in Oct-Nov-Dec, and it would stop by the weekend before Christmas at the very latest. Disney is never going to offer a good discount for the weeks of Christmas and New Year's -- unless people just stopped going to the parks and they needed to pull in visitors. But seeing that the week between Christmas and New Year's is probably the busiest single week of the entire year, they don't need to do anything to pull in extra visitors at Disneyland!

The reason why the fall discounts these days cover shorter ranges of time in Oct-Nov-Dec than they used to is because a lot of the days and weeks that used to be less busy are getting busier, and Disney won't offer a good discount for any week or period of days when it expects crowds to be substantial.

So Sherry, when will the weekly photo posting begin?? Hmmmmmmmmmmmm?

--Lori

To be cryptic and non-specific like the Disney Parks Blog is, I will just say "Stay tuned"! I have a lot of things going on -- this whole month, really -- and I am feeling overwhelmed. I have to get past my birthday in a few days and I will be able to think more clearly! Don't worry, though -- it will be soon, but as I mentioned in this thread earlier this year, I wasn't sure if I might shorten the Theme Week Countdown a bit, or cut out some categories, or start it a bit later (like closer to when I used to start it, prior to 2014), as well as cut out the Code Word Challenge part of it. So expect that it will be slightly tweaked a bit.

I am trying to plan a November trip, so I wish they would just announce something! Don't they know us Disney fans like to plan?

Unless there is some new, big event coming to the holiday season, expect a long wait. We probably won't get the official confirmation of holiday season dates from the Disney Parks Blog until mid-September, but at least we already know that A Christmas Fantasy Parade is returning in some capacity, and the Candlelight dates should be confirmed in the next couple of weeks. And... we know that the Hatbox Ghost is going to remain in place for Haunted Mansion Holiday this year!

Thanks SO much @Sherry E !! Like you mentioned, the only thing I could see besides Candlelight is Raver Day. While I know the crowds might not be horrible, I'd almost be willing to put up with the Candlelight crowd to avoid the Raver crowd. Nothing against them, just not interested in sharing my happy place with that biz

If I remember right, you've gone during Candlelight, correct? If so, how were the crowds? I'd definitely consider doing Friday through Tuesday that week, assuming Candlelight is that 12/5-12/6 weekend.

I've been there a few times on the Sunday of Candlelight. I don't think I have been there on a Saturday of Candlelight weekend in many, many years. In my observation (and keep in mind that last year was an exception, because the Ravers, the Pharmacists and the Candlelight folks all descended on Disneyland over the same weekend), the first part of the day on Sunday is fine -- you know, there will be a lot of people because it's the holiday season, but the crowds were not oppressive. By late in the afternoon, however, crowds started to really pick up on Main Street. I think a lot of the people were waiting for the Christmas parade, but a lot of them were trying to line up early for the first Candlelight show. So you could feasibly spend the first part of the day in Disneyland, and then mosey over to DCA.

Remember, too -- Candlelight is not advertised as a holiday event at Disneyland. So, while there are a lot of people who know about it, there are also a lot of people who know nothing about it. This is why the hotels usually don't fill to capacity on Candlelight weekend (with the exception of last year, with the Ravers and pharmacists) -- because Candlelight is not promoted, and a lot of people who come out to see it end up going back home.

I think that a lot of the gridlock around Town Square and on Main Street comes from the "crowds causing crowds while avoiding crowds" effect that I often talk about. The people who DO know about Candlelight but want to avoid it, end up trying to escape Disneyland because they think the crowds will be horrendous, and then they in turn end up causing more crowds piling out down Main Street!

I have heard that Saturdays of Candlelight weekend are worse, crowd-wise.

In my experience, you can see a noticeable drop in crowds by the Monday after Candlelight. That doesn't mean the parks will be empty -- again, it is the holiday season -- but in my opinion, I can see that the crowds have dwindled a wee bit on that Monday. Some people say that Tuesday is less crowded, but I have noticed Monday crowds are slightly lighter than the Sunday crowds.

Hi. I am from New Zealand and new on here. Myself, my friend and my friends 21 year old daughter are planning a trip to Anaheim December 18 to December 26. Our dates aren't changeable as we are going on a cruise December 26. I am going to have so much fun reading through this thread for all sorts of information but have a few questions.
1. What is paint the night?
2. Would love any suggestions of must dos or should dos.

Thanks in advance

Welcome! I'm so glad you joined us! The posts on page 1 are a good place to start, to get an idea of what to expect at Disneyland for the holidays, although we won't have 2015-specific info for a while.

It was already answered, but I will echo that Paint the Night is the special nighttime parade at Disneyland in honor of the 60th anniversary.

I think that must dos or should dos might be up to the individual, but as tiffjoy said, do not miss It's a Small World Holiday, Haunted Mansion Holiday, Jingle Cruise (if it returns this year), Viva Navidad in California Adventure, the Buena Vista Street Bell Ringers in California Adventure, the Christmas Fantasy Parade (although it is returning this year, we don't know what the schedule will be, and it may be limited), the different decorations at the 3 Disneyland Resort hotels (including the assorted gingerbread houses at the Grand Californian Hotel), theme-specific décor and trees in the different lands, etc. You might want to try doing the Holiday Time tour this year (assuming it is offered again), which includes seats for the Christmas parade and priority boarding on It's a Small World Holiday, Haunted Mansion Holiday and Jingle Cruise, as well as treats and a collectible pin.

I would have to assume that Olaf's Frozen Ice Rink and Winter Village will be back in Downtown Disney again this year.

Monday candlelight will be more crowded than your expectations of a Monday. I chalk it up to folks waiting to fly out on tuesday. Tuesday rope drop was crazy, but that was also Candy Cane morning and i was surprised by the few folks who had been waiting for the wrist band. My problem with morning observations is that I never look behind me to the depth of the line at rope drop, though at Candy Cane i did watch the line up process and the rope drop was a ways back.

be prepared for heavy rain in December , the forecast calls for major weather problems on the west coast. And announced on national news today, a devastating earthquake is in the making...give or take 50 years.

Scientists said that the El Nino that is forming may end up being bigger than expected -- they called it "massive."

So does anyone have any tips for handling Dec 27-29th?
Planning on rope dropping, with an EMH but is there any other way to beat the crowds?

Well, I have not personally been to Disneyland between those specific dates in years and years, but in recent years people say that as long as you go in with the expectation that there will be big crowds, that's half the battle. Prepare to get there early (which you are doing). Prepare to stay in Disneyland on days when you have things to do in that park, because if you leave after 11:00 a.m. or so, you might not be able to get back in until the nighttime if they close the park when it reaches capacity. DCA does not close to capacity as often as DL does, but it has happened. Make lists of the most important things you want to do, and then have back-up plans in place in case the first list doesn't work out.

If there is any kind of rain, that will keep a lot of people away. Even if there is only a chance of rain, some people will stay away.

Subscribing for information related to December 7-11 for a WDW vet's trip to DL. Can't wait to hear what will be happening with holiday stuff vs 60th anniversary celebration stuff.

Welcome!

DisneyJamieCA - Love that there are others who "know" the excitement of a Disney Pin code, lol ....Maybe just maybe we will get another pin code for December!

There are lots of people who know the excitement -- the PIN codes of the old, old days were much better than the ones now, but I was getting them many years ago. In fact, I was the first one to talk about the "pin code trick" (which no longer works, really) on this forum years ago, and people caught on to it and starting maxing out the number of pin codes to go around, I think!

How bad / busy will it be for the Candlelight? We really want to see the nighttime entertainment, but my MIL doesn't do well with heavy crowds. Trying to weigh between the 3-7th and the next weekend.

The next weekend would be the Raver Day weekend, and I'm not sure if that will affect crowds at all. When I think of really big crowds at Disneyland -- meaning the biggest crowds the park can handle -- it would be between Christmas and New Year's. Candlelight -- as I mentioned above -- is not as bad. It is not advertised for the general public, and a lot of folks know nothing about it. Main Street and Town Square will be madhouse from late afternoon on, on 12/5 and 12/6. Then, when the second Candlelight performance is over (maybe by 9 p.m.-ish or shortly thereafter) a lot of the crowds will clear out of the park. but a lot of the crowds are caused by crowds trying to avoid what they think are going to be big crowds! If you just leave Disneyland before late afternoon, or if you stay in Disneyland but in other areas of the park while the 2 Candlelight performances are happening, you should be fine. But keep in mind, though, that the new nighttime entertainment has brought in a lot of people too, so there will be a lot of people hovering around Main Street, the Hub and Town Square, one way or another, when it gets dark.

wait the candlelight is sat sun not Friday sat? darn i had or day off Friday to try and miss one crazy day. Humm Ok so whats better wed, thu, fri (before the candlelight?) or Mon tue after the candlelight? What will have less crowded days?

Yes, Sat-Sun (unless the schedule has changed, which I doubt). I think that Monday and Tuesday after Candlelight will be okay. But Wed-Thurs before Candlelight should be okay as well.

This may or may not happen. They predicted a big El Nino for last Dec that never showed up. As a Californian, I hope some of it right because we need the rain, but I also worry about how much damage that much rain will cause when we're so dry.

And the predicited earthquake is supposed to hit the Pacific Northwest.

In any case, I didn't want people to start panicking prematuraly.

I think that El Nino is going to happen this year. Last year, the one that was starting to form (and then dissipated) was not nearly as big as the one that is predicted this year, and it started to fizzle out early on. The conditions for this year's predicted El Nino have been forming for a while, they don't seem to be fizzling at all, and, in fact, the scientists now say that it is much bigger than what they originally expected. "Massive" is what they called it. They said it is unlikely that it is going to fizzle out at this point. But... it could weaken a bit, and may not be AS massive. It could also hold off and start early next year instead of this year. Or, it could hit some other areas harder than it hits California.

It will cause a lot of damage if it happens. Just judging by what has happened with the so-called "smaller" El Ninos in the past, it is clear that California is not built to withstand a lot of heavy, pounding, relentless rain that doesn't stop for weeks and weeks. Storm drains will back up quickly, streets will flood, parking garages will flood, rivers will overflow, structures will be damaged, roofs will collapse, water damage will occur inside houses and apartments, mudslides will happen and cars will be hydroplaning and getting into accidents left and right. A lot of the rain that would be needed to help the drought will not end up in the right places it needs to go, and will turn into run off. It has to end up in the right places to make a dent in the drought.

There is always a chance that the El Nino pattern that is forming could completely fizzle, but it seems like it is pretty much on course for a winter arrival! That's no reason for anyone heading to DLR to panic -- Disneyland will operate as best as it can under extremely rainy circumstances (if they occur), but I would imagine that some of the outdoor dining areas and rides will close.

As for quakes -- I hate even the tiniest quakes. I don't take them lightly. They make me uneasy and nervous. However, since I can't see them coming and they could strike at any time, any day of the week, any season, any year, I can't worry about them or else I would never get anything done!

Coming from New Zealand we are very use to earthquakes. There isn't anything you can do about the big one hitting. Mother Nature will do what she will do. We are told we are way way overdue for a big earthquake to hit Wellington near where I live.

I realize the weather is very unpredictable and understand December isn't th ideal time to visit weather wise. Unfortunately it's that only time we can do it together. Thanks so much for the advice though, I really appreciate it.

Sometimes our December weather in Southern California is hot -- like 80 or 90 degrees! You never know what you will get with December. It just so happens that this coming winter rain is probably going to be an issue. You never know -- it might not start until after your trip. It won't necessarily happen in December, or by a certain point in December. Or, it may not become heavy and relentless until January or February. As you said, that's the only time you can go, and you will have a great time!

I live in the Bay Area. Life doesn't stop because of the potential for an earthquake. There is always a chance for "the big one" regardless of whatever studies people are digging up funding for. Nature does what nature does and statistics can only go so far (I say as a scientist).

We might get a ton of rain. We might not. I do know that we went two Decembers ago and it was a rainy, cold weekend, and we absolutely loved it. Chased all the locals away. The news was going on and on about an artic blast and all this nonsense. It was honestly not that bad. Dressed my girls in raincoats and boots during the day and winter coats for night and put the raincover over the stroller and it was go time. That was a great visit. I am actually hoping for some rain when we go again this December. My DH and I are originally from the Northeast, so unless it's 6' of snow, we aren't terribly bothered (they make umbrellas and coats for rain), and that attitude has translated to our kids. So I think December is a nice time to visit because of the decorations, and just be prepared for the weather, but it certainly isn't a bad time to go.

Paint the Night is the new nighttime parade. There's a thread dedicated to it and viewing strategies as it's quite crowded. Odds are good that they will still be showing it during the holiday season.

Some not to misses during the holiday season: special holiday treats, hopefully the Feliz Navidad activities (including small parade) in DCA if they have it again, characters dressed in holiday clothes, IASW and HM holiday overlays, gingerbread house at GCH, the decorated trees at the resorts, and enjoying the decorations around both parks. I love holidays at DL!

I do remember that it dropped down to 29 or 30 degrees on some nights in 2013 -- which I loved!!!! The rain a couple of years ago in December (the so called arctic blast) was nothing like what El Nino rain would be, if it were massive, or even if it were not as massive. El Nino rain is a whole different breed of rain, in my experience. Umbrellas do almost no good, and coats do very little -- again, we're talking actual El Nino rain, not the rain that we sometimes get in a year. We have not had that kind of relentless, pounding rain in many years.

What Texas just experienced this year -- that was El Nino weather. I am hoping that is not what's headed our way, and that it will fizzle out or calm down a bit. Previous El Ninos that were not massive were problematic enough. A massive one would be a nightmare. It would cause a whole lot of problems before it brought any kind of relief.