Disneyland at Christmas Time

[spacemouseneer]

We have never gone in December, but after seeing all the spectacular pictures from this past Christmas at Disneyland, we are seriously considering it for this years Christmas. We were thinking around Dec. 10th til the 18th or so.

I wanted to try out a few things from people who have gone at this time of the year.

Crowds? I know they will be larger but how much larger? We usually go in September or October.

Weather? How hot does it usually get to?


Thanks,


Spacemouseneer

 

[melmacd]

We went Dec 1-8 '05 and LOVED it! Everything is decorated so beautifully and we definitely got that feeling of the Christmas spirit without having to break the bank and fight massive crowds.

We only used FP twice our entire trip and I don't think we waited more than 15-20min in line. If we were to go around the holidays again, we would certainly go during the first half of December.

Hope that helps! Happy planning!


ETA: Temps were in the low 70's but it got chilly at night!
~mel

 

[tracer]

This year we are also going in December to celebrate the holiday season and see all the holiday decorations. I have heard that the first two weeks in Dec are much slower than any other in Dec. I don't know about the weather but it doesn't get too cold in LA ever, but you may get rain. Just pack sweatshirts and jackets with you.

 

[DR64]

Our family went this year 12/20-21 and there were NO crowds! I'd only assume that earlier in December would be even less crowded.

Weather should be fine. Around 50s to 60s at the peak of the morning. Maybe even low 70s.

 

[LOVEDISNEYLAND]

We went this last December 6-14th and it wasn't really all that bad but of course it gets really busy on Fri, Sat and Sun. but during that week we were able to walk on most of the rides and if we did have to wait, it was usually about 10-15 minutes. We didn't have to use fast passes until the weekends when it was crowded. We have already booked our trip for Dec 8-16th. I would recomend going before schools get out in California because I've heard from others that it gets so crowded that they close the gates and won't let anyone else in because they reach their capacity for people and that right there does not sound like a fun time for me and my husband besides, even if you go during the first or second week you still get to see all the christmas decorations and see all the special holiday shows. I've heard that the schools typically get out around the week before christmas so, your best bet is to go before they get out.

 

[scurutchet]

We are planning on going at Christmas time this year also and I was thinking around Dec 2- Dec 6 so seems like I was about right.

It's funny I have never been to DL at Christmas time, but I have been to WDW about 5 times at Christmas time. I can't wait to see DL with all it's Holiday Splendor

 

[spacemouseneer]

Thanks everyone for the info.

 

[ter-moo]

GREAT time to go--just avoid the weekends! You'll have very small crowds, particularly first thing in the morning, the decorations are beautiful, fireworks and SNOW are magical, and the overlays for Small World and Haunted Mansion are fun.

The park hours are shorter at this time of year, but that's kind of nice, too. You have more downtime and can have a much more relaxed pace. You'll love this time of year!!!!

 

[sunny04]

So for anyone who has gone to WDW at Christmas and DL at Christmas, it sounds like there is no comparison? WDW is closed to capacity, but DL is not too bad?

 

[Albort]

The first week of December is like... practically empty... then the second week, it pas pretty packed... mainly because last week for CM passes and certain APs.

 

[ter-moo]

So for anyone who has gone to WDW at Christmas and DL at Christmas, it sounds like there is no comparison? WDW is closed to capacity, but DL is not too bad?

If you go anytime right around Christmas (during school breaks or between Christmas and New Years) it's absolutely PACKED--wall to wall people, and often closed for capacity, too. We're just talking about early December (first couple of weeks) when it's very pleasant.

 

[wendithepooh]

Just a reminder the 1st week of december has the candel light processional,as well as the CM parties,so they close early.

We went Dec 10-16 2006 and it was a great time to go.Like mentioned before it was busy Fri and Sat but great the rest of the days.I would do again then in a heartbeat.It also has cheaper hotel rest vs later that month.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

We almost always go in December. The weather is usually good. We have only run into rain one time and that was only for 1 day. Usually it is jeans and t-shirt weather during the day with a light jacket or sweatshirt at night.

The closer you get to Christmas the more crowded it will be because kids are getting off of school.

The decorations are beautiful!

 

[Rivergallery]

We went in 2005 right before Christmas. I was mostly on my own with my 3 1/2 year old and we saw everything we wanted, watched all the parades we wanted. He fell asleep before the fireworks every night, but that was ok. It was very packed, but I scheduled it perfectly and we rarely had to wait very long in line .. about 20min was the longest. except Small World (it broke down for about a 1/2 hour and Waiting for Monster's Inc. All said we rode every ride we wanted to except the teacups for me (DS wanted to reride for the 5th time Buzz Lightyear) . We learned the Fastpass system and utilized it to the best of our ability.

If you plan it right, regardless of the amount of people in the park, you can have relatively short lines if #1 you get there 1/2 hour before opening. #2 have a plan #3 use the fastpass system. #4 know which rides are the most popular at what times of day #5 basically do things opposite of everyone else , eat lunch early or late not at noon for example.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

This year we are also going in December to celebrate the holiday season and see all the holiday decorations. I have heard that the first two weeks in Dec are much slower than any other in Dec. I don't know about the weather but it doesn't get too cold in LA ever, but you may get rain. Just pack sweatshirts and jackets with you.

you havent been to LA in awhile have you? its been downright cold...I went this past december and it was freezing day and night....the wind was blowing so hard it blew one of the huge ornaments off the tree on Main St...and the trash can doors were going crazy...I had to wear sweatshirt, coat and gloves in the day and at night...the problem with weather here in california is that every year its different...just because its winter doesnt mean a thing...the only thing you can be guaranteed of is its hot in the summer I suggest keeping an eye out starting around 2 weeks prior to going...I wouldnt concern myself with it till then...as far as crowds....I went at the beginning of dec. and it was really empty a couple of days but all of a sudden on friday it was packed so go during the week and you will be fine

 

[AllJackedUp]

My friend and I went Dec. 10-14 last year and it was absolutely GORGEOUS! It rained a bit on Sunday night, we just popped on the raingear and watched Fantasmic! anyway. The rest of the week was perfect, crowds didn't really appear until the evenings for the parade. Otherwise, it was pretty much a walk-on for most things, especially first two hours of the day. POTC was crowded, of course, longest wait there was about 20 minutes.

The decorations were beautiful. The Holiday Tour was fun (plus we had great cocoa and gingerbread men)! The parade seemed shorter than WDW's, for some reason but it could be they run a shorter version during the weekdays. We loved the overlay on IASW. Didn't like HM as much, but the Nightmare people seem to love it.

All in all, I think as long as you go the first two weeks of December (and remember to check for conventions, there was a huge pharmacists convention the first week of December last year and we couldn't go that week, no rooms anywhere) and avoid the Christmas vacation crowd, you will enjoy your trip very much.

BTW, as for the weather, we layered every day...and wore our UGGs the entire trip. I live in a place where humidity is pretty much non-existent...and to get in the marine layer...the coolness of the evening chills me to the bone. We wore long sleeves and sweaters during the day, coats (and gloves) in the evenings. All depends on what you are acclimated to...there were lots of people in shorts.

 

[surferhick]

I am planning a day or two in December also. I am in NC but family in Southern Cali. We are getting to CA on the 19th and leaving the 30th. Would you guys give opinions on what would be the best days to go? thanks