Disneyland at Christmas

[cyjmhill]

I know this is a little early but I am planning on taking my family to Disneyland for Christmas (Dec 24, 25, & 26) this year and I have a few questions.

1. Has anyone been to Disneyland on Christmas day? If so, is it busy and is it worth going?

2. We are staying off property at the Buena Park Embassy Suites. Has anyone stayed there? Is this a good place to stay?

3. Any advice for us while we are at Disneyland during the holiday?

My family and I love Disney and I am hoping this will be a wonderful gift to the kids....need to make more memories as my kids are getting older (my oldest is 16 now).

Thanks for your help!!

 

[stampinshauna]

It sounds like fun. I've never been at Christmas, but I've heard it gets crowded. I've also heard wonderful things about Embassy Suites. Have a great trip!

 

[diznefan76]

I haven't been to DL on Christmas day but I have been there during the Christmas season...and it will definently be a MAGICAL experience for you! Have a great time!!!!

 

[cyjmhill]

I have heard good things about the Embassy Suites. I hope this one is good.

 

[cyjmhill]

I haven't been to DL on Christmas day but I have been there during the Christmas season...and it will definently be a MAGICAL experience for you! Have a great time!!!!

I have been to Disneyland many times, but never during the Christmas Season. I am hoping this will be a MAGICAL experience. I am not planning on telling the kids until we are in the car and headed for California.

 

[MickeyMagic]

We have been to WDW during Christmas season, but not DL. I'm also interested in finding out special events, decorations, parades, etc that happen at DL during holiday season. I am sure it is busy, but I bet the park hours are extended.

We stayed at Embassy Suites in Buena Park last summer. It is just down the road from Knotts Berry Farm. They have a complimentary shuttle, but it is actually within walking distance of KBF. The shuttle is also complimetary to DL/CA. You sign up for times with the front desk.

The hotel itself is older, but still very good. The pool area is nice and the free breakfast is very good with cooked to order omelets or eggs.

The staff was very helpful and friendly. I am sure you will enjoy your stay.

Are you planning on visiting KBF? Even if you don't, you might want to go for Mrs. Knott's Chicken dinner. You don't need park admission for the dinner; just patience to wait in a line!

 

[cyjmhill]

We have been to WDW during Christmas season, but not DL. I'm also interested in finding out special events, decorations, parades, etc that happen at DL during holiday season. I am sure it is busy, but I bet the park hours are extended.

We stayed at Embassy Suites in Buena Park last summer. It is just down the road from Knotts Berry Farm. They have a complimentary shuttle, but it is actually within walking distance of KBF. The shuttle is also complimetary to DL/CA. You sign up for times with the front desk.

The hotel itself is older, but still very good. The pool area is nice and the free breakfast is very good with cooked to order omelets or eggs.

The staff was very helpful and friendly. I am sure you will enjoy your stay.

Are you planning on visiting KBF? Even if you don't, you might want to go for Mrs. Knott's Chicken dinner. You don't need park admission for the dinner; just patience to wait in a line!

I forgot about KBF. Been there a few times and the Chicken Dinner is so so good.

Thanks for the info on the Hotel!!! Sounds like a good choice.

Thanks for your help!!!

 

[LucyKate]

Disneyland at Christmas is a wonderful experience.

We went in early December 2 years back and the decorations, parade and general atmosphere was sensational. Croiwds were also very low.

However, I've read reports of some quite awesome crowds on the day itself.

 

[diznefan76]

Are you planning on visiting KBF? Even if you don't, you might want to go for Mrs. Knott's Chicken dinner. You don't need park admission for the dinner; just patience to wait in a line!

I agree! Mrs. Knott's Chicken dinner is sooooooo gooooood!!! And you get ALOT of food for price that you pay. I couldn't eat even half of what they gave me the last time I went!

 

[DisneyMom&Fan]

We were at Disneyland on Christmas day in 2004 (12/22-12/26). There was a huge storm moving through Southern California during that time - avalanches and all. So, despite the weather being bad, we still had a great time. But, the crowds were pretty bad, but we knew that was going to happen and just convinced ourselves that we wouldn't be able to do everything and had a WONDERFUL time! On Christmas Day it rained, so a lot of the crowd left (it was very crowded before the rain). We went back to our room at the DLH and dried out a little -- and then the electricity went out. But, we went back later that night around 7:00 and pretty much had the run of the place until midnight. The decorations were so cheerful and I just loved walking down Mainstreet with all the swags over the street. And the Christmas tree was decorated with all our favorite characters. We also got to ice and decorate Christmas cookies, which we brought back to the room for Santa Claus. So, yes it is a great time to visit, but just don't expect to do everything.

 

[iceskatejen]

While hours on the 25th and 26th will be from 8-midnight, they'll close at 7 or 8 on the 24th. I've been on Christmas Eve once and the crowds were crazy.

 

[lap3]

We went on Christmas Day a couple of years ago and I can honestly say(without exaggerating) that we'll never go back there again on that day. Everything was nicely decorated and all but the crowds that day were out there in force. It was so tough for us that my kids managed to get on only one ride that day. Lines were long everywhere. Plus, finding a place to sit and watch the parade at night was tough, too.

If you do decide to go on that day, don't expect too much. That way, in the event it does get crowded, you won't be too disappointed.

 

[cyjmhill]

We went on Christmas Day a couple of years ago and I can honestly say(without exaggerating) that we'll never go back there again on that day. Everything was nicely decorated and all but the crowds that day were out there in force. It was so tough for us that my kids managed to get on only one ride that day. Lines were long everywhere. Plus, finding a place to sit and watch the parade at night was tough, too.

If you do decide to go on that day, don't expect too much. That way, in the event it does get crowded, you won't be too disappointed.

Maybe we should go on the 24th and come back a few days later.

Thanks for the advice!!!

 

[MAGICPOTATO]

We have been to DL on 12/26-29 and two weeks before Christmas. In all honesty I WOULD NOT do DL during Christmas Holiday. When we went in 12/26/2003 it was THE largest crowd they had ever had (of course that record has probably been broken since then) and when they reach capacity, they turn people away. It was completely crowded that whole week. It was SO beautiful and festive BUT the crowds and the waits were just too overpowering and as for the "special Christmas Parade" (I won't give away what makes it special) forget about it!! We were shoulder to shoulder, toe to toe with people on mainstreet. You couldn't move and we kept losing each other when we tried to exit. In 2004 we went a couple of weeks before Christmas - TOTALLY AWESOME of course they didn't stay open late but who cares, we pretty much walked on everything or had little wait. Decorations were still just as beautiful and the CM's were less stressed so they were tons of fun!! Not to spoil your fun because hey your going to Disneyland!!

 

[MrShiny]

You might want to consider staying at a DL hotel,as they tend to be guaranteed entry (we were on the 50th, for example). But when you pick a park for the day, STAY THERE! Even if you are resort guest, you may not be able to get back in if the fire marshall closes the gates.

 

[Pir8girl]

I went once on Christmas Eve day. Busiest I've ever seen the park. I was with friends and no kids so we managed to maneuver a little better than those with families. Unbelievable. We rode 2 rides and went home.
Could you go at the beginning of December? Crowds are much lighter and everything is decorated.

 

[bstsuda]

We were there this past Christmas - but just the 23rd & 24th....the crowds weren't all that bad- better on the 23rd which was a thursday; i've been when it was worse, and better, but was still a fun time. Christmas Day (I've been told) is one of their two busiest days of the year - with July 4h being the other)....but we had a really wonderful time and the fireworks and "snow" ended the day just right (they were cancelled the 2nd night due to high winds) . We have stayed at the Embassy Suites years ago....but it's farther away from DL than i want to be - and there are some nice "suite" hotels right there in Disneylands "Good Neighbor Hotels" area. Have fun making "Memories", hope you're capturing them in a scrapbook!!!

I know this is a little early but I am planning on taking my family to Disneyland for Christmas (Dec 24, 25, & 26) this year and I have a few questions.

1. Has anyone been to Disneyland on Christmas day? If so, is it busy and is it worth going?

2. We are staying off property at the Buena Park Embassy Suites. Has anyone stayed there? Is this a good place to stay?

3. Any advice for us while we are at Disneyland during the holiday?

My family and I love Disney and I am hoping this will be a wonderful gift to the kids....need to make more memories as my kids are getting older (my oldest is 16 now).

Thanks for your help!!

 

[cyjmhill]

thanks for all the great advice!

 

[caimakale]

The timeframe in which you are going is the busiest week out of the entire year. From Christmas to New Years, the park experiences more visitors that week than any other week of the year.

The time after Thanksgiving weekend up to Christmas is the slowest time of the year. If you want to experience the Christmas atmosphere but not the crazy crowds, you might consider doing your trip during this time period.

 

[cyjmhill]

The timeframe in which you are going is the busiest week out of the entire year. From Christmas to New Years, the park experiences more visitors that week than any other week of the year.

The time after Thanksgiving weekend up to Christmas is the slowest time of the year. If you want to experience the Christmas atmosphere but not the crazy crowds, you might consider doing your trip during this time period.

that would be great but with DW being in College and DKids being in school I will need to go during Chistmas break.

We will just have to go out and make the best of the crowds - but when you boil it down we will be at Disneyland on Christmas Day - What could be better!