Disneyland during Christmas season?

[mshanson3121]

So, from what I can tell, Disneyland doesn't offer a hard ticket Christmas party, and instead their Christmas parade and fireworks are included with regular admission. Can anyone confirm this?

How are the crowds compared to WDW?

 

[katyringo]

Yep! No Christmas party. Everything included! I will however encourage the use of a dining package or dessert party for the shows just because the food is great and the seating is awesome.

I think the consensus on crowds was it stays fairly busy during Christmas season except a few days here or there that are low. The days after thanksgiving were low.

The days following Christmas between Christmas and New Years are crazy
Busy with the park hitting capacity. That’s when we went lol. Still an amazing trip.

 

[mom2rtk]

You can find an occasional light day at DLR, but that's all it is..... occasional. They are very good at filling the parks even during what some would expect to be a slow time.

We were there 11/28 to 12/3 last year. The 29th was very pleasant. The 30th was busier but manageable. Friday was really busy. Saturday was through the roof because it was CP weekend.

CP is handled very differently at DLR. It's done for one weekend only and there is almost no seating. What there is fills at rope drop for that evening's show.

 

[mshanson3121]

You can find an occasional light day at DLR, but that's all it is..... occasional. They are very good at filling the parks even during what some would expect to be a slow time.

We were there 11/28 to 12/3 last year. The 29th was very pleasant. The 30th was busier but manageable. Friday was really busy. Saturday was through the roof because it was CP weekend.

CP is handled very differently at DLR. It's done for one weekend only and there is almost no seating. What there is fills at rope drop for that evening's show.

MIL was mentioning DL vs. WDW. I'll admit, I would love to try it just to explore the differeneces and they have some different rides the kids would love. What are your thoughts between the two parks, especially the Christmastime atmosphere etc?

 

[Lolly&Rue]

We were just there the first week of December 2017 11/30-12/2. You are correct, no official Christmas Party. But keep in mind that “light” days are not actually light, just not as busy as other days in December. I have been to Disneyland many times, usually in the middle of summer or Halloween time but never had been at Christmas and all three days were the busiest I have ever seen it.

 

[drjackal31]

We are hoping to go then, but our days are flexible. Debating between 3 days or 4 days of tickets to try and soak in more Christmas.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... What are your thoughts between the two parks, especially the Christmastime atmosphere etc?

While not specifically addressing Christmastime, this thread has lots of helpful information and will answer many of your questions: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets.

 

[mom2rtk]

MIL was mentioning DL vs. WDW. I'll admit, I would love to try it just to explore the differeneces and they have some different rides the kids would love. What are your thoughts between the two parks, especially the Christmastime atmosphere etc?

How long of a flight would that be for you? I know you were considering other places to visit at WDW. Would you do the same if you went to DLR? I'm not even sure if they have a Discovery Cove (since you mentioned it in your FL thread).

I think the Christmas atmosphere is far more pervasive at DLR on a regular park day than it is at WDW. That could be because they want you to buy the party ticket at WDW. But there are more decorations, and the garlands are back spanning Main Street. While MVMCP offers a chance to meet more rare characters (I do miss that by going to DLR) they also offer the classic characters in Christmas attire around Town Square every day as part of the regular admission.

DCA decorates Buena Vista Street and Carsland for the holidays as well. I have to think your kids would love Carsland. I know we do, and didn't even care that much about the movie.

A Christmas Fantasy Parade by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Main Street Garlands by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Christmas in Carsland by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Meeting the Big Cheese by mom2rtk, on Flickr

 

[mshanson3121]

How long of a flight would that be for you? I know you were considering other places to visit at WDW. Would you do the same if you went to DLR? I'm not even sure if they have a Discovery Cove (since you mentioned it in your FL thread).

I think the Christmas atmosphere is far more pervasive at DLR on a regular park day than it is at WDW. That could be because they want you to buy the party ticket at WDW. But there are more decorations, and the garlands are back spanning Main Street. While MVMCP offers a chance to meet more rare characters (I do miss that by going to DLR) they also offer the classic characters in Christmas attire around Town Square every day as part of the regular admission.

DCA decorates Buena Vista Street and Carsland for the holidays as well. I have to think your kids would love Carsland. I know we do, and didn't even care that much about the movie.

A Christmas Fantasy Parade by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Main Street Garlands by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Christmas in Carsland by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Meeting the Big Cheese by mom2rtk, on Flickr

It would be about an 8-9 hour trip depending on layovers. Actually flying time I believe is roughly 6 hours. The time difference is 4 hours (so it would feel like 10 pm to us, when it's only 6 pm there). I do worry a bit about the time difference, since trying to stay at the park till 8 or 9, would be the equivalent of the children being up until 1 am. One night, sure... a few nights? Hello Spawns of Satan!

Yes, they would LOVE Carsland. They are HUGE Cars fans. Granted, they also love Toy Story, too, so will love that. But myself personally, I find Carsland more appealing.

We planned on doing Sea World as well. I'm not sure if we would still do that or not if we went to DL, as it's an hour away and we won't have a car.

 

[mom2rtk]

It would be about an 8-9 hour trip depending on layovers. Actually flying time I believe is roughly 6 hours. The time difference is 4 hours (so it would feel like 10 pm to us, when it's only 6 pm there). I do worry a bit about the time difference, since trying to stay at the park till 8 or 9, would be the equivalent of the children being up until 1 am. One night, sure... a few nights? Hello Spawns of Satan!

Yes, they would LOVE Carsland. They are HUGE Cars fans. Granted, they also love Toy Story, too, so will love that. But myself personally, I find Carsland more appealing.

We planned on doing Sea World as well. I'm not sure if we would still do that or not if we went to DL, as it's an hour away and we won't have a car.

Honestly? In your situation, I'd stick with WDW. The time difference with kids along would be killer. Plus, there will be new Toy Story things to see at WDW. We swapped mostly because of FP+, but we live in the mid-west, about half way between WDW and DLR. Our flight is 3 hours 45 minutes and I get pretty squirmy by the time it's over.

And I'm not good at non-Disney info in CA, but I think Sea World is more than an hour away (plus I don't think there's a DC). We did it once, but it was quite a while ago. For some reason I'm thinking San Diego is 2 hours away.

 

[mshanson3121]

Honestly? In your situation, I'd stick with WDW. The time difference with kids along would be killer. Plus, there will be new Toy Story things to see at WDW. We swapped mostly because of FP+, but we live in the mid-west, about half way between WDW and DLR. Our flight is 3 hours 45 minutes and I get pretty squirmy by the time it's over.

And I'm not good at non-Disney info in CA, but I think Sea World is more than an hour away (plus I don't think there's a DC). We did it once, but it was quite a while ago. For some reason I'm thinking San Diego is 2 hours away.

That's similar to what I was thinking. WDW is easy - the flight is only about 2-3 hours (depending where we fly from), and the time difference is only 1 hour, not a big deal at all. If we were going to stay in CA for longer, a week or two, and could take a couple days to adjust to the difference, that would be one thing. But for such a short trip...? Plus, WDW kinda feels "familiar" - we've been there, done that, there's no surprises as we'll be staying in the same rental, I know how to drive to/from the parks etc... The idea of driving in SoCal is a bit intimidating, lol.

 

[KITKAT0229]

We live in Colorado, so we usually choose DLR since it's only an hour behind us & an hour less of a flight. But now that my oldest is in school we are having to consider going the week of Christmas or the week after Christmas this year. Is it better to stay onsite during high crowd weeks? It's more than double to stay at PPH versus the Courtyard. We can go to WDW & stay on-site for less. My kids are little & WDW feels overwhelming with them but now considering cost & crowds since we have to go when school is out. We love being able to go between DL & DCA so easily, love World of Color, the holiday overlays along with Mickey's Toontown and Fantasyland at DL. So I'm torn...

 

[katyringo]

We live in Colorado, so we usually choose DLR since it's only an hour behind us & an hour less of a flight. But now that my oldest is in school we are having to consider going the week of Christmas or the week after Christmas this year. Is it better to stay onsite during high crowd weeks? It's more than double to stay at PPH versus the Courtyard. We can go to WDW & stay on-site for less. My kids are little & WDW feels overwhelming with them but now considering cost & crowds since we have to go when school is out. We love being able to go between DL & DCA so easily, love World of Color, the holiday overlays along with Mickey's Toontown and Fantasyland at DL. So I'm torn...

We just did Disneyland the week after Christmas. We stayed off site and had a fabulous time, but you do need to be prepared for crazy crowds and have a game plan. But I hear WDW is crazy that time of year too. If you can afford on site then that early entry everyday would make a difference for DCA during this time of year if you can swing it. During the week after Christmas they offered Magic morning every single day at Disneyland, but if your off site can only go one day.