Disneyland in December

[Kailua's Belle]

So we just returned from 7 days in DL and we're already suffering from major withdrawls. I thought I was so smart picking a week in Feb., taking the kids out of school so it was going to be dead. Well, I was dead wrong. Seems other schools had the week off and I picked the ONLY busy week in Feb.
Oh, well, at least we had lots of time there, but we still didn't get to do everything we wanted to.

So I would love to go back in December but don't know how crowded it is before Christmas. I'm thinking of something like Dec. 13 - 20th. Is there a way to get estimated numbers from Disney? When I was a cast member way back when we used to get estimated numbers, but do they give those out to the public? Or what's your expert opinions?

I'm justifying this to my DH that since Fantasmic was closed, along with Splash Mountain, and certainly our youngest will grow an inch and be 40" by then it will be a whole new experience!!

Thanks for your input!

 

[tinkerbelt]

Dec. 13th-20th might be a bit crowded because some schools will be out by then. The earlier in December, the better.

 

[MATTERHORN]

WELCOME to the DL boards!!! We can all feel your pain, withdrawal is hard!

I would go the week before that if you can, like the 8-15th, it will be great then, we have done that a few years in a row!! And our schools here dont' get out till Dec. 21st, just so you know!

Andrea

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

The earlier in December you go the less crowded it will be because schools won't be out for their winter break yet.

 

[familyoffiveAZ]

Christmas season at Disneyland is the best time to go, but the earlier the better.

 

[Steelblue]

Like everyone has said that week is going to be crowded. It's hard to find a week that is not crowded with school age children unless you take them out of school. For a few years before my son started school, we went the week after Thanksgiving and it was great. No crowd and the Christmas decoration is up already.

 

[Kailua's Belle]

Yeah, I should have known the week before would be a lot better, but I was hoping someone would tell me that time would be good too. Should have known that would be too good to be true. I haven't been at Christmas since I worked there, so I really want to go. Kids may just have to miss a few days I guess. Thanks!!

Oh, do they do the Electric Parade at that time? I would love to see that again. I haven't seen that in about 10 years.

Thanks again!!

 

[abby]

I am planning a December trip also, I am looking at Dec 8-12 so the kid will miss three days of school. How much can she miss in three days of second grade, right? I cannot do crowds. I took her out last year for three days in January for our DL trip, but we both got streph throat while we were there, not too fun.....

 

[DLR29]

Actually, we went this past year 12/20-12/21 and there were not huge crowds as we had expected. For example, the only ride that ran out of FPs was Space and that was late in the afternoon/evening. 20 minute max. for Pirates, BTMRR, Matterhorn, Buzz, even Autopia, Gadget's Go Coaster, and Splash. HMH, Indy, Peter Pan, and Space had around 30-45 minute waits and only during the peak of the day. Over at DCA we had 3 walk-on ToT rides, also a walk-on for GRR. 20 minutes for Screamin and Soarin. The main adventage of going the week before Christmas is that the hours are significantly longer which means, if you happen to run into crowds, if you are willing to wake up early and stay late, you should still be fine.

 

[wishonstars]

Go, go, go! We went at the end of November this past year and LOVED it. Truly a different experience and one that I'll always remember. Crowds were low (it was the week after Thanksgiving), Christmas decorations were all out... an awesome trip!

 

[Leofoenget]

So we just returned from 7 days in DL and we're already suffering from major withdrawls. I thought I was so smart picking a week in Feb., taking the kids out of school so it was going to be dead. Well, I was dead wrong. Seems other schools had the week off and I picked the ONLY busy week in Feb.
Oh, well, at least we had lots of time there, but we still didn't get to do everything we wanted to.

So I would love to go back in December but don't know how crowded it is before Christmas. I'm thinking of something like Dec. 13 - 20th. Is there a way to get estimated numbers from Disney? When I was a cast member way back when we used to get estimated numbers, but do they give those out to the public? Or what's your expert opinions?

I'm justifying this to my DH that since Fantasmic was closed, along with Splash Mountain, and certainly our youngest will grow an inch and be 40" by then it will be a whole new experience!!

Thanks for your input!

Ok for my own knowledge, I have been keeping track in my dayrunner anytime someone on the boards or friends mention if the park is "dead or packed" According to my notes, last Dec 5th was "dead" and by around the 17th it was "getting busy" So if you want "dead" go mid week at the beginning of the month 4-6 or 11-13 mostly tues wed thurs. Mondays are busierand fridays things really start to pick up. By Christmas, it's WAY PACKED

 

[disneymom8589]

It is so beautiful at Christmas! In Dec. 05 DH and I went for a long weekend and it was packed. We were staying at the DLH and went to dinner there on Sat. night. After dinner DL was so packed, that they weren't allowing people into the park. That was the 2nd weekend in Dec. Then our whole family went this past Dec. and were there from the 16th-20th and it was fine. I guess there's not necessarily any rhyme or reason to the Christmas crowds!

 

[thmar]

Do they usally have IASW or other any other attraction close during Dec 5 - 17 for rennovation or Christmas decor?

 

[maberlyne]

We went this last year, the 18-21 and I thought the crowds were really good. (That was a Mon-Thur, I believe). We expected a lot worse, but it really seemed good. And yes, the Electrical Parade was on! I loved it!

thmar, I think all the renovations occur well before December, so I don't think anything should really be closed then.

 

[thmar]

We went this last year, the 18-21 and I thought the crowds were really good. (That was a Mon-Thur, I believe). We expected a lot worse, but it really seemed good. And yes, the Electrical Parade was on! I loved it!

thmar, I think all the renovations occur well before December, so I don't think anything should really be closed then.

Thanks maberlyne.

 

[Leofoenget]

It is so beautiful at Christmas! In Dec. 05 DH and I went for a long weekend and it was packed. We were staying at the DLH and went to dinner there on Sat. night. After dinner DL was so packed, that they weren't allowing people into the park. That was the 2nd weekend in Dec. Then our whole family went this past Dec. and were there from the 16th-20th and it was fine. I guess there's not necessarily any rhyme or reason to the Christmas crowds!

Chances are the 50th threw off any normal off peak December. My friend went Wed the 6th and it was Dead (according to her)

 

[disneymom8589]

Chances are the 50th threw off any normal off peak December. My friend went Wed the 6th and it was Dead (according to her)

Yes, you're probably right about that. Plus on the weekend we went in Dec. 05, Robert Olszewski was there on Sat. a.m. signing 2 of his miniature sculpture pieces and it was crowded for that, too. (That's why we were there. )

 

[AllJackedUp]

My friend and I went Dec. 10-14, perfect crowds (none) and PERFECT weather! Christmas decorations were up, we took the Holiday Tour which was a blast, and enjoyed all the benefits without any of the hassles!

Unless you are really into the Candlelight Processional, I would recommend waiting until after that event is over. It brings in huge amounts of people.

 

[thmar]

My friend and I went Dec. 10-14, perfect crowds (none) and PERFECT weather! Christmas decorations were up, we took the Holiday Tour which was a blast, and enjoyed all the benefits without any of the hassles!

Unless you are really into the Candlelight Processional, I would recommend waiting until after that event is over. It brings in huge amounts of people.

Thanks...sounds like the perfect time.

 

[kittysmommy]

My friend and I went Dec. 10-14, perfect crowds (none) and PERFECT weather! Christmas decorations were up, we took the Holiday Tour which was a blast, and enjoyed all the benefits without any of the hassles!

Unless you are really into the Candlelight Processional, I would recommend waiting until after that event is over. It brings in huge amounts of people.

Any guesses when the candlelight processional will be? We generally go in Dec. and I've been debating which weekend to shoot for (preferrably the earlier the better). I would like to be there 12/8 and 9 and am hoping the candlelight processional will be the weekend before. Do you think my chances are good?

As a side note, we love going in Dec. and this has become a family Christmas tradition. We've made it the last 5 years, and I don't want to stop now!!