Disneyland in early January

[ZedAus]

Hi,

I've only just registered, so don't really know if this is the right place to ask this, but please forgive me if I'm way off.

Hubby and I have booked to be at Disneyland on the evening of Jan 5th, then for the 6th and 7th. We have other places booked around those dates, so can't really change them. I read somewhere that this may not be the best time to visit as some maintenance may be going on. Does anyone know whether it will still be worth it, or should we maybe look at spending another day in LA or San Diego and miss Disneyland altogether. We did go a few years back, but just had one day and only spent it at Disneyland, whereas I would like to see both parks and have more time to wander around and see everything as we were pretty rushed on that one day.

Also, any suggestions about what to see that may not be on the everyday tourist information?

Thank you for any/all of your ideas.

 

[wdwrich]

IMHO, there's enough to do at Disneyland/DCA that even if a couple of attractions are in refurb, the trip would still be worthwhile.

 

[ZedAus]

Thanks Rich. I was hoping that it would still be worth going, I just didn't know how many things would be 'out'. I am looking forward to just wandering around at our own pace this time.

 

[aladams2]

We were there in Jan a few years ago and it was the best. There were absolutely no lines. We had to walk around the normal way through the lines = back and forth!! We loved it. We didn't notice a lot of refurbs either. Actually, we are going to WDW this JAn. and can't wait!!

 

[giftcard]

Welcome to the DIS boards!!!!!!

I also think January's a great time to go to Disneyland!

FYI - there is actually a Disneyland section on the boards. http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=26

Have fun planning!!!!

 

[Brian_WDW74]

to the DISboards, ZedAus!

As previously stated, we have a separate section just for Disneyland. I'm moving this thread there in the hopes that people can give you fuller information.

 

[bumbershoot]

You will probably see Haunted Mansion down already, to take the holiday "overlay" off. Assuming Small World comes out from its yearlong refurb at the holidays, it will probably be already closed again, to take of its holiday overlay as well.

Other than that, you'd just want to check the Disneyland calendar (on their website) as they put your dates onto their calendar, to see what is scheduled to be "down".

I would absolutely go, I wouldn't (couldn't!) skip Disneyland or DCA just because some things might be down.

 

[DangerMouse]

I'm guessing the last day of the official holiday season will be January 4th this year, so you will probably see the tree come down and experience holiday decorations disappearing during the time you are there. They historically do not take down HMH and IASW Holiday at the same time. Normally, HMH goes down first for the overlay removal (since it's been up since late Sept.), and then IASW Holiday goes down a week or so later for removal of the overlay.

Mid-week, you will not see fireworks or evening entertainment like Fantasmic, but lines should be short.

There is the potential that my dates are off, and the holiday theme will be extended through that second week of January, but we won't know that for sure until DLR posts its entertainment calendar for that period.

 

[disneyL0VE]

oo perfect timing to go because that should be the last weekend of the holiday decorations all around disneyland! My family & I went there during that time, it was a little crowded but it will still be amazing !

Have Fun !!

 

[ZedAus]

Thank you all SO much. I feel much more reassured now. I REALLY wanted to still go, but was a little hesitant if we were going to miss too much.

I was beginning to wonder whether I had posted in the wrong place, as all of the other posts seemed to be about WDW, but I was sure that this site covered Disneyland as well. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction. Now I am heading off to check out the "Disneyland" posts.

I am SO excited already and we still have to wait more than 6 months. I have to learn to have some patience.

Zelma

 

[mariezp]

Definitely worth it! If you go during the off season chances are that there will be something down for refurb. However, in their own best interest, I believe that Disney knows better than to take down too many rides all at the same time. There will be plenty left to do. You do get the perk of seeing the park with reduced crowds by going in January. Hey, It's Disneyland you will have fun no matter what!

You can check out this link to see what has been closed in past years during January, as well as get an idea of what takes place during the month. http://www.mouseplanet.com/search.php?type=c&cid=dl

 

[wazowskiLOVER:)]

oo perfect timing to go because that should be the last weekend of the holiday decorations all around disneyland! My family & I went there during that time, it was a little crowded but it will still be amazing !

Have Fun !!

My cousin disneyL0VE, had her birthday while we were there. All of the
decorations were up and they still had christmas themed fireworks. We even
got to see it snow on Main Street. We did experience a little rain; it was a
complete fluke... but maybe you should be prepared for wet weather. Even
though there might be a couple of rides refurbing, I say do it.

The Lines are shorter, there are still Christmas themed things around, and
its just great to be there ! When we went, it was one of the most fun family
trips that we've ever had. I hope you guys have fun !!!!

 

[annieb727]

I look at it this way...if you go at that time, there are a few things you will miss - being it's mid-week, you will miss Fireworks and Fantasmic, and maybe a few rides. But if you skip DL all together...you will miss EVERYTHING!! If in the area, I would go to Disneyland ANY TIME. Good thing is it is mid-week, kids will be mostly back to school, and holiday stuff dying down. Lines should be short...it should be a great time!! There will still be plenty to see and do.

 

[disneychrista]

Something is almost always down for refurbishment, except during the very busy busy times (mid-summer, Christmas, etc) and even then there is no guarentee.

The crowds will be light during this time and that is always a plus.

 

[tink2dw]

Take several ponchos from Dollar Store at the end of the night you can throw it away. Expect rain.

Take at least 2 pair of shoes, 1 water proof like www.crocs.com

Wear a coat on the Plane, if you need it, you have it, if not just wear it back on the Plane to home. Then you Don't have to buy a $38.00 coat at Sea World.

Take 2 sweat shirts someone in your group will need them. It will save you $78.00 at Disney for a hoody.

Don't expect to afford sweat shirts $48.00 on Disneyland property, go to the Discount Disney Store!! Disney's Character Warehouse is located at 243 Orangefair Mall. You can call (714) 870-9363 to check hours, etc.
And a coupon http://www.anaheimoc.org/member_details/member_detail.asp?memberID=5065

Love to pinch pennies for next trip!!

 

[pixiewings71]

We went twice in January this year, we loved it!! It's really one our fave months to go. Yes, there will be something down for maintenance but you won't regret going.

 

[heatherleigh]

That is actually my favorite time of year to go. The refurbishments didn't seem to affect us much as far as I can remember. What I remember the most was how empty the park was! It was great to be able to walk on almost any ride we wanted.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

Ok I hate to be the dream bubble buster here but OP said she would be there Jan. 5-7...Ive been during those exact dates several times, including this past jan. and I have to tell you 1. it was packed...I deliberately waited until the 5th thinking that they would be taking down decorations and thar the crowds would die down but they didnt...2. the holiday stuff ie decorations, parade, castle lighting etc...is still going on until the 2nd week of jan...it was starting to warm up...I was really surprised that it was still going on that week...I cant remember if anything was down but I do know HMH was still up and hadnt been shut down for the overlay yet..Fantasmic did show its last performance on the 5th this year and didnt come back till March if Im not mistaken...mid to late jan the crowds start thinning out a bit...now every year things are different and you never know how crowded or least crowded it will be so that may very well change especially being right after christmas and with the economy being the way it is now but the rest should still be into play...

 

[DangerMouse]

Lynn, from what I have researched and read over the years, DLR bases the ending of its Holiday season on the local school holiday calendars, which base their return to school after the Ephiphany, which is widely celebrated among the S. Cal Hispanic and Catholic communities. The Ephiphany is celebrated the first Sunday after the New Year.

The time you went this year (Jan 5-7) was the final weekend of the holiday decorations, because Ephiphany fell on Sunday, January 6. I am sure the parks were very packed (especially since it was a weekend and the final weekend to see the holiday entertainment). The OP's dates for January '09 put her in the parks after Ephiphany, which will occur on January 4th. These are mid-week dates and she should see much less crowds than you experienced this year.

Just thought I'd throw that in fwiw. . .

 

[tink2dw]

so much more to think about?? I found out fights are more expensive on jewish holidays, and there are alot of them, just when I wanted to fly. There is one on Nov. 5th that made the whole month impossible.