Disneyland vs Walt Disney World crowds

[AnOtHeRdIsNeYfReAk]

I'm starting to look into a Disneyland trip, but I have only been to Walt Disney World. Do the parks get just as busy in Disneyland and do I have to do as much micro-planning as I would need to do for Disney World? The dates I am thinking of are Jan 2 - Jan 6, mainly because I can't justify taking the 12 year old out of school for more than 2 days. I might consider Dec 28 - Jan 4th if the parks won't be too insane. We'll avoid the parks on NYE in any case though!! Thanks

 

[figment_jii]

I'm starting to look into a Disneyland trip, but I have only been to Walt Disney World. Do the parks get just as busy in Disneyland and do I have to do as much micro-planning as I would need to do for Disney World? The dates I am thinking of are Jan 2 - Jan 6, mainly because I can't justify taking the 12 year old out of school for more than 2 days. I might consider Dec 28 - Jan 4th if the parks won't be too insane. We'll avoid the parks on NYE in any case though!! Thanks

In general, no, you do not have to micro-plan your DLR trip like you do with WDW. There is no FP+ at DLR and dining reservations are not nearly as hard to come by. The parks are very close to each other, so hopping is much easier and you don't have to worry about transportation between parks.

In terms of timing, after New Years is going to be far less busy than before hand. The week between Christmas and New Year is traditionally one of the busiest times of the year at DLR. With New Year being a Thursday, I would except crowds to be present through Sunday, Jan 4. Deluxe APs are blocked until the 1st, So Cal APs are blocked until 4th, and SoCal Select APs are blocked until the 5th. I'm guessing the weekend (Jan 3-4) might be on the crowded side as the locals come to see the Holiday decor one last time before it's removed. It has not yet been announced, but the best estimate is that the holiday decor and rides will begin to be removed on Monday, Jan 5.

 

[DDhunter]

Last Christmas season the week after Christmas and before New Years was INSANELY busy. I am going that week anyway, but I am mentally prepared for Disneygeddon.

We usually do Disneyland on the fly with only a minimal game plan in place, basically a fast pass plan for the day. However, if you do go during a really busy time, you might want to go ahead and make dinner reservations if there are certain restaurants you want to visit.

 

[gottalovepluto]

There have been days the last few years where DL has reached capacity during Christmas to New Years week fyi.

 

[kitayama]

I'm starting to look into a Disneyland trip, but I have only been to Walt Disney World. Do the parks get just as busy in Disneyland and do I have to do as much micro-planning as I would need to do for Disney World? The dates I am thinking of are Jan 2 - Jan 6, mainly because I can't justify taking the 12 year old out of school for more than 2 days. I might consider Dec 28 - Jan 4th if the parks won't be too insane. We'll avoid the parks on NYE in any case though!! Thanks

No need for micro-planning...
I understand your stance on not missing school. If you can live with the extra crowds, I would just go for the 28th through the 4th. You will have a couple of extremely crowded days there, but you will also have a few days where the crowds are not too insane. Honestly, Disneyland is much smaller than Disney World, so even with crowds you can get a lot done. You will be happy with either choice.

A little off topic, but there is a lot to do in Southern California on New Years Eve. Disneyland is crazy on that day, and they don't really do anything special...