DLP Newbie here! Please help me plan a little bit

[organized mommy]

My family and I are frequent WDW visitors. We love all things Disney! We now have the opportunity to visit DLP and I am overwhelmed! Because I know all about WDW and what we want to do and not want to do, where to eat and where we don't like to eat, etc., how do I go about planning for DLP?

We will be in the area (Anaheim) from 12/01/15 to 12/15/15 (and in San Diego 2 weeks after). What are the must see, do and eat things we need to do while we are there. I know there are many who only go 3-5 days. But we are able and prepared to visit the parks longer.

HELP!! I'm so overwhelmed

 

[figment_jii]

I highly recommend taking a look at HydroGuy's A DLR Guide for WDW Vets. It'll help give you a sense of the similarities and differences between the two resorts.

At this point, we're all still speculating a bit about what the schedule will look like for December in terms of the holiday offerings. DLR has said that A Christmas Fantasy Parade will be presented, along with both versions of WoC, but we don't know times yet.

Check out the 2015 Calendar of Events thread to get a sense of the events and activities that are happening while you are there.

Some of the bigger events that may impact crowds while you are there...

• Candlelight Processional (it's not as big as at WDW and it's not something DLR really promotes/announces) is happening on 12/5 and 12/6. It will impact crowds on Main Street.
• SoCal and SoCal Select AP blockouts start on 12/18, so there is usually a bump in crowds the weekend before as the AP holders come in one last time to see the holiday offerings until January.
• There are rumors that the Holiday parade/show taping may happen in December this year (12/11-13), but this is only a rumor. Still, it's something to keep in mind.

In terms of things not to miss (assuming 2015 is like 2014)...

• Attractions with holiday overlays (It's a Small World Holiday, Haunted Mansion Holiday, Jingle Cruise)
• Gingerbread House(s) in the GCH. They had a big one in the lobby (not big compared to ones in WDW, but still impressive), and smaller ones in Storytellers and White Water Snacks.
• Entertainment. A Christmas Fantasy Parade is cute. WoC has a holiday version (I found it a big Frozen-heavy last year, but we'll see if they've tweaked it this year). The streetmosphere performers (e.g., Dapper Dans, Five and Dime) usually have holiday songs in their rotation.
• Decor. The parks are usually really nicely decorated for the holiday. This year should be a mixture of the holidays and the 60th Anniversary.
• Viva Navidad is fun and worth checking out (Paradise Pier in DCA).

For dining, check out the Disneyland Dining Review and Photos thread to see all of yummy stuff offered in DLR. There are usually seasonal offerings, which we'll know more about close to the actual holidays (right now, it's mostly Fall-offerings (lots of pumpkin)).

 

[superlarz]

You may confuse some people saying DLP. DLP is short for Disneyland Paris. DLR or DL for Disneyland California

 

[Sherry E]

I sent you a PM/conversation with more info, but I didn't mention that there have been lots of WDW vets who have ventured to DLR for the holiday season for the first time (I and others have helped many of them in my Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread) in just the last couple of years or so, and you might have some success connecting with one or both of them for insight. Kathy/ksromack is a good one and she would probably be happy to give you her perspective on the nuances of a holiday trip to DLR as opposed to a trip to WDW, for example. Janet/mom2rtk is also a good choice (coincidentally, I met both Janet and Kathy at the same time, though we all traveled to DLR separately!).