Early December

[natenapril]

How is early december? We are are considering booking the 10-13th at the DLH. I need to make my decision soon so that hotel does not fill up
Are the crowd levels really high?

TIA, April

 

[abookworm]

If you look at any of the park attendance graphs the first 2 weeks or so of Dec are the lowest attendance of the year.
Here's one:
http://www.scottware.com.au/theme/feature/atend.htm
My friend went about Dec 9 last yr and they practically had the park to the themselves. They had a blast.
That's why we're going Dec 8-13

 

[HydroGuy]

Pay attention to show schedules on weekdays. Here is a list of shows from Dec 2006: www.laughingplace.com/Guide-Cal-DLR2-200612.asp

 

[CalGal]

Hurry and get your fourth night free. I can't imagine a more wonderful time to go. There may be some refurbishment closures, the hours may be a bit shorter, and you may not be able to see all the parades and shows, but the crowds should be great and the parks and hotels lovely. The holiday overlays for HM and IASW will be up and the Christmas parade will be running. I love DL in December!!!

 

[natenapril]

I went to the disneyland website and it did not offer the 4th night free. What am I missing?
Sorry but I am a newbie to Disneyland and I have only been to WDW once

THanks for the replies!!!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

We went during the first week of December several years ago. It was great! We had a 5 and 2 year old with us in a double stroller and it was easy to walk around and we hardly had any wait times. The Christmas decorations were all up too and it was just a little bit cool - like long sleeves during the day and a fleece sweatshirt at night. I think it was a perfect time to go!

 

[CalGal]

I went to the disneyland website and it did not offer the 4th night free. What am I missing?
Sorry but I am a newbie to Disneyland and I have only been to WDW once

THanks for the replies!!!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1503589

WDTC (Walt Disney Travel Company) and companies that book through WDTD (such as Costco, AAA, Getaway) is offering a 4th night free at the Disney properties and some good neighbor hotels when you book a fall package (don't know the exact dates, but basically in the off-season Sep-mid Dec, holidays excluded). However, I believe there are only a limited number of rooms available through this promotion, so you need to book fast.

 

[Albort]

If you look at any of the park attendance graphs the first 2 weeks or so of Dec are the lowest attendance of the year.
Here's one:
http://www.scottware.com.au/theme/feature/atend.htm
My friend went about Dec 9 last yr and they practically had the park to the themselves. They had a blast.
That's why we're going Dec 8-13

Wrong... and there are a few reasons...

1) First two weeks are the ONLY two weeks the two lowest APs can get into the park.

2) First two weeks are the ONLY two weeks CM passes are allowed. Dont forget, many MANY will use them because they will expire around on the 15th.

 

[abookworm]

Wrong... and there are a few reasons...

1) First two weeks are the ONLY two weeks the two lowest APs can get into the park.

2) First two weeks are the ONLY two weeks CM passes are allowed. Dont forget, many MANY will use them because they will expire around on the 15th.

well, the chart attendance #s comes from somewhere....
It's still is likely to be pretty empty compared to most other times I'd guess. And I'm talking weekdays, not weekends which will always be busier to some extent.

 

[DangerMouse]

well, the chart attendance #s comes from somewhere....
It's still is likely to be pretty empty compared to most other times I'd guess. And I'm talking weekdays, not weekends which will always be busier to some extent.

That chart has been around for years and years and doesn't appear to have been updated. We have been going in December for quite some time and have found the parks to be getting much more crowded now during the first half of December. That's why this year we are choosing to go in Jan and Nov.

 

[abookworm]

That chart has been around for years and years and doesn't appear to have been updated. We have been going in December for quite some time and have found the parks to be getting much more crowded now during the first half of December. That's why this year we are choosing to go in Jan and Nov.

I didn't mean just that chart, charts in books like the Unofficial guide, other websites, etc have the same pattern.
And at least 2 people I know that went last yr in this time frame for 5 days had the same experience-low crowds, no waits.
I know you can never say FOR SURE what the crowds will be until you get there but the guides are out there for a reason-a general guideline.

 

[pumpkin5156]

well, the chart attendance #s comes from somewhere....
It's still is likely to be pretty empty compared to most other times I'd guess. And I'm talking weekdays, not weekends which will always be busier to some extent.

Okay people, we have gone to DL TWICE every December for the last 10 or so years (during the first two weeks), so I think I can give you a very honest and real answer to the crowd levels:

On the weekends and Friday nights, it's going to be crowded. Not summetime crowded, but too crowded that we don't go on these days. We usually go mid week and it is very pleasant. Waits are no longer than 20-30 minutes for the big rides during peak ride times in the day. Most are 5-10 minute waits and we hardly ever use fastpasses.

NOW, nights do get crowded because the AP's come for the nighttime festivities, but we seem to bear it very well. It's never been unpleasant (you're at DL!!)


I will say to get to the park before opening, as you can do so much in the morning hours. The most crowded year was the 50th celebration a few years back, but even then it was tolerable. So go and have fun!

 

[Anater]

Sorry for going a little off topic.... I have been reading all the boards, charts, books, etc and have came to the conclusion that the week between Christmas and New Years is the absolute worst time to go - as far as crowds. We have booked a trip for December 15-18 / Sunday through Wednesday. It is the week before Christmas (it falls on a Tuesday this year), and according to the Anaheim school district calendar, the week before their schools (normal not year round) break for the Holidays. Has anyone been there the week right before Christmas, who can let me know what crowds will be like. BTW - I tried to get the fourth night free after booking the DLH, and they told me that the special ends 12/15 - so no free night. I'm thinking that a lot of people will take advantage of the special (as well as expiring CM passes) so maybe the crowds will be less for us? We are going regardless, but it would be nice to know if we should purchase Ridemax or if we can get by just by using EE and HydroGuy's tips.

 

[joseph821]

Sorry for going a little off topic.... I have been reading all the boards, charts, books, etc and have came to the conclusion that the week between Christmas and New Years is the absolute worst time to go - as far as crowds. We have booked a trip for December 15-18 / Sunday through Wednesday. It is the week before Christmas (it falls on a Tuesday this year), and according to the Anaheim school district calendar, the week before their schools (normal not year round) break for the Holidays. Has anyone been there the week right before Christmas, who can let me know what crowds will be like. BTW - I tried to get the fourth night free after booking the DLH, and they told me that the special ends 12/15 - so no free night. I'm thinking that a lot of people will take advantage of the special (as well as expiring CM passes) so maybe the crowds will be less for us? We are going regardless, but it would be nice to know if we should purchase Ridemax or if we can get by just by using EE and HydroGuy's tips.

I think alot of people including myself and my family are taking advantage of the 4th Night Free promotion. December 5 through the 10th is when we are going. The crowds should not be bad at all then and I believe your vacation shold be OK crowdwise. I think DL will be packed from December 20 onward.
Enjoy your trip!

 

[CalGal]

Has anyone been there the week right before Christmas, who can let me know what crowds will be like.

I've gone several times the week before Christmas. I go as soon as my DS gets out of school. It has been my experience that DL starts getting quite crowded as soon as the schools get out, and gets progressively more crowded as Christmas nears. I don't think it is nearly as crowded as the week after Christmas, but it definitely can get crowded. That being said, it is still a wonderful time to go. The park is decorated so beautifully, the holiday versions of HM and IASW are up, you are offered a full slate of shows -- it's just wonderful. With Christmas falling on a Tuesday this year, you might find the crowds are not quite as bad as some years in the past. My son's school district in Northern California is actually not out until the following week (through the first week of January). Be prepared to hit the parks early, use FP wisely -- all the typical high season recommendation -- and you will have a most enjoyable time.

 

[Anater]

I think alot of people including myself and my family are taking advantage of the 4th Night Free promotion. December 5 through the 10th is when we are going. The crowds should not be bad at all then and I believe your vacation shold be OK crowdwise.
Enjoy your trip!

We'll cross our fingers and hope for the best!

 

[BlueBayou]

We were December travelers for several years but switched to October two years ago. The reasons for the switch was our daughter's school having an Oct. fall break and the increasing December crowds.

The crowds were getting much larger on the weekends. On our last December night was a Friday (I think it was the 17th - it was the first night Fantasmic was back after being dark) when we went back from DCA to see the fireworks... the crowds were so bad that they had us walk backstage from near the hat shop on Town Square to Tomorrowland.

I don't think that the crowds had been expected that particular weekend. On Monday there was a write up about it on mouseplant.com.

Even with the huge weekend crowds... It was still workable. I would not do DL at night unless you have to see Fantasmic or the fireworks. I have pretty much decided if I am ever going to do Fantasmic - I will pay the extra $$$ to do the desert buffet where you get to have a seat away from the crushing crowds. I am just not a crowd person. I feel very trapped.

 

[natenapril]

Seems like there are a few ways it can go We have decided to go in Early december. Now I just need to book!
Thanks for the replies. I am sure I will have a million more questions!