First week Dec..will it be crazy?

[DnA2010]

So DH are pondering throwing together a last minute trip...during the beginning of next month?!
We are considering Dec 3-8/9...will it be crazy? it would be DH, our 13 year old and our baby who would be 15 months..we would book somewhere walking distance to be able to take baby back if needed...
Will there be evening entertainment Sun-Thurs nights if we go back friday?
Thanks sooo much, we usually don't plan that far ahead, but not usually this close!

 

[Geemo]

So DH are pondering throwing together a last minute trip...during the beginning of next month?!
We are considering Dec 3-8/9...will it be crazy? it would be DH, our 13 year old and our baby who would be 15 months..we would book somewhere walking distance to be able to take baby back if needed...
Will there be evening entertainment Sun-Thurs nights if we go back friday?
Thanks sooo much, we usually don't plan that far ahead, but not usually this close!

The Disney schedule is out for your dates. https://disneyland.disney.go.com/calendars/five-day/2017-12-03/
Looks like there will be evening fireworks, Fantasmic is scheduled for Sunday.

Plan for crowds and have a good time. As you know weekdays will be easier than weekends.

The challenge might be finding a place in walking distance. Prices are going to be right up there...
If you can't find online take the time to call and see if the hotel has something.

Geemo

 

[ttig34]

I would expect it to be crazy busy. I have been going at this time for several years and the past couple of years this week has become very busy. It used to only stay open til like 8 or 9 weekdays this week in thr past, it now stays open to midnight. It also seems to be more difficult to find rooms this week than any other week in December. If you REALLY cannot take crowds, I would not go- but if you expect them and come prepared then you can still have a lot of fun.

 

[chickapin parterre]

....interesting that the times have been changed...I would hope that would ease the evening local crowd visiting in short time frame and can now arrive later in the evening. Monday will not not be fun because of the overflow from the Candlelight event. the two positives about your week, for 2017, is that there is that extra week of of holiday visiting before December so that should take the pressure off the week, a couple of windy nights to cancel events could ease local crowding in the evenings. Wednesday will be your best day of the week to give you comfort about it being crazy and if you return to lodging mid-day, then a great trip should happen.

 

[SteveMP]

We've been going that week the past 10 or so years. Not too bad, it has been getting more crowded the last couple years, but thats DL in general.

 

[ttig34]

Everybody is different at what they consider crazy busy, too. The things that stand out to me from last year was that when we arrived around 11 am on Wednesday, the Pirates wait was 75 minutes- prior years I dont recall it ever being longer than 30 minutes midweek at that time and we only rode Small World once last year as the lines were always really long, in prior years again, generally no longer than 30 minutes. So in past years we rode several time per trip. But now that it has fastpass, things may change. One other reason that week tends to be busy is that it is the final Friday and/or Saturday of the holiday season that lower level APs are not blocked. So many go for that one last visit. But as others have said, in general D-Land seems to be busier lately.

 

[DnA2010]

Everybody is different at what they consider crazy busy, too. The things that stand out to me from last year was that when we arrived around 11 am on Wednesday, the Pirates wait was 75 minutes- prior years I dont recall it ever being longer than 30 minutes midweek at that time and we only rode Small World once last year as the lines were always really long, in prior years again, generally no longer than 30 minutes. So in past years we rode several time per trip. But now that it has fastpass, things may change. One other reason that week tends to be busy is that it is the final Friday and/or Saturday of the holiday season that lower level APs are not blocked. So many go for that one last visit. But as others have said, in general D-Land seems to be busier lately.

Thank you all for your thoughts...
Given Wednesday would be likely as the slowest day, and you mention 75 min waits for Pirates...we should expect areas to all be pretty crowded, the rides that generally don't have much wait to have a long wait, camping out for parades, that sort of thing?

 

[az4boys]

Everybody is different at what they consider crazy busy, too. The things that stand out to me from last year was that when we arrived around 11 am on Wednesday, the Pirates wait was 75 minutes- prior years I dont recall it ever being longer than 30 minutes midweek at that time and we only rode Small World once last year as the lines were always really long, in prior years again, generally no longer than 30 minutes. So in past years we rode several time per trip. But now that it has fastpass, things may change. One other reason that week tends to be busy is that it is the final Friday and/or Saturday of the holiday season that lower level APs are not blocked. So many go for that one last visit. But as others have said, in general D-Land seems to be busier lately.

Are you saying Pirates has a FP? or Small World? I don't remember FP for either on our last trip.

 

[ttig34]

Are you saying Pirates has a FP? or Small World? I don't remember FP for either on our last trip.

Small World is supposed to have a fast pass for the holidays this year. Dont know if it will be kept after the holidays or not. No Pirates fastpass at this time.

 

[ttig34]

Thank you all for your thoughts...
Given Wednesday would be likely as the slowest day, and you mention 75 min waits for Pirates...we should expect areas to all be pretty crowded, the rides that generally don't have much wait to have a long wait, camping out for parades, that sort of thing?

Yeah, last year it did really seem pretty crowded everywhere to me. And you did have to wait a while if you wanted to see a parade, fireworks, etc. You never know though- this year could be different- but if hotel booking is any indication- for example Disneyland Hotel only has Premium club level rooms left for the 6th thru the 10th- all other room types sold out. The next week they still have all room types available for the comparable Wednesday to Sunday. BUT there are a lot of rooms available Sunday until Wednesday-so you may be just fine the first part of your trip. Not trying to scare you away, just be prepared. As some rain or whatever could change things. I am going at that same time but not arriving until Wed, as that is the only week I can go- and will just go with the flow.

 

[valiamo]

So DH are pondering throwing together a last minute trip...during the beginning of next month?!
We are considering Dec 3-8/9...will it be crazy? it would be DH, our 13 year old and our baby who would be 15 months..we would book somewhere walking distance to be able to take baby back if needed...
Will there be evening entertainment Sun-Thurs nights if we go back friday?
Thanks sooo much, we usually don't plan that far ahead, but not usually this close!

See you there! We are staying at the Marriott, and taking the ART over to the park, thye have a good price on rooms right now. I am hoping it is not super busy, but expect loads of crowds for most days.

There are fireworks and Fantasmic on Sunday the 3rd and then again on Friday night. The DLR park is open late every night, and DCA closes around 9 nightly.

Hav3 a great trip!

 

[millie0312]

We’re going dec 4-13 and love that time of year. I find it’s less busy then when school is out but it’s still pretty hefty crowds so come up with a good game plan and MP/FP will be your best friend lol also if you can do mid-day breaks it helps give you a break from he crowds. As others have said WOC, daytime parade, fireworks are nightly- F! Is weekends only. If you check out the schedule there are some new things this year to fill in the gaps a little and of course DCA has all the fun stuff over there too with entertainers and food. I say go and enjoy!