General Tips for going during busy time of year?

[DWLA]

In our prior trips we have always aimed for 'down time' in crowds. Even then it has sometimes been tough doing everything we want to do. But this year we have an impromptu trip and it is going to be in the week before Christmas.

We know this is going to be a really, really busy time of year. We're trying to craft our plan for how best to make the most out of the trip. I'd be very grateful for any insights, or links to other threads, with suggestions.

Some general thoughts we have so far:

- Rides first thing in the morning. Then only fastpass. The lines are probably going to get prohibitive.
- Dining reservation for both Fantasmic! and World of Color. I know they are not as important for World of Color, but for peak crowds, we figure it can't hurt.
-Alternate viewing spots for fireworks, such as by small world.
- Dining reservations for all meals that we can - so we get seated quicker.
- Focus on sightseeing, hidden mickeys, shopping, and snacking, over trying to get on ride lines.
- Aim for the second showing of anything that has a first or second show time.

Thanks for any veteran insights. We're a little intimidated as to how bad it will be, and just want to be as prepared as possible.

 

[figment_jii]

-Alternate viewing spots for fireworks, such as by small world.

I don't know that IaSW or the F! viewing areas are really considered "alternate" viewing areas anymore. They're all very popular and being promoted by DLR as great spots to view the fireworks. At this point, when folks are looking for less busy viewing areas, I think you're starting to get to the really secondary areas where the views are obstructed and you won't necessarily see/experience everything.

- Dining reservations for all meals that we can - so we get seated quicker.

I would highly recommend making reservation, but not so you'll be seated "quicker." It's so you'll be seated. During the busy times, it's not uncommon for venues to turn away walk-up guests. I've seen it happen at Carthay, Cafe Orleans, Carnations, and Blue Bayou on a fairly regular basis of late.

I wouldn't necessarily rule out attractions in afternoon, but it might be a good time to focus on the generally less-busy attractions (e.g., the train, Mr. Lincoln, Mark Twain/Columbia, Tom Sawyers Island, etc.). It might also be a good time to try and have your meals (e.g., aim for a late lunch around 1:00 pm instead of 11:30 am).

 

[Mr. Bastos]

We did the alternate viewing for the fireworks in May. If at all possible, I'd try and go to the main area. I was bobbing my head back and forth between the two areas. There were some extra effects that I wouldn't have noticed if I didn't turn my head around. Although either way, it should still be fun.

 

[BadPinkTink]

I go to Disney last weekend in June every year and its busy busy busy.

We try to get there by 9am latest. First thing is straight to California adventures and a Fast Pass for World of Colour and RSR. Then either stay in CA and go to Soaring and Toy Story Mania or go over to the main park and Peter Pan, get a Fast Pass for Indiana Jones, then Pirates and Haunted Mansion. Try to get as much done before 12 or 1pm.

Do an ADR somewhere for lunch

Fantasimic Dining Package is well worth it, they were not taking walk ins at Blue Bayou the day we went.

Take a break in the afternoon if possible, or go to CA as the main park can get very crowded

Try to be in New Orleans Square during Fantasmic, Haunted Mansion and Pirates are walk ons

 

[Sherry E]

When you say "in the week before Christmas," do you mean the week leading up to Christmas -- the week starting with Monday, December 21st? Or do you mean the week before that one, starting with Monday, 12/14? I just wanted to be sure I was clear on it, as I know that sometimes people mean one thing and I think they mean another!

 

[DWLA]

Figment,

Good to know, I'll book everyplace we can so we don't end up going hungry. Love your food photos!!!

We did the alternate viewing for the fireworks in May. If at all possible, I'd try and go to the main area. I was bobbing my head back and forth between the two areas. There were some extra effects that I wouldn't have noticed if I didn't turn my head around. Although either way, it should still be fun.

Thanks for the tip. I guess we will try to be in Main Street. Last time we were there at off season and Main Street was still INSANE. I get terrors in the middle of the night just thinking about it.

I go to Disney last weekend in June every year and its busy busy busy.

We try to get there by 9am latest. First thing is straight to California adventures and a Fast Pass for World of Colour and RSR. Then either stay in CA and go to Soaring and Toy Story Mania or go over to the main park and Peter Pan, get a Fast Pass for Indiana Jones, then Pirates and Haunted Mansion. Try to get as much done before 12 or 1pm.

Do an ADR somewhere for lunch

Fantasimic Dining Package is well worth it, they were not taking walk ins at Blue Bayou the day we went.

Take a break in the afternoon if possible, or go to CA as the main park can get very crowded

Try to be in New Orleans Square during Fantasmic, Haunted Mansion and Pirates are walk ons

Thank you for the tips. I saw that World of Color had a fastpass system, but haven't look into it too much yet. Do you think park hopping is worth it? I thought I'd end up fighting crowds too much trying to move from one to the other.

When you say "in the week before Christmas," do you mean the week leading up to Christmas -- the week starting with Monday, December 21st? Or do you mean the week before that one, starting with Monday, 12/14? I just wanted to be sure I was clear on it, as I know that sometimes people mean one thing and I think they mean another!

Sherry,

The week starting with the 21st (technically we get in the morning of the 20th).

Thanks!

 

[BadPinkTink]

Thank you for the tips. I saw that World of Color had a fastpass system, but haven't look into it too much yet. Do you think park hopping is worth it? I thought I'd end up fighting crowds too much trying to move from one to the other.

Defiantly get the WOC Fastpass or there is also a dining package, which is another option. If you are getting the FP, get it as early as possible, as they give out the good viewing area first.

We usually park hop for the afternoon. The main park in the afternoon in June gets really really crowded and hot. CA is busy too but its bearable. Get the train to Main street or the Monorail from Tommorowland to Downtown Disney to beat the crowds. The central Plaza is busy but not crowded, so once you get there, you will be fine.

 

[Sherry E]

Sherry,

The week starting with the 21st (technically we get in the morning of the 20th).

Thanks!

Okay -- good to know! Well, one good thing is that at least you won't be there between Christmas and New Year's, when the crowds are even worse!

There is always the chance that there could be some rain -- or solid threats of rain -- around the time of your trip. Supposedly we are going to get pummeled with lots of rain this winter, but I don't know if it will have already kicked in by that time. if there is even a substantial threat of rain (meaning at least a 50% or 60% chance), that will keep some of the crowds away.

Last year, December 20th was the start of a sort of sneak preview of some of the elements of Frozen Fun which probably contributed a bit to the just-before-Christmas crowds. Some of the Frozen Fun stuff has stuck around all through this year, but I would imagine that at some point Disney will bring back Olaf's Snow Fest. And it remains to be seen whether or not Freeze the Night will return. In any case, assuming that those things are back again, I don't know if Disney would bring them back when the holiday season starts in November, or right before Christmas again, or right when the holiday season ends in January. It's something to keep a eye on, just in case.

You'll also be arriving before the assorted Santas at the 3 Disney hotels disappear, so if anyone in your group has a need to meet Santa and listen to carolers, you will get to do that (they're generally gone after Christmas, for the most part).

I used to go to DLR on the weekend immediately before Christmas every year. It started getting a bit too crowded for my liking, to be honest, which is what caused me to start doing my December trips in the first week or two of the month instead. I vividly remember trying to get into New Orleans Square to look in one of the shops, and the crowds were too dense to push through. I gave up. However, this was all before Cars Land, and before DCA really began pulling in more crowds. I think that a lot of people were just focused on Disneyland back in those days. So it might not seem as crazy crowded in those days leading up to Christmas now. In fact, a lot of people from this forum have gone during that week or still go, and they know it will be crowded but they say it's not too bad. They still have a good time. Some people even say that the crowds really don't start to get heavy until Christmas eve, or maybe 12/23.

 

[NewbieMouse]

Sounds like we share the same feelings about crowds [SHUDDER]. I'm sure it's been said, but getting there early (this can't be stressed enough) is essential. Also, we try to eat at off-peak times so that we are riding when most people eat. So we'll do early lunch (11:00) or early dinner 3:30/4:00). We usually try to have one big meal a day and do quick snacks the rest of the time, so as to not eat up too much time in restaurants. But when we do sit down to eat, we try to pick off hours.

Not sure if you are "rain averse" (and you have no control over that of course) but that's what I always hope for - keeps the crowds at bay, like Sherry says!

 

[Angrose]

When the crowds just get too hard to bear, take in a show! Aladdin is spectacular (arrive 30min in advance), Mickey and the Magical Map is fun (arrive 5-10min early), and the shows at the Royal Theatre are charming and silly (not sure if you still need FP for these). Also, the Christmas parade is wonderful and also try to see the Viva Navidad! street festival in DCA (I missed this last year and I'm so sad about it!). You can also take a mid-afternoon break for hot chocolate at Jolly Holiday. I love to sit on the patio there and watch all the action in the Hub. Or hunt for pressed pennies (my son's favorite thing to do). Disneyland is about so much more than the rides, it's the little things that make it so magical, and even MORE SO during the holidays

Oh, and don't forget to follow Sherry's Christmas thread...it contains so much valuable information!

 

[CAmommy]

Since my family is heavy into rides, we wound up skipping most shows when we visited last July. We rode every ride except Alice in Wonderland, but skipped Fantasmic and got a terrible viewing spot for fireworks. The kids had a blast, though, and that's what matters. We even did the canoes, which we NEVER get to do since they are seasonal. We also rode Space Mountain, Matterhorn, and Indiana Jones 3 times each. You have to just decide what's most important. For us, it was rides.

 

[Sherry E]

I just posted this in the Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread, but wanted to update here because I referred to Olaf's Snow Fest above. I found out that Olaf's Snow Fest is definitely coming back, and it is looking very much like it will probably appear at some point during the holiday season. I am inclined to think that it will appear way before January this time around, but I don't know if it will be up and running by the holiday season start date in mid-November, or if it will start right before Christmas (which is when some of the Frozen Fun stuff previewed last year), or somewhere in between. My guess is that it will appear earlier in the season this time around so that people can enjoy it for more weeks than if it were to pop up right before December 25th.

I don't have any info about Freeze the Night yet -- that got rather chilly reviews ( see what I did there?), so it may not come back. But... we'll see.

 

[Indiana Scott]

If it works for you, going for meals early helps beat the crowds even on busy days. We do lunch at 11:30 and dinner at 4:30 and never have issues.
Then maybe a snack later after dinner.