Going just before Christmas

[StarlitNight05]

I was able to get my flex pass reservations for December 19th and 20th. Now I'm trying to decide if I want to go. We have the time off through work as part of our normal holiday vacation time and we have BWPPI booked. The rate can be cancelled if needed and we are driving, so no plane tickets to deal with.

I really want to see the Christmas decorations, but now I'm worried crowds will be EXTREME. However, it looks like all SoCal APs will be blocked those days, and Deluxe will be blocked the 20th so that gives me a bit of hope. Although I also know that means Disney is expecting crowds... If we do go, we will do our normal plan of rope dropping until early afternoon, stacking maxpasses, and coming back in the early evening.

Any guesses on how ridiculous the crowds will be? We can deal with moderate/high crowds (think Halloween time), but if it's shoulder to shoulder that's not very pleasant. I traumatized DH (then DBF) when we went on a trip for my grad school graduation celebration -- it was two days after Christmas in 2012. Crowds were very, very bad. One day in particular we were gridlocked in NOS for a few minutes and it was just a sea of people. I believe they were doing the first stages of gate closures as well.

So, is that type of crowding typical for the week before Christmas too? Anyone have experience with the week before Christmas that can chime in? Thanks!

 

[Plip]

I know I've read before that December 27-28 are historically THE most crowded days at Disneyland and have often reached capacity (and Disney has closed the turnstiles). So it's reasonable to expect December 19-20 to be at least somewhat less crowded than you experienced then. But let's not kid ourselves -- it's going to be crowded, and more so than during your Halloween trips.

But I don't think that's a reason not to go! I think you just need to be mentally prepared for it (and not being ready for it was probably why your husband was traumatized years ago).

Go with the mindset that you're going to be in the single most desirable place in the world to be six day before Christmas! And because of that, it's going to be crowded. It's like being in Times Square on New Year's Eve -- crowded beyond what you'd want to endure on a regular basis, but, really, where would you rather be?

So just plan for it. Get the dining/show reservations if they're still available. Plan to sit and wait for the parades and fireworks from as early as they'll let you claim your spots. Figure it's going to be a 10- not 20-attraction day, and that's will Max Pass. Expect to wade through the shops single-file at times. And embrace the splendor of it all!

 

[StarlitNight05]

I know I've read before that December 27-28 are historically THE most crowded days at Disneyland and have often reached capacity (and Disney has closed the turnstiles). So it's reasonable to expect December 19-20 to be at least somewhat less crowded than you experienced then. But let's not kid ourselves -- it's going to be crowded, and more so than during your Halloween trips.

But I don't think that's a reason not to go! I think you just need to be mentally prepared for it (and not being ready for it was probably why your husband was traumatized years ago).

Go with the mindset that you're going to be in the single most desirable place in the world to be six day before Christmas! And because of that, it's going to be crowded. It's like being in Times Square on New Year's Eve -- crowded beyond what you'd want to endure on a regular basis, but, really, where would you rather be?

So just plan for it. Get the dining/show reservations if they're still available. Plan to sit and wait for the parades and fireworks from as early as they'll let you claim your spots. Figure it's going to be a 10- not 20-attraction day, and that's will Max Pass. Expect to wade through the shops single-file at times. And embrace the splendor of it all!

Very true about it being a desirable place during this time of year. DLR is always where I want to be, particuarly with the big beautiful Christmas tree! We go quite often, so if we don't make it on a lot of attractions that is totally fine. It really is a matter of expectations as you said. And I agree that it hopefully won't be as bad as the days after Christmas like we experienced previously. Thanks for your thoughts and reassurance.

 

[SoCalDisneyFan2708]

I personally don't think you need to worry at all. Especially if you'll be rope dropping and getting MP. It should actually be no busier than any other Thursday or Friday when you factor in the AP blackouts. Most schools are still in session that whole week. Now the week after is when it will start to get crazy.

 

[TikiTikiFan]

We went last year on those dates (and are again this year!) and it was surprisingly not bad at all on the day’s the APs were blocked. Last year the most crowded day for us was a day that was the last one the APs (Deluxe?) could get in before the end of the year and it was madness.

Sooooo let’s hope!