Help me plan our December trip

[MommyCMickey]

Hey everyone A CERTIFIED WDW family here, so I pulled the trigger and we are going to Disneyland December 26-31. It's our first time at Disneyland and it will be 2 adults and a 5 year old. It's mainly a birthday trip for my 5 year old so want to make it magical. We are flying in and out of LAX, currently waitlisted at the Grand Californian for a deluxe studio but I'm sure it's a reach, so we booked the JW Marriott just in case. Definitely bringing a stroller. Trying to book tickets, do I need a park hopper or can we get away with 1 park per day? Or do 4 days and spend 2 days at each park? I don't want to rent a car because when I fly to LAX for work, their traffic give me anxiety, so I don't mind doing rideshare (I'm aware of how it works from LAX), or should we do a shuttle and if so which ones? I've searched the other pages that were linked in other post so I've been helped a little. Also, typically, what's the weather like in December? Thanks in advance

 

[mdmost]

Park hoppers at DLR are great because the parks are a walk across an esplanade from each other. It's not the chore it is like park hopping at WDW. That said, it's just a personal choice. We love the flexibility of being able to jump back and forth. We don't use it often but we like the ability to do so. You can definitely do a park per day. We usually do 3 days at DLR, 1 at CA. We'll go back to CA to ride some nighttime rides on the final day but there are a lot less rides at CA. You may or may not want that with a 5 year old. If your kid is really into Cars, Marvel, and other Pixar IP then 2 days at CA might be worth it for your kid.

Please be aware it will be extremely busy at that time due to Christmas break. You just have to go in knowing that. The positive of DLR vs. WDW is you can get a lot done if you get up early and get in the parks. The locals tend to come after 10am. If you get in and use the early entry options you would have staying at the Grand Californian, you're ahead of the game. The decorations are so great that time of year. We made this same trip in 2018 except we did a trip from 12/23-12/27.

We typically just do rideshare from LAX. You can also look at flying into Orange County (SNA) and you're that much closer to DLR. I would look at booking transportation in advance if you're bringing a stroller. I don't know what's allowed but there are sites that can help with booking travel to DLR from the airports.

 

[LKing]

The positive of DLR vs. WDW is you can get a lot done if you get up early and get in the parks. The locals tend to come after 10am.

ALL Magic Keys (annual passes) are blocked that week.

 

[MommyCMickey]

Park hoppers at DLR are great because the parks are a walk across an esplanade from each other. It's not the chore it is like park hopping at WDW. That said, it's just a personal choice. We love the flexibility of being able to jump back and forth. We don't use it often but we like the ability to do so. You can definitely do a park per day. We usually do 3 days at DLR, 1 at CA. We'll go back to CA to ride some nighttime rides on the final day but there are a lot less rides at CA. You may or may not want that with a 5 year old. If your kid is really into Cars, Marvel, and other Pixar IP then 2 days at CA might be worth it for your kid.

Please be aware it will be extremely busy at that time due to Christmas break. You just have to go in knowing that. The positive of DLR vs. WDW is you can get a lot done if you get up early and get in the parks. The locals tend to come after 10am. If you get in and use the early entry options you would have staying at the Grand Californian, you're ahead of the game. The decorations are so great that time of year. We made this same trip in 2018 except we did a trip from 12/23-12/27.

We typically just do rideshare from LAX. You can also look at flying into Orange County (SNA) and you're that much closer to DLR. I would look at booking transportation in advance if you're bringing a stroller. I don't know what's allowed but there are sites that can help with booking travel to DLR from the airports.

Thank you, this helps a lot! He loves Cars so if we can at least see and experience some of radiator springs, he'll be happy with that for sure

 

[LKing]

Also, typically, what's the weather like in December?

It depends on where you are coming from. If you are from the east coast, you'll feel like it is tropical here. I'm local and I see plenty of people wearing shorts and tshirts in December. Personally, I usually wear jeans and a spirit jersey around that time of year. The evenings get cooler so bring an additional layer or plan on purchasing a sweatshirt. There is always a possibility of rain. The DLR stores currently have a nice assortment of rain jackets ($70), but I'm not sure how long they will be around. They also sell the cheap rain ponchos. I don't see many umbrellas in the stores.

Lockers are available to rent in both parks as well as in DTD.

 

[MommyCMickey]

It depends on where you are coming from. If you are from the east coast, you'll feel like it is tropical here. I'm local and I see plenty of people wearing shorts and tshirts in December. Personally, I usually wear jeans and a spirit jersey around that time of year. The evenings get cooler so bring an additional layer or plan on purchasing a sweatshirt. There is always a possibility of rain. The DLR stores currently have a nice assortment of rain jackets ($70), but I'm not sure how long they will be around. They also sell the cheap rain ponchos. I don't see many umbrellas in the stores.

Lockers are available to rent in both parks as well as in DTD.

We're coming from DC and its typically freezing in December

 

[mdmost]

I always like to point people to Disneyland Daily if they're first timers to DLR. Casey does a great job of breaking down the parks, how they are different from WDW, and has great tips and tricks for things to look at and do in and out of the parks. She also has itineraries for people with young kids which might benefit you.

https://disneylanddaily.com/a-first-timers-guide-to-disneyland/

https://disneylanddaily.com/holidays-at-disneyland-everything-you-need-to-know/

 

[Dr. G]

I highly recommend adding Parkhoppers to your tickets. Disneyland is SO different than Disney World. Disneyland feels like one park compared to what you run into at WDW. When we have 4 days we usually start in Disneyland on the 1st, 3rd and 4th days and CA on the 2nd day, depending on days of the week.

 

[Kit Jackson]

If you can afford it, Parkhoppers are fantastic because the parks are so close to each other. Also, it gives you more flexibility in terms of things being crowded or rides being down.

If your little boy loves Cars, Radiator Springs will totally and completely blow his mind. It is next level amazing. It's especially magical at night with the neon lights, so maybe try to time your visit so you can see it in daytime but also in all its neon wonder.