Help, please, for a newbie

[DisneyDotty]

Hi! We're considering a surprise Christmas trip to Disneyland in December for our kids. We are total novices to DL and would appreciate any help you can offer!
1. Is it warm enough to swim outside in late December? Are pools open?
2. Would you recommend the Disneyland Hotel? And does anyone know where I might see a layout of the 2 bedroom suite at the Disneyland Hotel?
3. What would the hours be at Christmastime? And what about crowds?
4. Any good restaurants to recommend?

Thanks so much for any help you can give!!!

 

[iceskatejen]

1. Personally, I wouldn't think of entering a pool that time of year, but how cold it feels is all relative to what you are used to--to a southern Californian, it's pretty cold that time of year.

2. Don't know the answer to this one.

3. If you are talking about the 2 weeks that are winter break, the hours should be long--8 or 9 am to 11 or midnight at DL and 10-9 or 10 at DCA. Crowds at that time are huge. It's one of the most crowded times at DL.

4. DL and DCA don't have much in the way of sit-down restaurants, but the Blue Bayou is a favorite--it's inside the POTC ride.

 

[LucyKate]

It was pretty cold at night when we were there in December, but fairly warm in the day. We swam at night in the heated pool at the Howard Johnson, which was a great hotel. Cold getting to and from the pool though!

Be aware, the week between Christmas and New year is THE busiest week of the year. If you can go just after New Year, or a week or two before Christmas, crowds and hotel bills will be much more pleasant.

Food at Blue Bayou was good, and the service and atmosphere good. Rainforest Cafe is a lot of fun for kids, and the food is srprisingly good for adults. Other than that it was pretty much burgers, pizzas, fries etc.

Mimi's outside the park (oppositie HoJo) was sensational - huge portions, good prices, great service - highly recommend for Breakfast and dinner.

 

[Amy&Dan]

The Disneyland Hotel is wonderful, our favorite hotel in fact. I see you have stayed at the Contemporary, it is somewhat similar to that in that it is highrise hotel. It has very pretty grounds, not as laid out as Port Orleans but very pretty with waterfalls and Koi Ponds. It can get pricey and since you are planning on a busy time of year I would book early if possible. I cannot help you on the suite layout, we have always stayed in a standard size room. I can tell you that the standard rooms are very spacious and can hold 5 people easily. We have been to Disneyland in the winter months including December and February and have swam every trip. The Disneyland Hotel keeps the water very warm and they have a large hot tub so even if the temps are chilly you can still swim. I have never not seen the pools open when we have gone. LucyKate is right though, getting from the pool to your room can be a teeth chattering experience! Disneyland is absolutely beautiful at Christmas, what a nice surprise for your kids. If you can go as much before Christmas as possible that would help with crowds. Disneyland is always crowded on the weekends but with DCA being so close park hopping is a breeze. Also, if you get there as soon as the parks open or even earlier (Main Street opens 30 minutes before the actual park if the official opening is later than 8:00 a.m.) you can get so much done before the crowds arrive.

My favorite dining for sit down restaurants would be:
Goofys Kitchen (our absolute fave), Ariel's Grotto /Cap'n Mickey's (this character restaurant used to be called Ariels, then was changed to Cap'n Mickey's and is undergoing a change to a princess lunch/dinner, no idea what it will be called when you go in December!), Hooke's Pointe and Blue Bayou. Those are all in either Disneyland Resorts or the parks. In Downtown Disney we have always enjoyed Rainforest Cafe, Tortilla Joes and Naples. All of these places are very kid friendly. There are many good counter service options, we love Rancho del Zoccalo, Taste Pilots Grill, Redd Rockets Pizza Port and the French Market. All of those counter service places have huge portions so meals can be shared. There aren't as many choices as WDW but we find the food to be better at DL if a little pricier.

I really love the Birnbaums book for Disneyland, I don't find the Unofficial Guide as helpful for Disneyland as WDW. You will see and enjoy a lot of favorites you are used to at WDW in a more compact, quaint setting. Everything, including DTD is right together, so easy! Some of the rides with the same name are different enough to make you feel like you are getting a whole new experience. Good luck with your plans!

 

[DisneyDotty]

Thanks so much for the quick and helpful replies! We plan to go the week before Christmas--hope this will help in terms of crowds. Will a 5 day Hopper Plus be enough/too much? And what's California Adventure like?
Thanks again!

 

[CalGal]

1. My son has gone swimming at the DL hotel in Dec. The weather fluxuates alot at this time of year. It's not warm enough for me to go swimming in Dec., but for it might be warm enough for your kids.

2/3. I would absolutely recommend the DLH at Christmastime. It's always quite lovely. DTD and GCH are also lovely and fun at Christmas. Your best bet is if you can go before the 16th or so. You can get a 4th night free deal, and the parks won't be very crowded. But once you get close to Christmas, and worse, the week between Christmas and New Years, DL will be very crowded. I'm not sure when exactly the 4th night free deal runs out, but it won't be available right around Christmas, plus the rates will be at their highest then. If you plan to go during the busy period and want to stay at the DLH, consider booking through AAA so that you can get the enhanced FastPass. For room layouts, go to Mary Jo's sticky thread on Official Resort and Good Neighbor Hotels. Under each of the Disney Hotels, there's another thread with Information and Pictures. Mary Jo has outdone herself on these threads. They have tons of cool information including some room layout links.

3. As pointed out, hours will be extended just before and the week after Christmas. Prior to the 16th the park hours will be much shorter except on weekend.
4. Dining recommendations depend so much on your budget and tastes. DTD and the hotels have many good options.

I love Christmas time at DL!