Help?!?! Rearranging _everything_ a few weeks out?

[vault19dweller]

So, I was planning on spending 4 days at Disneyland with Hoppers - from Sat 3rd to Tue 7th December.

However, they have literally only just released PtN dining packages for holiday season, but this weekend is not included for BB reservations Probably because of Candlelight.

Both nights of the weekend we will be there, they plan on having: 2 x Christmas Parade (1pm & 3.15pm), 1 x Fireworks (8.45pm), 2 x Candlelight Processional (5.30pm & 8pm) & 1 x Paint the Night (10.45pm)

I kind of can't believe that they're literally doing 6 events from 1pm to closing on each night

Anyway, Paint the Night is our biggest thing we want to see.

I've managed to get an Aladdins Oasis reservation on 3rd December, but I'm starting to worry with so many events on (to the point that BB is not offering a PtN package) - I think the crowds this weekend are going to be huge.


I had picked the first week of December (including that weekend for entertainment) for lower crowds, back before I knew of all the events they're doing.

I might be able to rearrange it so that, instead, we do the 4 Disneyland days on Tue 7th to Friday the 9th instead - this would mean trying to (and hoping for availability) rearranging all hotels, dining, park tickets, which have all been booked at the moment.

Would Friday the 9th of December have a notable lower level of crowds (vs 3rd or 4th December) that it would make it worth trying to rearrange it all???


As you can tell I'm in a bit of a panic now because they literally released these dinner reservations only 3 weeks away (when they tell us to book 60 days in advance) and calendar only a bit before that

 

[Skyegirl1999]

If you're looking at overall trip crowds, the Tuesday-Friday trip should be lower because it's during the week without special events, of course.

If you're looking just for viewing PTN purposes, 10:45 is pretty late, so even though it's the only time it's showing, a lot of people will have cleared out by then... I mean, if it's your #1 thing to see, probably one of you could swing staking out a spot if needed?

I probably wouldn't try rebooking everything just for the potentially better parade viewing since you CAN see it just fine either way, but if the overal crowds with the professional have you spooked, maybe it's worth it?

 

[MacMama0930]

I almost moved everything because PTN wasn't even going to be there at all when I was there - and it was like the main reason I was going again! But I decided against it. Didn't have it in me to rebook everything. So if I were you, I'd leave it alone. You're getting to see it! And you have a package so you'll have some spot reserved. I think every showing of it is going to be slammed. People are dying to see it and worried it'll go to WDW after this. No matter when you go, crowds will high.

 

[Disney Rose]

If you don't have young kids and the 10:45 Paint the Night is possible then stick with your current plans and do the 10:45 parade.

 

[princess_jamie]

I'm planning on going the 3-6th and I'm not overly concerned. I know it'll be busy but I'm happy to wait for PTN and I think you just have to set good expectations and be flexible. Plus, the more people that are at the events, the less will be on rides!

 

[figment_jii]

I would also stick with your current plans and just know that Main Street area will be pretty busy in the evenings due to Candlelight Processional. If seeing PtN is your main priority, then I would stick with the plan that has two nights where there is the chance to see it. That way if it rains (while not terribly likely, it could happen), you have a fallback night to see the parade.

In terms of crowds, I wouldn't count on Friday, Dec 9 being all that much less crowded. That is the last Friday that SoCal and SoCal Select AP holders can get into the parks before the holiday AP blockout goes into effect. For SoCal Select AP holders that the last chance to see PtN this season and for SoCal AP holders that's one of the last two nights. So, there is a chance that the crowds might bump up during the evenings as these AP holders come into the parks one last time to see the holiday offerings.

 

[Nonsuch]

...Both nights of the weekend we will be there, they plan on having: 2 x Christmas Parade (1pm & 3.15pm), 1 x Fireworks (8.45pm), 2 x Candlelight Processional (5.30pm & 8pm) & 1 x Paint the Night (10.45pm)
I kind of can't believe that they're literally doing 6 events from 1pm to closing on each night

Last year, there was also Fantasmic!
Weekends in early December 2015 and every night later in the month, there was:
2 x Christmas Parade, 2 x PTN, 2 x F!, 1 x Fireworks (2x a few nights).

 

[vault19dweller]

Thank you all so much

I'm a planner at heart and know that DLR needs less planning than WDW, but I still like to try to at least plan what days and where, especially with flying across the world for it.

So I must admit the idea of trying to rebook things and hope for vacancy when everything looks full already kinda had me freaked out, and I just wasn't sure if it was worth it?!
But people here helped!!!!

I guess the weekdays may have been a little quite, but it's all said and done now.
I didn't know the following Friday was the last Friday before AP block out so totally understand that Friday prolly being similar to the previous weekend.
I've got a hotel and tickets and 1 x oasis so I'll leave it as is, even if I wanted to change it (which I don't think I do any more) everything is sold out cos it's so close.

Will stay with my original dates and just set expectation that crowds will be high / very high on Main St.

Thank you all again, you're all so supportive and informative and understanding and helpful.


Ps: Sorry for my mini panic freak out / "haaallppp" thing
And thank you again <3