Help with Planning a 1-day Trip between Christmas and New Years

[Peezle]

I wish I was planning this for myself, but alas, I am trying to help a friend who has the opportunity to be at Disneyland for one day (Dec 30) during the last week of the year. She and her daughter were invited to go along with friends who have a son whose high school band will be marching in a parade that day. I know the week between Christmas and New Years is typically the busiest week of the year. It's not the greatest time in the world to go, but it's all my friend has. The itinerary for the band's trip has already been set so there is no flexibility for her to get to do DL for more than just the one day.

She has never been to DL before and she knows I'm a Disney nut (I've been fortunate enough to get to go 5 times) and an oober planner, so she came to me for help. So I'm coming to all of you for help (!!) mainly because I have never been to DL during the holidays, much less the crazy week between Christmas and New Years. I have already spent quite a bit of time perusing this wonderful website looking for information, hints and tips, but finally decided to give all of you experts and holiday veterans an opportunity to help me help her plan the best day they can possibly have. Even with knowing it will be insanely crowded and they only have one day, she is very excited about getting to experience DL!

Because they will be travelling with a large group and have to rely on the transportation being provided, they won't have any control over when they arrive at DL or when they have to leave. She hasn't been able to get those details yet, so all we can do is hope that they will get them to DL for rope drop and allow them to close the park that night. For now, we'll assume they will get to be in the parks for the full day.

She and her daughter will have 1-day park hopper passes.

Her daughter's fiancé is also in the mix here. He is the older brother of the young man who will be marching in the parade. So I am planning for the three of them. The assumption is that my friend, her daughter and the fiancé will spend the day together apart from his family. His family has been to DL before, doesn't plan on park hopping, and obviously plans to watch their son in the parade.

The short list of things they want to do includes:
Attractions in DL - Space Mountain, Star Tours, Jungle Cruise, Indiana Jones Adventure, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, and Splash Mountain
Attractions in DCA - Radiator Springs Racers, Soarin' Over California
Dining - Blue Bayou
Shows - Fantasmic!

Now that DL has created the Dining Package options for Fantasmic!, the last two on that list are easy. I've already had my friend make a Fantasmic! Dining Package reservation at Blue Bayou. Their dinner time is 5:00pm which will get them into the early (9:00pm) show. So those two items are taken care of! I've also told her that they can stay where they are after Fantasmic! and enjoy the Fireworks show from there.

The big thing that I've been reading about that worries me is the crowds. It's a given that it will be super crowded that week, but I've read several accounts that it's not unusual for DL to close the gates during the day because the park is at capacity. Apparently there are different levels of closures - only closed to new guests, also closed to returning guests who left the park, etc. I've even read that having a dinner or show reservation isn't good enough to get you back into the park if they close the gates due to the crowds. I was planning to have my friends do some park hopping, but this makes me wonder if I should have them stay in DL all day until after the Fireworks and then have them hop over to DCA to try to catch RSR and Soarin'. Does anyone have any experience with this? I don't want them to change parks during the day if they will run the risk of not being able to get back in.

The park hopping was going to go something like:
* Start out at DL because DCA has EMH that day, so DCA will already have crowds
* Mid-morning, have a runner go over to DCA to get FPs for RSR (and WOC, just in case)
* Runner goes back to DL to catch up with the others
* All of them go to DCA when the FP time arrives for RSR
* Go back to DL in time for Blue Bayou dinner reservation
* Hop back to DCA to do Cars Land at night and maybe catch late WOC show

I've educated my friend on the FP system (strategies) and single rider lines, so they will be taking full advantage of both of those options throughout the day.

Any thoughts, hints or tips that any of you can share for a one day trip during the most crowded time of the year will be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance for your kind assistance!

 

[ArchOwl]

Sounds like you have a pretty good handle on how things are at the parks during this super busy time. I have been at the parks between Christmas and NYE many times and will be there again this year!

Since so much of the planning is out of their hands in regards to when they arrive and how long they stay, it is a good idea to remain highly flexible and to go with the flow. Of course, if they can be there at rope drop, they will be able to achieve a lot more. But they can have a good time regardless.

My concern with the plan you have outlined above is that it is quite possible that they could get shut out of DL. Especially if they are thinking about being in DCA in the late afternoon/early evening. In my experience, this tends to be the time when gate closures occur, extending into the later evening. I know that dinner reservations are not enough to gain entry if a certain level of closure has occurred.

If I might offer another suggestion, it would be to go to DCA in the morning and utilize the single rider line for RSR and Soarin'. Since these are the only two attractions that are must dos, it should be relatively easy to knock them out. And then go back to DL and stay there.

This suggestion really only makes sense if they are at the parks in the morning. And I hope they do get there early! If they are there for rope drop, I would take an hour or so to DL, grab a FP for something in DL, and then hop to DCA by 9:30 or so. Single rider the two DCA attractions, and be safely back in DL by 11ish.

If they arrive later in the morning to the parks, perhaps they could start in DCA and single rider there and then go to DL. The only problem with this is that they will face longer lines and FP waits in DL if they don't start there first thing. They will have to decide if it is worth it.

Good call on the BB Fantasmic reservation! Those are going fast, so glad they got one. This will be a a great idea for them to see Fantasmic. I would show up earlier than normal on the 30th.

I hope they have a great time!

 

[Peezle]

Thank you, ArchOwl! If they are not able to be there for rope drop but arrive later in the morning, I like your suggestion of going to DCA first, knocking out their must-do rides over there and then hopping over to DL before there is any threat of gate closures.

If they do make rope drop, I hadn't thought of sending everyone over to DCA after they take advantage of that first hour/hour and a half at DL, but that's a good idea too. They could grab their WOC fast passes then and maybe even get FPs for RSR to come back and ride it at night (something else they want to do).

Thanks again for your suggestions!

 

[ArchOwl]

Oh, are they trying for WOC as well? That might be tricky...

I would have to look up the times to see if that would work.

But yes, in my experience, the mornings are still decent enough to get several things done, especially with single rider.

I would definitely be cautious if they hop back to DCA at night for RSR. The lines to get back in can be quite extensive and I would definitely ask before exiting if any closures are in place.

And of course all of this assumes good weather. If the weather is bad they could probably park hop all day! Californians are funny like that. We hate rain, lol.

 

[Peezle]

WOC is not a must see for them. It would just be a bonus if it works out. I'm going to have them get WOC FPs during the day for the latest show just in case they happen to be in DCA when it kicks off.

I know there will be at least two WOC shows on Dec 30. DL hasn't posted any times yet for that day (I thought they used to post schedules 60 days out, but right now, they are only posting schedules about 42 days out), but based on the current calendar days that I can see, I'm assuming WOC - Winter Dreams will go at 9:00pm and WOC - Celebrate will go at 10:15pm. If my friends stay in the New Orleans Square area (after the 9:00pm Fantasmic! show) until the fireworks are over, it's not likely they would make it to the Paradise Pier area in DCA by 10:15pm, but hey, we can always plan in case amazing things happen, right!!?? Maybe Disney will add a really late third WOC show time because of the massive crowds.

Maybe we'll start praying for rain, but only in the morning and early afternoon!!

Question - from what I've read, it only seems like DL has closed their gates due to capacity crowds in the past. Have you ever known DCA to close their gates for the same reason?

Thanks again, ArchOwl.

 

[califlorican]

I recommend the site http://dlrprepschool.com, specifically:

http://dlrprepschool.com/step-5-plan-park-touring/

http://dlrprepschool.com/holidays-at-disneyland-2015-everything-you-need-to-know/#more-2141

But all the info is great!!

 

[ArchOwl]

ah, I see. No harm in grabbing the FPs then. I can't remember off the top of my head if there was a later WOC show last year or the one before. They are doing things differently this year anyway by having two different shows; Winter Dreams and Celebrate, so all bets are off. They have been really slow in updating the calendar these past few weeks. I keep logging in, but not seeing much progress. I am guessing they are trying to hold off a bit to see how the entertainment goes for Thanksgiving week. If the scheduling of two fireworks helps with the crowds, I am guessing they will implement that strategy for the holidays. If it ends up not working, they may scrap those plans and try something else. So who knows?

A light rain in the morning that looks ominous and has everyone making other plans, but then turns to later sunshine would probably be really amazing. Cross your fingers!

I have never known DCA to close their gates, although I heard a rumor it happened once. This year has been busier than years past, so I guess it is a possibility that DCA could experience some level of gate closure, but I sort of doubt it. DCA just doesn't have the holiday draw. Although personally I prefer it in the evenings, much easier to navigate!

 

[califlorican]

Question - from what I've read, it only seems like DL has closed their gates due to capacity crowds in the past. Have you ever known DCA to close their gates for the same reason?

Thanks again, ArchOwl.

I doubt that would happen- maybe it did back when Cars Land was new but I don't think I've heard of it happening recently.

 

[Peezle]

I recommend the site http://dlrprepschool.com, specifically:

http://dlrprepschool.com/step-5-plan-park-touring/

http://dlrprepschool.com/holidays-at-disneyland-2015-everything-you-need-to-know/#more-2141

But all the info is great!!

Thanks, califlorican! I will take a look. I have my friend following this thread, so she will see it as well.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

DCA did close their gates this year during the 24 hour party. It was the first time that had ever happened (for security reasons to keep the esplanade open). It is unlikely that it would happen during the holidays.
Have your friends download the Disneyland app (free). It will have ride times which can help with their planning and flexibility.

 

[Peezle]

Thanks for the tip on the Disneyland app, theluckyrabbit. That's a great idea to use something like that on a super packed day like I'm sure they will have. I've heard there are several different wait time apps available. And I've seen mention of calling OTTO. Is the Disneyland app considered the best of the bunch?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

For DLR, we've found the app and Otto to be the most helpful.

 

[Malcon10t]

DCA has closed their gates once. It was during a special spring offer where you could a two day ticket, good for 1 day in Disneyland, 1 day DCA. On the last weekend of the special, everyone was trying to cram their last day into DCA and it closed. On the 24hour party in May, while the front gate closed (they closed bag check) but the gate at the GCH was open for hotel guests.

 

[Peezle]

For DLR, we've found the app and Otto to be the most helpful.

Thanks again!

 

[Peezle]

Anyone else with any experiences, helpful hints or tips for navigating the parks for one day between the Christmas and NYE holidays?

 

[Peezle]

Bump. Hoping for more input / feedback. Thanks!