Holiday 2010-Old logic or new logic?

[amyamya]

Decided this year to try for the Holiday season. Old logic would say visit early December on weekdays. New logic would probably point to weekends in early December or during the week later in the month when the SoCal blackouts are in effect.

Please weigh in! When would you go in Nov/Dec to experience the least amount of bodies in the park? I have a child with ASD and plan to get a GAC but we are still aiming for low crowds. We will stay at either the GCH or the DLH.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Old logic...even with all the APs last year, weekends were busier than weekdays and by the time they were blocked out (peak xmas weeks) parks were starting to reach capacity periodically.

 

[mvf-m11c]

I agree with the pp. When its around the third weekend in December and beyond to the first week of January, the park starts to be very crowded.

The 2nd week in December was so quiet during my visit last year, but it was raining that week. It was a good experience to be in the parks that was quiet. I always go during that time every year and it never disappoints me when I go middle of December. Last year was possibly one of the quietest times to go to DL in December. You could also go in the first week of December during the Candlelight Processional.

 

[Eeee-va]

The most crowded days for the parks seem to often be BOTH unblocked days for APs, and days when kids are out of school. So the late June unblocked days are very crowded (kids are out of school). Ditto the days before Thanksgiving (until the APs are blocked).

Last year, the Christmas season after blockouts was very, very busy as well, probably again because kids are out of school (and maybe because some companies also give the week or two after Christmas off to their employees; I worked one job that did).

It sounds like I was there when mvf-m11c was in December 2009 and the crowds were very low--it was magical! I AM guessing the weekend would have been more crowded if it hadn't been for the rain/threat of rain. But for my money, I'd do about the second week in December this year. We arrived Wednesday (Disneyland closes early for Cast Member parties, generally the Monday and Tuesday after the first weekend in December, so keep that in mind--with DCA having World of Color, that may not matter so much anymore). We left Sunday. I think in our case the crowds on a rainy Saturday may have even been a little lower than the clear days before that--but I'm almost certain that was due to weather, not blockouts.

Anyway, my vote is for earlier in December, or I also heard great things about the week after (and possibly including) Thanksgiving. But for December, once mass numbers of kids are out of school (and some parents off work), it'll be super-crowded, blockouts or not.

Have a great trip!

 

[amyamya]

Oh! I forgot about the Candlelight Procession. I'll have to look up those dates to see when they fall this year. Thanks!

 

[specialks]

The CP dates haven't been announced yet but if it follows previous years they will likely be the first weekend of Dec (4 & 5) with the Cast Parties on the 6th and 7th.

 

[Jenlan]

For the past seven years we have gone the Monday following the Thanksgiving weekend until that Friday. That's the reason we've done this for the past seven years. We love it, although over the years we have noticed a slight pick up in the crowds. Crowds do really pick up by Friday due to the CP, but M-Th are great. Make sure to get a drink at the Hearthstone Lounge at the Grand and take it ouside to the outdoor fireplace. A really nice way to end a day at the Parks.