Honest Crowd Question.

[isisisme]

My DH and I are seriously looking to break with our normal tradition of heading to the Park for Halloween and going next Christmas. We would be down there for Christmas itself. I am thinking of arriving the 23rd in the evening and trying to not going to the Park, and leaving maybe Thur.

How bad are crowds around Christmas? Are you moving like cattle most of the time? DH is not fond of large crowds. if it is packed hit or miss, he can deal with it. But if it is the majority of the time we are there, he gets really grumpy which is not what we want for Christmas.

I know we have a year but, we start planning this early.

So, honest opinions and experiences please.

 

[sonnyjane]

You want honest so I will give you honest! The week between Christmas and New Year's Eve is without question the most busy week of the year. Last year I believe it was the 26th or 27th when the parks stopped selling tickets as early as 10:30 AM because they had reached capacity. It can be VERY crowded... Does anyone have pictures? I tried to search but didn't find the one I was looking for of New Orleans Square with wall-to-wall people. A lot of people like to go during that time because, face it, the holidays are magical and so is Disneyland! But I want you to know that it is BUSY! Early mornings are manageable (but still busy), but as the days progress the crowds increase.

ETA: Here is one of Main St. during the holidays - at the bottom of this page, post #210: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2612827&page=14

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

The week between Christmas and New Year's is the busiest week of the entire year at Disneyland. Yes, you can get rides in if you get up early and are there for rope drop and utilize fastpass. The crowds grow quickly and considerably though. Just getting through the walkways will be challenging for much of the afternoons and evenings. Our family has been at all times of the year, and we very much love the Christmas season and make the best of the high crowd times since for us our choices are to go in with a good attitude when it's busy or don't go at all. However, I would not want to take a seriously crowd averse person to Disney between Christmas and New Year's. If you have any other options during the holiday time, I would look seriously at them, although I would note that Thanksgiving week is very busy also.

 

[isisisme]

That is what I was afraid of.
I figured the weekend before Christmas and New Years would be packed. I was not sure about the week days between (and since xmas is on a Tuesday in 2012).

 

[sonnyjane]

That is what I was afraid of.
I figured the weekend before Christmas and New Years would be packed. I was not sure about the week days between (and since xmas is on a Tuesday in 2012).

Yes. Unfortunately the closer you get to Christmas and New Years, the busier, and because nobody is in school, the fact that they are weekdays doesn't really matter.

I do want to clarify that we aren't saying this to scare you away from Disneyland at Christmastime! It's my favorite time of year to go to the parks because the park looks amazing with all of the decorations and I love the seasonal treats BUT, "Christmas" starts in mid-November, so I like to head there in late November or earlier in December. I tend to take it personally when people go to the parks during the busiest times and then complain about the crowds. There's nothing wrong with going during those times, we just want to make sure you make an educated decision, and since you said your husband hates dealing with crowded situations (as does my husband), I really wouldn't recommend going that week.

 

[isisisme]

Yes. Unfortunately the closer you get to Christmas and New Years, the busier, and because nobody is in school, the fact that they are weekdays doesn't really matter.

I do want to clarify that we aren't saying this to scare you away from Disneyland at Christmastime! It's my favorite time of year to go to the parks because the park looks amazing with all of the decorations and I love the seasonal treats BUT, "Christmas" starts in mid-November, so I like to head there in late November or earlier in December. I tend to take it personally when people go to the parks during the busiest times and then complain about the crowds. There's nothing wrong with going during those times, we just want to make sure you make an educated decision, and since you said your husband hates dealing with crowded situations (as does my husband), I really wouldn't recommend going that week.

This is the exact reason why I asked the question. I did not want to get there and have my DH whine the whole time. The big crowds don't bother me, I pay human tetris and change the what I expect. But, I have gone more in the summer than he has (he whined at Halloween for a 40 min wait..and I remember waiting in the sun in the summer for Space Mountain pre-fast pass).

He really wanted to be there for Christmas day. I think I am going to share this thread with him so he can decide.

 

[Kidlette]

Everyone already said it, but I'll say it again - that week is VERY crowded. It gets so crowded that reaching capacity and closing the gates is not unheard of. Others might not be trying to detour you from going between Christmas and New Year's, but I'll be honest and say that it sounds like for your husband's sake and the sake of a happy Christmas experience - AVOID AVOID AVOID! Honestly, we live in the area and go all the time and typically the beginning of December is not bad. However, even the first 2 weeks in December this year were much more crowded than usual. I don't know why, I just know that we had to leave because we were so frustrated! I am 8.5 months pregnant and when we went on 12/5 we couldn't walk through a crowd without people hitting my stomach - it was THAT bad!

Good luck with whatever you decide. If you decide to go at Christmas just go knowing that you will have some really long wait times and that crowds will be nearly unbearable. Also, make sure you fully understand the possibility of reaching capacity and not being allowed into the parks or BACK into the parks once you leave. There is an order to which they start crowd control once they feel they will reach capacity. I don't remember the exact order, but in stages they will close the ticket booths, deny AP holders into the parks (yes, even premium passholders), deny DLR hotel guests into the parks, and finally, deny re-entry to anyone who leaves the park - whether you spent the whole day there or not. So if you decide to go at this time, the key to not getting "locked out" of the park on your vacation is to arrive 1st thing and then DON'T LEAVE until you're ready to be done for the day. Like I said, at a point they will deny re-entry, even if you've spent the whole day there already!

Good luck, and I hope you have a magical trip

 

[LisainCalifornia]

As the others have said--of course that is one of the busiest times of the year for Disneyland. But we have gone many years in early December--and we think itis the best time of the year to go. Early December=low crowds, high holiday decor and parades, fireworks, etc. Why don't you consider that instead? Then you can be home for Christmas, but still experience all of the disneyland holiday LOVE. If you plan it well, you really only need a few days (like 2-3 at most) to see everything that holiday time offers.

 

[isisisme]

Thank you everyone.
I will be letting my Dh know, and show him the picture. I think it is going to be an easy decision for him.

If nothing else, we will be sticking with our usual time (for Halloween). If we can arrange to get off work between Thanksgiving and Christmas, we can do a quick trip down. Getting time off can be tricky for me, but who knows.

 

[quikah]

However, even the first 2 weeks in December this year were much more crowded than usual. I don't know why, I just know that we had to leave because we were so frustrated! I am 8.5 months pregnant and when we went on 12/5 we couldn't walk through a crowd without people hitting my stomach - it was THAT bad!

What WAS going on? We were there 12/2 - 12/9 at VGC, we had to find another hotel for 12/5 because we couldn't get a room at VGC for that night. It was a Monday!? 12/3 and 12/4 were crowded as expected for CP. We didn't go 12/5 or 12/6, but 12/7-12/8 didn't seem too bad, 12/9 was starting to get busy again.

Unfortunate it was so crowded, really soured my wife on the place (been to WDW several times, first time at DL).

 

[halfmonkey]

We were there last year on the 27th and 28th and there this past sunday. Last year on the 27th and 28th, they reached capacity and ended up stopping ticket sales by like 10am and I believe on the 28th, they even stopped people from re-entry. Keep in mind that the crowd was compounded because of the rain from the previous days which pushed those visiters to the 27th. Then all of the people that couldn't get in on the 27th tried on the 28th, along with the people that were already planning to go on the 28th, and you have the perfect storm. It is literally a sea of people like Times Square. We had a double stroller and you have to go into the park during the last 2 weeks of the year with a smile knowing that it is going to be crowded. The wait times aren't bad considering they're at max capacity. They'll basically have all (ride) cars and personnel on deck. People can be classified in groups during the last 2 weeks.

Either the grumpy or the happy group. The crowds are going to be there so there is no good day to go during the time that you want to go. Considering what you said about your DH, I would strongly suggest you still go during the holiday season but find another day such as earlier in the holiday season like early December.

Even this last Sunday when we went, we got there ata bout 8:30am and I would say the crowds were quite light. At about 10:30 or 11am, you could see the crowd was building and although it wasn't anything like we experienced last year, it was def crowded.

 

[Kidlette]

What WAS going on?

We have NO idea! Honestly, your guess is as good as mine. All I can say is that the supposed "slow seasons" have been WAY busier this year than in previous years. Even with all of the construction and everything going on at DCA, both parks seem to be BOOMING. That's good for Disney, but is frustrating for those of us who are used to navigating the slower times and smaller crowds.

Unfortunate it was so crowded, really soured my wife on the place (been to WDW several times, first time at DL).

I'm sorry to hear that your wife was soured by the experience. DLR is a wonderful place. I hope she gives it another chance (in a slower season) and finds the same magic there that you've found at WDW!

 

[BlueBayou]

Before my kids were in school - we use to go the second or third week of December. It was early 2000s and things were great. Then on Friday - the last day of a 4 day trip. I think it was the 17th. OH MAN WAS IT BAD.

It was the first day Fantasmic was back after being dark for months. We closed down DCA and headed back to Disneyland. They let us in, but guided us down the right side of town square - took us back stage behind the hat shop (where the parade ends) and walked us to tomorrowland backstage. Oh I should have taken this is a sign to turn around and leave. But I was excited about seeing backstage.

We somehow got to New Orleans square. I have never been so packed in. We just wandered around and eventually left. It was hard fighting the crowds to leave.

It did make news on mouseplanet.com - talking about the crowds that night, so maybe it was out of the ordinary, but man it was bad.

We have not been back in December since. We are October folks now...

 

[alleycatmom]

We went last year on the 28th, a day people were on the boards talking about how horrific the crowds were, and had a great time. My BFF is there today having a great time.

I think it's a matter of perspective, and your personal comfort level with crowds.

I live 10 hours from Disneyland and my BFF lives in Oregon, so we don't know the difference between crowded and non-crowded times.

If your DH hates crowds, I agree it may not be the best time. But maybe he would never like it? "Crowded" is kind of relative, like "a lot of traffic."

 

[Kidlette]

I live 10 hours from Disneyland and my BFF lives in Oregon, so we don't know the difference between crowded and non-crowded times.

I think this is what I love about living in the area and being privileged enough to go whenever I want. Truthfully, you and your friend should plan a trip on a Wednesday in off season. Your perspective on "bad crowds" might change! Then again, going from only knowing 30, 40, 60, or 90 minute wait times and those times not bothering you to being able to walk onto ANY ride with NO wait might frustrate you if you can only going during peak seasons after that.

Anyway - I just wanted to say that I enjoyed your comment. With as often as I go I never really considered the fact that thousands of people don't know anything OTHER than the crowds at Disney. Honestly - now that I think about it - if I ONLY knew the crowded times at Disney, I probably wouldn't be such an avid Disney lover. Then again...I don't do crowds!