How busy is DLR the week AFTER New Years?

[rpezz]

My husband and I usually take our family to DLR the week before Christmas. The crowds aren't too bad then and we love to see the parks decorated for the Holidays. Last year we went the week after Christmas when the crowds are much larger. We expected this so it was not really a problem for us but we did decide that this year we definately did not want to visit when it was that crowded

We are in the process of planning this years trip and we are trying to decide...do we go the week before Christmas or do we go after New Years?

I was hoping some of you could share your experiences with visiting DLR around the 1st week of Jan.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Albort]

The first week of January seems not crowded. though i was working DCA most of the time, so i dont really know about Disneyland...

weather was pretty good... it was right before our coldspell...

 

[DangerMouse]

Disneyland is keeping Christmas peak hours (8 am to midnight) during the first week of January, which indicates that they are expecting large crowds. Just about all the schools in CA and neighboring states will have until January 7th off of school. I wouild expect large crowds and plan accordingly.

 

[JessGWisc]

My boyfriend, myself and our parents went to DL this past January from the 7th-11th (Can't remember the exact dates, but we started on a Sunday and ended on a Thursday). We stayed at the Double Tree, which IMO was absolutely FANTASTIC, if you don't mind the extra walk. Don't know how old your kids are, but if they are younger, but too old to go in a stroller, they might find the walk too much. For us, it was perfect. More spacious and far nicer I think than any of the Disney hotels.

We didn't plan our trip too far in advance because we had to go when he was home on leave with the military, we went when he could go, so no real strategy involved in planning. When we checked in our bellman told us to expect light crowds, and boy was he right! During EE, we were able to accomplish ALL of fantasyland, Space Mountain TWICE, POTC and Haunted Mansion Holiday, as it was the last day for the Holiday overlay. Crowds didn't start to get heavy until around the afternoon hours, 2-3PM. The longest we waited in line for anything all week was for Space Mountain, and it was approx. 25 minutes.

Now as far as Christmas decorations go, our first day there was supposed to be the last day of "Christmas". But most of the Christmas overlay hung around for several days. It wasn't until Wednesday that the gigantic Christmas tree was removed from Main Street. Don't know if that is standard or not, but we had a great time celebrating Christmas in the middle of January.

Hope this helps!

 

[DangerMouse]

My boyfriend, myself and our parents went to DL this past January from the 7th-11th (Can't remember the exact dates, but we started on a Sunday and ended on a Thursday). We stayed at the Double Tree, which IMO was absolutely FANTASTIC, if you don't mind the extra walk. Don't know how old your kids are, but if they are younger, but too old to go in a stroller, they might find the walk too much. For us, it was perfect. More spacious and far nicer I think than any of the Disney hotels.

We didn't plan our trip too far in advance because we had to go when he was home on leave with the military, we went when he could go, so no real strategy involved in planning. When we checked in our bellman told us to expect light crowds, and boy was he right! During EE, we were able to accomplish ALL of fantasyland, Space Mountain TWICE, POTC and Haunted Mansion Holiday, as it was the last day for the Holiday overlay. Crowds didn't start to get heavy until around the afternoon hours, 2-3PM. The longest we waited in line for anything all week was for Space Mountain, and it was approx. 25 minutes.

Now as far as Christmas decorations go, our first day there was supposed to be the last day of "Christmas". But most of the Christmas overlay hung around for several days. It wasn't until Wednesday that the gigantic Christmas tree was removed from Main Street. Don't know if that is standard or not, but we had a great time celebrating Christmas in the middle of January.

Hope this helps!

Yes, I was there during this time as well. The tree was supposed to come down on Monday, the 7th, but because of high winds, didn't come down until Tuesday night.

I believe the OP was asking about the first week of Jan, which has extended holiday hours (8-12). The second week of Jan should be MUCH lighter, since DLR has reduced its hours (10-8 at DLR)

 

[Albort]

Yes, I was there during this time as well. The tree was supposed to come down on Monday, the 7th, but because of high winds, didn't come down until Tuesday night.

I believe the OP was asking about the first week of Jan, which has extended holiday hours (8-12). The second week of Jan should be MUCH lighter, since DLR has reduced its hours (10-8 at DLR)

everything dies after the 7th... no more electrical parade, no more everything!!!

 

[DangerMouse]

everything dies after the 7th... no more electrical parade, no more everything!!!

Correction for you, Albort. The DEP will continue running on weekends during the first few months of 2008. It's been reported on other fan sites that since BPB is retiring after the new year, the DEP will be shown on weekends until the new Pixar Play parade is ready to premier.

 

[Albort]

Correction for you, Albort. The DEP will continue running on weekends during the first few months of 2008. It's been reported on other fan sites that since BPB is retiring after the new year, the DEP will be shown on weekends until the new Pixar Play parade is ready to premier.

haha, well as a CM, we dont exactly find things out quicker than you... but thanks...

 

[rpezz]

Yes, I was there during this time as well. The tree was supposed to come down on Monday, the 7th, but because of high winds, didn't come down until Tuesday night.

I believe the OP was asking about the first week of Jan, which has extended holiday hours (8-12). The second week of Jan should be MUCH lighter, since DLR has reduced its hours (10-8 at DLR)

Yes, I was asking about the first week of Jan. If we could go the second week of Jan, I think I would rather but our daughter starts back to school on the 8th. I think we have decided to just stick to our 'week before Christmas' tradition.

JessGWisc-
I am glad to hear your opinion on the new Doubletree. We stayed in the other Doubletree (near the baseball stadium) last summer and loved it and we have been excited to try the new one. Although, I dont think we will be walking to the park from there. We have a 3 year-old and when we tried to take him to the park last year he was miserable. He was so scared that we ended up having to take turns staying with him at the hotel while the rest of the group stayed at the park. I want to have a car there just in case we need to leave with him again this year.

Our group will be myself, my husband, 17 year-old daughter, 3 year-old son, MIL, FIL, and possibly GMIL.

 

[fairycat]

Last year I went NYE, the 3rd and I believe the 4th or 5th of January. It was very, very busy NYE and the 3rd but got better as the week went on. Disneyland actually sold out early both days. But I heard later in the week it became much quieter and we had no issue by the end of the week.