January trip....busy?

[HarborBlvd]

So some friends and I are driving from Utah to Seattle for a wedding on New Year's eve. At the last minute, we're deciding to make a detour and drive down to Southern California to go to Disneyland afterwards. We're looking at January 2nd and/or the 3rd, depending on the weather through Northern California. I'm getting mixed commentary on the crowd levels this time. Should we make reservations for our hotel and pre-purchase park tickets? Or do you think we'll be fine buying tickets at the gate and just driving up to a hotel once we get there?

Thanks for any input!

 

[skiingfast]

Never expect to get a good price on a hotel near DLR by walking up. Make a reservation, many will let you cancel with 24 hour notice if you aren't sure on when you will arrive.

Tickets you can buy online, the E-ticket voucher will be emailed to you. Print it out and take it directly to the tunrstyles where it will be exchanged for an actual ticket. This won't save you any money but will save you the time needed to stop at the ticket booths.

It will be busy, very busy likely on either day. Make good use of FastPass.

 

[disney-super-mom]

I don't think those dates will be too horribly bad for crowds given that most schools' winter breaks end with Jan. 2nd and are back in session beginning Jan. 3rd.

Also many employers will expect their employees to report to work on the 2nd.

But we're talking Disneyland....so everyday is a busy day.

Checked expedia and the rates for the Disneyland Resort hotels aren't bad for those dates and all have availability:
GCH - $266
DLH - $225
PPH - $192