Kinda worried now

[MattsPrincess]

So, DH and I have had our 2nd trip to DL booked for about 3 months now. We're leaving home on December 28th, going to the parks the 29th-31st, and going hom on January 1st. We knew it would be crowded and all, but the more I read the less I want to go.

The positives of going then are that we'd be there for our anniversary and new years eve. we are planning to take the holiday tour. i'd really like to see all the decorations and special food and all that. that said, I don't handle crowds well. I can kind of panicked. I'm starting to worry that we aren't going to be able to do anything BUT the tour and looking at decorations. That would not be fun to me, i'd like to at least get on some rides and meet some characters...not just stand in a sea of people all day.

The alternative is going sometime in mid september, probably from the 13th to the 17th. The up side to this would be we'd be able to get the 5 for 3 ticket deal, so more time in the parks overall. The crowds would be smaller because it would be all weekdays, and kind of off season, so we'd more than likey get to do a lot more. BUT we'd miss out on the decorations, food, tour, etc.

Any insights or suggestions? Helpful advice? I feel so conflicted! I want to have a good time and be able to do alot, but I want to be there at christmas too. arrrgh.

 

[FlameGirl]

If it was me, I would be more inclined to change the trip to a less busy time. The fact that you'd get more time in the parks as well would make it a no brainer for me.

I definitely prefer to visit the parks when the crowds are thinner (well, who doesn't)...so that would outweigh all of the other variables.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

If you really want to do Christmas, then that is what you should do... just read the boards and get all the hints and tips you can...

Even though it will be very busy when you are there, just plan on getting to the gates early and do most of your rides in the morning... the parks were open at 8 am last year for the time you are planning on, so, be at the gates at 7:15, eat breakfast in line or before then, and plan on hitting as much as you can between 8-11 am.

If you have MM, do that too, even though it means being at the gate at 6:30 at the latest, and tour the parks from 7-11, or even 7-10 and then cross to DCA, which is probably opening at 10... do DCA until 1 or so, and then take the afternoon off, knowing that the parks will be insane that night, come back with the FPs you collected in the morning, and just focus on seeing the entertainment and a ride or two... you'll be just fine!!

 

[skiingfast]

I think you are right on about the costs and benefits fo going one time or the other.

I guess you just have to decide what is more important. Being there at a holiday decorated time on personally important days. Or being able to pack in a lot of attractions.

Keep in mind that while it will be busy at the end of the year. Realisticly you will be able to see many attraction. Maybe not all of them and maybe not a few rides on each of your favorites. But still a lot with a little planning and strategy.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Are those your only options? I'd probably go with Sept. ~ if you could go ealier in Dec. that'd be great, even late Nov. ~ Thanksgiving day and the days after were quite nice last year *we're hoping for the same this year cause we'll be there!

 

[Sherry E]

Hmmm....this is a tough call. See, for me, personally, if I only had one available time to go to DLR for a long, long while, I would go during the holiday season without question. I wouldn't miss it. Being there during the holidays for me outweighs the other variables because it's so fabulous & magical at that time of year. I would hate every minute of the heavy crowds and huge lines. I would know that I couldn't get 50% of what I wanted to do accomplished. I would be cursing under my breath every step of the way. But I would still go!! I'm wacky like that!

However, in your situation, if you really get nervous and panicky around crowds, then you may want to avoid that post-Christmas/pre-New Year's period, as that is an extremely busy time at DLR - even busier than the days leading up to Christmas. Honestly, when we were at DLR for only one day last year (on 12/19), it was so much more crowded than it had been on the same exact weekend in 2007 and 2008. I don't know if that was due to the number of AP holders in 2009 or just more people visting DLR in general, but it was very, very crowded. I was so happy to be at my favorite place during my favorite time of year with my good friends, and I wouldn't have missed it for anything, BUT those crowds were oppressive. I couldn't get in the shops I wanted to go into. I couldn't take the number of photos I wanted to take. My friends and I didn't go on as many rides as we would have - or we didn't do 'repeats' like we normally would, because it was just sooooo packed with people. The line for Haunted Mansion Holiday was already 45 minutes long before 11:00 a.m.!!! The wall of people surrounding IASW Holiday at night (because it's so jaw-droppingly gorgeous) was impenetrable. And this was all before Christmas. I can't even imagine what it must have been like in those notoriously crazy days after Christmas, leading up to New Year's Eve!!

Now, I must admit that if we had had more time last year (like we normally have had on our other DLR trips), the crowds wouldn't have seemed so daunting because we would have been able to spread everything out. Having multiple days is key to getting the most out of the trip. We had very limited time, so dealing with crowds took up a large part of that llimited time. In your case, however, you would have at least a good 2-3 days, so you would have much more time to space everything out and do things at hours when the crowds are not as bad. It could work, for sure.

One thing I will strongly suggest is - don't go anywhere near Main Street on New Year's Eve, from maybe 8 p.m. on!! It is a hideous mess, and if you are even slightly prone to panicking, that is not the scenario you want to find yourself in. Wall to wall people, crammed in together, just standing there, not moving. It is hard to get out of the crowds because they don't move.

If you go during that period in September, the Haunted Mansion will be down for the holiday refurb. Space Mountain may or may not be down for its refurb. There will definitely be lighter crowds.

So I guess, as others have stated, it's just a matter of what elements are most important to you. Again, I think if you have a good 2-3 days at DLR, you can get a lot done and dodge the really bad crowds for a lot of the time, but just realize that it will get really bad at some point. The holiday tour will get you right on Haunted Mansion Holiday and IASW Holiday without waiting in those hideous lines, and you will have seats for the parade so that will eliminate the need to be packed in with people blocking your view. I think the holiday tour could be a real asset to your trip - plus, you will get the special holiday gingerbread cookie with ears and the hot cocoa!!

 

[heatherleigh]

Given your background, I would do fall rather than winter. I would love to enjoy the Christmas decor, but would never plan a trip during that time due to crowds and costs. From what I gather, New Years is the absolute worst time crowd-wise, in DL. We are talking full capacity in the parks.

 

[DisneyHeather]

I've done DLR the last three years for New Year's and have found it enjoyable. It is much more crowded than other times of year so if crowds really bother you then it may not be for you. The holiday tour is really fun I did it the first year and it was great to learn things about the decorations and get onto a couple of the rides with longer lines and have the seating for the parade.

As previous posters have said Main Street will be crazy on New Year's Eve but maybe go over to California Adventure for New Year's Eve instead. I think each year the park has closed due to being at capacity but I'm not 100% sure it happened all 3 years. I feel like we got to go on all the rides we wanted to do and some of them we did more than once. I usually spend 4-6 days there when I go so that gives us plenty of time and honestly if you could stay on January 1st and go home on the 2nd that would help with getting on the rides because the morning of the 1st is pretty quiet around the park if you can drag yourself out of bed and get there.

I think if you really want to see it at Christmas then just go into it knowing it will be crowded and you can plan for that. Either way you go I hope you enjoy your trip.

 

[LifeIsTinkIsLife]

Although I've always wanted to go during the Holidays, I always chose to go when it's less crowded. I don't do crowds well AT ALL, and I get irritate much easier (Specially with annoying groups of teenagers ). I would schedule going in September, but if you could swing it you could save up and o a weekend trip in December. You'll be saving money without going on the tour and the 5 for 3 deal so you could put that towards a weekend trip and kind of get the best of both worlds? That's what I would do!

 

[chrissiecutie]

Is this the only time during the holiday season that you can go??

There's nothing like DL at Christmastime or any big holiday for that matter and I would hate for you to miss out!

I've always gone in the timeframe after Thanksgiving and before Christmas. The holiday decor is up and the crowds are down. It's THE best time to do the holidays at the parks!

DH hates crowds and while he doesn't get panicky he does get hostile. Which is no fun for anyone! I avoid them like the plague. So if you have any sort of issues with larger crowds then you will def not want to go during the timeframe you have planned.

I encourage you to see if you can go in the downtime between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Who knows what sort of special discounts you'll be able to get then. It's not much more price wise then when you had originally planned. BTW, the HoJo has ET Book rates for that time frame, so that may save you alot of money if you decide to stay there!


Christmastime at the parks is truely magical and NOT to be missed!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

you should try late nov or early dec. I wouldnt do that close to christmas if i could help it, but I like the park at christmas time. I wouldnt do summer in less i had to

 

[MattsPrincess]

well, we sat down and talked when he got online today. we listed every pro and con for both sets of dates that we could think, and what you guys had to say as well. we decided on september. even though it would be nice to be in the parks on our anniversary and to see the decorations, we'd rather be able to fully enjoy everything and not have to worry about horrid crowds leaving a bad taste in our mouths.

we both don't take to crowds well, and fear it could ruin not only our trip but our anniversary as well. a big plus for september was being able to take advantage of the 5 for 3 deal, which also comes with a magic morning. and now we'll be there in 4ish months, instead of 7ish!!! yay!!!

thanks for the advice everyone!

 

[blackjackdelta]

well, we sat down and talked when he got online today. we listed every pro and con for both sets of dates that we could think, and what you guys had to say as well. we decided on september. even though it would be nice to be in the parks on our anniversary and to see the decorations, we'd rather be able to fully enjoy everything and not have to worry about horrid crowds leaving a bad taste in our mouths.

we both don't take to crowds well, and fear it could ruin not only our trip but our anniversary as well. a big plus for september was being able to take advantage of the 5 for 3 deal, which also comes with a magic morning. and now we'll be there in 4ish months, instead of 7ish!!! yay!!!

thanks for the advice everyone!

Looks like you made the right decision if you do not deal with the masses well. I have never been during Christmas, but unblocked August day was enough for me. If you prepare, you will have a most excellent trip.

Jack

 

[mom4princesses]

Totally off topic but glad to see you Jack!