Need advice for Nov/Dec. 09!

[Girlies4]

Wanting to take my 3 girls for a Disney visit to see the holiday decorations this year. Would be traveling from WA state, likely visiting on Wed-Sat of a week. Anyone know when the holiday decorations are officially up? Would I be better off to go mid-November (before Turkey Day, of course!) or wait until the 1st or 2nd week of December?

Thanks in advance!

 

[disney-super-mom]

If you want to go during the full swing of holiday decor and festivities, then it would be best to go the first or second week of December.

I don't think the holiday parade and fireworks start until November 21st this year. The castle lighting ceremony may not start until Nov 21st either.

Hope that helps.

 

[Girlies4]

Thanks Super-Mom! I think I read that a lighting ceremony is taking place the first weekend, so maybe I'll focus in on the 2nd week in December. Any thoughts on crowd levels then?

I see you're a frequent guest at HOJO. Walking time to the gate would be....? I last stayed in Oct. 07 at the Tropicana. Nothing fancy, to be sure, but a place to rest your head and the location was fantastic. Those great rates at HOJO keep calling out to me though. Am thinking either HOJO or Candy Cane this time.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Thanks Super-Mom! I think I read that a lighting ceremony is taking place the first weekend, so maybe I'll focus in on the 2nd week in December. Any thoughts on crowd levels then?

I see you're a frequent guest at HOJO. Walking time to the gate would be....? I last stayed in Oct. 07 at the Tropicana. Nothing fancy, to be sure, but a place to rest your head and the location was fantastic. Those great rates at HOJO keep calling out to me though. Am thinking either HOJO or Candy Cane this time.

If you're going Wed-Sat, then I think the second week of December (Dec 9 - Dec 12) would be a great time to visit. Crowds should be very doable then. The parks won't be empty by any means (when are they ever these days - haha), but the wait times should be short enough for a very pleasant time at the Disneyland Resort. I would expect wait times around 10-15 minutes for most attractions, and waits of 25+ minutes for some of the slow loading attractions and/or more popular attractions (Nemo, Indy, Peter Pan, Space Mountain, Toy Story Midway Mania, and possibly Soaring Over California.)

Walking time from HOJO to the gate is about 8-10 minutes. For us, the HOJO is worth the little bit of extra walking time. For others, it's not.

We enjoy the premium Disney view rooms with those awesome pillow top beds, super soft comforters, and triple sheeting with oh-so-soft sheets. Not to mention the great pool area, and the new Pirate's Cove splash/slide area for the kids. Plus, with an Entertainment Book rate of $79 per night, it's great! (2009 Entertainment Book Rates at HOJO: Standard room with 2 double beds - $59 plus tax: Deluxe room with 2 queen beds - $69 plus tax: Premium Disney View Room with 2 queen beds - $79 plus tax.)

I've heard great reviews about the Candy Cane Inn, and having a nice continental breakfast like they do is a plus. We would certainly consider staying there if for some reason we couldn't stay at the HOJO.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

the week right after thanksgiving is best we did it in 07 it was good low crowds Just make sure you stay for a fri or sat night for the fantasmic or electrical parade.
Hojo was good last year 7min walk id say but im gona take Art because it was a long walk with my foot problem. an I dont want to get ECV when i can walk. All i had trouble with was walking back to the hojo. but art will be good

 

[Girlies4]

Thanks again, Super-Mom! I appreciate your insight and the time you've taken to respond.

The continental breakfast at Candy Cane sounds good, but for the price, it doesn't seem worth it. On our last trip, I packed a small suitcase with individual cereal bowls, breakfast bars, juice boxes and such and found it to be very easy and convenient.

My daughters are 13, 11 and 6. So the walk from HOJO won't be a problem and your description of the premium rooms makes me want to book now!

Big shout out to a fellow Washingtonian! I'm a west-sider, though I have MANY relatives is Spokane!

 

[QueenDoOver]

I have been the week before Thanksgiving and then also the 2nd week in Dec. and I liked Nov better. The temps were way better! Crowds about the same except for weekends.

We went Wed-Sat. the weekend before Thanksgiving and it was great. Lines were short until Friday night, and by Friday and Saturday, there was full entertainment options, including the lighting etc. so were were able to see whatever we wanted, although due to the age of our youngest we did not stay out late and take advantage.

The Dec temps were so much colder, and we were not expecting that. Again, mid week crowds were great until the Friday night point.

HOJO is 7-10 minutes depending on age of your kids. On the way home, after 12 hours in park, it took us up to 15 minutes when dragging along our poky 6.5 year old, who sometimes got a shoulder ride, but he does weigh 70+ pounds, so...as you can imagine, that was somewhat limited.

We did enjoy our stay there, and if you can get the entertainment rate, it can't be beat. We have resi's this year for Dec. 17-23 in the new Kids, pirate themes suite for $107 a night with AP discount and are thrilled!

 

[Girlies4]

Do I need to call HOJO directly to book the $89 premium disney view, entertainment rate? I don't see that rate on the entertainment book website.

Also, can I book the ent. rate over the phone w/o having a card yet? I'm thinking I'd like to book, just to secure my spot, but will definitely purchase a book, so that I have my card, before our visit.

Thanks again.....

Jade Darkstar.........had a friend who visited during the first Sat. in December of this year and said there was a big event on that Sat and that the park was packed. Was thinking the 2nd week would help to prevent that. Likely though......there will just be another event!! With all the tips I've garnered from this board (like Hydroguy's fastpass tricks), I'm sure we can make a great time regardless. I'm a bit OCD when it comes to my Disney trip planning. Especially, when I take my three children and leave the hubby at home.

 

[RuthieT]

you can just call HOJO and ask for in house reservations and say that you want to book dates under the entertainment rate. However you need to make sure they are offer the discount for your dates. You wont have to give them the entertainment card number or anything until you change in. We have stayed at HOJO and are going for our second stay there in October. Our first trip we went December 11-17 and it started to get crowded the second half of our stay. Last year we went December 4-12 and the crowds were much better. Even though the park did close a couple of nights early you always have the opition to head over to DCA. I would recommend the early part of December.

 

[disney-super-mom]

I have been the week before Thanksgiving and then also the 2nd week in Dec. and I liked Nov better. The temps were way better! Crowds about the same except for weekends.

We went Wed-Sat. the weekend before Thanksgiving and it was great. Lines were short until Friday night, and by Friday and Saturday, there was full entertainment options, including the lighting etc. so were were able to see whatever we wanted, although due to the age of our youngest we did not stay out late and take advantage.

The Dec temps were so much colder, and we were not expecting that. Again, mid week crowds were great until the Friday night point.

HOJO is 7-10 minutes depending on age of your kids. On the way home, after 12 hours in park, it took us up to 15 minutes when dragging along our poky 6.5 year old, who sometimes got a shoulder ride, but he does weigh 70+ pounds, so...as you can imagine, that was somewhat limited.

We did enjoy our stay there, and if you can get the entertainment rate, it can't be beat. We have resi's this year for Dec. 17-23 in the new Kids, pirate themes suite for $107 a night with AP discount and are thrilled!

I have to agree, the temps could be nicer in November, and that is something to consider if your kids want to get in some swimming/sliding time while on vacation.

It's possible that this year the full holiday festivities will begin on Friday, November 20th (I'm guessing it's a possiblity because last year they began on Friday, Nov 21st. So I'm assuming this year they could begin on Friday, November 20th, but none of us will know for sure until they officially announce the dates. It's logical to expect them to start the Friday or Saturday before Thanksgiving though, just like last year.)

Anyway, you (Girlies4) could plan to go the week before Thanksgiving, Nov 18-21, and hopefully enjoy warmer temps. Of course, it's kind of a crap shoot when it comes to weather.

 

[RuthieT]

oh about the weather... When we went in December of 2007 (11-17) it was around 65-70 during the days... Last year December 2008 (4-12) it was 65-75 during the days

 

[disney-super-mom]

Do I need to call HOJO directly to book the $89 premium disney view, entertainment rate? I don't see that rate on the entertainment book website.

Also, can I book the ent. rate over the phone w/o having a card yet? I'm thinking I'd like to book, just to secure my spot, but will definitely purchase a book, so that I have my card, before our visit.

Thanks again.....

Jade Darkstar.........had a friend who visited during the first Sat. in December of this year and said there was a big event on that Sat and that the park was packed. Was thinking the 2nd week would help to prevent that. Likely though......there will just be another event!! With all the tips I've garnered from this board (like Hydroguy's fastpass tricks), I'm sure we can make a great time regardless. I'm a bit OCD when it comes to my Disney trip planning. Especially, when I take my three children and leave the hubby at home.

The HOJO in-house reservation number is 714-776-6120.

You don't need to have the Entertainment Book card when you call to make your reservation. You only need to show it when you check in. When you make your reservation, just ask them for the Entertainment Book rate.

Also, if you're booking the premium Disney view room, it's $79.

 

[disney-super-mom]

oh about the weather... When we went in December of 2007 (11-17) it was around 65-70 during the days... Last year December 2008 (4-12) it was 65-75 during the days

Seems pretty consistant.

You'll probably have much warmer temps this year since you're going in October.

 

[RuthieT]

yeah we are looking forward to the nice weather and hopefully it will be warm enough that our 5 year old daughter can enjoy the new pool area!

 

[disney-super-mom]

Big shout out to a fellow Washingtonian! I'm a west-sider, though I have MANY relatives is Spokane!

There's a lot of us Washingtonians here on the Disneyland boards. And now we have one more!

By the way, welcome to the DisBoards!

 

[Girlies4]

Thanks for the weather advice. It was very warm on our last October trip and I was very surprised that my girls weren't a bit interested in the pool. Kept saying, "Mom! We can swim at home! Let's go on the rides!" After my heart, they are!
The girls loved opening and closing out the park most days we visited. Like little energizer bunnies.

November temps do sound appealing, but full holiday overlay and entertainment is important to me. It will be a different park for them, as we've only ever visited in October, due to their school schedules and my work schedule. LOVE Disney in October! Fact that we won Dream Fastpasses last visit was icing on the cake. So fun!

I'm going to call HOJO today!

This board is simply awesome!

 

[cccdisney]

Thanks for the weather advice. It was very warm on our last October trip and I was very surprised that my girls weren't a bit interested in the pool. Kept saying, "Mom! We can swim at home! Let's go on the rides!" After my heart, they are!
The girls loved opening and closing out the park most days we visited. Like little energizer bunnies.

November temps do sound appealing, but full holiday overlay and entertainment is important to me. It will be a different park for them, as we've only ever visited in October, due to their school schedules and my work schedule. LOVE Disney in October! Fact that we won Dream Fastpasses last visit was icing on the cake. So fun!

I'm going to call HOJO today!

This board is simply awesome!

FYI - HOJO's in-house reservations are only open M-F (typical business hours). And you MUST speak to IN HOUSE reservations to get the good rate.
Also, the Ent. Book that is available right now is only good through Nov 1, 2009. So if you are going after Nov 1 you will need to wait to purchase a book. I think the new ones go on sale in Aug or Sept? (not sure of that though)

We went last year right before Thanksgiving to enjoy the Christmas decorations. Were there Nov 22 - 25 (Sat - Wed). It was busy but manageable. The weather was great! We also love HOJO and stay there often!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

the big even was the candle thing. ya i hate that part its only one day well was when we were there. Tho the other 4 days we were there everything seemed walk on so we just left early that night an tried to scater once the front filled up with the candle light ppl

 

[disheadz]

Thanks Super-Mom! I think I read that a lighting ceremony is taking place the first weekend, so maybe I'll focus in on the 2nd week in December. Any thoughts on crowd levels then?

I see you're a frequent guest at HOJO. Walking time to the gate would be....? I last stayed in Oct. 07 at the Tropicana. Nothing fancy, to be sure, but a place to rest your head and the location was fantastic. Those great rates at HOJO keep calling out to me though. Am thinking either HOJO or Candy Cane this time.

Stayed at HOJO Dec 2-9 last year. Crowd levels were excellent, especially Monday and Tuesday.