november or december

[smilnjen]

So, since I am pretty open in my dates, what would you choose? November or december? I'm curious as to when it is less crowded!

 

[disneegrl4eva]

So, since I am pretty open in my dates, what would you choose? November or december? I'm curious as to when it is less crowded!

ive done both....I would say middle of Dec. at least a week before Christmas...that seems to be a good time...or the last few days in Nov. (after thanksgiving weekend)

 

[DLR29]

November or December? Crowd-wise it is a very vague question. There are plenty of days in November more crowded than days in December and vice versa. Basically, if you aren't into crowds, avoid:
-Veteran's Day Weekend
-Thanksgiving Weekend
-5 days before Christmas through New Year's Eve

Also the Candlelight Processional the first weekend of December can draw slightly larger crowds, but not nearly as bad as the above mentioned. If you don't go during one of the 3 mentioned holiday periods, you will want to schedule 1 or 2 weekend days (yes they are slightly more crowded) to see the nighttime entertainment (fireworks, fantasmic) because they are not shown on weekday nights during "lower" seasons.

 

[DangerMouse]

I agree with everything that DLR29 wrote, except once they start showing the Believe fireworks (usualy the Friday before Thanksgiving week), they show them nightly, not just on weekends.

They also start showing the DEP around the week before Christmas. I'm guessing it will start running on Dec. 19 this year.

 

[rentayenta]

The week before Christmas is my favorite time. But get out of there by Christmas Day because the week in between Christmas and New Year's is maddening.

 

[stopher1]

I agree with DLR29. There are some good days though in both months that provide a lot of the ambiance and experience without the crowds - but you'll also live with somewhat shorter hours and maybe not as much on the ent. schedule. It's really a toss up - to get it all, you have to endure the crowds.

 

[harpetj]

I would say the time in between the Candlelight Processional and the week before Christmas in December. This generally leaves 2 weekends towards the beginning of the month. This is our family's favorite time to go. The crowds are at the lowest during the week, but Disneyland is open until midnight usually Friday-Sunday. The decorations and yuletide cheer is awesome and not to be missed. As we are from Washington, nothing is better than escaping the snow/cold to California for a few days. We have also had great luck at cheap rooms at Paradise Pier at this time of year. Last year we purchased an Annual Pass and got concierge level for $169/night.

 

[ballarinamom]

If you are talking about this November /December, I would say Mid December. That gives time for IASW to come back up. I know they were saying late November but I have heard rumblings it may be closer to January with the changes they want to make. Plus the Holiday overlay on HM and IASW can keep those rides down in early November

 

[JillinOR]

In 2006 we went the second week of December. The crowds weren't bad at all. Usual crowds at Fantasyland about mid-morning (and after), same with Toon Town. Everything else had VERY short lines.


Jill

 

[smilnjen]

Sounds great to me....I am seriously considering getting AP's....I just wish we could afford to stay at the GCH....

Maybe I can convince my sister to go and share the room with us

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

I agree with DLR29. There are some good days though in both months that provide a lot of the ambiance and experience without the crowds - but you'll also live with somewhat shorter hours and maybe not as much on the ent. schedule. It's really a toss up - to get it all, you have to endure the crowds.

I haven't found the crowds in November to be bad at all. It's my favorite time to go!! There's Small World Holiday and HMH, 2 of my favorites! Plus by mid November the holiday decorations are in full swing. It's lovely. We probably go for 4 days minimum every November, and at least 1-2 of those days are weekends so DH can go too. The weather is nice, not hot, no rain Even weekends aren't that bad, except the weekend of Thanksgiving. To gauge whether Disney is expecting a crowd, look at the Deluxe Passholder blackout dates. If the Deluxe is blacked out, expect it to be pretty crowded. Otherwise, it should be fine! Sundays are almost always less crowded than Saturdays, IMO. But off season, even Saturdays aren't usually that packed. Certainly not enough that I would avoid them off-season!

Now Saturdays in July I will avoid...!