Okay... how busy is DLR on Christmas and the day after?

[SamandWill1921]

Hi everyone,

A friend of my family is taking his DD who is about 13 to DLR for the first time in December. He had no idea until I told him how much there is to do and so he only got 2 day park hoppers and can't change his travel plans now. They are going Dec 25th and 26th. How busy is it on Christmas? Are line ans long/longer than they are in the summer? I have never been this time of year. I appreciate your help.

 

[Malcon10t]

Hi everyone,

A friend of my family is taking his DD who is about 13 to DLR for the first time in December. He had no idea until I told him how much there is to do and so he only got 2 day park hoppers and can't change his travel plans now. They are going Dec 25th and 26th. How busy is it on Christmas? Are line ans long/longer than they are in the summer? I have never been this time of year. I appreciate your help.

It is packed. Dec 25th frequently has turnstile closures during part of the day. The morning will be slow, but by noon, it will be VERY busy. We have been st Disneyland for Christmas since 1999. We love it, but we usually aren't about the rides, more about just hanging out. If you realize it will be packed, and just take it in stride, you can have a blast. If you are all about the rides, expect long lines. Longer than summer lines.

 

[sonnyjane]

Oh dear.

Well, I hate to break it to him, but the week between Christmas and New Year's is the busiest week of the entire year, much busier than summer. The parks can and have closed due to reaching capacity, with new guests not being allowed in until others leave, making park hopping or taking breaks difficult since you don't know if you'll get back in.

Christmas morning won't be as bad, but starting that afternoon it will really pick up and then the rest of the week will be downhill.

Is that the ONLY time he can go? I would definitely not recommend that time period for a first-time visit to the parks.

 

[Disney Dreams]

...the week between Christmas and New Year's is the busiest week of the entire year, much busier than summer. The parks can and have closed due to reaching capacity, with new guests not being allowed in until others leave.

This. Exactly.

- Dreams

 

[SamandWill1921]

We have talked about it several times. He's from cali and they are visiting friends and have a very full schedule the entire time. This is what I was afraid of. We don't celebrate Christmas so they are going for rides, oh well. If they close the turnstiles I think I'll recommend that he stay in DL all day one day and then DCA all day the next. He said if they really don't get much done he may try to pull the money together to do a summer vacation trip. poor guy, not everyone has this wonderful resource that they can consult before making any concrete decisions.

 

[Disney Dreams]

We have talked about it several times. He's from cali and they are visiting friends and have a very full schedule the entire time. This is what I was afraid of. We don't celebrate Christmas so they are going for rides, oh well. If they close the turnstiles I think I'll recommend that he stay in DL all day one day and then DCA all day the next. He said if they really don't get much done he may try to pull the money together to do a summer vacation trip. poor guy, not everyone has this wonderful resource that they can consult before making any concrete decisions.

I just wanted to mention this for your friend's benefit. You mentioned that you "don't celebrate Christmas so they are going for the rides....". I'm not sure what that means, but during the dates you've given, the entire resort will still be VERY Christmasfied. It will be Christmas everywhere you turn. If that is going to be an issue, it may be something to consider.

And yes, I know people who don't celebrate Christmas can still enjoy Christmas decor, but there have been posters in the past who have mentioned that seeing Christmas everywhere would cast a shadow over their visit, so I just wanted to mention it.

- Dreams