One day in Disneyland for Christmas

[thunderjones]

I'm taking my wife and daughter to California the weekend before Christmas to see friends and we blocked out one day for Disney World (either Sunday or Monday).

Any suggestions on maximizing our time there? DD is 6 and we will take her friend who is 7. I don't think we're up for a rope drop to fireworks marathon day. Any recommendations on which date to go and whether to go early in the morning or late in the day? I will definitely want to see the Christmas parade.

Thanks!

 

[ArchOwl]

One day? Oh dear, that is a tough one! Are you staying nearby? Can you squeeze in some down time at a hotel so you can return for the nighttime entertainment?

What are your priorities? Rides? Which ones? Or the shows?

Let us know and we can help you plan. The first thing you should know is that it will be very, very busy when you visit. Extremely busy. If you can do rope drop, I would highly recommend it because it will be one of the few slower times of your day.

Let us know your priorities and we can formulate a plan!

 

[thunderjones]

We've been to Disney World three times in the past few years, but never to either park in California.

My daughter loves splash Mountain, so that's a must. Beyond that, the real goal is to soak in as much of the Christmas festivities as possible. I'd like to hit the rides that have been reconfigured for the holidays and make sure we see the Christmas parade as well.

I know it'll be slammed, so I'm already scouring the web for touring plan to maximize our time there.

To make things just a little more complicated, my wife has multiple sclerosis and deals with fatigue. That's why staying for a marathon session is off the table. Unfortunately, we're staying closer to the airport rather than in Anaheim. Leaving in reentering is probably off the table as well.

 

[ArchOwl]

Ok, will your wife be utilizing a wheelchair or DAS?

That may change my recommendation about how to tour the park.

 

[thunderjones]

We will get a DAS card. We will probably get an ECV is well.

 

[ArchOwl]

Good to know! I was going to recommend utilizing at least one of those services for your wife. It makes a big difference!

After some consideration, I still believe that rope drop is still the best for your family. Here is why, with the crowds, even driving the ECV is tiring. It can be difficult to maneuver around all those people. I know from experience! I always cherished those few morning hours of not having to stop every few feet.

I would be at the Resort early, hopefully already have rented the ECV and with tickets in hand at the gates. I would make my way to Guest Relations and obtain the DAS and have them put a Christmas overlay ride on it (Haunted, Small World, or Jingle Cruise). I would then prioritize rides like Space Mountain, Pirates, Thunder, and Splash, which have a notoriously slow wheelchair return time. I would proceed throughout the morning, alternating the DAS times with short standby times of the rides above. Then once the parks start to become crowded, begin alternating DAS with FP.

You should be able to do quite a few rides in the morning this way and be able to see the afternoon Christmas parade. Then you could play it by ear depending on how your wife is doing. There are disabled sections for the parade, but you may want to check with a CM for how many they will be allowing into the disabled section.

 

[twinky]

You may also consider taking the Holiday Tour. It will consume a chunk of time (and $) but the tour includes rides on attractions with overlays (Haunted Mansion, IASW and Jingle Cruise) as well as special parade seating. You might be able to book the early tour (I believe around 12:30) and catch the afternoon parade. https://disneyland.disney.go.com/events-tours/holiday-time-at-disneyland/

Page 5 of Sherry E's Holiday Superthread has more info and reviews of the Holiday Tour: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3215593

I hope you find a plan that works. Happy holidays!