Opinions on DL visit 2 Jan - 11 Jan

[Colanah]

Planning a big family get together in DL for these dates. Family includes folks from Ireland, Engalnd and New Zealand.
Would like some idea of crowds and weather around this time.
Also we are celebrating a 60th birthday has anyone got any ideas for anything very special to do either in San Diego or LA?

Thanks

 

[AFMom]

Crowd wise you'll probably be fine - as soon as the 1st passes - kids go back to school and the crowds tend to thin out gradually. The first few days you're there may be a bit crowded - but every day will get less and less. We went that same week a few years back and the park was empty! It was chilly in the mornings and in the 70's in the afternoons - never warm enough to swim, though. You'll get some days that won't go above the 50's - it can be quite hit or miss! There can also be rain - but we were lucky. January really isn't the rainy season in LA - usually it doesn't start until March - so cool, dry, breezy is more what you are looking at - wear layers!
I'm not local to that area - can't help with the B'day - but I'm sure there are many things to do for birthday there. Many great restaurants, etc. Have a great time!

 

[HydroGuy]

Actually, most kids in SoCal do not go back to school until Jan. 9. And, the Rose Bowl will be on Wed. Jan. 4 this year, which will bring lots of out-of-state folks to SoCal the first week of Jan., and a chunk of those people will visit DL. So you may have to deal with some crowds.

On the other hand, when DL expects it to be crowded they expand park hours. Your visit will be better off if you plan, plan, and then plan some more.

Weather is hit or miss. It may be in the 70's during the day, or in the 50's (or 40's, if you are unlucky). The nights will be chilly no matter what (30's-40's). It might rain.

Other ideas in SD and LA:

La Brea Tar Pits (in LA)
Mission San Juan Capistrano (near San Clemente)
Universal Studios Hollywood
SD Zoo
Sea World
Tiajuana
Santa Monica Pier
Hollywood Touring
Santa Barbara

 

[cmputerdazed]

Any one know why the rose bowl is on a wednesday?

 

[HydroGuy]

Any one know why the rose bowl is on a wednesday?

Jan 1 is a Sunday, and when Jan 1 is a Sunday they would normally hold it on Jan 2. But this year the Rose Bowl hosts the Number 1 and 2 teams for the championship game. So it got scheduled for Jan 4 to support that. It is always the final game of the season, with no other games that day.

 

[cmputerdazed]

Is the parade on the 4th also?

 

[LucyKate]

Disneyland crowd patterns http://www.scottware.com.au/theme/feature/crowds.htm (but note, this does not take into account the Rose Bowl change as noted above).

For Disneyland weather click on the weather link on the same page.

 

[HydroGuy]

Is the parade on the 4th also?

I didn't know so I Googled it. See http://www.tournamentofroses.com/. The parade will be on Jan 2. BTW, the link also discusses the Rose Bowl itself on Jan 4.

 

[myAAbatteries&aTD]

We're planning on being there for the Rose Bowl (Go Longhorns!!!) w/ a couple other families and are planning on doing DL one or two days before the game. It will be our first DL trip (LOVE WDW!) so we're excited... Now just have to get all the logistics figured out!