Possible Trip this December

[kerplop]

Hi everyone! We're planning a possible trip this December and since I haven't been to Disneyland since before DCA was open, I thought I'd stop in here and get some advice from y'all.

Here is our thing. We are trying to pinch our pennies as much as possible while also getting to experience as much as possible. Originally we thought about going for 5 days to get the whole experience, but once I saw the cost for the hotel/food/tickets well let's just say

We are planning on driving up our first day from my mom's in San Marcos (north San Diego county, inland) and going a full day before checking into our hotel that evening when we're done. Then we were going to go 4 more days and then get a good night's rest at a hotel before driving back down. That was in the original plan, but since I decided we can't afford to stay for 5 nights I'm coming up with a new plan.

I realize that 3 days in the parks is less than ideal, but money being what it is well you understand. I've been dozens of times just to DL and my mother has too, but we will be taking my GF who has only been to WDW a few times and is new to DL. If we can squeeze in another day we might do it, but again $$

These are my questions:

1. Do you think 3 days will be enough to feel like we didn't waste our money going? When I was a kid we'd go to DL all day, but we'd go at it like commandos and now that I'm 35 and so is my GF (and mom is in her 60s) that's not a likely scenario. We're in decent shape, but if we decide to go you can bet your butt we'll be walking a lot to get ready for it!

2. If you had the option to go M-Sun of a week, what days would you do? We'd like to see Fantasmic and WoC, but afaik those only run on weekends right? What about other shows? Would it be worth doing Thu-Fri-Sat to see them, in terms of crowds?

3. Speaking of crowds what might we see if we're going the week after Thanksgiving when everyone (should) be in school again? Is there a site I'm missing that might give us crowd level ideas like they have at WDW?

4. Is it worth staying a little bit further away from DL to find cheaper hotel rooms? We're not fussy or snobby at all, we just want a clean, comfortable bed to fall into and a hot shower to soothe the muscles. Cheaper is better! Any suggestion would be amazing.

5. Speaking of suggestions and cheap, does anyone have any ideas on how to pinch some pennies? We don't want to really go off-site too much for food and we don't want to bring our own to the parks (I did that enough as a kid ), but is it worth going out of the park for them? Or is the surrounding area just as expensive?

Any other info would be great! But those were the main points I needed some help with and I thought who better to ask than the Dis. Thanks in advance!

 

[figment_jii]

1. Do you think 3 days will be enough to feel like we didn't waste our money going? When I was a kid we'd go to DL all day, but we'd go at it like commandos and now that I'm 35 and so is my GF (and mom is in her 60s) that's not a likely scenario. We're in decent shape, but if we decide to go you can bet your butt we'll be walking a lot to get ready for it!

I would recommend planning on getting to the parks in time for rope drop. T he first few hours are usually pretty manageable. Take a break in the afternoon (see a show or maybe just ride the train around DL a few times) and then try to power through to closing.

2. If you had the option to go M-Sun of a week, what days would you do? We'd like to see Fantasmic and WoC, but afaik those only run on weekends right? What about other shows? Would it be worth doing Thu-Fri-Sat to see them, in terms of crowds?

Assuming your going the first week in December, then yes, Fantasmic and Mad T Party will only be offered on Fri, Sat, and Sun. WoC and fireworks should be presented nightly. The first weekend in December is likely to be Candlelight Processional, which means larger crowds over in DL for that. i would probably opt for Thu, Fri, and Sat so you have a chance to see the nighttime entertainment. Crowds will be high on Fri and Sat, but still manageable (at least they felt manageable to me). It gets busier the closer you are to the actual holidays.

3. Speaking of crowds what might we see if we're going the week after Thanksgiving when everyone (should) be in school again? Is there a site I'm missing that might give us crowd level ideas like they have at WDW?

There really aren't any good/reliable crowd level sites for DLR. Sat will be busy because of Candlelight Processional and because it's a weekend day. I would expect high(ish) crowds on Friday afternoon/evening. Thursday should be okay (the rides won't be walk-on, but I wouldn't expect horrendously long lines either).

4. Is it worth staying a little bit further away from DL to find cheaper hotel rooms? We're not fussy or snobby at all, we just want a clean, comfortable bed to fall into and a hot shower to soothe the muscles. Cheaper is better! Any suggestion would be amazing.

Have you signed up for the various hotel chain's membership clubs? Sometimes you can find pretty good deals for hotels that are nearby.

5. Speaking of suggestions and cheap, does anyone have any ideas on how to pinch some pennies? We don't want to really go off-site too much for food and we don't want to bring our own to the parks (I did that enough as a kid ), but is it worth going out of the park for them? Or is the surrounding area just as expensive?

I don't eat off-site much, but there are several chains near by. If you opt to stay in the parks, some of the QS locations might be an option if you're looking to save a few pennies.

 

[Viva Las Disney]

1. Do you think 3 days will be enough to feel like we didn't waste our money going? When I was a kid we'd go to DL all day, but we'd go at it like commandos and now that I'm 35 and so is my GF (and mom is in her 60s) that's not a likely scenario. We're in decent shape, but if we decide to go you can bet your butt we'll be walking a lot to get ready for it!

A 3 day vacation to DL is definitely worth it.

2. If you had the option to go M-Sun of a week, what days would you do? We'd like to see Fantasmic and WoC, but afaik those only run on weekends right? What about other shows? Would it be worth doing Thu-Fri-Sat to see them, in terms of crowds?

Off season is tricky. Mon-Thu will have the smallest crowds but also ahve shortened hours and limited nighttime entertainment. WoC plays every night but the fireworks and F! are only on the weekend. I would either go Wed-Fri or Sun-Tue just so I could see the fireworks and F!, normally you can see both in one night.

3. Speaking of crowds what might we see if we're going the week after Thanksgiving when everyone (should) be in school again? Is there a site I'm missing that might give us crowd level ideas like they have at WDW?

The only site I've found is...

http://www.isitpacked.com/disneyland-crowd-forecast-predictor-calendar/

It's not very specific (like you get with the WDW 1-10 scales) but pretty reliable.

4. Is it worth staying a little bit further away from DL to find cheaper hotel rooms? We're not fussy or snobby at all, we just want a clean, comfortable bed to fall into and a hot shower to soothe the muscles. Cheaper is better! Any suggestion would be amazing.

Staying offsite is a great way to save money but it's very convenient to stay within walking distance on Harbor, Katella, or Walnut.

5. Speaking of suggestions and cheap, does anyone have any ideas on how to pinch some pennies? We don't want to really go off-site too much for food and we don't want to bring our own to the parks (I did that enough as a kid ), but is it worth going out of the park for them? Or is the surrounding area just as expensive?

Can't help on this one since I never leave the parks once I'm there. I will grab a snack or 2 and a soda at my hotel before leaving to the park, that saves me a few bucks a day.

 

[jenmaster]

If you can find a great hotel deal on the ART route the bus saves you a ton of time and walking. We love the Sheraton Park, affordable, clean and comfortable. I also vote for Thurs-Sat if you go for a 4 day hopper you could get a good half day in the parks from 8-1 on Sun before driving back. Earl of Sandwich in Downtown Disney has really good food for a reasonable price we have had both breakfast and lunch items and enjoyed them all. Any length of time in Disney is worth it. Get to the parks early and make sure to use fast passes for the rides you want. World of Color is a must see! Have a great time, we will be there next month, can't wait.

 

[ClosetDisneyJunkie]

I like either the Wed-Fri or Thurs-Sat ideas. Maybe this is personal preference but I kind of enjoy the idea of starting on a quieter day and being able to ride a lot without terrible lines (and also just maneuver and enjoy the parks' charms without as many people) and then ending with a bang like F! and fireworks. If you don't care about the Candlelight Processional you might consider Wed-Fri, but then you'd have to cram both fireworks and F! into Friday night (edit, wait, are fireworks still nightly, or just fri-sun? argh i can't remember).

that may just be me though.

Regarding crowd level sites: touring plans has projected crowds on a subscription basis...but it's pretty notoriously unreliable. I'm not sure what the protocol on posting their projections here is but....I guess I'll just say that for the week of December 1-7 the highest it gets is a "6" which isn't horrible...but I think also doesn't take Candlelight Processional into account on that Saturday/Sunday (assuming dates remain true to previous years).