Pretty please! Help me with November!

[mystic_path]

EEK! I was just informed today that we may have to change our dates for our November Disneyland trip. We were going to Disneyland November 27th - December 5th to avoid the Thanksgiving weekend. Now it appears we will have to go before December as our work is no longer giving us the time off during back out work periods. We wanted to see the park decorated for Christmas, but we were trying to avoid major holiday crowds too around TG. Can anyone suggest to me another good time to go in November? I should know this info by now, but my mind is a bit frazzled.

 

[goldies 5]

The week before TG week is all decked out and a good time to go. This week has become a part of the Holidays at DL the last couple of years. Christmas Parade, Reindeer Roundup, castle lighting, snow and fireworks. I personally would not reccomend opening day for the Holiday season. Should be about the 11th this year (which is also the day when Veterans Day is observed this year). Opening day is always on a Friday. We have been there opening day and it is Chaotic.

 

[skiingfast]

I personally would not reccomend opening day for the Holiday season. Should be about the 11th this year (which is also the day when Veterans Day is observed this year). Opening day is always on a Friday. We have been there opening day and it is Chaotic.

I'd avoid this as well. If you need to stradle a weekend surely the next one will be better to be there.

 

[mvf-m11c]

I agree with the previous two posts. I would never go during the opening week of the Holiday season since it would be really crowded. I have done the 2nd weekend during the Holiday season last year and it was nice and quiet. I would do that weekend during the Holiday season.

 

[mystic_path]

PERRRRFECT!!! I knew I could count on everyone! Thank you. I will talk to the girls and see about leaving for the trip around maybe 14,15-16th (mon-wed). We want to go for a min of 10 days. Do 7 at Disneyland, a day of shopping, a day in LA and or whatever else. That also gives us all week at Disneyland and the following weekend in the park to catch the bigger shows.

 

[Sherry E]

I wanted to point out a few things, though - and these things may or may not be important to you, mystic_path.

While we are assuming the holiday season will officially begin this year on Veterans Day, 11/11/11 (cool date, huh?), or at the latest, 11/18, we discovered in the Christmas thread last year that not all of the Christmas-y things are up and out until Thanksgiving.

For example, for me (and for many of us, it seems), enjoying the atmosphere of the 3 DLR hotels during the holidays is important. The Grand Californian Hotel's Christmas tree, carolers performing in the corridors and in front of the tree, Santa posing for PhotoPass photographers by the tree, the guitarist by the fire strumming holiday favorites, etc., etc. - none of that is up or happening until Thanksgiving weekend.

I would also imagine that the Disneyland Hotel and the Paradise Pier are not decked out until after Thanksgiving ends as well. Personally, I think the PPH Christmas tree is gorgeous - much prettier than the DLH trees - and is worth a trip across the street to see it. If the DLH and PPH are not decorated yet, then that means no Santa at either of those places either.

Also, some of the holiday foods are not out yet until Thanksgiving. Most of the treats will be available, but there were certain things that did not make an appearance until after Turkey Day last year.

Some of the merchandise does not appear until after Thanksgiving.

While the Reindeer Round-Up will be open, it is not fully decked out when the season begins. It's only partially done. It becomes more Christmas-y as the season progresses. I was there on November 13th last year - the day after the season started - and I was there on December 12 -15. I don't even think the whole Round-Up was open on November 13, to be honest. I think that maybe only part of it was, and it was only partially decorated. However, in December, everything was up - I think I took half of all the photos I got in the entire trip at that Round-Up!!

Another issue is the possibility of a ticketed Christmas party. I think that it's inevitable that DLR will have one, but whether or not it will be this year, next year or some other time is anyone's guess.

IF, for some reason, there is a party this year, I would be willing to bet that it will not be happening before Thanksgiving. Plus, if there is a party, we don't know which things will suddenly become party exclusives (the parade? the fireworks? the snow?).

A lot of people who have never been to DLR during the holidays or who don't really pay too much attention will probably never know the difference. But I would say that if there is any way you can manage to head to DLR during that time frame you were originally looking at - or even in December - you will get the full holiday experience. Otherwise, if that's not possible and it has to be earlier in November because of the work situation, you will still have a wonderful holiday trip! There will still be lots to see. IASW Holiday will be open, and that's major!

 

[mystic_path]

GREAT REVIEW SHERRY E!!!!! I kinda figured there would be a few things we would have to miss going earlier in November. Its kind of a bummer, but there is much we will be able to take in, and we are very excited to see IASW and the Haunted Mansion all done up. Plus to even get some pictures with some Christmas decorations around would be lovely. We havent gone at Christmas before, so if we are missing things we probably wouldnt know it and have a good time regardless. If we have a choice we would stick to November 27th, but if not then Mid November between both November holidays is good.

I did hear rumor of a ticketed Christmas thing at Disneyland. I wonder when that would be. The Halloween party is really cool. Id love to see what they could do for Xmas, but I doubt we would see it this year.