Questions on Dec Crowds

[cchev]

Hey guys I know Disney World really well but don't know Disney Land at ALL. How are the crowds from Dec 20-24? I know in Disney World they are crazy but how about Disneyland? Is it even worth going at this time of year?

Thanks

 

[JadeDarkstar]

i think they will be as bad

early dec end nov is the best time. Or right after Christmas.

but Have a good time still an if its crowded just use the tips at the top of the boards.

 

[cchev]

When you say right after Christmas....would the 26-29th be better in December?

 

[spacemermaid]

December 20-24th?

If you have a choice in the matter, either the beginning of December (that's when I go for the holidays; except for the CP weekend, crowds are about what they'd be in the early spring time) or right after Christmas (but not New Year's Eve!) would be much more pleasant times to go.

 

[cchev]

December 20-24th?

If you have a choice in the matter, either the beginning of December (that's when I go for the holidays; except for the CP weekend, crowds are about what they'd be in the early spring time) or right after Christmas (but not New Year's Eve!) would be much more pleasant times to go.

Right after XMas do you mean after New years or between Christmas and New Years?

I could also go from the 26th-30th if that would be better

 

[cchev]

bump?

 

[spacemermaid]

Right after XMas do you mean after New years or between Christmas and New Years?

I could also go from the 26th-30th if that would be better

Yes, that's exactly what I meant.

You'll avoid the pre-Christmas crowds and the NYE crowds that way, but will still get to see all the holiday decorations!

 

[cchev]

Oh ok cool...I figured that the time between Christmas and New Years would be WORSE than the time before Christmas. Good to know!

 

[cchev]

How bad would it be between Christmas and New years? Do-able?

 

[JadeDarkstar]

i think they will be much more do ble

 

[cchev]

bump...sorry for being a pest but just making sure of my dates. I have 12/20/09-1/1/10 to go to Disneyland and I want to go for 4 days. Which 4 days in that time frame would have the lowest crowds? Would it be the 26-29? 27-30? Other days?

Thanks and sorry for the bothering

 

[Sherry E]

Hey guys I know Disney World really well but don't know Disney Land at ALL. How are the crowds from Dec 20-24? I know in Disney World they are crazy but how about Disneyland? Is it even worth going at this time of year?

Thanks

To be honest - and I hate to disagree with my wonderful fellow DIS'ers - but I truly think you would be better off on Dec. 20 - 24 - before Christmas. Keep in mind, December is going to busier than the rest of the year, all month long, but the advantage that pre-Christmas has over post-Christmas is that a lot of folks are staying at home with families or visiting families for the actual holiday, and then after they get their Christmas gift money and AP's for presents, they pack into the park in their week off between Christmas and New Year's. First, I would not want to be anywhere near DLR on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day. I have done that before and that is madness like you have never known! Second, the last two years we have stayed at DLR on the weekends immediately before Christmas, and while it was crowded, it was manageable with the right planning. It was not suffocating. We were fine. From most accounts, the week between Christmas and New Year's is the busiest or second busiest time of the entire year at DLR. So my vote is for the 12/20 - 12/24 dates!

 

[Niele]

I, too, agree with Sherry E. We went a couple of years ago 18th - 23rd and it was probably more crowded than low times but it was very comfortable. The day we left (23rd) it got CRAZY! Mind you that year it was from a Monday to Saturday so weekends would get more busy... this year you will still have to deal with kids out of school but like Sherry E said I think folks are busy then taking care of last minute shopping, etc.... my votes for 20th - 24th also. We'll be there again from the 13th - 18th so am also hoping to skip some of the crowds. Wishing you a wonderful trip!

 

[my2mickeykids]

December 20-24th?

If you have a choice in the matter, either the beginning of December (that's when I go for the holidays; except for the CP weekend, crowds are about what they'd be in the early spring time) or right after Christmas (but not New Year's Eve!) would be much more pleasant times to go.

We are looking at early Dec. What is the CP weekend? Thanks!

 

[aprincess@mail.com]

We went last year from Dec 19-Dec 23 and we loved it!
it wasnt crowded at all.
I would think that after Xmas would be busier because are off of work and have vacation time, as opposed to before when people need to get shopping done, have fun tho! no matter what days you pick, your gonna love it!

 

[Sherry E]

We are looking at early Dec. What is the CP weekend? Thanks!

The CP weekend is the Candlelight Processional. I have never been to see the CP, but I think it takes place on the first weekend of December (someone correct me if I am wrong). It attracts a lot of guests.

Oh, and to the OP, one thing I forgot to mention yesterday when I was recommending doing the 12/20 - 12/24 dates rather than the dates post-Christmas, some holiday things stop as soon as Christmas is over. 95% of the holiday decor, food and events are up until early January, but Santa leaves as soon as Christmas is over, the Photopass set-up in the GCH is gone and the Carolers may be gone. The Carolers are not set in stone to hang around when Christmas ends, so it is not a guarantee that they will be there. So if things like Santa and carolers are important to you, then definitely do the pre-Christmas dates (not to mention the previous reasons I stated for why befre Christmas is better).

 

[my2mickeykids]

The CP weekend is the Candlelight Processional. I have never been to see the CP, but I think it takes place on the first weekend of December (someone correct me if I am wrong). It attracts a lot of guests.

Oh, and to the OP, one thing I forgot to mention yesterday when I was recommending doing the 12/20 - 12/24 dates rather than the dates post-Christmas, some holiday things stop as soon as Christmas is over. 95% of the holiday decor, food and events are up until early January, but Santa leaves as soon as Christmas is over, the Photopass set-up in the GCH is gone and the Carolers may be gone. The Carolers are not set in stone to hang around when Christmas ends, so it is not a guarantee that they will be there. So if things like Santa and carolers are important to you, then definitely do the pre-Christmas dates (not to mention the previous reasons I stated for why befre Christmas is better).

Thank you! Is the CP usually 1 day or 2, like Sat. and Sunday?

 

[Sherry E]

Thank you! Is the CP usually 1 day or 2, like Sat. and Sunday?

I think it is both Saturday and Sunday - again, someone correct me if I am wrong. Supposedly it is very lovely and beautiful to see, and there is a celebrity narrator (last year it was Disneyland superfan, John Stamos), but the crowds do get heavy for that weekend.

 

[Brady's Mom]

Oh the CP weekend was NUTS this past Dec. We also hit Cast Member Christmas Parties. We arrived on the last Sun. of CP and the lines at the tickets booths were an hour long. We then had to push past all of the people milling about near the train station and the tunnels in order to get anywhere. It was also really crowded that Monday and Tues. for Cast Member parties. I don't know if CM's can get people in at that time, so their families came to hang at DLR with them, or what. But, it was crowded.

I really felt like I had good info when I chose that time to go and then it turned out to be such a crowded, emotionally draining trip. Not just from the crowds but for personal reasons, also.

If you can - I would skip the first weekend with the CP - unless you want to pay the extra money for dinner and preferred seating and that was not in the budget for us.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Hmmmm ~

We were there for the week days following the CP so our 1st 2 days were the CM party days, I didn't find the crowds bad at all. We headed over to CA once DL closed to the public for the day and it wasn't bad over there either. We visited the parks Mon-Thur. we did 4 days because of the CM parties, I'm usually ok with 3 days.