remember me? :) going again and questions please

[teatime]

I have not been in 2 years, now I want to go so bad I can taste it! Im planning a trip for December 26th thru the second of January, is this a good time, and if not why? I know lots of folks get there new passes for christmas, but I was hoping its quieter now that christmas is over. With my kids in school we can not take a vacation out side of the summer or holidays now. what do you think??

 

[bumbershoot]

It's going to be extremely busy! Know it, accept it, embrace it.

The idea of being at DL on NYE makes seasoned cast members shudder and get a faraway stare at how packed it is...I personally don't want to be in the middle of that, but if it's when you can go, start working on your crowd skills now!

If your holidays start earlier in December, go then. The crowds are light in early December and get heavier and heavier the closer to Jan 1 you get!

 

[Desert Dwellers]

teatime, we're going to DL at the same timeframe, and I've read on these posts it will be busy, busy, busy. But still magical and lots of fun.

Here's a link to the Disneyland at Christmas thread. Lots of great information and beautiful pictures to view while you're doing your trip planning.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2262171&page=62

 

[teatime]

the vacation does not start until the 23 rd and I figure christmas time would be jamming. I have been many times during gay days and holloween, is it as bad in december?
also I figure we will be in knotts january 1st. and the second just take a day off to shop .

 

[teatime]

the other option would be June 10th thru the 17th. is this date better?

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

the vacation does not start until the 23 rd and I figure christmas time would be jamming. I have been many times during gay days and holloween, is it as bad in december?
also I figure we will be in knotts january 1st. and the second just take a day off to shop .

The week between Xmas and NY is the BUSIEST week you could possibly go. Everyday parks will most likely reach capacity. Xmas is a fabulous season in DLR just go knowing that it will most likely take the full week to see everything.

 

[teatime]

well, I thank you so much for that link And you know what, June sounds way better LOL. I do hope we will not miss much then, we really want to see all the rides running and world of color?? so a year, I have to wait a year, ok I can do it, i can I can ( I can try LOL ) thank you all for your help, I will have lots of questions so please bare with me. you are all great at links, pics and so forth, so glad to see you all again!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

the other option would be June 10th thru the 17th. is this date better?

This will be the first week of Summer Nightastic (if it follows the same pattern as the last 2 years). The SoCal APs will be blocked most of your trip, so I'd say your busiest days would be Sunday-Tuesday. Also the new Little Mermaid ride should be open by then. Also you will have some Grad nights in there when the parks will close early (DCA 6 and DL 9).

 

[goldies 5]

I would read tksbaskets trip report on the Christmas thread, she went the same exact time last year. Looks like they had a great time and managed the crowds well.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I would read tksbaskets trip report on the Christmas thread, she went the same exact time last year. Looks like they had a great time and managed the crowds well.

I agree. With a full week and a good plan you should be fine as long as you can handle the crowds.

 

[HydroGuy]

the other option would be June 10th thru the 17th. is this date better?

You really need to say what you mean by "better". Better could mean:

o Lower crowds
o Warmer temperatures
o Cooler temperatures
o Least rides down for refurb
o Most festive
o Least expensive
o Etc.

If you want low crowds neither Christmas or mid-June are likely to give them. In fact they have both been among the busiest times of the year in recent years. If you want more tolerable crowds I would shoot for July or early August.

If you want lower crowds go in May or maybe September. If you want lowest crowds then maybe late January thru early March.

Here are some links that may help:

"Choosing When To Visit DLR: Summary of High and Low Season and When Each Happens " http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=36509602

"Understanding AP Blockouts and Impact on Crowds" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2365983

"What You Should Know About Off-Season at DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18462889

"The Scoop on Grad Nights at DLR in May and June" - www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2298400

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Between the 2 dates you posted I'd do December because Xmas in DLR is truly magical!!! And as Hydroguy said, crowds mid-June are nearly as bad.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Your hope that it will be quieter is a wonderful hope, but as stated by PP, not going to happen. It is THE busiest time of the entire year.

Now, that said...

The Park is gorgeous at Christmastime. The Christmas parade is wonderful. The holiday fireworks are great. If the rumors are true, you could get lucky and see Main Street Electrical Parade (which recent moved to WDW, but is rumored to return - and generally runs during your visit).

There are special food treats during Christmastime. There is special merchandise. Characters have their Christmas outfits on. The hotels are decorated and the Parks look amazing.

But, yes, it's crowded.

Depending upon what you want from your visit, it could be a great time to be there - unless you want the place to yourself.

- Dreams

 

[Desert Dwellers]

Here's the link for tskbaskets' Chrismas trip report. I'm on my iPod so I can't do the links quite right.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2380696

One other thing to consider is package specials. Over the summer they have 5 for 3 deals, but, no package deals available for December.

 

[bumbershoot]

Between the 2 dates you posted I'd do December because Xmas in DLR is truly magical!!! And as Hydroguy said, crowds mid-June are nearly as bad.

Same here, if those were the only times I could go.

Xmastime is gorgeous, not as hot, gorgeous.... I'm not religious *at all*, and don't celebrate any of the holidays during that time (though I might notice the change to actual Winter if I remember to think about it), but I LOVE it there at that time b/c it's so pretty and feels so nice.

But still, busy-busy!

Remember, the reasons you aren't traveling at other times are the *exact same* reasons that countless other people have!

We homeschool, I don't work, and DH isn't in customer service anymore, so we have the ability to travel at not-as-busy times, but MOST people can't do that.