Second week of December? Or wait till January?

[glorib]

Help us decide! We're thinking of going back to DL (for our second visit) December 9th for 5 days. How are crowds at that time? I've heard the crowds are pretty small in January, should we wait until then? How long are the Christmas decorations up?

Lots of questions, I know! Just trying to make the best decision! Any input is appreciated! Thanks!

 

[DangerMouse]

We have gone several times in mid-December over the years, generally shooting for the week after the CM parties and CP. It used to be a really great time to go with low crowds. However, I have found that it has been getting more crowded each year during this time. This year, we decided to go for the last day of the Christmas peak season (January 7) and then stayed two additional days. That way we were able to see HMH, Christmas parade, EP, Believe in Holiday Magic fireworks, etc. as well as have relavitvely small crowds.

We're avoiding mid-December again this year, and going in November in order to avoid the crowds.

DLR has been extending their holiday season the last few years to coincide with the school holiday schedules, and keep decorations and entertainment up through the Epiphany.

HTH!

 

[Mom2micayla]

Well the selfish part of me says go in Jan. since we'll be there the exact same weeks in Dec, so the less people then the better. But seriously, I'd suggest Dec. The weather is gorgeous, the parks are completely decorated and they run their holiday fireworks show more often. You can't hardly beat DLR around Xmas time.

I have been in Jan. too and I love it then also, but it operates on a more restricted schedule then. HMH and ISAWH both go down sometime in Jan to remove the holiday overlay. Other rides frequently go down for refurb then too b/c the crowd levels are less. Hard to say what, if anything, that will be though this far in advance. Depending on what time of the month you go in Jan, you'd still see all the holiday decorations up. Weather should be pretty nice, although it does tend to rain a bit more in Jan. than in Dec. on average. Crowds should be very low in Jan., with the exception of right around the 1st.

So I guess it depends on what you'd rather deal with.. slightly larger crowds & most everything up and running/decorated or lower crowds and possible refurbs and ride closures.

 

[Disnee]

I'd go in December - you'll be post CM parties and the Candlelight Processional, and before the Christmas crowds. As others have said, a lot of stuff tends to go down in January - we certainly noticed that in looking at the refurb schedule for this past January compared to what was down when we were there in November.

We're going back again before Christmas this year - to me, it's more magical to be surrounded by all the holiday decorations when it's still in anticipation of the holiday rather than after, you know? JMO.

 

[glorib]

to me, it's more magical to be surrounded by all the holiday decorations when it's still in anticipation of the holiday rather than after

Yes, this is a good point! I think we'll stick with Dec. Even if it is busier, it will be worth it, I think. I hope!

Now to decide where to stay - it will be my husband and I, plus our two kiddos, age 2 and 4 - any suggestions?

 

[Amy&Dan]

I prefer December even with the crowds. January is hit or miss and often some of my favorite rides such as Haunted Mansion and IASW are down. I have learned to be okay with crowds since I like rides, shows, parades and fireworks to be running more and longer hours to go along with it. I have done some off season trips when it was heartbreaking to leave a deserted park at 8:00 p.m. because we were having so much fun and felt like we hadn't gone enough hours in that day! Whereas when its a bit more crowded and the hours are longer we have longer days that even with crowds somehow make us feel more like we got a full day in even if we did ride less rides technically. And I also agree that the decorations are more fun before the actual holiday rather after when lets face it we are all sick of it by then given that stores etc., start decorating for Christmas the day after Halloween!

Also, that time frame is a good one, sort of in between all the holiday happenings. I would expect very large crowds on the weekend but those days weekday days you have should be very nice. Especially Tue-Thursday.

 

[Leofoenget]

Help us decide! We're thinking of going back to DL (for our second visit) December 9th for 5 days. How are crowds at that time? I've heard the crowds are pretty small in January, should we wait until then? How long are the Christmas decorations up?

Lots of questions, I know! Just trying to make the best decision! Any input is appreciated! Thanks!

Mid week the first 2 weeks of Dec are a good time to go. Friend went then and it was "dead"

 

[ter-moo]

Another vote for December. The second week of December is my favorite time to go! The crowds are light, if you avoid weekends and evenings, all the decorations are up, and most of the attractions are running.

The problem with January is you'll encounter some post-Christmas closures, plus the tail end of some schools' winter breaks.

 

[pindecisive]

I like Jan.

The weather is nice and the crowds aren't bad

Thats my vote.