Some Questions about 3rd week of December

[countofmc]

We are contemplating a trip to DLand for the 16-18th of Dec (Wed-Friday). We want to squeeze in a trip before our Deluxe APs blackout for rest of year. A couple of questions:

(1) What kind of crowds can we expect for that week?

(2) I noticed there are a lot of hotel vacancies (staying off property) and at fairly low rates too. Does this mean crowds/visitors might be manageable, or not really, due to locals visiting?

(3) So Friday the 18th is a key date for us. We noticed all SoCal APs are blacked out that day. Does that mean it should be fairly manageable that day, or will it not matter due to other AP holders and non-AP visitors? On that same note, will Thursday the 17th be super crowded with SoCal AP holders trying to squeeze in that last visit?

My feeling is that that week will be fairly crowded in the evenings due to LA schools still being in session but local folks with APs wanting to squeeze in that last visit before the end of the year. So I'm going in hoping crowds won't be too bad early in the day. Plan is to hit the parks at rope drop and leave around 1 pm, and maybe come back in later.

 

[figment_jii]

Crowds have been pretty high this year regardless of the date (especially compared to the same time period last year). So, regardless of which APs are blocked out (or not), I would go expecting to see moderate-to-high crowd levels.

DLR blocks out APs on days when they expect that non-AP visitors will be plentiful (i.e., sufficient to make up for the AP holders that cannot enter the parks using their APs). I think that you will see large crowds on Thursday and Friday as SoCal/SoCal Select and Deluxe AP holders (respectively) visit the parks one last time for the holidays.

 

[mousecrazy]

I was there last year around this time and it was crazy crowded...especially Thursday and Friday. Earlier in the week wasn't too bad...the crowds got progressively thicker as the week wore on. I'd go in with a battle plan expecting heavy crowds (especially in the late afternoon/evening) and enjoy the holidays at Disneyland!

 

[sdchickie]

We're SoCal passholders, and we're going that week too. I guess great minds think alike. I assume we won't be alone in our thinking

 

[countofmc]

So I've been seeing the updates on the crowds today and it's unbelievable. 45 minutes just to get through security, and it looked like a early as 8AM people were already lining up trying to get in.

My plan was to go at rope drop, but if it's going to be that crowded I might have to rethink that altogether. Is Thanksgiving week usually more busy than usual?!

 

[ArchOwl]

I can't say I am surprised. The summer crowds were much more crowded than normal, which to me indicates the holidays are going to be extremely crowded.

It might be worth allowing a little more time to get through security. It has also occurred to me that they may be more security conscious these days.

A really good use of FP is going to be crucial!