Tell me about Disneyland at Christmas

[KT27]

My DH, Stepdaughter & Stepson have a trip planned for about 6 days during Christmas. We spent our first Christmas season at WDW last year. I am looking for information on how Disneyland celebrates. We have never been. Thanks!

 

[tinkermell]

Hi We went to WDW for Christmas in 2005. Here are my opionions on the differences.

WDW:

MGM has the awesome Osbourne lights.

Epcot has the beautiful archway. Illuminations adds Christmas special to end of show. Candlelight Processional!

GF has the Gingerbread house.

Boardwalk has the candy carousel.

Mickey's Christmas party- Special ticket for that.

DL:

Haunted Mansion complete "Nightmare Before Christmas" overlay.

Small World has complete overlay.

Santa's Reindeer Roundup

Everynight there is a Christmas parade for everyone. Not just for people who buy special tickets. There is also the Christmas fireworks show and then afterwords it snows as carols are being played.

Candlelight Processional- Only one weekend in first part of December.

Now for my opinion....

I thought Illuminations was fantastic and I loved the Osboune lights. The gingerbread house was awesome too. The absolute highlight of our trip was the Candlelight Processional on Christmas Eve.

But...I think that the decorations are superior at DL verses just the MK. I don't know if it is because DL is more intimate and packed so it seems like more? More magical?? I can't explain it. New Orleans square is really cool too. Haunted Mansion and Smallworld are decorated to the max inside and out, which are almost worth a ticket just to see.

One thing that I kind of was upset about, was that at WDW you had to have a ticket to see the Christmas parade and snow. After Christmas Day I don't know if that changes as we left on the 25th. So after spending $$$$$$$$$$ on a trip for 10 people, I couldn't justify spending more to go to the party and see all of that.

Another thing is that DL will stay open every night late during peak season. At WDW I had to plan very carefully, as every park has different hours on different days as you know.

So if you consider that there are just 2 parks at DL verses 4 at WDW, I think DL is great. Well worth it if you ask me. Just as WDW is great and well worth it if you ask me.

Have a great time!!!!

 

[dizlover21]

DL is soo magical at Christmastime! I've been to DL during the Christmas season probably at least 3 trips and have been there on Christmas DAY before as well. It is going to be VERY crowded. When we were there the park closed down about 11 am because it was at full capacity. That was when it opened at 10am!! So dont wait around, you have to get there early if you want to get in!! It is so crowded that the streets are so packed you can hardly walk (eek) The worst times are after parades.

They decorate everything like Christmas in the streets, as well as change a few rides as was mentioned above. Small World and Haunted Mansion are the 2 I can think of as well. The parade is also Christmas themed starting in late November so you'll get to see it if you go any time in that time frame.

DCA also changed their California letters to a Christmas theme, but I don't think any of their rides change. They also play Christmas music everywhere of course. There aren't any extra things like Mickeys Christmas party to get into either.