Thoughts on Jan. 3-5?

[stacyjoy75]

Hello!

We have never been to Disneyland, but have been to WDW several times, mostly during the holidays. We are wanting to try out Disneyland, but these are about the only dates that will work for us. We could wait until Spring Break, but I am really wanting to see all the holiday decor and the parade. We have never been to MVMCP, so I thought it would be fun to see the Christmas parade. Do you think we will regret these dates? One crowd calendar says the 4th and 5th will be lower crowds, all the others say it will be packed . I certainly don't want to mess up our one trip to DL!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Well, those dates will certainly be crowded, but with good planning and organization, you can still have a good trip! Crowd calendars really aren't reliable for DLR -- they are a much better tool for WDW. ( Most accurate crowd calendars?) I certainly wouldn't trust the one that said that Jan. 4th and 5th will be lower crowds (lower than what? gate closure crowds?). Holiday Time ends on Jan. 6th, so expect plenty of fellow guests to be sharing your excitement to see the last of the holiday decorations, the holiday parade, the holiday fireworks, etc. But the mood will be festive and upbeat! Dining reservations open (usually) at the 60 day mark, so if you will be wanting any TS reservations, Dining Packages for shows (WOC "Seasons of Light" is a great show! & F! Dining Packages have the best viewing location), or the Holiday Afternoon Tea (spots go VERY fast), be sure to reserve when the books open.
Here are some threads to get you started on your trip planning:
Disneyland Resort ‘Decks the Halls’ for the 2019 Holiday Season, Beginning November 8
* DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here! -- from the sticky threads at the top of the first page -- TONS of great information here!
From that sticky:
HydroGuy Tips Compilation -- so many helpful threads here!
A DLR Guide for WDW Vets -- absolute must reading for you!
"HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862
"Choosing the Right DLR Area Hotel for You" www.disboards.com/threads/choosing-the-right-hotel-for-you.3656512/ -- very helpful info here -- ask any questions! At DLR, it's not about on site or off site -- it's all about location, location, location! What you invest in location/hotel, you will save in sanity, peace of mind, physical wear and tear, major convenience, commute/parking time and money, etc.
"Maxpass/Fastpass: an overview and some strategy" by @Skyegirl1999 - www.disboards.com/threads/maxpass-fastpass-an-overview-and-some-strategy.3726246/ -- most WDW vets love MP once they use it -- read up on it here and ask all your questions in this thread! During a peak crowd time, MP will be a very good resource for you!
"Airport Proximity to DLR and Ground Transportation Information" by @3TinksAndAnEeyorewww.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2318297 -- very helpful info here -- closest airports to DLR are SNA (John Wayne) and LGB (Long Beach).
Come on back with any questions! We're here to help.

 

[stacyjoy75]

Well, those dates will certainly be crowded, but with good planning and organization, you can still have a good trip! Crowd calendars really aren't reliable for DLR -- they are a much better tool for WDW. ( Most accurate crowd calendars?) I certainly wouldn't trust the one that said that Jan. 4th and 5th will be lower crowds (lower than what? gate closure crowds?). Holiday Time ends on Jan. 6th, so expect plenty of fellow guests to be sharing your excitement to see the last of the holiday decorations, the holiday parade, the holiday fireworks, etc. But the mood will be festive and upbeat!
Here are some threads to get you started on your trip planning:
Disneyland Resort ‘Decks the Halls’ for the 2019 Holiday Season, Beginning November 8
* DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here! -- from the sticky threads at the top of the first page -- TONS of great information here!
From that sticky:
HydroGuy Tips Compilation -- so many helpful threads here!
A DLR Guide for WDW Vets -- absolute must reading for you!
"HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862
"Choosing the Right DLR Area Hotel for You" www.disboards.com/threads/choosing-the-right-hotel-for-you.3656512/ -- very helpful info here -- ask any questions! At DLR, it's not about on site or off site -- it's all about location, location, location! What you invest in location/hotel, you will save in sanity, peace of mind, physical wear and tear, major convenience, commute/parking time and money, etc.
"Maxpass/Fastpass: an overview and some strategy" by @Skyegirl1999 - www.disboards.com/threads/maxpass-fastpass-an-overview-and-some-strategy.3726246/ -- most WDW vets love MP once they use it -- read up on it here and ask all your questions in this thread! During a peak crowd time, MP will be a very good resource for you!
"Airport Proximity to DLR and Ground Transportation Information" by @3TinksAndAnEeyorewww.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2318297 -- very helpful info here -- closest airports to DLR are SNA (John Wayne) and LGB (Long Beach).
Come on back with any questions! We're here to help.

Awesome! Thank you so much! I did go ahead and book Desert Inn. Also, Would you recommend rope dropping, staying late, or mid-day break? It looks like it is open until midnight, but we love the low crowds first thing. We usually rope drop at WDW and call it a day at around 5pm, but it looks like DL has a lot of great nighttime activities.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Awesome! Thank you so much! I did go ahead and book Desert Inn. Also, Would you recommend rope dropping, staying late, or mid-day break? It looks like it is open until midnight, but we love the low crowds first thing. We usually rope drop at WDW and call it a day at around 5pm, but it looks like DL has a lot of great nighttime activities.

Definitely RD -- those early hours at DLR are golden! You can get so much done with a good plan in the mornings before the crowds start building. And if you activate MP as soon as go through the gates, you can start booking FPs right away. (NB that at DLR, not all rides are on the FP system -- you can find a list of which rides are on the FP system in each park on the DLR website and on the free DLR app). With a 3+ day ticket (purchased in advance, NOT at the ticket booths), you should receive a Magic Morning (one hour early entry to DL, FL & TL only, usually on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday). MM can help you get a lot of the non-FP FL rides done if you have a good plan.
During peak holiday season, I would plan to take your afternoon breaks in the parks, just in case there are any gate closures. That way you won't risk being shut out for any length of time. DLR does have GREAT nighttime entertainment -- don't miss it if you don't have to -- F! is original to DL and is almost unanimously voted to be the better show at DL (although WDW has better seating). And the holiday version of WOC is a wonderful show! (If you can book the WOC Dessert Party, do! It's a great treat!)
For afternoon breaks inside the parks, look into a later TS lunch, shows, rides on the DLRR, etc. Just a hour or so off your feet in a/c or in a less busy spot can really help you get your energy back up.

 

[mentos]

I went this year during the final weekend of holiday decorations.... it was moderately crowded, but not absolutely the worst I've seen. It got better as the weekend progressed with Friday being the worst day (people were headed back by Sunday).

Just prepare with MaxPass/magic hour and you'll be able to do well. Be aware that rain is a distinct possibility, so prepare for that (and pray for that, because it tends to drive some of the crowds away). Goodluck!

Also, night time is the best time to be in the park IMO. We have a 5 year old and we typically lazily enter the parks at 10am, break 3-7pm for nap/dinner back at the hotel, then reenter 7pm-12am while everyone else's young kids are falling asleep.

Walk-on Dumbo and Tea Cups are the best at 11:30pm!

 

[smartlabelprint]

I would also rope drop, hotel break & back for the evening. Especially since you’re staying so close.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Play the afternoon break by ear depending on the crowd conditions that day. If the crowd levels are very high and a gate closure seems possible (ask CMs at the gates and at City Hall/Chamber of Commerce about this), then try to stay in the parks for your break. If crowd levels aren't that bad, go ahead and rest at the hotel and return to the parks later.

 

[Watt-man]

Rope Drop for sure! Those first few hours are a delight.

 

[stacyjoy75]

Play the afternoon break by ear depending on the crowd conditions that day. If the crowd levels are very high and a gate closure seems possible (ask CMs at the gates and at City Hall/Chamber of Commerce about this), then try to stay in the parks for your break. If crowd levels aren't that bad, go ahead and rest at the hotel and return to the parks later.

Thank you - that is a great idea!

 

[Malcon10t]

Thank you - that is a great idea!

I would not worry about gate closures. Even if there is a closure, they open back up after the parade lets out. With the exception of New Years Eve, any turnstile closure doesn't last past 30 mins after the parade.