what actually happens on dec 25th in the parks?

[AlexRenner]

I have bookmarked the holiday in the parks thread, but I just couldn't find anywhere, what actually happens on dec 25th in Disneyland and California Adventure??

Isn't there a big televised parade? Or is that in wdw?
What time does it open and close?
What all goes down on that day?

My family and I will be in the parks the 24th, 25th and 26th.

Any knowledge on what precisely happens on those days in both parks will greatly help.
Thanks

 

[Malcon10t]

I have bookmarked the holiday in the parks thread, but I just couldn't find anywhere, what actually happens on dec 25th in Disneyland and California Adventure??

Isn't there a big televised parade? Or is that in wdw?
What time does it open and close?
What all goes down on that day?

My family and I will be in the parks the 24th, 25th and 26th.

Any knowledge on what precisely happens on those days in both parks will greatly help.
Thanks

The televised parade is taped on Nov 2-4th.
It will open at 8am and close at midnight.
People come in, ride rides, eat, and enjoy Disneyland, all the while wondering why it is so crowded and why people aren't home with their families. Basically, it is a day like any other during the CHristmas time, except Santa has changed to his after CHristmas green suit.

 

[tylerandalexsmom]

Is there not a parade ON Christmas Day? I know it's not the one taped for tv, but at WDW, they also tape theirs early, but still have a parade on Christmas Day. Will there not be one on Christmas Day at DLR?

 

[Malcon10t]

The have the daily Christmas parade, yes. But nothing being taped. There is usually one mid-afternoon, then one early evening. Unless it rains. Then they do the Cars with characters.

 

[tylerandalexsmom]

Good deal! As long as there is a Christmas parade, we will be happy! (don't need to see the "taped" one live!) We're planning on doing the tour with the reserved seating, so just wanted to make sure there would be a parade!!

 

[cp11]

This was our experience last year. Up through the 24th it was wonderful. Even the night of the 24th we were able to ride BTMRR four times in a row because there wasn't anybody in line.Don't forget the characters Good Night on Christmas Eve. It was about 9:00. It was fun to watch.

The 25th we had reservations for the tour/parade. OMG. Talk about night and day for crowds. When our tour finally ended, all I wanted to do is get the heck out of there. I couldn't stand the crowds. I have been to DL ten times since '94 and this was the craziest that I had ever seen it. We were planning to have dinner in the park and close it down, but by the time the parade was done I was begging to my husband to go back to the condo. We ended up finding a restaurant that would deliver pizza on Christmas and that was our big Christmas dinner. Actually, we had our big christmas dinner the night before at Storytellers.

Good luck. We are able to say we went and spent Christmas in DL, but we will never do it again between Christmas and New Year's!

 

[tylerandalexsmom]

Yeah, I know we are crazy, but we did it at WDW Christmas Day last year, and really enjoyed ourselves! We went knowing it would be crazy and had no real ride expectations. (We do WDW often, and so we didn't feel like we HAD to ride anything or do anything in particular) Just wanted to see the parade and dining reservations and had some snacks we don't usually take the time to stop for, but were surprisingly able to do a lot more than we anticipated. We have 5 days in the parks, so that's why I planned the tour for that day and dining reservations, and then we will stay (or go) as long as we feel like it. But did just want to make sure there would be a parade that day!

 

[Malcon10t]

I think if you prepare yourself for crowds (and I am talking BIG crowds) you can have a great time. We love Disneyland at Christmas time. We have been going every year from Dec 22-Jan 3rd, since 1999. We know what it is going to be like.

Christmas Eve is hit or miss on being busy. I've been there when it was packed, been there when it was light. Christmas Day starts light, and builds til the park is hitting capacity. Then it gets busier the entire week.

Good luck everyone!!

 

[AlexRenner]

I am use to crowds, just as long as it isn't 2 hours for EVERY ride.
I went there when carsland opened and I have noticed that the crowds are there, you notice them. But they were all spread out since both parks are their own. Has anyone else notice that too since the opening of carsland?