what are the crowds like the week before christmas

[cmputerdazed]

Like the 21st to the 26th?

 

[Sherry E]

So you actually want the week that includes Christmas, if I am understanding correctly. I think that the 26th will be packed, because all kinds of folks who get holiday gift money and who have time off of work until after New Years will pile into the parks. As for the 21st - 25th, I am not sure. I have been to DLR the last two years on the weekend right before Christmas and it was crowded but we didn't find it oppressive. I mean, yes, the crowds can always get frustrating at times, but we didn't find it unreasonably bad. The way it usually goes is that early December to mid-December sees fairly light crowds - I mean, it is not slow by any means but it is not jam packed with people. Once you get to mid-December, the crowds begin to pick up, and then immediately after Christmas and on to New Years the parks are packed and it is VERY crowded. However, due to varying factors (like the number of folks who have APs this year, the economy, good OR bad DLR hotel rates, etc.) there is no telling what this year's holiday season will be like.

But going during that time of the year is so worth it because the holidays are magical at DLR, so if you go then, even if it is crowded, you should have a great time!

 

[oc_tony]

DL is magical at Christmas time and my family and I love just walking around and taking in all the decorations and atmosphere, but prepare yourself for pretty big crowds during the week leading up to Christmas. All schools will be on vacation and it is a popular time of year. Early morning may be OK, but crowds will likely build fast. We went on Christmas eve a few years back because we thought the crowds would be lighter, but we were quite wrong. The week between Christmas and New Year's is much worse though, so if you had to choose one or the other, I'd definitely go with the the earlier week.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

DL is magical at Christmas time and my family and I love just walking around and taking in all the decorations and atmosphere, but prepare yourself for pretty big crowds during the week leading up to Christmas. All schools will be on vacation and it is a popular time of year. Early morning may be OK, but crowds will likely build fast. We went on Christmas eve a few years back because we thought the crowds would be lighter, but we were quite wrong. The week between Christmas and New Year's is much worse though, so if you had to choose one or the other, I'd definitely go with the the earlier week.

ITA Most kids are out of school on the 18th, but before xmas is better than the week between xmas and new years.

 

[cmputerdazed]

thanks all I would love to see disneyland during the holidays but I have members in my party that need the least amount of crowds we can swing. If you have any suggestions I would be open to them.

 

[Sherry E]

thanks all I would love to see disneyland during the holidays but I have members in my party that need the least amount of crowds we can swing. If you have any suggestions I would be open to them.

Unfortunately, you are never going to get 'low' crowds at DLR during holiday time - maybe not even super low crowds during any time of year. It is an extremely popular place, so everyone who goes has to realize that they will enounter people and lines. The holiday season is beautiful at DLR, so it draws in lots and lots of people. All you can do is go early in December or late in November (after Thanksgiving) and hope for the best as far as light crowds. But this year, honestly, things have been unpredictable with crowds due to all the new AP holders and locals and the economy, so there may be an influx of AP holders packing into the parks in late Nov./early Dec. before their block out days set in. There is no way to tell. You kind of just have to take a chance!

 

[oc_tony]

Sherry E is right on. If you cannot change the dates of your trip to early Dec, then you'll just have to do the best you can with the crowd levels during your stay. Arrive at park opening, park hop over to DCA (if that is an option for your group), use FP as much as possible, be open to the less popular attractions, explore Downtown Disney and the hotels, make a PS for a nice dinner, go shopping, and enjoy all the little things that don't require standing in line. It's Disneyland at Christmas after all, so keep a positive attitude and a smile on your face and you'll still have a good time.

 

[Sherry E]

Sherry E is right on. If you cannot change the dates of your trip to early Dec, then you'll just have to do the best you can with the crowd levels during your stay. Arrive at park opening, park hop over to DCA (if that is an option for your group), use FP as much as possible, be open to the less popular attractions, explore Downtown Disney and the hotels, make a PS for a nice dinner, go shopping, and enjoy all the little things that don't require standing in line. It's Disneyland at Christmas after all, so keep a positive attitude and a smile on your face and you'll still have a good time.

Great suggestions! And I have a hunch that those of us who have had the good fortune to be able to experience DLR during the holiday season, in all its glory and splendor, will agree that it is worth dealing with some crowds to be able to see it (though not the hideous crowds of the Christmas to New Year's week - yikes!). You cannot help but have a smile on your face. I have seen typically cynical friends walk in and gaze down Main Street to the Winter Castole, glowing in all its incandescent beauty, and they suddenly become trancelike as they take it all in. One of them said last year, "Ooooooohhhh......it's so beautiful....Look, you guys! Look at how beautiful it is..."

There is something special about DLR during the holidays that is totally immersive and captivating. It is absolutely my favorite time to go. From the mesmerizing IASW Holiday lit up in awesome colors at night to the stunning 'icicle effect' of the Winter Castle and the light show that extends from the Castle to the Main Street Christmas tree at night, to the gingerbread men with Mouse ears cookies, peppermint ice cream, seasonal drinks and cocoa, to the miles of garlands and Christmas trees of all sizes everywhere you look in DLR, to the dfferently 'themed' Christmas/holiday music in each land (like the country western banjo type Yule tunes played in Frontierland, and the calypso, steel-drum carols you hear in Adventureland, and the jazz-influenced renditions of holiday favorites in New Orleans Square) - it is all just breathtaking. Every corner and square inch of DLR - every shop, every restaurant, every hotel - is totally steeped in the holiday feeling and mood. It is not to be missed! I can't wait for the holidays!

 

[SoCalDCLfan]

We live locally and make a tradition of going on Christmas Eve. It's by far the lightest day of any day we go during the year (we're there about 3x per month). Virtually no lines - we walk on to most rides. and you can get a prime parade watching spot just minutes before the parade starts. It's a great day to be there.

We have gone on other days leading up to and after Christmas and it's pretty much a zoo. One year, there were so many people in front of the castle after fireworks that you couldn't move. it was just a sea of people. you probably could have picked your feet up and still been moved down main street. it was a bit scary with little ones. They've got an intricate crowd control system during fireworks and parade time now. it's gotten better. Nonetheless, IMO there's nothing better than Disneyland at Christmas.

 

[stacieberry]

Hi, I plan to visit Disneyland from Dec. 22-29. The only time I've ever been to Disneyland is during spring break (late March). Can anyone comment on how the after Christmas crowds will be like compared to the spring break crowds? Thanks!

 

[Niele]

The best part is that they have all the decorations up well before it gets too crazy so you can go even right before Thanksgiving and still enjoy the decorations and holiday thrill!