what kind of crowds should we be prepared for?

[theokris]

heading down monday night the 12th , will be in park tuesday- friday, weather may be a factor, but i keep hearing to avoid december, any info would help, thanks

 

[disneychrista]

Plan for the worst. And hope for the best. This is my advice no matter when you go.

 

[AquaDame]

Today has been nuts but it was great weather... 115 min wait for haunted mansion and 50 for both pirates and indiana jones. We haven't braved IASw due to the line, jungle cruise had the second story queue open as well, we haven't had time for anything else. :/

 

[mikethern]

According the the Disneyland website, Monday and Tuesday should be low crowds. The rest of the week should be busy unless it keeps raining.

 

[Gisele]

In the meantime, back at Trader Sam's there is an open seat waiting for you, just make sure not to fall through... Order a Mai Tai on me.... just do not spill it please, otherwise you might make the Gods angry, and a big thundershower and lighting will occur, and yes, indoors no less, believe me I know of what I speak.

 

[aliceindisneyland]

We're going this week as well--kids aren't out of school yet, DL closes early both nights we're there, and it's supposed to rain Mon & part of Tues.
I'll be shocked if it's busy.

 

[DollBabyKG]

We just left yesterday, and if this week is anything like last week, you are going to be fine! We got in Tuesday, and went to the park about 3:30 Tuesday afternoon. The crowds were GREAT!! We walked right on to just about everything we wanted to, including Matterhorn. The weather was great too, cool, but not COLD. A light fleece and we were fine. Wednesday was slightly busier than Tuesday, but still GREAT crowds. We rode Haunted Mansion at 9:30 with no wait whatsoever, same for Big Thunder Mountain, and Santa's Reindeer Round Up (all between 9:30-11 am). The longest wait we saw Wednesday for Star Tours was 30 minutes, compared to 85 when we were there in July. Toy Story Midway Mania ALWAYS had a wait, no matter which day or what time, but it was a quick 20 minutes at about 11:00 Wednesday morning. Thursday was busier than Wednesday, but again still really do-able. The only times you really felt the crowds were at night during the castle lighting/snow (which was truly AMAZING!). Then, the throngs of people on Main Street were difficult to get through, but once you made your way into another "land" things thinned out, and were great. The only day that was really "busy" was Friday, and really it wasn't too bad until night. We went back after nap, around 6:00 pm, and it was NUTS. Long waits for everything, and people everywhere. But we still had fun! Overall I thought it was PERFECT. Midweek was all but dead, in my opinion (especially compared to last time we went, in mid-July). In general, evenings (after 5) were busier than daytime. My advice would be to ride the big holiday attractions (like It's a Small World Holiday, Haunted Mansion Holiday, and Santa's Reindeer Round-Up) when you get there in the AM, then you can kind of putter around for the rest of the day. We were there 3 days and one evening (4 day PH), and by the last day, we felt like we had really done everything we wanted, and many things more than once. I thought December was GREAT, and we're planning on going again next year.

ETA: The weather was FABULOUS! weather.com said 65 or 66, but our car registered between 70 and 73 each day we were there. It was BEAUTIFUL and I was HOT in a light sweater! Nights were cool immediately after the sun went down at 5, and got "cold-ish" by 7 or 8, but a fleece was enough for the adults. We did put our kids in winter coats most nights just to keep them from getting sick, but still it was really great weather.

 

[kirstie101]

Today has been nuts but it was great weather... 115 min wait for haunted mansion and 50 for both pirates and indiana jones. We haven't braved IASw due to the line, jungle cruise had the second story queue open as well, we haven't had time for anything else. :/

We'll be there next Saturday and this is what I'm expecting to find! So glad I booked the holiday tour so we can avoid the lines for IASW and HMH! I was hoping to do Pirates since it was closed for our October trip but if we can't get to it in the morning sounds like we'll have to skip it.

 

[theokris]

thanks everyone who replied,leaving about this time tommorow... cant wait

 

[Gisele]

Have a fantabulous time dude! And remember to visit Trader Sams.... by the way, don't pay any attention to the crazy lookin' dude sitting in the corner wearing a dunce cap... he just happened to irritate Sam on the wrong day, plus answered a really awesome trivia question totally incorrectly! (Sigh) Ah but the price to pay.... but hey, at least one is at the land.

 

[BackIn33]

According the the Disneyland website, Monday and Tuesday should be low crowds. The rest of the week should be busy unless it keeps raining.

Monday and Tuesday close early because those are the nights of the Cast Member Holiday Party. DL closes early for their event.

Meanwhile, i just looked outside (i'm pretty close to the park) and it isn't raining yet.

 

[ter-moo]

We're here now (Monday morning 7:30 am) and I just looked out my window. It's pouring. They expect at least an inch of rain. I doubt if very many people will be at the parks. Now I just need to get MY people to go!!!

The last few years have been busier at this time than they used to be. Make sure that you get up and go as early as you can (when the parks open) and try to do less popular stuff in the afternoons/evening when the crowds start to pour in. It's a beautiful time to visit Disneyland!!!! :