What to expect in late November

[BC Disney Lover]

We are considering taking a trip to Disneyland to see all the Christmas decorations. We were thinking late November/early December. What kind of crowds can we expect and is there a better time you would suggest. Should we plan around a weekend or beat crowds during the week? Thanks!

 

[DTDkettleCORNfan]

The past couple of years we have gone the week AFTER Thanksgiving....mid-week. (Like Tues-Thurs). The most recent trip we added Mon. as a 4th day. It is a GREAT week to go. The park has only been open from 10am-8pm, but shorter operating hours are a good indication that attendance isn't high. We have had short lines for almost everything. The Christmas decorations are beautiful, and since they are showing the Christmas fireworks show at that time, they are shown everynight (as opposed to just the weekends). We have had a couple of fireworks shows cancelled due to winds, and it has rained on the day we left for the past few years. But we have always had great weather and love going that week.

This year the week after Thanksgiving falls in December for the first time since we have been going. Hopefully that won't make it more crowded. From what I understand, the Cast Member parties might be the first Mon and Tues in December........which means they close DL early (like 6pm?) and keep DCA open later. Fine by us........we would love to be in DCA later into the evening. I love being there when it is all lit up. Good luck planning!

 

[DTDkettleCORNfan]

I should add that by going mid-week, you do miss out on some things. Such as Fantasmic. But the low crowds are the most important thing for us. And by adding Monday onto our trip, we were able to do somethings that had always been closed in the past. Such as the canoes.......

 

[BC Disney Lover]

Thanks for the quick reply. We are really more worried about crowds so missing Fantasmic would be alright. We just went in March so this trip would be mostly for the holiday stuff.

 

[XTinabell]

Actually the way that thanksgiving and Veterans day fall this year I think you might have a good chance of low crowds in the middle of November. If you go the week after Veterans day you would have an entire week of no holidays and all the kids will still be in school so I think you would have a good chance of low crowds.

We always go in November because of the low crowds and the christmas decorations but last year Vet's day and Thanksgiving fell very close so the park was packed most of November. But this year is more like previous years where the two holidays are farther apart and other years I have gone November has been great crowd wise.

 

[amyamya]

Early December is a great time to go. Try to go during the week. I think people travel for either Thanksgiving, or Christmas and the time between is slower. I have been in the first week of December and it was one of the best trips. Few lines, and the most beautiful decorations. Grab a gingerbread latte and watch the lights and people on Main Street!