What to Expect on a "10" Crowd Day at Christmas?

[beachdreamr1229]

Honestly, these days a 10 day isn't that much worse than a 7 or 8. Everything feels packed. I have gone many times during the holidays. In fact, we'll be there this week, one of those extra crowded times. Go into it with a list of things you want to do. Expect to do 4-6 things per day. If you get more in, great. If not, at least you've gotten your top priorities. Rope drop helps, too. A lot of people won't show up until 11AM or later. If you do hear about gate closures once you're in, just don't leave until you're done for the day.

 

[GoldeneyezCA]

We are Signature+ AP's who visit the parks 30+ times per year. We went to DL on NYE last year with another family of 4, and we all said, "Never Again!" It was a "10" day, with a closure mid-afternoon, and it was just EXHAUSTING. The place was wall-to-wall people (you could barely see the sidewalks!), wait times were very long (45-120 min), FP's for E-tickets like Indy, Space Mtn, Star Tours were gone by 11 am for the whole day, bathroom lines were 15-20 min (men's and women's, so sending DD's with dad didn't help), and we had a rushed lunch with unusually poor service at BB because they were so busy. We posted up the guys on the parade route for PTN (no blankets, just 2 dads and strollers with sleeping toddlers) while we waited for Small World x 45 min. As parade time neared, people started trying to elbow our husbands out of the way for space, and during the parade, I had to berate adults who came and stood directly in front of our young kids. We were fed up by that point and left by 7 pm. On the way out, some rowdy kids repeatedly knocked into my 3 year old while she was trying to see the windows on Main Street, and there were no parents in sight. Our problem was not just the crowds, but how rude people were being, because they were obviously stressed and worn out.

My suggestions:
- make a dining reservation now for at least one sit-down meal per day to get you out of the madness (don't plan on leaving the park, as you may not be able to re-enter.)
- consider dining packages with reserved seating to save yourself time for parades/shows
- get there EARLY
- prioritize 3-5 rides/shows you must do, and get FP early if applicable
- use runners for FP
- if possible, use people who can hold spots for parades/shows while others do bathroom or snack runs
- don't wait until the last minute to go to the bathroom (a 15 min wait can lead to accidents for toddlers and missed show times for you!)
- remember that you are on vacation. If you aren't having a good time, do something different - see a show, watch Steamboat Willie, ride some kiddie ride you never thought you'd go on, go to DCA, etc...

Enjoy!

 

[Malcon10t]

I just want to clear up something. With the exception of New Years Eve, if the parks have a turnstile closure, it will usually reopen just after the 2nd parade (parade starts in Town Square at 415) about 445p. I wouldn't want people skipping kids' naps, not having fun outside the park for fear of getting locked out. New Years Eve, different story. But the rest of the year, it will reopen.

 

[SMD]

And to add to what Malcon10t said, the gate closures are almost always at DL, not DCA. Having park hoppers and a plan B for DCA will make the decision to leave for breaks or a food a lot easier.

 

[DLfan4]

what about the week of January 2 -8 ? how is this week usually ?

 

[Darkbeer1]

what about the week of January 2 -8 ? how is this week usually ?

With all the schools still on break, the return of the AP Holders (most of them) and the ending of Paint the Night before going to refurb, many folks expect to be about the same as the week before Christmas, so very busy, but no gate closures. Disneyland has extended the Christmas events until the 8th due to the expected large crowds.

You also have the Rose Bowl/Parade impact, and it won't be held until the 2nd this year, so many folks attending the events stop by Disneyland before going home.

 

[SMD]

People like to go to the parks for one last Christmas trip. And this year there are a lot of AP blocks being lifted on the 2nd and 3rd and Christmas is going past the 6th. Depending on when school's go back, you'll see crowds all day or start to build around 3pm, or probably some combination of both.

 

[LoverDisney]

We will be in DLR for the first time next Christmas. We are staying onsite so we plan to take advantage of Magic Mornings. I know it's going to be crazy so I plan for us to go the DL in the morning and hop over to DCA in the afternoon. Very excited!

 

[adisneyaunt]

Oh... that was like July 4th for us a while back.
Wall to wall people...could not move... unbearable and no park day for us...

Being club level at poly helped

Prepare for the worst and Enjoy what you do get to see/do. Good luck!!

 

[ryleeranger]

We will be there the 19th through the 23rd. Does the same hold true for that week as well?

We are there from the 18-21st and I'm starting to get pretty nervous reading this!

 

[SMD]

Oh... that was like July 4th for us a while back.
Wall to wall people...could not move... unbearable and no park day for us...

Being club level at poly helped

Prepare for the worst and Enjoy what you do get to see/do. Good luck!!

One positive about DLR, specifically DL is that the walkways are so narrow that wall-to-wall people happens much more quickly, but the lines don't get too much longer because of it.

 

[Steven G]

I'll be there from dec 23 to 25. How much time if you get there at ropedrop before it gets insane?

I'm hoping to get a lot done until 10:30 or so... unrealistic?

DL 23 and 25, and DCA on 24

 

[Darkbeer1]

I'll be there from dec 23 to 25. How much time if you get there at ropedrop before it gets insane?

I'm hoping to get a lot done until 10:30 or so... unrealistic?

DL 23 and 25, and DCA on 24

Yes, during the peak Christmas Season, Disney is offering Magic Mornings and Extra Magic Hour at both parks 7 days a week, so a lot of folks will be in the park already before the rope drops for the "regular" people. And a lot of folks will try and use the get there at Opening plan. I don't think you will get much relief during peak... Sorry.

 

[Steven G]

I will have MM on the 23rd, and I intend to get the Jedi training signup first thing, then head over to fantasyland. Do they take signups during MM, I've seen conflicting information.

I intend the majority of the stay to be leisurely, I have reserved TS for most lunch and dinners. We went a few months ago, so we are just trying to go on my sons favorite rides.

 

[prestoncaldwell]

Yes, during the peak Christmas Season, Disney is offering Magic Mornings and Extra Magic Hour at both parks 7 days a week, so a lot of folks will be in the park already before the rope drops for the "regular" people. And a lot of folks will try and use the get there at Opening plan. I don't think you will get much relief during peak... Sorry.

I understand that XMas morning may be slightly better with families getting their Christmas on before heading to the parks. I hope, anyway.