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

[ronandannette]

We've decided to make a quick trip to SoCal for Christmas and will arrive on Dec. 25. All the days of our stay are predicted to be 9 or 10 for crowds. What is a 10 day in the parks actually like? Any ideas on a plan? We've visited a number of times but always in May when the crowds are much, much lower so we've really got no idea what we're getting into. TIA!

 

[SMD]

Where did you get the prediction? One of the sites just adjusted their numbers. On a 10 day, I'd expect a gate closure at DL.

 

[ronandannette]

Where did you get the prediction? One of the sites just adjusted their numbers. On a 10 day, I'd expect a gate closure at DL.

What exactly is a "gate closure" and how will this affect us?

 

[SMD]

There are levels of closures. First they stop letting in new guests, meaning those who haven't been in the parks yet, then guests with tickets, then all guests. It may last less than an hour, it may last for hours. The week between Christmas and New Years is the single busiest of the year with gate closures on multiple days. Christmas is also an extremely busy day. The general rule is go early, follow along on social media and ask before leaving the park if closures are in effect. If you have something you want to do in DL later in the day, don't leave DL. If you don't mind possibly spending your afternoon or even the whole rest of the day in DCA, leave DL.

There are 2 unknown factors this year. First, the discontinued the Premium AP last year and split into 2 levels of Signature APs, one of which is good 50 weeks out of the year but blocked the last 2 weeks of December. This will be the first year where a lot of people are blocked that week that never have been before. Also, with the holiday festival at DCA they have lined the normally wider paths with booths on both sides, reducing the width by half, if not more. While DCA is typically less crowded, it also feels less crowded because of the wider walkways. They've reduced that this year during the busiest time of the year. And they've introduced an event to draw more crowds to DCA. Will it draw more people out of DL, or just more people to the resort altogether. Again, we won't know.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

For a level 10 day, expect dense crowds (especially now with the train down and the ROA area construction). Lines will be long for everything: rides (and you may not ride many -- use FP and single rider to your advantage), CS restaurants (TS places won't be taking walk ups), and restrooms (don't wait until the last minute, but plan ahead). Getting good spots for parade and fireworks viewing will take planning. Having said all that, you can still have a very good time in the parks, but it will take good planning, flexibility, patience, and a very positive attitude! Make your TS reservations now (one TS meal a day is a nice way to get a break from the crowds). If you want to do a dining package for a show or parade, make those reservations now (if there are any left for your dates). Make your best plans, but be ready to change them on the fly depending on the crowd situation. (If you don't already have the DLR app, get it for updates on wait times and FP availability.) And don't forget: you're spending the holidays at DLR! No matter how crowded it is, it can still be a magical place.

 

[ronandannette]

Thank you all. Has anyone actually been there on Dec. 25, 26, 27 or 28? Those are our potential park days, although we won't be going on all of them. They all look equally busy according to the calendars.

 

[minnieralyks]

We were there in October when there were massive crowds and a couple people on here said said that websites were reporting a few of the days as 10/10. We didn't have issues with hitting capacity on any of the days, but it was severely crowded. I believe I remember Haunted Mansion having a 200 minute wait time, Pirates at an hour, etc. Lots of people in walkways at the main areas that get blocked. I'm assuming Christmas is the same way, if not a little worse since that time of the year sometimes hits capacity.

I agree that you can still have a good time like a pp said, but you'll just have to go in expecting dense crowds and wait times.

 

[SMD]

Yes. And on the 26th, 27th & 28th I've pulled into the parking lot to be handed a slip of paper that DL was at capacity, so enjoy DCA. I haven't been on consecutive days, but I used go on the 27th or 28th every year until 2014. And it's only gotten busier since then.

 

[ImDMous]

We've been there on the 26th. It was pretty crazy. I think the gate closed around 1 and they only let people in if the same number of people left. We hit a massive traffic jam in New Orleans Square, everyone trying to go opposite directions at the same time until it just came to a standstill. CM's had to come and sort everyone out by telling them to just turn around and move until the walkway was clear.

Having said all that, we had out-of-town visitors and this was their first trip to DL and they are NOT planners so we didn't even know we'd be going until a few days before. We had no plans, no reservations, no nothing and still had a fine time. They didn't have park hoppers so we stayed in DL. Lines were long, but we passed the time. They are pretty budget-constrained so we did quick service dining and found room for the 6 of us. It wasn't my ideal one day first time trip, but it was still fun.

 

[StageTek]

Thank you all. Has anyone actually been there on Dec. 25, 26, 27 or 28?

I have. It's CRAZY.

good planning, flexibility, patience, and a very positive attitude!

Nothing you can do about the crowds but follow this advice and you'll still have a great day.
Plan on only a few rides each day so you are not disappointed - pick the ones you most
want to see.

 

[Malcon10t]

Thank you all. Has anyone actually been there on Dec. 25, 26, 27 or 28? Those are our potential park days, although we won't be going on all of them. They all look equally busy according to the calendars.

We are there every year on those days (at least since 1999.) You will likely see at least 2 days with closures. Most likely the 26th and probably the 27th. A level one is all gates open. Level 2 they stop selling 1 day tickets, level 3 they stop selling everything except APs. Level 4 they stop allowing new tickets. Level 5, all entry is ceased (well, almost all, VIP guided tours have full access.) And if you have dining reservations, they will not charge you the $10 per person for missing it as they will not let you in. (Exception is Club 33, they will escort you in.)

Generally, closures only last until after the 1st parade, when people generally exit to nap. The fire marshal will then lift the closure, and the front gate managers will start bringing the levels back down. If they are expecting a possible closure, you might notice green taped switchbacks in the esplanade.

Expect ride times to be 90 mins to 2 hours. Try to eat at off peak times. Don't expect to walk up and get seating at sit down restaurants, you will usually get "We aren't taking walk ups today." Take your patience with you. Follow CMs directions for paths. Too often people will want to go against traffic, and all that does is slow everyone down. It will be VERY crowded. One day of those days last year, it was so crowded, it took us 30 mins to get from Haunted Mansion to the bridge at Pirates.

October was very busy. But it wasn't as busy as the 26th and 27th will be.

Unless it rains, then while it will still be busy, it won't be as bad.

 

[Metalliman98]

Thank you all. Has anyone actually been there on Dec. 25, 26, 27 or 28? Those are our potential park days, although we won't be going on all of them. They all look equally busy according to the calendars.

We were there 12/27-1/1 last year, and honestly we didn't think it was horrendous. Don't get me wrong, it was very crowded, but based on the research we did, we were prepared for Armageddon, and it didn't seem to be the case. I remember Monday 12/27 the security line on Harbor entrance was halfway up the bus drop offs before park open, and it took us a good 30-40 minutes to get into the Esplanade. All other mornings it was considerably better, even NYE morning.

Mornings in the parks were fine. Around lunch DL would get crazy, especially in adventure land and tomorrowland where walkways are narrow. But the early mornings were good, and honestly I thought the morning of NYE in DL was deserted. We got so much done that morning, and the park didn't get crowded until lunch time. Then we hopped over to DCA for the rest of the day and watched the 9 pm fireworks from buena vista street.

My advice, then: arrive before park opening and spend the morning at DL. Once it gets too crowded, hop to DCA for the rest of the day.

 

[bumbershoot]

based on the research we did, we were prepared for Armageddon, and it didn't seem to be the case.

So prepare for Armageddon and anything less will feel better!

 

[tarheelalum]

Thank you all. Has anyone actually been there on Dec. 25, 26, 27 or 28? Those are our potential park days, although we won't be going on all of them. They all look equally busy according to the calendars.

In 2014 we were there on the 25th through the 27th. The crowds were truly awful most of the time. Early morning wasn't too bad and traffic driving up the 5 on Christmas morning was completely dead (that was amazing). But it got crazy busy fast and the fire marshall closed the gates a little after noon for a few hours I think but I can't say for sure how long.

But my wife always wanted to go to Disneyland on Christmas so we went. I kind of wanted to go to experience it as well. But my wife does not ever want to go again on Christmas. I cannot describe to you how crowded it was. You just have to experience it to understand it. If you do decide to go, bring a ton of patience with you. And some Xanax.

 

[lspire]

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

 

[Congo Queen]

My experience in 2014 a week before Xmas was v similar to tarheelalum - though the park never closed to new guests. I had always wanted to go at Xmas and boy was I cured of that desire. It was ridiculously crowded, far worse than summer crowds which I am long used to.

 

[lspire]

My experience in 2014 a week before Xmas was v similar to tarheelalum - though the park never closed to new guests. I had always wanted to go at Xmas and boy was I cured of that desire. It was ridiculously crowded, far worse than summer crowds which I am long used to.

Thank you. I thought so.

 

[SMD]

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

It's typically wall to wall people with less of a chance of a gate closure. But again, we won't know the total effects of the new AP blockouts until after next year when all the premiums are gone and we see if people shift their renewal dates to include either renewing during those weeks or using tickets and upgrading every year during those weeks or paying for the highest level pass.

 

[Malcon10t]

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

In my opinion, it is not near as bad as the week between Christmas and NYE. Will it be busy? Yes, very summer busy, but not nearly as bad as the next week. This year may be worse as many schools are out at that time. We arrive the night of the 21st this year. I don't expect the crush til the 26th.

 

[PoohsFan1]

I'm glad I came across this thread, we are planning on being at DLR for Christmas in 2017. We are from the Midwest, so we are planning on spending both Christmas Day and New Years there. We have never been to any of the Disney parks during extremely crowded times, but this will be a Christmas gift for our whole family . DH and I are aware that it will be crazy crowded (we aren't telling our kids until we are heading to the airport) but we figured we will all just take it slow and enjoy the atmosphere and surroundings. I also know that we will be taking advantage of Magic Mornings since we will be staying onsite. And those days that there will be park closures, those may be our off days/Resort days. We are looking forward to this challenge, we are just so excited to be at our Happy Place during our favorite time of year .