When is the best time to go in December?

[fayt19]

This is my first real post, so I hope this question is appropriate. My family went to Disneyland Paris in May, and my mother and I have been bitten by the Disney bug. We want to go to Disneyland in December, as our Christmas vacation. We went to Disneyworld seven years ago and went the second week of December, I believe, and had a wonderful time, as the park wasn't too crowded(we also LOVE Christmas so we just adored the decorations). We've also been to Disneyland, but not at Christmastime.

So, my real question is, what time in December is the best to go? The first week? Second week? ... maybe even the week of/after Christmas? It's worth it to go at Christmas, too, right? As far as I can tell it seems to be; on the website it shows the castle beautifully decorated, and they seem to have fun things just for the holiday season. Oh, and was just wondering, does Disneyland do anything special for the new year? I read the trip report of someone who had gone to Disneyworld on December 31st, and it looked like a lot of fun. I am just curious.

Oh, sorry, I just thought of another question! How many days are needed to really experience the two parks? I'm not sure if we should purchase the three or four day park hoppers. Thanks so much. :]

 

[Leofoenget]

This is my first real post, so I hope this question is appropriate. My family went to Disneyland Paris in May, and my mother and I have been bitten by the Disney bug. We want to go to Disneyland in December, as our Christmas vacation. We went to Disneyworld seven years ago and went the second week of December, I believe, and had a wonderful time, as the park wasn't too crowded(we also LOVE Christmas so we just adored the decorations). We've also been to Disneyland, but not at Christmastime.

So, my real question is, what time in December is the best to go? The first week? Second week? ... maybe even the week of/after Christmas? It's worth it to go at Christmas, too, right? As far as I can tell it seems to be; on the website it shows the castle beautifully decorated, and they seem to have fun things just for the holiday season. Oh, and was just wondering, does Disneyland do anything special for the new year? I read the trip report of someone who had gone to Disneyworld on December 31st, and it looked like a lot of fun. I am just curious.

Oh, sorry, I just thought of another question! How many days are needed to really experience the two parks? I'm not sure if we should purchase the three or four day park hoppers. Thanks so much. :]

Both the first and second weeks of December are great. Cast parties this year are the 8th and 9th so park will close at 6pm those days. I went first week last year and will go again this year. LOVE IT. Make sure you have a weekend day planned to see Fantasmic. Weather great Crowds mid week very good. Weekends from Friday evening (locals) through Sunday more crowded. I would suggest checking out hotels NOW to get the best rates. I booked Desert Inn early this year and I checked it today and the same room is already $240 MORE (total trip time not just 1 day) than when I booked it. I like to stay on Harbor. We don't stay on property for $$ reasons.

have fun

have fun

 

[bumbershoot]

We enjoyed our early December trip last year. Last year Candlelight Processional (or something like that...it's religious Christmas singing as far as I can tell) was on the 1st, I believe, and the CM parties were soon after, so when we arrived on the 5th all of that was past and we had light crowds, not-too-hot weather, and all of the holiday decorations.


They do do a New Year's Eve thing, but the Cast Members we were talking to about it were shuddering in negative anticipation of the crowds for it. It gets packed. I personally would love to be alone at Disneyland for NYE, but the huge crowds would take away almost all of the fun for me.

Oh, about the cast member parties, if you end up there during them...DCA stays open a bit later when DL closes for the parties, so you won't be totally without fun on those days.


I always think that more time in the parks is better than less, so I'd go for the 4 day hoppers.

 

[annieb727]

I would definitely opt for the 4 day hoppers...and I also like the first week or so of December...very christmasy but with the smallest crowds you will find during the Christmas season.

 

[aliceindisneyland]

We went on Christmas Eve 2007--it was absolutely fantastic! It was crowded, but not ridiculously so, just busier than when we normally visit (Oct & Feb). I read somewhere that after Christmas Day, Santa starts wearing "vacation" clothes instead of his traditional red suit, if that matters at all to you. We got a great photo of the Nightmare Before Christmas calendar countdown with "0 days to Christmas" (outside Haunted Mansion). The "snow" is really cool too. Santa hangs out in the cabin next to where the petting zoo normally is--you can sit on Santa's lap, get your photo taken, and they have reindeer in the petting zoo pen!

 

[pumpkin5156]

We always go the first week in December (never weekends!) and are always amazed at how dead the parks are. It's so much fun! Last year we went the second week and it will still dead. Weekends get insane (we went Sunday last year and spent most of the day in DCA).

I would get 4 day hoppers. The more, the better. I don't believe the price difference is THAT significant, is it? We have APs, so I'm not sure how ticket prices.

You guys will have an amazing time, and I agree with the PP about getting your hotel ASAP. I tried booking two weeks before (very last minute trip) and the only reason I got a room at the Fairfield is because I worked for Marriott. They were booked solid.