When to go in December?

[Sydnie]

I am a newbie here on the forums

My husband and I and our two boys just got back from DL last week and we are already planning our next trip. We only live about 6 hours north of DL, my husband is self-emplyed, and our boys aren't in school yet (obviously) so we are very flexible about dates.

When would you go in late Nov/Dec (we have never done DL at Christmastime.)

I know we want to avoid Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas and New Year's but is there an optimum time for going?

Thanks

 

[spacemermaid]

I always go the first week of December, after the Candlelight Processional weekend. For the past several years, there have been very few people in the Park during the weekdays, which was great because I got to see all the holiday decorations without the crowds . However...for the past several years, it has also rained at least a couple of days during that week, if not the whole week. I actually like being in the Park on a rainy day, so this is an added bonus for me, though I know most wouldn't feel the same .

 

[PryncessChrysty]

I would say anytime between 12/1 - 12/15 would be good. The crowds will be relatively low.

As the PP mentioned, the Candlelight Processional tends to draw crowds. It's usually the first weekend in December, but most of those in the parks for the event are hanging out in Towne Square all day holding their spot. While the dates haven't been announced yet as far as I know, it's usually the first weekend in December, in case you want to avoid it.

I hope you have a great time!

 

[mvf-m11c]

For more info during the Christmas season at DL, you should check out the Christmas Superthread and it can tell you everything about the Holiday season at the DLR.

It is great to go to the DLR during the Holiday season. The days that the DISers would say that are the slowest is the first weekend of December. Just like what the last two posters said about the CP is that it draws huge crowds. If you go after Thanksgiving weekend towards the CP on the first Friday of December, the crowd should be low during that time.

 

[Jenasweetemotion]

Nov 28th- Dec 15th is a great time to go the Thanksgiving crowd will leave the park on Nov 26th-27th as has happened in years past. We have gone the first week in Dec for 5 years and counting it is MAGICAL! Candlelight Processional is something that does get a lot of people to the park and if it is anything like years past it will be the first weekend in Dec 3rd-4th. As mentioned above it may rain during this time but I find that what little crowd is there will leave the park. This makes us feel like we have the park to ourselves Also during this time because of the crowds being smaller the parks open later and close earlier then they do when it is busy Fireworks still happen as does WOC but after the Fireworks stop the park is closed (besides the hour you get on Mainstreet for shopping and stuff.) If this will be your first Christmas time visit you will fall in love with going at this time (this is what happened to us )

 

[Eeee-va]

Weekdays in early December 2009, at least, were really light. We entered the park about 2:30 on Wednesday December 9, 2009 and my jaw dropped at the 20-minute lines for Indy and Space Mountain. (Our previous trip was mid-to-late June 2009, which was probably 80 minutes at 2:30.)

We were blessed in that we went right after the Cast Member parties and Disneyland was open until 11 PM (with Fantasmic!) on the Wednesday and Thursday following...but crowds were very light!

Weekend crowds were predicted to be high, but it rained so that happened to keep the crowds down.

Anyway, depending on how much nighttime entertainment means to you, early December weekdays might be perfect for you.