When will Disneyland Christmas Begin??

[blyday]

We are planning a trip to Disneyland in November. We haven't nailed down any dates as of yet but are thinking about going the week before Thanksgiving. Any ideas if IASW Holiday will be open yet? What about the Christmas parade and fireworks?? I believe that it all started last year on Nov 13th which means that we would be good to go but all I can find is info from 2008 back and those all show dates like Nov 21st. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Last year was November 13th.

 

[blyday]

So.....any guesses on whether it was a fluke that it started so early last year or can I pretty well feel safe that it will start that same weekend this year?? I'm asking because IASW is my nieces favorite song to listen to whenever I go over there (or she comes over here or in my car, etc) and she also loves the Holiday version. I just think that she'd be really disappointed if we go and it is closed.

 

[goldies 5]

We were there that week in 2008. All of the rides with overlay were open. The decorations were up and the tree on Mainstreet. You are right about the 21st. The parade, snow, and reindeer roundup started that day. The week was beautiful and slow until opening day. We knew it would be and planned accordingly. But even in doing so, I would never personally go on opening day again.
We always go during the Holiday Season and it is a beautiful time to go. The week before Thanksgiving will be a very good time to go, either way. My only advice would be to make sure you avoid the official opening day, unless large crowds do not bother you. If it goes like last year, you will not even have to worry about opening day that week.

 

[Sherry E]

So.....any guesses on whether it was a fluke that it started so early last year or can I pretty well feel safe that it will start that same weekend this year?? I'm asking because IASW is my nieces favorite song to listen to whenever I go over there (or she comes over here or in my car, etc) and she also loves the Holiday version. I just think that she'd be really disappointed if we go and it is closed.

I'm pretty sure the holiday season will officially begin either on November 12th or November 19th, but we most likely won't get the official dates until August or even September. I thought it was quite surprising when it began on the 13th last year - two whole weeks before Thanksgiving. I can only guess that it began so early because the holidays have become a much bigger deal and they draw many more crowds than a few years ago. This year, World of Color is the big question mark as to how it will affect crowds. Since WoC is still new, we don't know what crowd patterns will form in both the peak and off-peak seasons. We assume that WoC will still be running in December - even if on a more limited schedule - so if it keeps up its current momentum and people flock to the park to see it, DLR may decide to start the holiday season earlier or later.

Stay tuned to our very popular, lovely Disney at Christmas super thread for updates, photos and discussions as soon as holiday info is released.

 

[CruisinEars]

We have plans to go to DL on Nov. 19 and I am hopeful it will be decorated for Christmas. Would love to see it since the last time we were there at the holidays my dh and I were both terribly sick and just didn't feel like doing the park. We just wandered downtown Disney.

 

[haydeecm]

Wow, I had no idea christmas started so early, we have been planning an early december trip for christmas, but would mid-november be better in terms of crowds? At least it might be a little warmer

 

[GrandBob]

Last year we went the week after Thanksgiving, starting the Sunday after TG, and it was perfect! I'd pick that week as probably the least crowded time of the holiday season.

Mid November would undoubtedly be crowded too. The thing is, you won't know for sure about the start of the holiday season until they announce it, sometime in August or September, so you're taking a chance. Whereas the week after Thanksgiving is guaranteed to have the holiday magic.

-Bob

 

[blyday]

Last year we went the week after Thanksgiving, starting the Sunday after TG, and it was perfect! I'd pick that week as probably the least crowded time of the holiday season.

Mid November would undoubtedly be crowded too. The thing is, you won't know for sure about the start of the holiday season until they announce it, sometime in August or September, so you're taking a chance. Whereas the week after Thanksgiving is guaranteed to have the holiday magic.

-Bob

Yeah.....I worry about that. I'd go for that week after but it was still pretty darn busy when we were there the 2nd -9th of Dec last year. And my DSis who is going with is (mother of the above mentioned Niece who loves IASW) is adamant against going in between Thanksgiving and Christmas. She feels it just is too busy of a time and really ruins the Christmas season for her.

On a side note.....same niece is a thrill junkie but only measuring 38 1/2 inches right now and if a miracle doesn't happen between now and then......they won't be going anyway because she would be devastated if she couldn't ride Space, Splash, BTMRR, and ToT!!!! Argh.......I hate not being able to plan this far out!!!!!

 

[CruisinEars]

My guess is that opening day will be Nov. 21. I was just looking at the Give a Day tickets and there is a blackout day on 11-21 (Sunday). This was one of the reasons we chose to go on the 19th and pull the kids out of school for 1 day (they have the whole next week off).

 

[Sherry E]

My guess is that opening day will be Nov. 21. I was just looking at the Give a Day tickets and there is a blackout day on 11-21 (Sunday). This was one of the reasons we chose to go on the 19th and pull the kids out of school for 1 day (they have the whole next week off).

It's very unlikely that opening day for the holiday season will be on a Sunday. It's always a Friday.