Which days for Holiday time 2026?

[Sjwillia]

With holidays just ending I would like to get suggestions for timing a December trip this year. While I am not a total Disneyland newby I have never been during the Thanksgiving/Christmas holiday season. I know it will be very crowded and I will be taking my Grandson, his wife and 7 year old Great Grandson. December is the best time for GS's work schedule. I plan on 5-day Parkhoppers and rope-dropping each day. I will also purchase multi-pass LL for the trip and splurge on single-pass LL several times. I plan on staying at a hotel withing walking distance. Any other suggestions to make it efficient during this time? I would like your opinion on whether the first week in December or the second week would be best? If the first week, would you do Monday Nov 30th or Saturday Dec 5th. I know Mondays can be really busy and that Monday follows Thanksgiving but Saturday will probably be the Candlelight Processional. If we go the second week, any days that would be preferable? I appreciate your help.

 

[Pluto468]

With holidays just ending I would like to get suggestions for timing a December trip this year. While I am not a total Disneyland newby I have never been during the Thanksgiving/Christmas holiday season. I know it will be very crowded and I will be taking my Grandson, his wife and 7 year old Great Grandson. December is the best time for GS's work schedule. I plan on 5-day Parkhoppers and rope-dropping each day. I will also purchase multi-pass LL for the trip and splurge on single-pass LL several times. I plan on staying at a hotel withing walking distance. Any other suggestions to make it efficient during this time? I would like your opinion on whether the first week in December or the second week would be best? If the first week, would you do Monday Nov 30th or Saturday Dec 5th. I know Mondays can be really busy and that Monday follows Thanksgiving but Saturday will probably be the Candlelight Processional. If we go the second week, any days that would be preferable? I appreciate your help.

Sounds like you have all your ducks in a row for a fun trip! I'd go with Dec 5th since it's a little further from Thanksgiving travel. Where are you staying?

 

[Aspencreek]

We have gone the last two Decembers for trips to DL so I can at least give you my experience. We went a year ago (12/7/24 - 12/11/24) and then last month (12/14/25 - 12/17/25.) While both trips were wonderful, the crowds were just a bit lower a year ago when we went slightly earlier. So if you can go more towards the start of December I would try for that, although if it was me I'd wait until at least the 3rd or 4th to make sure I've missed all the people that came for the long Thanksgiving weekend and maybe stayed through Monday or Tuesday. Regardless, with LL and doing rope drop you should be in great shape. Even on the busiest days while we were there, the first couple (especially) and last couple hours of the day are quite a bit less crowded so you can get a ton done then. And if you plan and stack your LLs you can save hours of time waiting in lines freeing you up to do more of the shows/parades/non-LL-rides, etc.

Only other tip that springs to mind is to make sure to plan your dining/treats in advance - amazing how many people don't seem to know about mobile ordering earlier in the day. We always do that and then breeze past massive lines of people waiting in regular lines for beignets or Harbor Galley cookies (which can both sell out by evening), or at other various dining locations. So as much as possible decide early and get those mobile orders and/or reservations done.

 

[Sjwillia]

Where are you staying?

Still working on that. I LOVE the Disneyland Hotel but cost is an issue. Plus 4 people in one room with one bathroom can be a bit cozy. I can get 2 rooms for less money at the Tropicana and have been comfortable there in the past. A little space and privacy is important when you reach my age. Still it is about providing a MAGICAL first experience for the Great Grandson, so we will see.

 

[LKing]

I'd go with Dec 5th since it's a little further from Thanksgiving travel.

This year, the Candlelight Processional is December 5 & 6.