Which Holiday at Disneyland????

[gcphil]

I am trying to decide what the best time to visit DL would be. My mom lives in Sacramento and we would like to go out and visit her and then drive down to DL for a couple of days. We can only go during kids school breaks so that leaves the week between Christmas and New Years or week after Easter Sunday. Which time would be the least crowded? I have not been to DL in over 20 years but have visited WDW a couple of times. We just got back from WDW in June (stayed from June 17 to June 27). That week seemed very crowded and HOT! It was the first week that most schools let out for summer and was also last 2 weekends for Star Wars Weekends. The other time that we went was mid July in 2001. So that is my only comparison. We would like to visit DL and DCA for a full 3 days, would that be enough? Any advice would be appreciated. Also would you split stay between Disneyland Hotel and PP (2 nights at each)? My thought is that we could be close to DL for 1 1/2 days and close to DCA for 1 1/2 days so that we could take breaks at the hotel during the day. Also pool at DLH looked cool!!!

 

[CalGal]

The week between Christmas and NYE is very crowded; probably the most crowded week of the year. Spring break varies throughout California, so that week should be less crowded.

DL will likely seem at least as crowded as WDW, in part because it is so much more compact with smaller walkways. It will not be nearly as hot. DCA will not be nearly as crowded as DL.

I like at least 4 or 5 days, but we like to take long breaks. 3 days may be enough if you are commando park doers.

For the price difference, I would recommend staying full time at DLH. I'm not sure that the separate PPH entrance to DCA is still open, and using it for 1 1/2 days is probably not worth the hassle of switching hotels. DLH is more fun and convenent than PPH IMO.

 

[needalatte]

I am trying to decide what the best time to visit DL would be. My mom lives in Sacramento and we would like to go out and visit her and then drive down to DL for a couple of days. We can only go during kids school breaks so that leaves the week between Christmas and New Years or week after Easter Sunday. Which time would be the least crowded?

We would like to visit DL and DCA for a full 3 days, would that be enough? Any advice would be appreciated. Also would you split stay between Disneyland Hotel and PP (2 nights at each)? My thought is that we could be close to DL for 1 1/2 days and close to DCA for 1 1/2 days so that we could take breaks at the hotel during the day. Also pool at DLH looked cool!!!

I personally prefer Christmas at the parks because they are decorated for the holidays. I have never gone between Christmas and NYE, though, so I can't say what the crowds are like. We have gone during Thanksgiving week for the past few years and the crowds are terrible.

Whichever hotel you choose, you will be equally close to DL and DCA, as they face each other across the entrance plaza. It is no trouble at all to go back and forth between the two--we do it several times a day. Of course, the bigger crowds mean longer lines waiting to get in, but the walk itself is nothing.

Since you are going at a busy time and planning to stay at a DLR hotel, if you can book through AAA you will should be able to get a package that includes multiple fast passes. Other perks with the AAA package include free parking, PS at the Aladdin show, free lanyard and pin, Mickey's Toon Town Magic Morning, Fantasyland Early Entry, and $10 ESPN Zone arcade cards. Since you only have a few days in the parks, the multiple fast pass should be very helpful to you. They are also currently running a special "pay for three nights get the fourth night free." If that's still available when you go, you should definitely only stay at one place, otherwise you forfeit the free night. If it's in your budget (with one free night, it might be) the Grand Californian Hotel is gorgeous. It has a private entrance to DCA which will also cut down on waiting-in-line time.

We also live in Sacramento, and you should plan one day for driving each way. You could leave Sac early in the AM and be in DL by the evening. On the last day, we usually spend 1/2 a day at the parks. Leaving around 1:00, we usually get home by 8:00 or 9:00 PM.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[CalGal]

needalatte makes some good points. Christmas is beautiful at DLH, and the enhanced fastpass, only available with package booked through AAA which include an onsight stay, is really cool. It will help a lot when the parks are very crowded. The Enhanced FastPass may not be available after mid January.