Which week in December

[blaqjaq]

Hi All

I last went to DL in March 2013 and had such an amazing time it's time to go back! Having done HKDL last year, a trip to California is on the cards.

The only time I can get away is December, with our flights etc the following dates for a DL Stay work well:

Wednesday the 9th of December until Sunday 13th (Check in to GC late afternoon Tuesday the 8th, Check out of GC Hotel on Monday 14th)

or

Monday the 14th until Friday the 18th (Check in to GC on Sunday the 13th, Check out GC Hotel Friday 18th but stay at park all day)

I know typically you want to avoid weekends if possible, but wasn't sure being December, as I know the earlier in December the better. So in your expert opinion, am I more likely to have lighter crowds as an average over the earlier week but with a Saturday and Sunday park day, or weekday only but a week later?

I'm travelling with my wife and two kids, we are all pretty experienced travellers but we also have our baby who will be nearly 1 year old then.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

Ill try and help you.
14-18th the full entertainment scheduled will be up meaning later hours however it also will be more crowded.

9-13 will be an hour longer each night but not the midnight hours yet. This week may have less crowds then the 14-18th time frame.

Any time will be good because it is Christmas time. Hope you have a fantastic time.

 

[mom2rtk]

You should check the AP blackout dates and see how that will affect your dates. Our final full day turned out to be Saturday the 13th last year. I think that was the final weekend before deluxe APs were blocked. And it was not a fun day to be in the parks. It was jam packed. I think I would go with the next week if it meant you could avoid the weekend days.

 

[figment_jii]

As mentioned by mom2rtk, the weekend of 12/12-13 is the last weekend for the SoCal Select, SoCal, and Deluxe AP Holders until after the holiday season ends. The SoCal and SoCal Select AP holders blockout starts on 12/18 (Fri) and the Deluxe AP holder blockout starts on 12/19 (Sat). The end result is that the parks tend to be pretty busy that weekend at the AP holders come in one last time to see the holiday decor and entertainment (although, the Christmas parade and fireworks won't be presented this year due to the 60th anniversary). I think you're likely to see lower overall crowds if you focus on the weekdays (e.g., 12/14-12/18), just because people are still working and going to school at this point (LAUSD, along with several other school districts, starts their winter break on the 12/21). That being said, it will still be busy in the parks.

 

[John93]

I love going right after Christmas. 12/26 was great last year. Crowds weren't bad at all!

 

[Sherry E]

I want to point out that on 12/12 and 12/13 there will also be an event called Raver Day taking place at DLR (it's not an official Disney-hosted event, but it seems to be an annual thing -- although most of us didn't know it existed until last year!), and the ravers/attendees will be at the parks that weekend. I don't know how much that will influence crowds but I would expect somewhat of an increase in crowds, on top of the fact that 12/12 and 12/13 is also the weekend when a lot of AP holders will head to the parks to get in a final holiday fix before they are blocked, as figment_jii pointed out.

So I am going to go with suggesting the 12/14 - 12/18 dates this year. That might not be my answer every year, but this year I think it makes sense.

 

[chickapin parterre]

are you days into California or heading straight from the airport to Disneyland? Wednesday is going to be the best day, so if you are jet lagged on the 9th, that is going to waste that Wednesday. Best to visit on a jet lagged monday and be ready Wednesday morning at opening for a great day and be strong on Friday. Best to use weekdays to catch up from jet lag then be fresh on the weekends

 

[JadeDarkstar]

we are going to check in tue 8 am and have our room paid for the night before. Go in the room relax and then hit dtd and maybe Goffys for dinner. Then Wed we will hit the parks fresh wed, Thursday- Friday off- sat sun and Monday park days and Tuesday home. This year we don't want to be so jet lagged and worn out in the middle of the trip. We are excited to have the off days. If any one else plans off days what else do you do? No car means we have to take art or walk.

 

[mom2rtk]

We took a day "off" in the middle of each of our last 2 trips. We keep long hours in the parks and really have to get off our feet one day. We usually do a character meal, shop DTD, check out decorations in the other onsite hotels and nap in the room. It's a nice laid back pace.

Last year we had AP's. So our character meal that day was Ariel's Grotto. And I couldn't help myself, we also went over to DL just to meet Tink. But that was it. Back to the room and off our feet. It was nice.

 

[blaqjaq]

Thanks everybody for the excellent advice

 

[OldPyrate]

I was also thinking of going the week before Christmas, we did this in 2012, and it was fantastic! But the "days" aligned better that year than this. Another thing to keep in mind is the premier of Star Wars on Dec 18th this year, obviously a VERY BIG DEAL as this is Disney's first Star Wars movie. I think the parks will be packed with Jedi and Storm Troopers that weekend! If you decide to go that weekend...May the Force be with you!!

 

[Nonsuch]

As mentioned by mom2rtk, the weekend of 12/12-13 is the last weekend for the SoCal Select, SoCal, and Deluxe AP Holders until after the holiday season ends. The SoCal and SoCal Select AP holders blockout starts on 12/18 (Fri) and the Deluxe AP holder blockout starts on 12/19 (Sat). The end result is that the parks tend to be pretty busy that weekend at the AP holders come in one last time to see the holiday decor and entertainment (although, the Christmas parade and fireworks won't be presented this year due to the 60th anniversary). I think you're likely to see lower overall crowds if you focus on the weekdays (e.g., 12/14-12/18), just because people are still working and going to school at this point (LAUSD, along with several other school districts, starts their winter break on the 12/21). That being said, it will still be busy in the parks.

That's big news hidden in this post. Has Disney made an announcement canceling the Christmas parade and fireworks?

 

[LALA8971]

That's big news hidden in this post. Has Disney made an announcement canceling the Christmas parade and fireworks?

I saw that too! We are doing our first holiday trip this year and have been anxiously awaiting to hear something official.......

 

[tlovesdis]

I believe they made the announcement about the holiday parade and fireworks when they were announcing the 60th activities.