Winter Break at DL

[bellastella227]

I haven't been to Disneyland since I was in high school. I know what the crowds are like at WDW. Will we be facing the same at DL over Christmas? We are considering two days at Disneyland...either December 20-21 or 23-24. Will one be better than another? Will both be horrible as far as crowds and wait times go? Do they still use the paper Fastpass system there? I'm excited just thinking about being able to experience it again (and with my own kids now!), but nervous that the timing of the trip will make the experience horrible.

 

[figment_jii]

I would check out the Christmas/Holiday SuperThread to get a sense of the crowds. In general, crowds typically start to ramp up in December, with the peak occurring between Christmas and New Year. I think both date pairs you've selected will be fairly busy (not quite capacity crowds, but definitely long lines). Touring Plans Blog has some information about average wait times for Dec 21-27 period last year. I wouldn't get too caught up in the crowd prediction numbers, but the average wait times are interesting (click on the park name for the date you are itnerested and then on "Click here to see individual attraction details used in determining crowd levels" to see the average wait times).

Yes, at this point, DLR is still using the paper FP system.

 

[chickapin parterre]

I give you caution because of your word choice: nervous, crowds, horrible, waiting to experience again, kids, facing the same.

1. Christmas Disneyland will not provide the experience you had as a teen visitor. Christmas at Disneyland has now become a pilgrimage for the heavy populated California area and west coast. Folks arriving for the dates you have chosen, who are on their first Christmas visit, tend to ask " why are these folks not home with their families?"

2. Early December 2014 had many days with rain. Folks canceled trips and plan to try again in 2015. 2015 had a very rocky start with measles and massive refurbs, so folks are saving their money for the holiday visits.

3. 60th anniversary.

4. Economy. Gas prices being all time historical low in the history of the U.S., has been a great economy stimulus. If folks were saving their fuel savings, then more cash for holiday visit. Stock market extreme earnings held by grandparents are now funding family gatherings.

5.Christmas. The holiday has changed nationwide and Disneyland Christmas Vacations are now part of that tradition.

 

[SMD]

I give you caution because of your word choice: nervous, crowds, horrible, waiting to experience again, kids, facing the same.

1. Christmas Disneyland will not provide the experience you had as a teen visitor. Christmas at Disneyland has now become a pilgrimage for the heavy populated California area and west coast. Folks arriving for the dates you have chosen, who are on their first Christmas visit, tend to ask " why are these folks not home with their families?"

2. Early December 2014 had many days with rain. Folks canceled trips and plan to try again in 2015. 2015 had a very rocky start with measles and massive refurbs, so folks are saving their money for the holiday visits.

3. 60th anniversary.

4. Economy. Gas prices being all time historical low in the history of the U.S., has been a great economy stimulus. If folks were saving their fuel savings, then more cash for holiday visit. Stock market extreme earnings held by grandparents are now funding family gatherings.

5.Christmas. The holiday has changed nationwide and Disneyland Christmas Vacations are now part of that tradition.

Quoting all of this because it's spot on.

 

[gottalovepluto]

It will be crowded. But shouldn't be gate closure crowded. I would do Dec 20-21. The closer to the Christmas to New Years week the bigger the crowds get. I especially vote those days because Dec 23-24 is Fri & Sat- that weekend will be full because everyone is out of school by then. No matter how crowded you can have a great trip, there are people who go Christmas-New Years every year & still love it. Just be mentally prepared & keep up the planning!