WWYD: Christmas as WDW or Disneyland?

[zumbergc]

Ok, we have never been to Disneyland. We are thinking about going this xmas or next may.

Checking recently by calling dvc, no shock all the disney cali villas are gone. So if we went we would be staying offsite like at a residence inn. Since we like the full kitchen. Looking around it kind of looks like it is within walking distance.

If we try for next may the 7th month window opens soon, so maybe we could get a shot at staying onsite in Disneyland.

So, which would you rather do.
Spend christmas in wdw on site.... goto Disneyland in 2011 in may stay on-site.

or stayoff site disneyland xmas .... hit wdw like usual in may?

I guess the trade off is the theming of the resort and staying onsite better than getting to see all the xmas stuff going on around disneyland at xmas.

Is the time of the year, weather better early dec vs may in California?
thanks,

 

[Deb & Bill]

Keep your visit to DL for a non-holiday time so you can really enjoy it. Other than the decor and the special shows, the crowds can make it a negative.

 

[Snurk71]

We've been to DL in May a few times (first half of the month) - it was great. The weather was perfect, just warm enough for afternoon swimming (right around 80). And the crowds (outside of Mother's Day) weren't bad.

I keep wanting to go back in May, but DD10 doesn't want to take off school at the end of the school year now. What is wrong with her?!?!?!?!

 

[zumbergc]

I guess i should clarify we are going early december for the christmas stuff in either wdw or disneyland.

 

[mecllap]

If you're talking early Dec., the crowds might not be too bad. I really enjoyed seeing DL done up in holiday decs. The castle is a lot smaller, and the decs are different. I really liked the holiday overlays on Haunted Mansion (Nightmare before Christmas) and on It's a Small World (which WDW doesn't do).

Of course, staying at GCV is also great -- it's lovely, and great to be able to go out the "back way" and go into CA right by Grizzly River Run -- it was warm enough to ride it one day I was there, and very handy to be able to change into spare clothes and shoes before riding it, and easily go back to the room to change back into dry clothes (I'm the one who always gets soaked on those rides, even tho others in my raft stay dry).

Not sure (who can predict) but weather might be better in Dec. than May.

 

[Disney Princess]

Personally, I would go to WDW in December and DLR in May. We are going to DL in May again this year, having previously visited in 2009 in May. We think the weather in May is great, and outside of the holidays, the crowds are easy to manage. I think staying closer to the parks makes DLR easier for afternoon breaks, etc. I would prefer the villas at GCH over the Residence Inn just because of their proximity to the parks. YMMV! Either way, you're bound to have a good time.