You're going to Disneyland when?

[WestCoastMama]

My family is booked to go to Disneyland/Ca. Adven. December 26-28. We have a 2 day Park Hopper tickets and staying at the DL Hotel the first night and Comfort Inn Maingate the second night. We are surprising my sister who will be in town for the holidays. We have been told on several occasions how crazy it will be but it's the only time we can go. Any suggestions or advice on how to brave the crowds. Also we are considering the 2 day meal plan. Any thoughts on that?
TIA

 

[skiingfast]

Show up in time for the park opening. Stay until the park close. If that is too long to be there with the long park hours, leave for a midday nap.

 

[taaren]

Don't do the meal plan. Never worth it at DLR.

Re crowds: Have a sense of humor, figure out what your 'priority rides' are, plan on just hitting those, and use the Fast Pass ... any you have left over, give to other people when you're done for the day. We both gave and were given leftover FP's the one year we went for post-Xmas to New Years.

 

[Mama Who]

Ditto on the meal plan. A meal plan at DL is NOT the same as a dining plan at WDW. It is a set of pre-paid vouchers that offer zero savings and often end up costing more than just paying OOP.

Fastpasses are key. Make use of the wait times board in the hub (toward the Frontier/Adventure land paths) to find out what has a short line right that moment.

 

[skiingfast]

Don't do the meal plan. Never worth it at DLR.

Ditto on the meal plan. ...It is a set of pre-paid vouchers that offer zero savings and often end up costing more than just paying OOP.

Not exactly correct. The OP posted this question elsewhere and I suggested he/she may be able save money.

During their visit it will be peak season and the characters meals are likely going to have a price adjustment. While the character meals may be pricier you can get the Dining Plan at the same cost. So if you are sure you want to do character meals you may instanly save several percent.

 

[taaren]

Not exactly correct. The OP posted this question elsewhere and I suggested he/she may be able save money.

During their visit it will be peak season and the characters meals are likely going to have a price adjustment. While the character meals may be pricier you can get the Dining Plan at the same cost. So if you are sure you want to do character meals you may instanly save several percent.

I stand corrected.

 

[ssuriano]

Show up in time for the park opening. Stay until the park close. If that is too long to be there with the long park hours, leave for a midday nap.

Always the best plan in my book.

Hope you have a fantastic trip!

 

[quantumottle]

My family went the same week, between Christmas and New Years. It was crazy busy, so busy in fact, they actually closed the gates and would not let anyone else in. They said the Fire Marshall ordered it. However, that trip is when we learned about the magic of Ridemax. We hardly ever waited more than 10-15 minutes for anything. Like others have said, if you get there at rope drop, maximize fastpass usage, and have a plan, you'll be fine no matter how crowded it is.

My family is booked to go to Disneyland/Ca. Adven. December 26-28. We have a 2 day Park Hopper tickets and staying at the DL Hotel the first night and Comfort Inn Maingate the second night. We are surprising my sister who will be in town for the holidays. We have been told on several occasions how crazy it will be but it's the only time we can go. Any suggestions or advice on how to brave the crowds. Also we are considering the 2 day meal plan. Any thoughts on that?
TIA

 

[WestCoastMama]

Thank you everyone for your input! I agree it's best to have a sense of humor and adjust expectations. Just to be in the park will be exciting. Several people have said they close the park when it reaches capacity. What if you're staying at the resort? Are you still able to get in?

However, that trip is when we learned about the magic of Ridemax. We hardly ever waited more than 10-15 minutes for anything.

I checked out Ridemax, looks cool, though we have a Mac and they say it works better on a PC. What was your experience like using the program?

 

[skiingfast]

Just to be in the park will be exciting. Several people have said they close the park when it reaches capacity. What if you're staying at the resort? Are you still able to get in?

The park is most likely to reach capacity on New Years Eve, the other days it's only a slight possibility.

DL closing the gates has levels. They stop selling tickets, so no new people can come. AP holders aren't let in. People can not reenter. No one can get in.

After people leave they start to relax the restrictions. This usually happens after the afternoon parade.

NYE is the only day where complete closure is 99% sure. Of course when DL closes its gates, people have been able to go into DCA.