Chistmas visit pros and cons?

[JangoFett]

Ok, We just got back from four days at DLR and we are already planning our next trip. We want to make it a Christmas trip. Now, I've read here that the crowds at Christmas time can be very heavy. How bad are they? We've never been to DLR around Christmas. What are the pros and cons for a Christmas visit. What advice would you give to someone planning such a trip? Thanks. :bow:

***Thanks to everyone for the great tips. Our daughter will be 7 for that trip and the plan is to do a 4 day, 3 night stay with one day being Christmas day itself. If the parks are going to be near capacity at or around Christmas day, is there another time around the holidays that won't be so crowded and we can still see all of the great decorations and ride overlays?***

[The Mad Hatter]

I've been at christmas time once...and will never do it again. Yes the resort looks great and all that, but the crowds were horrible. I went around the middle of December. I'm sure others will have different experiences, but that's mine.

[crinklebat]

I don't think I'd be willing to go between December 15th and January 2nd again. But if it's the only time you can go...just be prepared not to go on every ride. I kind of enjoy the crowds but it can be very stressful, especially if you have small children in tow (I don't know if you do).

[JangoFett]

Our daughter will be 7 for that trip and the plan is to do a 4 day 3 night stay with one day being Christmas day itself.

[Disneyfreak]

They are at capacity on New Years and sometimes on Christmas.

[dshimel]

Ugh.... If you were to die of a heart attack, it would take about an hour to fall over.

Arrive early, ride whatever you really want to ride, then plan on lots of shuffeling along in heavy crowds.

[desertdweller]

You didn't mention specific dates but I would choose the last week of November or the first week or so in December. Decor and trees are in place so you get the beauty of it without the horrendous crowds.

Keep in mind too that it can be quite cold and downright bone chilling at night.

[JangoFett]

Thanks to all for the great advice.

[DznyVan]

We have gone to DL at Christmas time for the past 14 years now. We always go the week after thanksgiving. It is the quietest then (or used to be...). The crowds are not bad at all and the weather is OK (we have never been rained on yet). All the decorations are up and Santa is in the Park. The kids love to make the gingerbread cookies at the firehouse.

Stay away during the week between christmas and new years. CROWDED.

[MykeXero]

There are NO pros to visiting during Xmas. Go the first week of December, you`ll see all the same holiday attractions, parades and fireworks with 1/10th the crowd.

[disneyfreeek]

My birthday is December 7th. We went in 2002, 5-9 I think. Not bad at all!! It was less busy then July I can tell yah that much. It really only seemed crowded at night during the parade and fireworks, but then it seemed everyone left afterwards. I would go again that week. Oh and if you've never done the Happy Crappy Birthday celebration thing, don't. Even if you want to take your kids, I think your money would be better spent at McDonalds. Yes I was the oldest birthday girl there, turning 22 and all, but even if I was a kid I would have thought it was lame. $20 bucks to get me and my bf in, Pat-e-cake is lame, and then you decorate an unedible cake. They take your picture with Mickey and Minnie, but then you don't even get 1 free little wallet sized picture. I think we spent $20 more on those. Sorry about the rant, just brought back all the memories.... Christmas time is awesome tho.

[Disney Vault]

There are NO pros to visiting during Xmas. Go the first week of December, you`ll see all the same holiday attractions, parades and fireworks with 1/10th the crowd.

I say the second week of december because then you don't have to deal with cast parties. This means the park wont be closing early like it does for some days in the first week.

[Aura of Foreboding]

We always make our Disney trips during the Christmas Season. Usually the first week or two of December. I can't really speak about crowds, considering this is the only time we make our trips, but they are less than WDW in June... :lol:

The resort is simply the most beautiful at this time, and well worth crowds. I just woulnd't suggest going during Christmas vacation. That gets pretty crowded.

[nish221]

We made the same mistake a couple of years ago. We went the day after Christmas and left
before New Years.... Really pretty, but really, really crowded. On the other hand, I've done
a weekend right after Thanksgiving, same decorations and parades but it wasn't bad at all.

[Tom Chaney]

We've gone either Christmas day or Christmas Eve the past couple of years. It is crowded but if you mentally prepare for that and accept the fact that you won't ride as many rides as you might want, the magic of Disneyland decorated for the holiday is worth it... IMO. Particularly beautiful are the fireworks followed by "snow" falling on Main Street.

[dramaqueen]

I have only gone once at Christmas time and it was January 2nd- the crowds weren't that bad- it didn't bother at all. There are a lot of little details that make it worth it to me, but with a little one, I would agree with those who say go the first or second week of December- you get all the magic (more so with the anticipation of Christmas), less crowds. And the snow is definitely worth going for

[mouseketeer007]

Christmas at the park is my abosolute FAVORITE thing in the world. I hear they aren't doing as many things this year, though, so you might want to check into that before getting your hopes up. Otherwise, GO, GO, GO!!! I am a little Christmas-crazy, so Christmas at Disneyland combines my two favorite things in the world. It's completely worth the crowds.

[grantmaier687]

and that big christmas tree is always a plus!

[Sonorajoe]

We have been at DL the last two years the week leading up to Christmas and with the exception of Christmas Day, it hasn't been too bad. This past year Christmas fell on a Sat. and it was crazy busy! But again Mon.-Fri. wasn't too bad.We've already made our reservations for the upcoming holiday and are looking forward to it.

[Michelle]

Want to go to Disneyland on the best day ever?! Go on the day that most schools go back after winter break. I was there this year and it was AMAZING. No crowds, but still lots of characters (I saw Buzz Lightyear for the first time!). Plus they phase out the stupid winter costumes by this time..