Is it a bad time to visit??

[Mitchzmagic]

I am deciding which dates to go to Disneyland. I will arrive in California in Dec 20 2008, and don't know if the 21st 22nd and 23rd would be too busy (hence christmas time!!) so I didnt know whether to wait till jan 2nd 3rd and 4th because it may be less busy....... anyway i need help!!

Can someone tell what date in Dec it starts to get hectic?? Because I would really love to be finished my Californian trip by Christmas because I want to be in NYC by new years (something I've always wanted to do!!).

Thanx in advance!

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Well unfortunately all the dates you're talking about will be busy. They're all Christmas break so I'm not sure one is better then the other.

My advice would be to prepare for crowds. Get there early, use fastpass wisely, eat at off times, etc. You can still enjoy yourself even with crowds.

 

[LadyDarling]

I totally agree with the previous posters. All of those days will be VERY busy. That doesn't mean it's a "bad" time to visit - just plan wisely! Give yourself plenty of time and DON'T MISS HOLIDAY WISHES!

 

[kirst_al UK]

When does holiday wishes begin...?

We are heading across to disneyland 15 & 16 December....will it just be as busy then??

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Holiday Wishes will definitely be going by then. I didn't check your dates to see if that's a weekend. If it is, then yes, it will be very crowded. If those are weekdays, then no, you'll be great!

 

[ClemsonTigger]

As others have said, both weeks will be equally busy. Be there early and have realistic expectations on what you will be able to do and you can still have fun.

Generally, crowds are very reasonable up to the week before Christmas (with the weekends being somewhat of an exception).

 

[nemofinder22]

I think you all mean Believe in Holiday Magic not Holiday Wishes but Believe starts in mid Nov when all the holiday stuff starts and plays everyday till the end of the Christmas season(early Jan).

As for your dates like everyone else said yea it will be busy but not nearly as bad as Christmas Day till NYE. New Years day is great since lots are at the Rose Parade or sleeping for partying all night which makes for short lines and a very nice day to visit.

 

[TP2000]

I'll second that the dates you had before Christmas will be just as busy as the dates just after New Years. But both of those times will be less busy than the days between Christmas Eve and New Years Eve.

And going to Disneyland on New Years Day first thing in the morning is another good trick. Most of the locals are in Pasadena for the parade and game, or watching it on TV, and the rest are sleeping off New Years Eve.

 

[LadyDarling]

I think you all mean Believe in Holiday Magic not Holiday Wishes but Believe starts in mid Nov when all the holiday stuff starts and plays everyday till the end of the Christmas season(early Jan).
QUOTE]

Thanks for the corrections! Yes, that's what I ment.
It's one of Disneyland's best, BAR NONE!

 

[nemofinder22]

^ I agree! I wish it was Christmas time again

 

[Mitchzmagic]

So, if I get there a week earlier, than it wouldn't be as busy?? Thanks everyone for ur help.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Do you mean the week before the 20th? Yes that should definitely be less crowded. Some colleges will be out by then but most k-12 grades students would not. So it should be good if you can!

 

[LadyDarling]

Yup. I think the crowds are heavier during the holiday season ANYWAY, however the closer you push to November (after thanksgiving) the less the crowds will be.