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-   -   Disneyland during holidays (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/disneyland-during-holidays-489773/)

betha Dec 8th, 2004 04:13 AM

Disneyland during holidays
 
Has anyone been to Disneyland during the holidays? We will be in LA but D'Land is not our first priority, and we'd like to spend only a day/part of day there w/our teens. Will lines for rides be extra long/what kinds of crowds should we expect? On another matter, does anyone know how far in advance you have to make a reservation for a studio tour at WB?

joesorce Dec 8th, 2004 07:31 AM

Dec 24 would be the best day to visit Disneyland, you could get around to everything pretty quickly.
WB Tour is sometimes sold out if you wait until day before to reserve, but usually you can get in...though I'd book about 72 hours ahead if you are set on a certain time of day for your tour.

ssm Dec 8th, 2004 09:02 AM

3 words: Don't Do It!

This year, Christmas Eve falls on a Friday. I can assure you that there will be TONS of people there.

Disneyland has only closed their park due to capacity issues a handful of times in its history. Last time was last year right around the the holidays.

bashfulLV Dec 8th, 2004 11:16 AM

I disagree with the poster who advised against Disneyland right before Christmas - Friday or not, Disneyland is usually much less crowded the last couple of days before Christmas. People just have too much to do and it's great for those who do go to the Magic Kingdom. We used to go Dec 23rd every year (until we moved here to Las Vegas) and not once was it crowded. And the decorations are so amazing - it could put even Scrooge in a holiday mood! Plus you can pick up last minute gifts on Main Street. I'm jealous - and hope you have a great trip - and a Merry Christmas.

lcuy Dec 8th, 2004 11:31 AM

Before would be okay, but the week after Christmas is a nightmare. We once got to go on/in only 5 attractions during a full day.

The rest of the day was spent in lines or literally pushing our way thru the crowds in the streets!


kimamom Dec 8th, 2004 01:32 PM

Our pastor went to DL on Christmas Day last year and he said never again! It was very crowded. We went a few years back the first week in December and crowds weren't as bad.

I think it would be a fun place to spend New Year's Eve! ***kim*** :)

Chele60 Dec 8th, 2004 03:09 PM

I agree with the poster who advised Christmas Eve. I was in the area on Christmas Eve last year to go to dinner, and it certainly wasn't crowded that I could see. However, it was very cold (well, for us Californians!) and rainy. But D-land in the rain is not such a bad thing! No, really! Well, except they don't do the parade....

I don't think I would go on Christmas Day. Might be too crowded. Dec 24 or 23 would be my choices. There might be crowds or might not be. Either way you can have a good time.

betha Dec 8th, 2004 03:39 PM

We will be in the area December 28-30, not before Christmas. Still not a good idea?

lcuy Dec 8th, 2004 10:05 PM

Not unless you love standing in line! If you absolutely must go, go early and learn the fast pass tricks!

betha Dec 9th, 2004 02:38 AM

Thanks to all for your helpful advice!

ssm Dec 9th, 2004 08:55 AM

Well, I don't know if any of the advice helped you. But good luck if you go.

bbjj109 Dec 10th, 2004 09:55 AM

My husband and I are celebrating our 10th anniversary on January 1, planning to spend New year's Eve and N.Y. Day at Disneyland. Will we be miserable with crowds?

ssm Dec 10th, 2004 01:19 PM

I don't know if it willbe "miserable" but you would not catch me there.

Here is a link that may be of interest:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/akrock/akrock19.htm

zoey9797 Dec 12th, 2004 07:39 AM

Also try mouseinfo.com and
mousesavers.com

Good Luck!
~Zoey

ucsbalum Dec 21st, 2004 09:25 PM

Hello,

I used to work at Disneyland and I have worked many a Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! Christmas Eve is less crowded, but the park generally closes early (8 pm or so) but double check on this. Christmas day is dead in the morning, but it really perks up in the afternoon (all those annual passports under the Christmas Tree).

Then the park just gets more and more crowded as it gets closer to News Years.

With fast passes now, the waits just aren't that bad -- you can be assured to get on lots of rides.

My advice is go Dec 23 if possible or the 24th.

have fun!

betha Feb 16th, 2005 07:19 PM

We went on 12/30, one of the few sunny days that week, and it was extremely crowded! The kids used their fast passes and were able to get on some rides, but all of the lines for food, etc were very long. We enjoyed ourselves anyway, but if you have flexibility (which we did not), I would recommend you not visit D'land during the holidays.


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