Christmas Hours/Crowds/Weather

[rememberthemagic]

Hello All , I'm planning a Christmas Trip to the DLR but I've never been at that time so I'm wondering if anyone can give me some info on Christmas time at the DLR . thank you .

[Brer_Rabbit]

Christmas time at Disneyland is soo much fun! I went in January (They still had decorations), plus many, many many more times during the Holiday season.

Small World Holiday is extremely adorable!! So is the "Believe in Holiday Magic" (or something like that) Parade. There's also HMH (Haunted Mansion Holiday) which is really cool-- they totally redo it for the holiday!

As far as weather- It's the same as usual SoCal weather, maybe a little colder (especially at night).

Hours- Usual, I think. Correct me if I'm wrong- you can always check the Disneyland calendar on the website.

[phd516]

The hours are typically 8 AM - 12 AM, I believe.
The "Believe... in Holiday Magic" fireworks show runs at 9:25, and 8:45 on some weekdays.
Crowds are crazy during the "winter vacation" time which is typically the week of Christmas and the week after.
It's usually cooler around that time of year in California, with chances of rain here and there.
Most suggest to go to Disneyland during the first two weeks of December if you want to enjoy "Christmas time" without the crowds.
Hope this helps!

[Brer_Rabbit]

^Yah. The first week or two in December (or as soon as the decorations are put up) is when we go. Also, a good time to go is January, when they are still up.

[HiddenMickey]

Weather may be a bit colder than usual, and it may rain -- but go anyway, crowds will be smaller. However, between Christmas and New Years, the parks are extremely packed -- more than summer -- so even though the parks are open early and close late, it'll still be crowded. However, it'll be extremely beautiful with all the holiday decorations and rides up.

[rememberthemagic]

thank you so much for the info everyone. it helps lots !

[Brer_Rabbit]

Yay!

[Kileli]

Watch out for snow storms, they blow by often during that time

yeah right, it has not snowed here in 25 years...

anyway, it will be in the 50's most likley, and you may get a little rain (it rains a little more often then it snows) If you go on christmas or right after, I heard the crowds are horrid. About two weeks before (my last trip last year) there was nealry no wait for any ride, except Space Mountain and Roger Rabbits. The decorations are great, a very nice time to go. My last two trips, in Janurary and December, we were rained on, but it was the only time it rained that month, which was weird (the Disney gods don't like us I guess) Rain should not be a huge problem. I would pack warm clothes, like jeans and sweaters (but I like being warm) but shorts would pry not work.

[mkextr]

crowds are horrid..but at the end of the fireworks show you look at people's faces and you see that everyone(well maybe not everyone but a lot of people) are happy and smiling...it's a great feeling!

[mariezp]

Keep in mind that the parks will close earlier since it is off season. I believe it was 8:00 on the weekdays and maybe 11:00 on the weekends. If you go the first week be aware that the Candlelight Processional is usually the first weekend which makes it pretty crowded. Also, the CM parties are usually the following Mon and Tues. The park will close at 6:00 for the parties. Overall, since the crowds are smaller than peak season you can actually get more done in a shorter amount of time. The park does look beautiful and the snow on Main Street is very magical.

[rememberthemagic]

That's one thing I'm not looking forward to is the shorter hours :[ . But you're right , with not so many people it will be easier to get around and get things done. Thank you for the advice

[kimballw]

I've been the week after Thanksgiving before, and they have full Christmas decorations up then. It was a Thurs - Sat trip. Empty Thurday and Friday. Very full Saturday (live Christmas tree lighting ceremony).

My Brother-In-Law went day before, day of, day after christmas last year. Each day they shut down the gates by 10:00 (hit the crowd limit).

[disneylander]

Jungle-

Two years ago my family and I did Disneyland at Christmas. To be more precise though, we planned our vacation to occur before the Los Angeles area school districts had been dismissed. Consequently, the crowds were minimal; never longer than 15 minutes.

The park was stunningly beautiful. The hours were limited however; say, 10:00AM to 9:00PM. These hours were only extended on the weekends. Perhaps during the actual week of Christmas, the hours were more permissive.

For my money there is NO better time to go than at Christmas.

Enjoy!

Disneylander

[ghoofie]

We usually try to go in early to mid December. We have had summer like weather and have had gigantic rain storms, complete with power outages in the park. You just never know. But weekdays during that time are great crowd wise (well they USED to be, pre 50 yr celebration it seems). Yes they close earlier, but it's nice because it starts to really cool down and you get to go back to your nice warm comfy room. We did a Christmas time visit a few years back intending on it being a one time thing, and now we try to go every year. Try it, you'll like it.