luvnlifelady
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,421 
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Post by luvnlifelady on Jul 24, 2014 18:24:15 GMT
If so, how were the crowds? 17 yo DD went Monday and had a blast (we live in Southern CA). She wants to go when it's decorated for Christmas and I sort of threw out the idea of going on Christmas. Maybe stay somewhere nearby the night before (but doubt on property).
We also have a 14 yo DS. They have most of their needs and some wants covered so it is sometimes hard to figure out what to get them for Christmas without getting stuff just to have something to open (especially for DS-girls are easier with make-up, etc.).
They would probably still get a few small things, but because of the cost, Disney would be the majority of the budget. We don't typically go that often, maybe once/year with band.
If you've gone on Christmas, what was your experience like? TIA.
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Post by colleen on Jul 24, 2014 18:31:40 GMT
When I was in high school/college I worked there and Christmas was a pretty easy day for us. I suspect it may be busier than 30 years ago, but I think it's probably a good day to go.
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Post by compwalla on Jul 24, 2014 18:34:42 GMT
I have never been on Christmas Day but we used to go the week after Christmas every year. We decorated a float for Rose Parade and then spent a couple of days at Disneyland just at New Year's. Some years it was packed, some years it was practically empty and the weather didn't seem to matter. The most crowded year it was pouring. I think it depends on who is playing at the Rose Bowl, honestly. The year Texas was there the parks were PACKED with UT fans.
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Post by Memo on Jul 24, 2014 18:49:13 GMT
We went the day after Christmas, stayed 3 days, last year and it was packed the whole time. We vowed never to go again at that time. We have gone a week before and just before New Year's and it was manageable.
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luvnlifelady
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,421
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Post by luvnlifelady on Jul 24, 2014 18:50:14 GMT
I remember going to California Adventure shortly after New Year's the year Texas was in the Rose Bowl (we had passed then). Even CA Adventure was packed (and it was hot)! This was before that park really got going and it wasn't usually crowded.
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Post by blueswede on Jul 24, 2014 19:00:26 GMT
Not on Christmas Day, but I did go on the days between Christmas and New Years. I really loved the decorations. As long as you don't mind crowds, it is not too bad. Warning: they do close the park after they reach the maximum number of guests. One of the girls almost didn't make it into the park when she left the hotel shortly after the rest of our group. If you don't like crowds, I would try the days before Christmas.
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Post by Dictionary on Jul 24, 2014 19:48:03 GMT
I have gone twice. Once right after Christmas and it was crowded. But also went the weekend after Thanksgiving, I guess technically it's not Christmas but is decorated for it. Crowd levels were minimal. I would say you want to go before Christmas break and T-Th are the least crowded days in general. I think with the new AP system the weekends aren't as bad as they have been in the past but haven't been since they redid them.
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Post by lillieleigh on Jul 24, 2014 20:02:53 GMT
I actually was there on Christmas Day. My daughter was two. She's turning 40 in September. Does my experience count?The place was packed, long lines, long waits and I still remember it.
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ingrid
Full Member
Posts: 490
Jun 26, 2014 0:52:41 GMT
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Post by ingrid on Jul 24, 2014 20:22:58 GMT
The parks are decorated for Christmas pretty early in the season and they stay decorated for a week or two into January. If you avoid the weeks right around the holidays and when schools are on break, the crowds aren't that bad. Just being able to go when the Haunted Mansion is done up with the Nightmare Before Christmas stuff is worth braving the crowds for us. It's a wonderful time of year to be in the parks.
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Post by jumperhop on Jul 24, 2014 21:08:03 GMT
Christmas Vacation is the busiest time of the year for Disneyland.
Jen
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Post by papersilly on Jul 24, 2014 21:16:39 GMT
on Christmas Day? no. but we always go once the park is decorated for Christmas. it's wonderful. we usually go during the weekdays to avoid the crowds and we will go right after thanksgiving or right after New Years.
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Belle
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,309
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Post by Belle on Jul 24, 2014 21:30:52 GMT
There is an awesome thread over on the DiSboards all about DL at Christmastime. Lots of great info on what to expect and what the historical schedules of events have been.
DL at Christmas |
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haf2pea
Shy Member
Posts: 28
Location: Southern California
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Post by haf2pea on Jul 24, 2014 21:32:00 GMT
I live in SoCal and used to have premium passes. A few years ago, we went on Christmas Day and it was so packed at the gates, we turned right around and left. I figure all the locals (like us) have nothing else to do after opening gifts so they go to Disneyland. It was ridiculously crowded.
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stampinchica
Junior Member
~I just got some juice out of the fridge & I swear I heard the wine say "what the f*&#?"~
Posts: 68
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Post by stampinchica on Jul 24, 2014 21:50:18 GMT
I live not too far from the parks and a passholder. We love to go during Christmas time but as a rule of thumb we do not go during the Christmas school break or during the month of July. We go during the first couple of weeks of December and the first week in January to enjoy Christmas decor. Any other "Christmas" time and it's to crowded. Those who are not local tend to vacation at that time.
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Nink
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,946
Location: North Idaho
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Post by Nink on Jul 25, 2014 10:20:03 GMT
We went a couple years ago the week after thanksgiving on a Wednesday and it was heaven. Decorations were up, but crowds were minimal. The time right around Christmas and Christmas Day itself, is often at capacity. You can't even walk in a normal stride. We call it the "Disney Shuffle".
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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