Has anyone been to Christmas at Disneyland? What can we expect? Also would you do a Disney outfit for LO or a more christmasy outfit? And did you see Santa there or was the line way too long? Thanks!
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Expect crowds.... insane shoulder-to-shoulder, packed to the gills, unable to move crowds. The closer you get to Christmas, the worse it will be. Plus, it's the 60th anniversary and the Season of the Force (Star Wars tie-in), so it's even worse than normal.
Line to see Santa in Disneyland is pretty long, but Santa also visits California Adventure and all 3 hotels (the Grand is my favorite place to see Santa).
If you don't go often, maybe try a Disney holiday outfit? Or a Disney shirt and holiday bottoms/accessories? There's tons of stuff on Etsy and IG shops.
They are doing 2 showings of the fireworks and the parade in Disneyland, so it will give you a chance to catch one of them if the kids go to bed early. The later shows always have smaller crowds, but sometimes it's hard to get the kids to be happy for that long.
If you are staying on property or nearby, stop for naps. It helps a lot.
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Insane crowds - last Christmas time we were there and the park shut down by 10am because it was full. Pirates and Splash Mountain were shut down 2 hours later by the fire Marshall due to over- crowding and the lines were out of control and unmanaged by staff. We left at 1pm having made it on 1 ride. Never again.
(We've gone to DL many times, and Christmas time is always the worst but last year was worse than years past when we've been there)
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Don't do it. The crowds are like nothing you'll see the rest of the year and if you're not there at opening there's no guarantee you'll be able to get in.
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@yoursilverlining: @wonderstruck: there's "good news" when it comes to closing the gates... 99% of the time, they will reopen for readmission again later in the day, because people get so frustrated that they leave, which means that the parks are below maximum capacity around 2 or 3pm.
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@HabesBabe: Eh, I still think it sounds like a nightmare with how cray all the likes are crowds are even once some people get frustrated and leave. Especially with little ones. If you just go a couple weeks before or after its so much more enjoyable.
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@wonderstruck: oh for sure... my "good news" was more sarcastic than genuine. believe me, i worked there for 5+ years... i avoid the parks the entire month of december because it's just too insane for me.
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So I should specify and say we're planning on going dec 7th. We don't really mind if it's crowded just because we know realistically there's just a couple rides we can go on with babies. We will try for Santa and hope for the best!!
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@anonysquire: Dec 7 won't be HORRIBLE. Just have very low expectations. Try to get there at rope drop, grab all the FastPasses for the attractions/shows you want to do most, and take advantage of the Rider Switch passes.
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Christmas/New Years is Disney's second busiest time of the year (second to the Fourth of July). The crowds are unreal and can be overwhelming, even for adults without small kids.
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@anonysquire: we're going the 8th and the 9th and while it's busy during the season, it's not supposed to be as bad during that time! my GF is going this wednesday, so i'm hoping to get more info from her about it! we've done disneyland for ourselves many times, so i'm just going to slow down and have low expectations. she can't go on the big rides, so we'll skip right over those (except i might go on the carsland ride by myself! ha!)
i just got them disney outfits for one day and figured we'd get something else on the first day we were there. i'm doing regular mickey/minnie because it will get more wear.
DL during christmas time is the best! serious magic.
ETA: we're doing a princess breakfast (so i won't worry about searching for princesses at the park) and won't wait on santa because we'll see him other times this season.
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@birdofafeather: If you do Radiator Springs by yourself, make sure to take advantage of the single rider line! I usually get on in about 10-15 mins. compared to 1+ hour in the normal line.
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We went last year 1st to the 5th and it was quite manageable. We all had a blast. Be there as early as you can and head straight for fantasyland. The 7th is a Monday so you should be alright. Make sure you see the parade, LO was 19 months and thought it was the most amazing thing ever. I dressed LO in disney outfits rather than xmas. Have a great time!!!
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Thanks everyone!!
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@HabesBabe: ooh, thanks! i think we can get into CA adventure at like 7 am one day, so i'm planning on going straight there because it's the one ride i want to go on that DD can't (haven't been to CA adventure since carsland opened)
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