Originally Posted By ncnike7 Okay,so parents and sibs have seen DL at Christmas, but my hubby, kids and myself have not. We want to go late enough in November that the Christmas stuff is up, but we don't want to run into Thanksgiving. We are also considering maybe the first week in December. We want to miss the crowds, so when is the best time to go? Also, how is the weather in November and December? Thanks!
Originally Posted By dlkozy Google Anaheim weather in it will tell you. We go every Nov or Dec and there have been hot days and monsoon days-just the luck of the draw so be prepared. Avoid the weekends if you are looking for few crowds as well as Candlelight Processional and CM parties. You will have shorter days in the early part of Dec but fewer crowds so you will have to decide which one is more impo to you. ALL the Christmas stuff including the parade happened the Friday after Thanksgiving last year.
Originally Posted By ncnike7 I totally forgot about the candlelight Procession, do you know when that usually happens? How can I find out about CM parties? Thanks
Originally Posted By DyGDisney >>>ALL the Christmas stuff including the parade happened the Friday after Thanksgiving last year.<<< Actually, we were at Disneyland last year the first official day of the Christmas season, complete with parade and Santa Claus at the Reindeer Roundup, and it was the Friday before Thanksgiving. That said, we don't normally go the week before Thanksgiving because Veteran's day falls that week, and it can be very crowded that day (been there Veteran's day and wouldn't do it again!). Last year, because of Thanksgiving falling so late in the month, there was a week in between Veteran's Day week and Thanksgiving week, so we took advantage. The whole week was really empty, except Friday which was CRAZY packed being the first official day of Christmas. But it was worth it. We did everything we wanted during the week and reserved Friday for the Parade, Santa and the Castle lighting ceremony. It was great. This year it may not fall that way, in which case I'd choose the week after Thanksgiving if you want to see all of the Christmas decorations. If LOW crowds are more important, the week before the week of Veteran's Day is a great time to go, with very small crowds and a few Christmas decorations added every day (including the tree half way through the week).
Originally Posted By DyGDisney As far as weather, we've been in Nov. when it's in the 60's with some rain, and we've been when it's in the high 90's (98 one day). If you're driving and you have to go over the Grapevine, don't forget the possibility of closure do to snow. That keeps us from going in December.
Originally Posted By dlkozy Darkbeer posted that Disney was officially in Christmas mode last year on Friday November 21st: Was that before Thanksgiving last year? I know that before we switched (now do Christmas at DL after Thanksgiving) that most everything was up and going right before Thanksgiving. Gave my answer on post #2 according to what the King of all Disney Knowledge said (DB) last year.
Originally Posted By dlkozy Yes, just looked it up=Thanksgiving was the 27 last year and this year it is the 26th. So in post #2 I guess I meant the Friday before Thanksgiving! ;0)
Originally Posted By MerryMouseWife My husband and I went the week following Thanksgiving in 2007 and the park was the least crowded I had seen it more than 10 years. I have a picture taken around 11:30 on Wednesday and Frontierland walkways were completely empty! Thanksgiving was early that year and we were there the last week in November. That won't happen again for a few years. We were there from Tuesday through Friday mid-day. Weather-wise, we had cloudy days almost every day and rain off and on until Friday when it rained hard. It was cool and not very pleasant. I really like DL when it just had showers and not set-in rain. I have also been around the first of December and had sun and warmer temps. Just be prepared for anything.
Originally Posted By smedley ncnike, something else to be aware of that may or may not be of interest, but a whole host of LP types are intending to be in the parks the weekend of the 4th December (Candlelight weekend) and meeting up from around the world
Originally Posted By lovemick i am planning a trip to DL for Dec 2010 and am trying to get as much info as possible on the construction (i was there sept 08 and spoke to a CM who said that 2010 would see some major changes to CA and that all construction will be finished by 2012. I am going to be taking my kids and hubby for there VERY 1st visit to my favorite place on EARTH and want to get really organized I was thinking that a kids fly free deal would be good and to stay at the HoJo really only want to see Universal and DL trying to find a time that Haunted House is still decorated like at halloween and the xmas stuff is being set up is there a place for me to find out the schdual for 2010 dec??
Originally Posted By dlkozy I don't think even DLR knows what exactly will be finished yet in 2010 with the economy and all.
Originally Posted By Jenasweetemotion First I wanted to say that the Haunted Mansion is the same for Halloween and Christmas in terms that they close it before Halloween time and don't close it again till Jan. If you go to Mouseplanet.com and then to DLR Park Update when you click into one and go to Current Refurbishment/Attraction Closures you can actually figure out when things are closed and open for most of the rides they go back to 2002. So I hope that helps you (lovemick) I went last Dec 7th- 10th and besides the fact that the Candlelight Processional was the 6th and 7th the days after where really light in terms of the crowds. Of course the Night of the 7th it was almost impossible to get through the gates down Mainstreet because of the Candlelight Processional but past that we went on a few rides and it was probably a 10-15 minute wait for most rides but then leaving was crazy. If you can avoid going on the night's that they will have the Candlelight Processional you will have a great time I think that Dec the first week till the week before Christmas are really great with light crowds, typically the first weekend is Candlelight Processional . My Uncle & family went last year during Thanksgiving because of the fact that the kids where out of school and they don't like pulling them out of school, so just expect that there will be more people in part because of school vacations. Hope this helps you some.
Originally Posted By ncnike7 So it sounds like whenever they do the candlelight processional is a bad time to go in terms of crowds. Does anyone know when this will be this year? Thanks so much for all the help you've given me!
Originally Posted By Jenasweetemotion I would say it is going to be Dec 5th & 6th which is the first weekend like they do every year. I could almost bet money on it.
Originally Posted By Audrey What is the candlelight processional? I just booked a trip for December 6th-9th. I purposely booked on that Sunday so we could see some night time activities. Will Disneyland not do fireworks or other night shows?
Originally Posted By Mickeysbestfan They will do regular shows too. The Processional is a 600 member choir that comes out and sings the songs that go along with a celebrate reading of the first Christmas. This will happen on Sat and Sun, two shoes each evening. I do believe the 3 days following (7-9) the park will close around 6pm to allow for the Cast Memebers to have their holiday parties.
Originally Posted By Audrey If the park is closing early, doesn't that usually mean they will open earlier to accomodate?
Originally Posted By Mickeysbestfan Here's a copy of last years calendar for the same time period. <a href="http://www.thishappyplace.com/disneyland-hours/december-2008.html" target="_blank">http://www.thishappyplace.com/...008.html</a>
