Which should you do for your big vacation… summer or Christmas at Disneyland? You know you want to go during the busy season but which season is best for you and your family? That of course, depends on a few things, such as what you like to do while at Disneyland, how much the hot or cold means to you and more.
Both the Christmas Season and the Summer Season have some things that are the same. For your convenience they will be listed here:
- Longer hours, opening earlier and staying open later.
- Many characters out an about because it's the busy season.
- Heavy crowds, especially between 11 and 4pm
- Fireworks
- Parades
- Restaurants, eateries are open
- Outdoor vending carts are open
In addition to the things each busy season has in common, they are definitely two different times of year. Here are some of the benefits for each busy season at the Disneyland Resort in California.
Summer (mid June through Labor Day):- Can be very hot.
- Comfortable evening temperatures.
- You don't get cold after riding Grizzly River Run or Splash Mountain.
- Long lines for water rides.
- Spending the day at the beach can be fun, and the water isn't freezing.
- Dole Whip float (much more enjoyable on a hot day)
- Rarely any attractions closed for refurbishement.
- Mountain climbers (Mickey climbs the Matterhorn)
- Dapper Dans
- Ice cream while waiting for fireworks
Christmas (Thanksgiving through New Years for decorations, longer hours for Thanksgiving weekend and the week before Christmas through New Years Eve):- Can be downright cold.
- Even on warm days, a jacket or coat is needed at night.
- Short lines for water rides.
- The huge Christmas Tree in Town Square.
- Carolers on Main Street.
- Snow after the fireworks.
- Decorating Christmas Cookies.
- Hot chocolate while waiting for fireworks.
- It's a Small World, Holiday version.
- Haunted Mansion Holiday
- No room to even move because of crowds on New Years Eve
- Christmas magic added to Disney Magic. What more could you ask for?
Both time periods are very crowded, but each one still holds magic for the visitor to the Disneyland Resort. If you are a big fan of Christmas music, decorations, and a holiday atmosphere, yet the cold doesn't bother you; you may want to go for Christmas. If you absolutely hate Christmas and can't stand the cold; then by all means, go in the summer.
Remember the Magic though. If you are a Disney fan, you should give the Holiday season a chance. If you go in early December it is less crowded yet you still have the decorations. In my opinion every Disney fan needs to experience a Disney Christmas at least once.
As a person who normally goes in the summer but was lucky to have been to Disneyland at Christmas one year I must say that while the temperature of a summer night is wonderful the way Disneyland celebrates Christmas is special. Since that Christmas trip was the year before our son was born I do hope that one day we can go back to show Alex Disneyland at Christmas.