Halloween - what age???

[Quack]

We fancy a change of season at DLP (we normally go in March) but are considering a next visit in October for Halloween. Our DS's are 8 and almost 5 and I am unsure if the 5yr old could cope with the spookiness? I have seen some pics of the pumpkin heads etc but it is difficult to tell from the pics just how scary the atmosphere is and wether this could turn into a nightmare of a holiday with a petrified 5 yr old? :scared1:

Opinions appreciated ;)

[jillrobinson]

Quack we went in 2004 our youngest was 5 then and he loved it, I've just asked him if he thought it was scary and he said no - it's funny spooky not scary spooky.
The boys got to have their faces painted and their hair done, the park looked fabulous and the Hall-o-ween music is so catchy you'll all be singing it for weeks after. As well as the pumpkin men and of course the pink witches, you'll see many of the villains wandering about the park, we saw Jafar, Maleficent, the old witch from Snow White and the other characters are all dressed up in halloween costumes too.
It was great fun and the Disney Villains parade is one definately not to be missed. :banana:

[Cyrano]

We have been in the summer and Christmas season, but would so like to visit at Halloween. The parade looks brilliant :)

[Quack]

Thank you Jill.
DS 4 is afraid of certain things (he realy does NOT like the dragon under the castle). But if it is funny spooky he may enjoy it.

[knitting nancy]

I'm really glad to see this thread as I've also been thinking about a Halloween visit. As much as I want to go again this year I'm a bit concerned that without the workshops and the Ball, which contributed to a large part of the excitement, we might be really disappointed if we go too soon. However next October, as much as it pains me to think about it this far in advance, I have a certain birthday coming up so am thinking of returning then as I'm sure I would feel less depressed about it at DLP than at home. I had been wondering about my 7 year old who is of an exceedingly nervous disposition (as you'll know if you've read the trip reports!) and although he'll be 18 months older am not sure that he'll be much different because that is just the way he is.

[Quack]

Nancy - I know little about Halloween at DLP. What is are the workshops and Ball - andy why might they be missing in 2006? If we do go at Halloween it will likely be in 2007 (by this time my youngest will be 6)

[disneyangel]

Our DD who was nearly three on our last visit was less scared of the pumpkin men and Maleficient than Chip and Dale , Goofy and Pluto. So I think it very much depends on the child. But I think if they can ride the dark rids like Snow White and Pinnochio they wouldn't mind the parades.

Quack- you need to reading Nancy's fab reposrts about her trip to the Cinderella Ball and workshops.

[jillrobinson]

Quack, have a look here, it gives you a taste of what the Halloween season is like

Halloween season video (http://www.seasons.chrismedia.co.uk/halloweenvideoguide.html)

[jillrobinson]

and from the same site

Disney Villains Parade (http://www.videovault.chrismedia.co.uk/)

Our next visit will be Halloween 2007, I'm hoping to be there for the party night. :thumbsup2

[Ware Bears]

I'm hoping for the same Jill but for 2008. :)

[Quack]

Thank you for the links.

DS did not enjoy the baddies part of Fantillusion parade so I think at this point Halloween may be too much for him. Hopefully by 2007 he will be a little more mature and able to see the fun side of it (otherwise it may be a Christmas break instead!)

[knitting nancy]

I've just watched the Halloween season video and it looks brilliant. I'd definitely like to go and forget about my birthday then but sadly I can see that DS would not like it at all and I don't know if I could put up with constant tears. I'll have to see next year if he's any less sensitive - the other alternative would be to leave the boys at home with DH and have a girlie time with DD. (not sure whether other DS would be happy about that though!)
Quack, the Ball was a one off which we won in a competition so next visit we'll just be hoi polloi and not VIP's!!

[jillrobinson]

DS mentioned this morning that he'd like to go next time at Christmas, which has got me thinking, if we went for say the last Bonfire night celebration, would the Christmas season have started. I see on dlrpmagic that the last bonfire celebration is the 10th Nov 06 but would all of the Christmas season events be up and running then too, I'm thinking of the parades, shows etc. :santa:

[jillrobinson]

I've just read your trip report from last Nov. Bexx and I think I've answered my own question.
So how and when do I run this by DH ? :stir:
Let's hope I win the competition I entered last week at the hotel - 2 nights at the DLH. :wizard:

[NIK]

The Pumpkin Men do interact with the public but I suspect like all the characters they are wise enough to judge when a youngster isn't brave enough for them. I noticed when I went that more than a few Daddies had their baseball caps swiped by the silt walking pumpkin men and they weren't scarey around the little ones. I think they pitched it about right myself.