As Charming As Christmas?

[aarya_ss]

We have decided to go back in 2010!!! I had disappeared from Dis, trying to wean myself off Disney… but my DF has agreed to 2010, so I’m [delightfully] back. We have only ever been in the weeks before Christmas… I am a Christmas-o-holic… actually get teary eyed & gooey listening to carols… But we would also love to see Disney at another time, mostly because Christmas 2010 is a GAZZILLION days away ! To those of you that have been in the [buildup] to Christmas AND another time, what else matches the charm of a Disney Christmas, Halloween? Food & Wine? Flower & Garden? I shall await your suggestions…Thank you…

[Missytara]

I have to say that my fav holiday all year is Christmas too - it doesn't beat being down there the first week in December, so I am soooooo stoked for Xmas when I return home.

I decorate my tree; send out my Xmas cards; and think about my trip to Disney while I am doing that!

[ms_missy66]

I've been to WDW during several other times of year (no other special occassions like Food & Wine) and I have to say that while the decorations aren't quite as plentiful, it's still SO much fun and SO magical. I wouldn't worry to much about coordinating your dates with another event. Go when you think the weather will be good and you can get time away and enjoy! Nothing will top Christmas time, but my fun has hardly been spoiled as a result.

Have fun!

[MrsSilvaStrat]

We head down a couple of times a year. We like to go around Easter or before because it's not too hot and not too crowded. We also like to do Christmas time

[aarya_ss]

Thankyou! But i would love some specifics, so i don't have to wait till Christmas 2010 & also feel that i'm getting the best value for money spent!

[bibbidibobbidibecky]

While this will be our first Christmas at WDW, we have been during Oct. twice and love love love it! MNSSHP is amazing and so much fun. It's a different mood there than say the spring, but tons of fun.

It's very pretty during Oct., too. The fall and Halloween decorations are awesome and plentiful. So I would recommend going early Oct. if you wanted to skip Christmas.

We went in May last year and while we thought the flowers in epcot were neat, we said then we liked Oct. a lot better. Smaller crowds and better weather. IMO!

[SnowWhitee]

We have been twice to Flower and Garden and once at Halloween. I love both, but for different reasons. I get the vibe that it's two adults and no kids, right? That might also sway you.

Here is why I like Flower and Garden:

• Love the topiaries and displays - makes for great pictures
• My family likes nature, so the flowers and butterfly garden are "up our alley"
• There are several free guest speakers/seminars on gardening and the outdoors if you want to attend. Plus, there are "themes" within the festival like Plein Air Art, organic gardening, etc.
• End of April or beginning of May has great weather.
• Epcot is just so beautiful! (But nothing outside EP is decorated for this)

Here is why I like Halloween:

• Loved MNSSHP! The parade, music and fireworks are some of our favorites.
• If you are into characters, you will see and meet more during MNSSHP than on a regular park day.
• It is the only time you see the Headless Horseman!
• Nobody thinks it's strange if adults "do Halloween" sans kids at Disney.
• Never partaken, but resorts usually have trick-or-treating and DTD has that too.
• Go last week of October - crowds are low and weather is perfect.

Haven't yet been to Food and Wine, but would like to someday. That to me is easier with adults or older kids who are willing to try new things and "snack around the world". Based on reading these boards, I would hit F&W on a weekday because weekends are more crowded with locals.

have fun!

[tinkerfan1]

I know when I'd like to go other than Christmas time. We currently go at Thanksgiving...which is basically the same... I'm like you. I LOVE all the Christmas decorations and am a Christmasoholic. However, if I could pick one other time to go, I'd like to try October when they have it decorated for Halloween. I understand from a friend of mine that it is a lot of fun. It is also cooler (than Summer, of course!!) and not as busy as many times of the year. It is still a LONG time away but not as far away as the Thanksgiving / Christmas season.

[tinkerfan1]

Plus, you can get Nightmare before Christmas stuff!!! Hee, hee....

[pixiepirate]

We were at WDW for the Flower and Garden Festival this year. I enjoyed it very much but my favoirte time to go is Fall. I love all the fall colors and decorations and MNSSHP is not to be missed. It was just us 2 adults but we went in costume, saw the parade, fireworks and shows, went trick or treating and had an absolutely fabulous time. So much so we are planning another October trip in 2010. By the way, I think Hallowishes is Disney's best fireworks display.

[goofy4prez]

This year will be our first Christmas in WDW and we are really looking forward to it. I'm sure it will be packed, but we are going to have a great time. As for other holidays, this is our first one.

However, our first visit was in Aug. 08 and it was hot and packed. Our second visit was in Jan/Feb 09 and we loved it. Great weather in the 70's and not crowded. It was awesome not really needing a FP for the rides during the week. It only got crowded for the weekend and I think that was due to the Superbowl being played in Tampa.

[Amy162]

We have been twice during Flower & Garden, and just got back from our trip last week. I really enjoyed both, the Christmas decorations were beautiful, but I think it's more than just the decorations, it's the feeling of Christmas that adds so much to it!

Epcot is beautiful during flower and garden, after seeing how it looks in May, it felt bare to me this time. My girls loved the tinkerbell garden and the butterfly garden. We had TONS of rain this past May, but that could happen any time! The crowds didn't seem too bad, but then again it could have had something to do with the weather. The worst crowd day we had was our last day at DHS, but it was also the first day of Star Wars Weekends and the first georgous weather day all week!

If I had to choose between the two, I'd pick November, but May would be a very close second! Or maybe I just need to keep making 2 trips a year!