Christmas dates advice please!

[tinkertaylor05]

I'm getting closer to making my booking but am torn between 2 dates.

I'm planning on either 17th - 20th November or 8th - 11th December, opinions please? Does anyone know if either of these dates get busy for any reason?

I know it's only a few weeks apart, I'm thinking there's a chance of milder weather in Novemeber and December is that little bit closer to Christmas, also I'll have been paid again

 

[ap156]

If it was me, I'd be going in Decemeber! Have been for the last few years just before for a couple of days arriving back on xmas eve and then the next day it's xmas! Must admit, it can be cold but as long as it is dry then it's fine; bit of a gamble weather wise wahtever you decide!

A

 

[mum2threemonsters]

Iv chosen the 12th Dec as I think we will feel far more christmassy and I think we will be ready to celebrate Christmas. I love Christmas and want to put my tree up in Sept (OH never lets me) but that last week before is always something special... As my kids go to their dads at lunch on Xmas day the run up is always the best part for us. Im looking forward to hot chocs and the parades even if we dont get too many rides done!!!

 

[siandonna]

we did a nov xmas trip and had a great time. weather was mild, park was fairly quiet and didnt have to wait to long to see santa. we felt really xmasy while we were there but when we got back it was still along time til xmas so the magic was gone by xmas

having said that we hate waiting for rides so wouldnt go to close to xmas.

 

[megarasweet]

Iv chosen the 12th Dec as I think we will feel far more christmassy and I think we will be ready to celebrate Christmas.

Looks like we're going at the same time!

I definitely agree though, with the park all decked out for Christmas I'd opt for going in December when the Christmas spirit has really set it. For me going there for Christmas in November and then coming home while it's still a little too early to celebrate Christmas wouldn't feel quite right.

For me it will always be December!

Also, during the week in early December the queuing isn't too bad. Last year we stayed Fri-Mon, and while the weekend was pretty packed, we were walking onto some rides on our first and last days.

 

[tinkertaylor05]

Thanks for the responses, I'm really keen on the 8-11th Dec but am sure I read somewhere to avoid the 8th just can't remember why????

 

[ap156]

No idea why you should avoid the 8th; is a blackout day on the non dream annual passes? That would be a clue! However, it is a Thursday!

Just beware that the w/e's in December can be busy if there is a promo for the French - previously Auchan have run an offer for the w/es with children paying 1euro!

A

 

[tinkertaylor05]

that's a good idea, the weekend 10-11th dec is a block out date. How busy is busy??

 

[gbaz44]

Bah humbug, Christmas should not start until December. lol

I went last year on first day of Christmas parades in November (didn't realise this until after I'd booked) and while it's great and it gets you in Christmas mood there was still a part of me shouting it's only November!!

We had to get train shortly after they lit the tree which was fun to see but when we got home obviously there was still a bit to go before our own tree went up and I think another week or so before they turned on lights in our town.

So would agree with your choice of December. We're going to spend Xmas at disney this year arriving Xmas eve and having breakfast with Mickey et al on Xmas day!! This is in lieu of any major presents this year.

 

[ap156]

Sounds fab!

 

[PaulQ]

I'd have to say December too. It's just so much Christmassier. Main Street is just magical. I went last year, the week before Christmas and, wow. The decorations, the snow (real or false, I had both!), the music. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it would still be great in November. But being closer to Christmas just makes it extra special.

As for waiting times, like I said I went last year December 15th-18th, expecting the place to be packed, and it really wasn't. The longest wait I had was 30 mins for Crush Coaster in the studios. Big Thunder Mountain was a 10 min wait, and everything else was 5 mins or less. Maybe it gets busier during Christmas week, I don't know.

Also, its cold. Like, really cold. There's no such thing as too many layers, seriously!

 

[mum2threemonsters]

Reading all this the excitement kicked in all over again!!!

I keep nearly telling the kids by accident so how Ill cope for another fe wmonths is beyond me!!!

Megarasweet you'll have the same countdown as me then... I couldnt afford school hols (we werent meant to get one holiday to Disney this year let alone two) and this seemed like a good week. I also start uni in Sept and have taken advice from a 'provisional' timetable that this is a reading week and if its not im in big trouble as Im not allowed any time off during uni hours at all or I could be thrown off the course lol!!!

I want it to be xmas now

 

[lilacgems23]

Hmm were there on the 8th so I need to know why its recommended to avoid this date.

Do blackout days for AP usually mean something? Maybe thats why eurostar prices were higher than usual for that week

 

[lilacgems23]

No idea why you should avoid the 8th; is a blackout day on the non dream annual passes? That would be a clue! However, it is a Thursday!

Just beware that the w/e's in December can be busy if there is a promo for the French - previously Auchan have run an offer for the w/es with children paying 1euro!

A

Just checked the 8th isnt a blackout day on any annual pass

 

[Carrie_Cat]

A quick look on Google shows this going on

http://www.faceofeurope.co.uk/#

so if it's anything like the recent dance contest it could be crowded

That could be why there's blackout dates just after it as a lot of people will be staying on for the weekend

 

[lilacgems23]

A quick look on Google shows this going on

http://www.faceofeurope.co.uk/#

so if it's anything like the recent dance contest it could be crowded

That could be why there's blackout dates just after it as a lot of people will be staying on for the weekend

Thats the exact dates Im going , hope it doesnt make it too busy. Do they crown the winner in the park for all to watch?

 

[Carrie_Cat]

I haven't got a clue where they are going to hold it

It's their first year apparently and it's with girls from all over Europe coming

I'd guess it would be held indoors in one of the convention centers as the weather could be bad but I can't see which one from the site

Hope it won't be too manic for you

 

[kizzabel]

Im going to buck the trend and say November!
I always get into Christmas mode in November and have to grit my teeth until December 1st to put up the tree.
We (my family) are a bit of an odd bunch when it comes to Christmas. My mum had her tree up for two years straight, not out of laziness but she loved sitting in the sunroom looking at it lit up. When I was younger we had three years of having two Christmases a year - one in Oct and the usual one in Dec, as my brothers were serving in the Lebanon and hadnt kids and so could not get leave for Christmas. My aunt dressed up as santa and we each got a gift and 26 of us would sit down to dinner. (yes my mother is wonder woman)

We're there for start of Christmas season this year and I think it wont affect my Christmas spirit. We've not had many good Christmases since my nana died four years ago on St Stephens day and what with us all getting stricken with swine flu last Christmas so I say bring on the festivities
Plus I love the idea of a quiet park

 

[tinkertaylor05]

Well I may try to avoid the 8th if it's going to be full of model types

The 15th would be perfect but I have tickets booked to take dd to Cinderella panto which she's really looking forward to ... doh!

I think for now I'm just going to have to sit tight and wait until the end of August, it's likely I won't get as good price so may have to give up on DLH for now but with the increased deposit and direct eurostar fares I just can't do it really wish I'd done my homework before booking our June hols next year, that'll teach me! I would book a cheaper hotel with a view to upgrading but with the changing offers etc it seems people haven't been able to do so much of that.

So fingers crossed folks for some magic and a miracle that I can still get a decent price and decent fare on the indirect eurostar x

 

[kizzabel]

Be keeping them crossed for ya