Christmas Planning...

[Jakaru]

As some of you who will have read my trip report (been back just two weeks), you might ask "Aren't you planning to do WDW next time, and weren't sure about a 2nd DLP trip?". Let's gloss over that for now, and not wonder whether Every Single Member of my family who has ever had a desire to go to DLP is now asking to come along on a trip soon.

So... as I read here that Winter season dates will be out Soon, I promised I would at least investigate prices etc, so I'm trying to gather some info about potential timing etc for a Xmas, so would appreciate any words of wisdom! (picked up some bits from other threads of course)

Here's my first few thoughts/questions!

• Current latest date available is 7th November. Once Xmas dates open up, there's potential for crossing the Bonfire/Xmas periods and getting best of both. But - is this more likely to result in Missing the best of both, and getting very little Christmas-feel time there?

• What about a Monday 7/11 arrival to Friday 11/11 departure - good idea? Or am I best just going whole hog for a December trip for maximum Xmas feel?

• 11th November is Armistice day in France. Could make for a manic last day on dates above - would it cause me any Air travel or getting to airport issues?

• Are there any other dates worth going especially for - or avoiding?


•*I kinda link Holidays with good weather - could we end up being cold, wet and miserable at this time of year?

• Part of me says if theres one thing that makes a 2nd DLP a good idea, it's seeing the stuff that will be Different at Xmas! Is there a Lot of difference?

Any thoughts though on Xmas trips would be appreciated!

 

[TheTizardFamily:0)]

I can't help with everything but i can give my opinion on a few points.

We went last November 21st-26th and had a wonderful time! Christmas was in full swing! Going then rather than in December, we didn't feel like we were missing out on anything, it was wonderful.

Weather wise, you will be cold yes, but we go for the lots of layers thing and have to say didn't really notice it, if we did begin to feel it a little we just stopped for a hot chocolate and a warm up. The only day we had rain was the day we arrived.....and we spent that it in the car driving through France! The rest of the time it was cold but dry. On our last day we woke to snow, but not so much that it halted our travel home.

I truly love DLP at christmas.......it's so magical and wonderful, the music, the decorations and extra shows etc. I would HIGHLY recommend going back during this time

Luckily my DH loves it too so we'll be celebrating his 30th Birthday there next year.....and conveniently for me his birthday falls on 26th November!

 

[A Small World]

we went for a weekend for DDs birthday a few yrs ago (14-16th Nov so the 2nd weekend of the Christmas season).
Everything was in full swing Christmas wise including Santa in his grotto however I found it hard to get into the Christmas spirit so early especially hearing Christmas carols everywhere - I wanted Disney music.
It was also really really busy so whenever you go avoid weekends if you can as once the christmas season is underway the weekends seem to attract lots of visitors and also private/corporate functions - some areas of the park were closed early for a private function

 

[Kazzabelle]

Hi,
I was at dlp for the 7-12th November last year and i would highly reccomend avoiding the 11th if you can it was crazy. The day we arrived was the very first day of christmas season and everything was up and running, the snow fell on mainstreet, the castle and tree lighting, Characters in the christmas outfits and Santa in his grotto. the only thing that did not start on this date was the mickey's winter wonderland show that started on the 10th (not sure if that's normal). I loved loved loved this season.

here is my TR if you want to have a read...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2605914

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2605974

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2606692

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2606725

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2607711

 

[DLPdaft]

Having done Christmas season in November twice (its my favourite season at DLP ) I was seriously tempted to go 6th to 9th November this year (still am if I'm honest, but my car has just attempted to die on me so I have to put the DLP money towards that). You get the bonfire and fireworks on the lake, the start of Christmas season, and the mildest weather you're likely to get at DLP in November. Yes, it could be wet, yes it could be cold - but it will only get colder and wetter the nearer Christmas you get.

 

[kizzabel]

Id push for 7th-10th Nov but then thems the dates we've booked

It shouldnt be too mental (excluding the friday November 11th, Armistice day)
that week. Wont mind leaving on thursday night as the thoughts of the crowds on the friday wouldnt sit well with me.

How many are looking at going?

It looks like its fireworks on the 7th and Christmas starting either that day or the following day. Only 5 months away, happy planning!

 

[Jakaru]

kizzabel - you've booked already?

So can you book dates after the 7th November on the phone then (the website stops me getting prices for any holidays that extend beyond the 7th...)

 

[kizzabel]

Ive booked a while ago, thanks to advice from Lola Delorean.
You can book trips for arrival on November 7th. So we had decided to go as close to DDs birthday as possible (the 5th) and when Lola told me that I could book for the 7th and see the bonfire fireworks plus catch the start of Christmas season I was sold. And my bank balance was a bit lighter!
So you could book the 7th and do the same. It worked out well that we wanted to do 4 days as I couldnt hack huge crowds so missing the 11th, Armistice Day is a weight off.

From June 7th you can book dates for the rest of Christmas season and beyond but it worked perfectly for our dates.
But Ive checked with an authorised Irish Disney travel company and on their website we could only book dates up to check out the day of November 7th

 

[Jakaru]

Good to know, thanks.

We've two family birthdays that month, 14th and 28th, which make more sense to cover, but I'm really temped by the Bonfire/Christmas crossover too!

 

[Millies Daddy]

We went on the 8th November last year having booked the very last available date at the time so that we could see the Christmas season. In our experience it was absolutely brilliant and definately the correct decision to make. We saw the final Bonfire night fireworks show and the park in all it's Christmassy glory.

The only downside was the weather was not too kind on a couple of days but who cares when you are there (and the hot chocolate helped keep out the cold!!)

Our trip reports are here if you want to see

Day One
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2596126
Day Two
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2596136
Day Three
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2596141
Day Four
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2596144
Day Five
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2596151
Day Six
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2596153
Day Seven
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2596156

Looking back over these we completely forgot the cold and the couple of days of rain because the happy memories outweighed all the rest!!

 

[PrettyP]

Another date to avoid at Christmas is the 8th of December. It's not a holiday in France but it is in many other European countries so it is very busy that day as well as a couple of days before and after.

As you will see from my list of trips below I now always go at Christmas. I LOVE it!! The decorations, the carols, the snow on mainstreet, the list goes on and on. Yes it's cold but bring plenty of layers, including thermal underwear and then you can adjust the number of layers depending on the temperature.

I've had 6 Christmas trips with absolutely no trouble at all but last year we did get stuck for 24 hours on the way home because of the bad snow so my advice would be make sure you have some extra money at your disposal. Yes the airlines are supposed to pay for the accommodation, food etc when there is a delay but when entire countries are shut down they can't sort it out for everyone so we sorted out our own stuff and then claimed it back afterwards. If you've spent every last penny in DLP you may end up sleeping on the airport floor. But don't let this put you off!! Out of my 7 trips at Christmas this is the first time I ever had an ounce of trouble and it was only for 24 hours. I would still hail Christmas as the best, most perfect time of year to visit DLP. (and if you go mid-week they queues are really short so you get to do many rides over and over again, whoo-hoo).