Fall or Christmas in Disney?

[PAcpl]

We went to a couple of MNSSHP parties for the first time this past October. The parties were fantastic! The low crowds, fireworks, parade, characters, Haunted Mansion, the entire atmosphere was just amazing.

This year we wanted to check out the Christmas side of Disney. The reviews that I have read on this board seem to favor MNSSHP over MVMCP. But what about Disney overall? Taking into account the decorations in the resorts, Castle lighting, Osborne Light, etc. We are going down the week after Thanksgiving so the crowd levels shouldn't be bad. The weather should be much nicer then what we are used to so that is another plus. But will we regret not going to MNSSHP instead? And if we did go during MNSSHP we would be able to catch the F&W fest. What to do, what to do??

Any opinions, suggestions or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

I think everyone should see Disney at Christmas for all the reasons you said and many more. We have found the MVMCP much more crowded than when we go to the MNSSHP and the weather is more unpredictale as far as the temp goes. I would try it for sure.

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

On our first trip to WDW with children, we did MVMCP and didn't care for it. Maybe it was partly because our kids were too young to stay out until closing. Maybe it was because a technical difficulty caused there to be no special fireworks show. It was much more crowded at the party than it had been during our day at the MK. That was in 2002.

In 2008, we went for a long weekend just before Christmas. We did not go to MVMCP. We toured the deluxe resorts to see their Christmas decorations; we enjoyed the Candlelight Processional and storytellers at Epcot; we did enjoy seeing the castle lit up at MK. It was a glorious trip that we still talk about often. The decorations were beautiful. The weather was perfect and the crowds weren't as bad as I'd expected. I think there is plenty to do that is festive and Christmasy without doing the special ticket party.

 

[Disney Yooper]

We prefer the fall and MNSSHP but you have to see Disney decorated for Christmas at least once. We went for a long week-end the first week-end of December. It was great! We'll probably do both times of year again and both parties because we would miss both after a couple of years.

 

[TikiGoddess]

We're going the 11-17 of Nov. It's a family Christmas celebration, but w/27 of us we didn't want the huge crowds of Christmas time. What Christmas things will be out then? I'm hoping at least the Santas around the world.

 

[MrsSilvaStrat]

MVMCP was almost too crowded to enjoy ourselves. I love Christmas at Disney, but the crowds are killer. If we go again this year, I'd stay away from MK except for very early in the morning. You didn't feel the crowds in the other parks. Even at the Osbourne lights, it wasn't that bad. That was awesome.

 

[siskaren]

We're going the 11-17 of Nov. It's a family Christmas celebration, but w/27 of us we didn't want the huge crowds of Christmas time. What Christmas things will be out then? I'm hoping at least the Santas around the world.

Most of the Christmas stuff (including the Holiday Storytellers) doesn't start until after Thanksgiving. For your dates, the MVMCP should be going on, and I think you should be able to see the decorations at the resorts, but I think that may be it.

 

[Angel4135]

We went to the MVMCP in 2009. I really didn't see the big deal. We are going to try Halloween this year!

 

[bouncy54]

According to Mouseplanet's WDW Update, the Osbourne Lights & Cinderella Castle Dream Lights began November 10th in 2009. The parks will have begun their decorating by the time you go on the 17th.

We went the week beginning November 12th of 2005 and absolutely loved it! Crowds were minimal except the Saturday before Thanksgiving. No..we didn't see all the Christmas stuff, but it was beautiful, just the same.

We're going the same week this year. Can't wait!

 

[PAcpl]

Thanks for the comments everyone. I know if we do not go during Christmas this year we will regret it next year. I am sure we will have an incredible time regardless, but I know we will miss MNSSHP.

 

[kstatefamily]

We went the first full week of December in 2008 and loved it...so much so that we are going back this year. We went to the VMMCP and were not impressed....way too crowded. We hit rope drop every day..and never found the parks to be too crowded.

 

[BradyBz12]

re: Christmas decorations

MK will be all decked out in time for the first MVMCP (last 2 years on 11/10) Exception has been the big tree which hasn't been going up until after the Christmas parade taping in early Dec. Everything else typically goes up at varying rates throughout November, with it all being in place for the big holiday kickoff the day after Thanksgiving.

This past year HS was decorated by 11/10 too, as Osborne started earlier than in '08 when it didn't start until the day after Thanksgiving along with all the rest of the holiday festivities.

AK and EP were decorated about a week after MK and HS. We were there until 11/20 and didn't see much at all in the way of decorations in the resorts, however DTD was decked out pretty early in Nov. From reports here it sounds like the resort decorations went up the weekend and few days leading up to Thanksgiving.

 

[Dsnylvr8]

Both!! They are both wonderful.. love them equally

 

[GoofyGoober]

Disney Xmas is a treat that should be experienced at least once.

 

[JDUCKY]

Halloween was pretty cool but it's focused on the MK.

Christmas is all over the parks and the resorts. And seeing the castle dressed in "ice" is nothing short of breathtaking!

 

[RMulieri]

I did December again this past year, and I am going back to fall trips .December is beautiful and should be experienced at least once.But it was more crowded in early December ( it has gotten busier, so it is now more average attendance, not low) than Sept.This past year they offered Free Dining in December which made dining harder to come by than my previous trips in Sept during Free Dining.

 

[Coach81]

You will LOVE Disney at Christmas!!!

 

[mom2rtk]

Both times of year are amazing. Crowd-wise, early November is still the ONLY time to see Disney decked out for Christmas with really low crowds. The other times aren't bad overall, but the parties are pretty packed.

1) If you haven't done Christmas, then do that.

2) If you have issues with heat, then do Christmas. We did Halloween season for the first time last year, and you can hit blood boiling heat any time right up until Halloween.

 

[bouncy54]

Halloween was pretty cool but it's focused on the MK.

Christmas is all over the parks and the resorts. And seeing the castle dressed in "ice" is nothing short of breathtaking!

I can't wait to see Cinderella's Castle decked out in ice!

I was at DL the night they lit up Sleeping Beauty's Castle for the very first time in 2007. I just happened to be at the right place at the right time and got some great video of it. You're so right..it's breathtaking!

 

[smallfri1112]

Christmas at Disney is a must see. It is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen! Even though I really enjoyed going for Halloween, Christmas just takes the cake.