Halloween and Christmas at Magic Kingdom in one trip?

[MSC]

So I've always been intrigued by the idea of seeing MK decked out for Halloween and Christmas in one trip. So my question is, how long does it normally take to complete the transition? I know they usually start as soon as the park closes on 10/31. But I also think they had a MNNSHP on November 1 a couple years back. But lets assume with 10/31 being a Saturday this year, that would be the last party. Anyway, wondering what a "safe" amount of time would be. I know the legend is "it happens overnight" but my understanding is that its really two nights to complete all the details. Thinking of booking 10/30-11/3.

Any wisdom, thoughts, suggestions?

 

[fla4fun]

So I've always been intrigued by the idea of seeing MK decked out for Halloween and Christmas in one trip. So my question is, how long does it normally take to complete the transition? I know they usually start as soon as the park closes on 10/31. But I also think they had a MNNSHP on November 1 a couple years back. But lets assume with 10/31 being a Saturday this year, that would be the last party. Anyway, wondering what a "safe" amount of time would be. I know the legend is "it happens overnight" but my understanding is that its really two nights to complete all the details. Thinking of booking 10/30-11/3.

Any wisdom, thoughts, suggestions?

This year most of the MK decorations were up by 11/3, but not all. Smaller decorations were up for opening on 11/2, and the big wreaths and tree on Main Street were up for opening on 11/3. If you could stretch to 11/4 I would say your chances are very good at seeing the transition. A lot will depend on when the first MVMCP is scheduled, as the park has to be completed by that date.

 

[elvispursley]

We did MNSSHP on 10/31 back in 2018 and we have pics of us on Main Street the day we left for home on 11/2 all decked out. We keep saying we want to do MNSSHP and MVMCP/Jollywood nights in one trip but don't know if the pocketbook will appreciate that!

 

[VGCgroupie]

I love this idea. Following to see if others think it can be done.

 

[msmayor]

It's a tough ask...when you consider that the last MNSSHP is usually 10/31, and the first MVMCP may not be until 7-10 days later, it means a long period of vacation to 'see it all'.

Yes, they will complete some transformation within the first few days but this will only be at MK and perhaps HS (because of Jollywood). Most of Epcot won't happen until later in November because Food and Wine will still be going on, and Festival of Holidays doesn't start until after Thanksgiving.

If you're content with just a taste of Christmas, it's doable. If you want to see MK in all it's Christmas finery, you'll need to plan more than a week's vacation.

 

[Best Aunt]

I tried that this year. I was at Magic Kingdom on Halloween. Due to plans with friends, I didn't get back to the Magic Kingdom until Tuesday 11/04.

I think my expectations were too high.

Yes, the big Christmas tree was up by 11/04. There were photopass photographers in two separate locations to get photos with the tree. One got you a photo with the bottom of the tree, the other had the entire tree in the background but you weren't as close to it.

Jungle Cruise had been turned into Jingle Cruise.

Other than that, there were some decorations, but that was about it.

If you want Halloween to be there on Halloween and the only Christmas thing you care about is pictures with the big tree at the Magic Kingdom, it's certainly doable. But if you want more Christmas in your visit, I wouldn't suggest it.

Next time I'm not going to try to combine Halloween and Christmas. I'm going to go later in the year, when I can see all of the Christmas stuff.

 

[ST1TCH]

My wife and I did this last year (2024). Attended the party on Halloween night and then last year they did all the Christmas decor at Magic Kingdom overnight and it was ready on 11/1. Sounds like this year it was a couple days later. But still doable to see Halloween and then the Christmas decor in Magic Kingdom within a few days of each other. I'd like to be there for both the Halloween party and the first MVMCP but as someone else pointed out, that's probably a 7 day stay at least.