Halloween or Christmas at Disney?

[britt54311]

Which is the best time to go? I was planning to go to Disney Christmas 2008, but now wondering if Halloween time would be a nice time to go. We would most likely go Oct. 23 to Nov. 1, if we went Halloween time. For Christmas I was planning Dec. 10 to 19. Thank you for any advice you give me.

 

[DizneyNutz]

Is the Dec. timeframe. We have not been there during the holloween timeframe, but have been a few trips during Dec. We love the decorations being up for Christmas and if you have not seen the Osborne Lights (just one of the MANY things to see) you will be richly rewarded. There is so much more to see at Christmas than Holloween.

 

[TJA]

We personally like October time better. Reasons:

1) Temps are still warm/hot.
2) Halloween party at MK.
3) Food & Wine Festival at Epcot.

As far as December, we've been to WDW once in December and felt like we missed a chunk of Christmas events here at home, parties, school activities, etc. However, it was nice to see WDW decked out for the Christmas season.

 

[Tigger73]

We've done both time frames over the last three years. This year we're actually going in October for 5 nights - 19th to 24th (Business) and in December - 11th to 18th. In my opinion, these are the two best times to visit.

Reasons why I like October:

1. Perfect weather
2. Light crowds
3. Mickey's Halloween Party

Only bad thing, the weather can turn ugly. In October 2005, we were there aand part of Hurricane Wilma. They closed MK & Epcot for most of the day and AK and MGM were closed the entire day.

Reasons I like December:

1. The weather in Orlando is always better than Cleveland in December. It might not be in the 80's, but the low to mid 70's in December sounds great to me.
2. The Christmas decorations are outstanding. Each park and hotel looks fantastic.
3. Mickey's Christmas Party.
4. The Candlelight Processional - This is a must see, really puts you in the Christmas spirit.
5. Epcot - The Christmas storytelling by the respective countries Santa's is excellent, our kids really enjoyed the stories.
6. Crowds aren't too bad until the week before Christmas.

Conclusion - I like both, but love the December trip.

 

[foxfire]

We love going the first or second week in December. It's really festive at the parks and the resorts and we enjoy the weather not being hot. (We were just there in early May for the F & G Festival and even then it was hotter than we like.) The down side is having to pack for both warm and cool/cold temps. We have been twice when the weather was very cold for a day or two and we would have been miserable if we hadn't packed clothes (heavy coats, hats, gloves, etc.) for that type weather. It sure made it feel Christmasy though! It was so cold waiting for Illuminations that my dad actually put on a hot pink hoodie thing to keep his head and ears warm! It does make it a bit hectic taking a trip at that time of year with all the things you need to do at home for the holidays but it is still one of our favorite times to go.

We are going to be in Charleston, SC in October for a reunion and Orlando isn't THAT far away so we decided to go to Disney after the reunion ends. We are going to MNSSHP and the F & W Festival. We've never done either of those so we are looking forward to experiencing something new. I'm sure we will have a great time but I think December will still remain our favorite time of year to go....although I could wind up being very surprised.

 

[nluvwithmickey]

I prefer Christmas over Halloween hands down. We've been to both MNSSHP and MVMCP and I preferred the Christmas party hands down. The only downside is the weather can be alot cooler than what you expect. But to me it was still wonderful to be able to sip a mug of hot chocolate while admiring all of the beautiful decorations.

Really hope I can make it back at that time of year some time soon. Getting harder and harder to take our kids out of school so in order to see the decorations at Christmas, we'd have to go during the week OF Christmas and I am not sure I am up to tackling the crowds. If you can swing it, go before the week of Christmas and enjoy !!

 

[Dianewes]

I love October becuase the weather is GREAT and the crowds are light.... but in December, the Christmas decor is FANTASTIC!! The downside, we hit a cold spell... not happy about that.

I really love Halloween, but Christmas in Disney was, in my oppinion much better

Which ever you choose... I hope you have a great trip :

 

[steven_&_daniel]

We're thinking about visiting Disney World around the same time. I can't decide between October or early December either. Also, I was just looking at the land & sea packages, spending several days at the World and a few on a Disney cruise. Never cruised with Disney and thought this might be a good way to try it. Any comments about doing a land & sea trip in October or December? Either one better or worse or both good or bad? Thanks for any input!

 

[britt54311]

Thanks for all the responses. I am still undecided, but leaning toward my original choice and go at Christmas . My family and I are from Wisconsin, so anything warmer than 40's is good, prefer the mid to upper 70's though.

 

[Cricketmint]

We like them both, but favor halloween over christmas.

Reasons:

1. Reasonable crowds
2. not to warm/cold weather. you'll feel comfortable.
3. Trick or treating in the parks!!
4. better deals on land/airfares.
5. If your a big NMBC fan MK is a must!! Check out the haunted mansion, its NMBC themed and completely awesome!!

 

[Charleyann]

We arrived in Orlando Oct 30th. Did the Halloween Party on Oct 31st. The next day we went to Animal kingdom and the characters were in Christmas attire and Christmas Decorations were up! Same as MK. On Nov 13th we did the Christmas Party and headed home the next day. Is was so much fun to come in with Halloween and out with Christmas!

October 2008, I am planning the same thing!

Charleyann

 

[skipperkim]

We've done both time frames over the last three years. This year we're actually going in October for 5 nights - 19th to 24th (Business) and in December - 11th to 18th. In my opinion, these are the two best times to visit.

Reasons why I like October:

1. Perfect weather
2. Light crowds
3. Mickey's Halloween Party

Only bad thing, the weather can turn ugly. In October 2005, we were there aand part of Hurricane Wilma. They closed MK & Epcot for most of the day and AK and MGM were closed the entire day.

Reasons I like December:

1. The weather in Orlando is always better than Cleveland in December. It might not be in the 80's, but the low to mid 70's in December sounds great to me.
2. The Christmas decorations are outstanding. Each park and hotel looks fantastic.
3. Mickey's Christmas Party.
4. The Candlelight Processional - This is a must see, really puts you in the Christmas spirit.
5. Epcot - The Christmas storytelling by the respective countries Santa's is excellent, our kids really enjoyed the stories.
6. Crowds aren't too bad until the week before Christmas.

Conclusion - I like both, but love the December trip.

So your a Hurricane Wilma survivor too.

I've done both. MNSSHP is more popular with the locals. So, don't do this on a Friday evening. I personally love the decorations at Christmas. It's great to see Disney all dressed up.

But if you want lighter crowds and weather you can go swimming in, then Halloween would be a great choice. They actually had snow in FL one night in Dec last year. Not just the stuff on Main St, either.

I wish I could help you decide. I guess what I'm really saying is you have to do both. Plan for Dec this time. The next time you go, go in Oct. We were going to go in early Oct in 05, but changed to mid Oct to see the Beach Boys. Course, that change put us in with Hurricane Wilma. But it was worth it. The hurricane wasn't that bad.

 

[kim5678]

My vote is for Christmas! We went the first week in December, 4 years ago and LOVED IT!! I am trying to convince DH to go back for a quick trip this year. The holiday decorations put a different spin on the vacation.

 

[chris4disney]

We have done both...

In 2004, arrived on Halloween and stayed the first week of November... weather could not have been better!! Crowds low, great trip.

Last November, we arrived the Wednesday after Thanksgiving and stayed through the first week of December. Yes, the decorations are fabulous and I'm glad we got to experience the holiday festivities at WDW at least once. But the weather can get cold at times. I think the biggest issue I had with going that time of year is that it really got me behind in preparing everything for Christmas back home.

This year we are going back the last week in October for great weather, MNSSHP and F & W!

 

[Princess Amy]

I prefer Halloween over Christmas. That's because Halloween is my favorite time of year. I absolutely LOVE it!!! I also prefer MNSSHP over MVMCP too. But of course this is only my opinion.

As far as which holiday gets more decked out....definitely Christmas. More things to see and do that are holiday related.

We went for Christmas in 2004 and Halloween last year. This year we are doing Christmas again. And I'm kinda sad that I will miss MNSSHP. But either way I know we will have a good time.

It all boils down to what your family's preferences are. You and your family are the only ones that know what YOU truly like. People's opinions are just that....people's opinions.

Either time won't be a let down and you'll stay have a wonderful stay.

 

[beattyfamily]

I had the same dilema once and I ended up choosing Christmas time first. Then we alternated each year since and it's been GREAT.

One year, thanks to free dining and Southwest and a wonderful DH, we did BOTH in the same year!!

Good luck deciding!

 

[mlill]

Which is the best time to go? I was planning to go to Disney Christmas 2008, but now wondering if Halloween time would be a nice time to go. We would most likely go Oct. 23 to Nov. 1, if we went Halloween time. For Christmas I was planning Dec. 10 to 19. Thank you for any advice you give me.

BOTH! That's what we did in 2006, and it was awesome! It was a total fluke, and we won't be able to do it again, but it was fun spending both Halloween & Christmas in WDW in the same year!

I love both times, so it's really hard to choose. We all love Halloween, so MNSSHP is a must, plus you've got Epcot's Food & Wine Fest! In December, the weather is cooler and the Christmas decorations are just beautiful. MVMCP is great, too, but not quite as good as MNSSHP. Sooooo, I guess the edge goes to October. You'll have a great time no matter when you go!

 

[Ms.Grumpy]

We did MVMCP this past Dec. and had a good time. I only wish we could have experienced more of the special touches such as hot coco and cookies
This year we are attending MNSSHP on Sept.21 and cannot wait.

 

[pilferk]

We're starting to plan our X-mas 2008 trip now (yes, a sickness, I know....).

I've been during BOTH time frames, and I prefer Xmas...I'm not sure I'd go as late as you're thinking, but the 1st week in December is GREAT. You get back just in time for most of the "local" xmas stuff, but get to jump start your holiday season with a touch of WDW magic first.

 

[steven_&_daniel]

Thanks for all the responses. I am still undecided, but leaning toward my original choice and go at Christmas . My family and I are from Wisconsin, so anything warmer than 40's is good, prefer the mid to upper 70's though.

We're in St. Louis so I know exactly what you mean. Anything beats freezing temperatures (though it's not as cold here as Wisconsin). I'd prefer temps in the 70's as well. I really love Christmas. But Halloween is a close 2nd, so it's really a tough decision. Let us know when you've made a decision. I'm still not sure.