Halloween or Christmas?

[ShellyKP]

We're visiting Disneyland for the first time this year. I'm torn between October and November. I love both Halloween and Christmas. Help me decide!!

We have "done" Disney World in Florida for both Halloween season and Christmas. Just wondering if one is better than the other at Disneyland. Parties, parades, special treats? We'll probably only be there for two days.

 

[gelatoni fan]

Both holidays will have Haunted Mansion Holiday and special songs for Luigi's and Mater's. Halloween has Guardians of the Galaxy: Monsters after Dark while Christmas has It's a Small World Holiday. I like the Cars Land Lighting and Radiator Springs Racers during Halloween more than Christmas. But there are also some minor Christmas decorations on rides like Storybook Land and Jungle Cruise. I like the Halloween fireworks more than the Christmas fireworks but I like Viva Navidad during Christmas more than the musical celebration of Coco during Halloween. While I like the regular World of Color that you can see during Halloween more, the Christmas version of the show is harder to see. For parades, I like Magic Happens more than A Christmas Fantasy but there's no word on if/when Magic Happens returns so it's possible Halloween will not have any parade again this year. There tend to be more characters in holiday themed costumes during Christmas.

October weather will be nicer but I find more interesting food to eat during Christmas. The colder weather in November means that princesses and some other characters are more likely to wear their "winter" outfits. Something like an extra coat instead of more bare arms.

November 12 is Disney+ Day (if they do it again this year) and Mickey's Birthday is November 18th. Disney+ Day had special character appearances and benefits for Disney+ subscribers while there's a special cavalcade on Mickey's birthday. Both days may see elevated crowds.

I personally would prefer going in November during Mickey's Birthday or Disney+ Day. Disney simply does a little bit more for the Christmas season. But the Halloween fireworks and thrill ride differences are also compelling reasons to pick Halloween over Christmas. Plus, if you don't go to Disneyland often, maybe you'd be more interested in the regular It's a Small World and World of Color over the Christmas one.

 

[jason417]

The post above is a great list of differences to consider. I’ll give you a couple other things. There’s a good reason both times of year are busy. If the dates you are considering are close together (e.g. late October vs early November) then this post won’t be a relevant.
Are you the type to arrive at opening, take a midday break, and go back for the evening? If so, October weather may be more in your favor. Or do you arrive late morning and plow through and leave before close, or arrive late morning and plow through to close? October afternoons are more likely to be hot and November evenings are more likely to be a little chilly. You might enjoy the afternoon weather more in November.
Also, how much do you care about the park after dark? Some people like the parks a lot more at night. If this is you, November gives you more of that since the sun goes down earlier.

 

[ColoradoLime]

I haven't been at either time yet, but I will tell you one of my most compelling reasons for going during Halloween this year over Christmas is the price, both hotel and flight costs. The difference between to two seasons for us was .

We also like the idea of going to the Oogie Boogie bash and dressing up and trick or treating to meet more characters. My kids are more into Halloween than I am so that also helped sway us.

 

[ktlm]

Which do you like better at Disney World? We have been to both at Disney World several times, and typically I am more of a Christmas person, but the MNSSHP made Halloween my favorite at World. Of course, they didn't have the party last year.

We have only been Halloween season at Disneyland (we are usually there in the summer), and that was 2021. Oogie Boogie Bash was a lot of fun, if you plan to do a party. It was definitely the highlight of our trip-- loved seeing the guests in costume and the party characters were all fantastic! October 2021 was crazy crowded, there was no Genie Plus, and the virtual queues were awful- but with the virtual queues gone and Genie Plus in place, I think 2022 will be better.

 

[Malcon10t]

I'm no help, because I love both seasons. If I could only go to one the rest of my life, I would choose Christmas....