HHN or Christmas?

WildforORL

Earning My Ears
Joined
Jun 28, 2011
Messages
4
I want to throw a question out there for the wealth of knowledgeable minds on the boards... My family and I are planning a trip to US/IOA for the end of 2011. We are avid Disney enthusiasts but havent been to US since 2003! When would be the better time to visit, during HHN or the first couple weeks of December for the holidays? I realize that this question is highly subjective. Also if anyone could speak to the type of weather we can expect during those particular times of year. Thank you very much in advance!! :goodvibes
 
I want to throw a question out there for the wealth of knowledgeable minds on the boards... My family and I are planning a trip to US/IOA for the end of 2011. We are avid Disney enthusiasts but havent been to US since 2003! When would be the better time to visit, during HHN or the first couple weeks of December for the holidays? I realize that this question is highly subjective. Also if anyone could speak to the type of weather we can expect during those particular times of year. Thank you very much in advance!! :goodvibes
You will have better weather in December. October can still be very humid and since hurricane season ends November 1st, there's still a chance of bad storms. December is wonderful and the parks aren't very crowded. It's a great time to visit.
 
That depends on your definition of better weather. I've been to Orlando three times in December before and the weather has varied a lot. In each case it was far too cold to even think about using the pool or going to the water parks -- and even too cold to ride any of the "wet rides" like Jurassic Park. Some years in December I've needed to wear long pants and a light jacket. Note that I'm from DC - so I'm used to experiencing all four seasons. I've seen people in the parks in December wearing bathing suits and flip flops, but I have to assume they are from Green Bay and it being 59 degrees is like the peak of summer to them.

The Christmas decorations are very cute and it is neat to see it once. But aside from taking a bunch of pictures of the parks with lights and decorations up -- it isn't that different from going any other time of year.

October is perfect Orlando weather in my opinion. I've been to HHN 12 times over the last 15 years. The weather is typically around the low to mid 80s by day and the low 70s by night. Earlier in the month it can get into the 90s. But I've been there in October where it never broke the mid 70s. Personally, I prefer it to be warm enough to utilize all aspects of the parks -- but not so hot (like it is during the summer) that you sweat to death all day.

Plus, if you go in October, you'll get to see HHN. As you can see by the number of times I've been there -- it's awesome. It is like no other haunted event you've ever been to. Imagine eight walk through haunted houses with movie quality sets, effects, and lighting. Note that for first timers, it will be pretty scary. And over time it has turned into a much more mature audience. That's not to say that there aren't tons of kids there (there are plenty), but there are also lots of 21-30 year olds who fully utilize the numerous beer carts that are positioned around the park.

It really comes down to your family. How old are the kids? Would they get scared in a really intense haunted house? Do you think you'd like to be able to use the pool? Are Christmas decorations really important to you?
 
That depends on your definition of better weather. I've been to Orlando three times in December before and the weather has varied a lot. In each case it was far too cold to even think about using the pool or going to the water parks -- and even too cold to ride any of the "wet rides" like Jurassic Park. Some years in December I've needed to wear long pants and a light jacket. Note that I'm from DC - so I'm used to experiencing all four seasons. I've seen people in the parks in December wearing bathing suits and flip flops, but I have to assume they are from Green Bay and it being 59 degrees is like the peak of summer to them.

The Christmas decorations are very cute and it is neat to see it once. But aside from taking a bunch of pictures of the parks with lights and decorations up -- it isn't that different from going any other time of year.

October is perfect Orlando weather in my opinion. I've been to HHN 12 times over the last 15 years. The weather is typically around the low to mid 80s by day and the low 70s by night. Earlier in the month it can get into the 90s. But I've been there in October where it never broke the mid 70s. Personally, I prefer it to be warm enough to utilize all aspects of the parks -- but not so hot (like it is during the summer) that you sweat to death all day.

Plus, if you go in October, you'll get to see HHN. As you can see by the number of times I've been there -- it's awesome. It is like no other haunted event you've ever been to. Imagine eight walk through haunted houses with movie quality sets, effects, and lighting. Note that for first timers, it will be pretty scary. And over time it has turned into a much more mature audience. That's not to say that there aren't tons of kids there (there are plenty), but there are also lots of 21-30 year olds who fully utilize the numerous beer carts that are positioned around the park.

It really comes down to your family. How old are the kids? Would they get scared in a really intense haunted house? Do you think you'd like to be able to use the pool? Are Christmas decorations really important to you?

Awesome info thank you! Everyone in my family is essentially an adult (except for my sisters fiance :rotfl2:) so hhn would not be something to worry about age wise. My only other worry I suppose is that during that time do the haunted houses and things take away from the rest of the parks? Are all the rides and shows still operational?
 

My only other worry I suppose is that during that time do the haunted houses and things take away from the rest of the parks? Are all the rides and shows still operational?
Stores and restaurants are open but only a handful of rides are open during HHN and there are shows specifically during HHN that are constantly going.
 
I want to throw a question out there for the wealth of knowledgeable minds on the boards... My family and I are planning a trip to US/IOA for the end of 2011. We are avid Disney enthusiasts but havent been to US since 2003! When would be the better time to visit, during HHN or the first couple weeks of December for the holidays? I realize that this question is highly subjective. Also if anyone could speak to the type of weather we can expect during those particular times of year. Thank you very much in advance!! :goodvibes

i really shouldn't answer questions like this.
i'm completely and totally addicted to hhn

i vote for october for hhn rather than december for christmas.....:rolleyes1


Awesome info thank you! Everyone in my family is essentially an adult (except for my sisters fiance :rotfl2:) so hhn would not be something to worry about age wise. My only other worry I suppose is that during that time do the haunted houses and things take away from the rest of the parks? Are all the rides and shows still operational?

if you go during hhn, the rides won't be plentiful enough for your enjoyment for the entire evening.

the rides that are opened are:
MIB
Jaws
Simpsons
Mummy


the hhn event is focused on the houses, scare zones, shows, scareactors.


 
Awesome info thank you! Everyone in my family is essentially an adult (except for my sisters fiance :rotfl2:) so hhn would not be something to worry about age wise. My only other worry I suppose is that during that time do the haunted houses and things take away from the rest of the parks? Are all the rides and shows still operational?

All the rides and shows are operational during the day. So don't worry about not getting to ride something because it is closed the entire month of October for the event.

However, during the event at night, not all rides and attractions are open. There is plenty of other stuff to do, so much in fact that I'd never recommend that you waste time on rides like Men in Black or The Mummy, because you can always ride those during the day.

Halloween Horror Nights is a very unique and amazing experience. If you are all adults -- you will absolutely love it. By far and away I recommend October over December for you guys.
 

New Posts



Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE









DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top Bottom