Mid Novemeber or Early December

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When is it least crowded? Are the Holiday decorations up in mid November and is the HM and IASW up and running with the holiday effects in place then too?

We had planned to go early December but the rates at some of the hotels are cheaper Mid November and I am trying to figure out if it is least crowded then.

 

[MATTERHORN]

Well I like the second week of December personally but they say the week before Thanksgiving is pretty dead too! The Holiday decorations will be up by then also!! HMH starts in October and SWH is usually done and running by mid November, I think it was the 18th or so last year that it re-opened!!

Andrea

 

[familyoffiveAZ]

Dh and I did a solo trip one year the second week of November. They were just finishing putting up the last of the Christmas decorations, IASW Christmas overlay was open, as was Haunted Mansion Holiday. They ran the Christmas fireworks/snow on Main St. the last night we were there.

It was wonderful! Light crowds, though I can't vouch too much on that because it was the first and only time we went without kids to slow us down; of course it would feel light and relaxing.

 

[DangerMouse]

I believe they try to have all the Christmas decorations up by Veteran's Day weekend. I know the tree has gone up that weekend the last couple years.

I think Decembers have been getting progressively busier. We used to go the first week of December every year, and every year it has just gotten more and more packed with people. I'm considering trying November this year, just trying to pin down the dates.

 

[funnygarcia]

I went the week before Veteran's Day weekend two years ago.. decorations, tree, HMH, IASWH, and fireworks were running.

No parade yet in November, I believe they start that in December.

It wasn't bad at the beginning of the week, the weekend of course was busy (there was also a Natl conference during the same week for NAEYC, it was the only National conference I have ever attended (did only one day of conference) and I had a blast!). Not crazy Christmas busy, just a nice humming along busy.

I decided Christmas week is a NO for us.. didn't like it at all!

 

[MATTERHORN]

I agree whatever you do, DO NOT go Veterans Day weekend!! The last two years in a row it has closed to capacity so hopefully you can go later in November but before Thanksgiving!!

I like December because we get Christmas parades and fireworks every day!!

Andrea

 

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Thanks everyone! If we go in Nov it would be the Weds - Sun after Vet's day and before T-day. Or if we go in Dec it will be the second week again Weds - Sun ( I think the dates are the 5-9). I really want to see the Holiday parade and fireworks...should I just stick with Dec to make sure I get to see these??

 

[LittleWoodenHead]

Thanks everyone! If we go in Nov it would be the Weds - Sun after Vet's day and before T-day. Or if we go in Dec it will be the second week again Weds - Sun ( I think the dates are the 5-9). I really want to see the Holiday parade and fireworks...should I just stick with Dec to make sure I get to see these??

Here's the schedule from last year:

Daily shows of fireworks began on Thursday, November 9 (the same day IASW opened).
The Christmas Fantasy Parade ran daily starting on Friday, November 17.

If they keep to a similar schedule this year, you shouldn't miss out on either the parade or fireworks (weather permitting, of course). Plus, the park will probably be less crowded on your November dates.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

Here's the schedule from last year:

Daily shows of fireworks began on Thursday, November 9 (the same day IASW opened).
The Christmas Fantasy Parade ran daily starting on Friday, November 17.

If they keep to a similar schedule this year, you shouldn't miss out on either the parade or fireworks (weather permitting, of course). Plus, the park will probably be less crowded on your November dates.

i went this past november from the 25th-dec. 1 and everything was going on and I had no crowds until the first...its like they came out of nowhere...I dont think the christmas parade started until close to the time I came

 

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Great thanks!! I think I will stick to December. We just want to avoid the T-day crowds, the candlelight crowds and the x-mas rush crowds. So early Dec we'll be there!