Oct.16-20, 2018 vs. Dec.3-7, 2018. Which to choose?

[yawns]

Really excited to be able to bring DD, her hubby & 2 granddaughters (6 & 9) this fall. Looking at these 2 dates. Any thoughts, advice are appreciated.
Note: I do know that Oct will be Halloween time and Dec. will be Christmas, lol. One of my frustrations in planning is that Halloween Party dates won't be released until later. We're not particularly Halloween lovers so wouldn't go to a party. Any ideas of which days the parks would close early for the party?
Other thoughts are closures. Would Small World be closed during those Oct. dates?
Oh & what about Fantasmic during those times (which are mostly weekdays). Would it be running?
TIA

 

[midnight star]

In my personal opinion, I would pick the December dates. Although Halloween is cool at the parks, I’m a bigger fan of Christmas at Disney!

HOWEVER, if the October dates end up working best for your family I would choose those and plan accordingly The Halloween parties do impact the park hours, but with good planning you can still have a great trip!

 

[chickapin parterre]

what climate are you leaving?

Fantasmic probably not up and running the first week of December.

Fireworks and WOC hit and miss on windy days.

Do you have more time at night or in the day when visiting Disneyland?

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I would choose the December dates, especially if you’re not big fans of Halloween. Halloween time at DL is crazy crowded. December might be just as crowded, but I think there’s a chance that week might be less crowded that October. Also, Christmas at DL is magical.

 

[lcp9]

That week in october is prime fall break time so it's not really a question of if it will be busy. December, there's a chance it might not be too crowded. If you don't care about Halloween December is definitely the better bet for you.

 

[Pamela M]

I LOVE Halloween and Halloween time at Disneyland but I think if your not into Halloween and don't want to do a party you'd be happier going in December when everything is decorated for Christmas.

 

[yawns]

what climate are you leaving?

Fantasmic probably not up and running the first week of December.

Fireworks and WOC hit and miss on windy days.

Do you have more time at night or in the day when visiting Disneyland?

We're leaving Nebraska--Where it can be any where from mild 60's to below freezing that week in Dec., lol. SoCal will probably be warmer, though.
Not having Fantasmic running is not a deal breaker for us. I was last @ DL in 2013 & saw it then. I know they took Peter Pan out which made me sad; that was my favorite part. Grandkids will not know the difference, lol.
And I think the grandkids will have a hard time staying up late. They usually go to bed pretty early. I'm sure they can tough it out at DL, but still.
Thanks for your input.

 

[yawns]

That week in october is prime fall break time so it's not really a question of if it will be busy. December, there's a chance it might not be too crowded. If you don't care about Halloween December is definitely the better bet for you.

Good thoughts. That week is the grandkids fall break (only 2 days though), so they'd only have to miss 3 days of school. But missing school shouldn't be a real problem for them.

 

[chickapin parterre]

.......so that week in December will be the best week to visit Disneyland in 2018, but only 2018, then the extra week in Nov disappears, everything running with maybe GRR being the exception. The problem is, that it will not be sunny California guaranteed weather. So it you are choosing that week for warmth, you might be disappointed....or you could be lucky....weather prediction for the last few years has been all over the map....like 90s for 2017 thanksgiving then a week later hat and mitten weather at night

Longer sunny days in October, MHP could actually force you back to lodging and use the pool.....and i hate to break the news to you, but the grandkids being in the pool with you may very well be their best memory of the Disneyland visit and grandma.

 

[agamble]

I would go with the December dates due to crowds. Both will have holiday overlays and be a fun time. December will be much less crowded. We have been visiting the parks fairly regularly for the last 7 years and our October weekend trip this last year was the busiest I have ever seen the parks. And we were there in June and July last year! Trust me, Halloween is CROWDED, and HOT!

 

[CalifLynn]

For crowd levels, I would pick the Dec dates. There are usually large crowds around that time in October because of something called UEA, it is some sort of education conference in Utah, but it has been nicknamed Utah Escapes to Anaheim week because the schools are out, and it seems to make a significant in crowds plus if there are Halloween parties, the parks start getting crowded by 4pm because part goers can get into the park early.

PLUS, Christmas decorations are amazing in Dec!

 

[chickapin parterre]

on march 20th of this year it was posted that UEA is cancelled....search using UEA cancelled.

further study of the post indicates that fall break is already set in Utah.....will be crowded with folks anyhow...maybe more now that teachers can go Disneyland those days.....

 

[Geemo]

Really excited to be able to bring DD, her hubby & 2 granddaughters (6 & 9) this fall. Looking at these 2 dates. Any thoughts, advice are appreciated.
Note: I do know that Oct will be Halloween time and Dec. will be Christmas, lol. One of my frustrations in planning is that Halloween Party dates won't be released until later. We're not particularly Halloween lovers so wouldn't go to a party. Any ideas of which days the parks would close early for the party?
Other thoughts are closures. Would Small World be closed during those Oct. dates?
Oh & what about Fantasmic during those times (which are mostly weekdays). Would it be running?
TIA

If you plan to stay on-site, the December dates are very likely to have a Disney Promotion going.
If it's like the past few years early October dates will not.

Announced Sept 6th, Disney's Promotion for 2017 was Oct 22nd to Dec 21st.

For events during the year, you can review figment_jii's thread
https://www.disboards.com/threads/2018-calendar-of-events-school-breaks-and-dlr.3635162/

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

December

The decorations for the holidays are like none other.

We found our new sweet spot in the week after Thanksgiving in 2016, and are going this year again at the same time!

 

[sherilaine]

I would choose December but that is mostly cause I HATE Halloween and wish it would just fall off the Calendar but love Christmas!

 

[DL_Forever]

December! The Christmas decorations are magical (and it should be less crowded which makes it even more magical).

 

[gottalovepluto]

Christmas. Disneyland is next-level magical at Christmas.

 

[8lovesmickey]

I would say December as well, although we had a great time last Halloween. The party was at DL only, but there are rumors that might change this year. We found the walkways crowded at the party, but the lines were totally reasonable.