October Question for Disney Families

[Momvic5]

My family and I are trying to decide on when to go to WDW this year. We have always been in December but this year we are thinking about the last week of October. The question I am wondering is what are the October/Halloween decorations like? We think Halloween is lots of fun, but we don't like a lot of ugly monster decorations and such. We went to Sea World last October, and they had ugly zombie characters everywhere. I was just wondering to what extent the parks were decorated for Halloween. It is more fall decorations or more Halloween decorations?

Thanks!

 

[mickeylove2]

We went for the 1st time this past October and I really didn't know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised that there weren't LOTS of typical Halloween decorations, or I just didn't notice them. The night that we went to the MNSSHP there were more, but during the day it was mainly Fall stuff. For instance there were lots of pumpkins and scarecrows and statues with pumpkin heads. During the Halloween party we rode the Haunted Mansion ride and ALL the CM's at that ride were dressed up like dead people. During the Party, all of the characters were dressed up in costumes, and there was trick or treating...we don't trick or treat and don't celebrate Halloween at home, but my girls did wear Princess costumes and went down 1 Trick or Treat trail. It was just a really fun Halloween atmosphere, if that makes any sense...no goblins or scary monsters, no chain saws or hockey masks....just fun.

 

[all4fun]

We went to the halloween party at WDW for the first time last year too. It is aptly named "not so scary", because it's really very friendly and not too creepy - no real "horror" going on (you can go to Universal if that's your thing). Here's some pics of the decor: http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/MNSSHP-General/index.htm

I thought it was really well done. During the party, which is a hard ticketed (separate) event, they do an overlay to the fireworks show, there's a special parade which is a must see, in my book, and there are few special stage shows at the castle with some of the villainous characters.

During the day, the decor just looked very much like Fall decor, lots of pumpkins and fall leaves and there isn't a lot of Halloween type stuff going on, so if you want to avoid it, it isn't difficult....just don't go to the party! The pics linked above are for the actual party which they put up special decor for (it seems like quite a feat!).

hth!

 

[Momvic5]

Thanks so much for the pictures!! I think that if everyone else around here agrees, we will go in October.

 

[wiseguyslovethemouse]

Thanks so much for the pictures!! I think that if everyone else around here agrees, we will go in October.

We LOVE October; in fact, we always go in October or early Nov, and it's a great time. (well, we're headed in three more weeks, but whatever...) Anyway, my kids love the MNSSHP, we've done it twice, and it's decorated so beautifully for Fall. Now, *I* want to go in early December! What do you think of that?

By the way, we usually find that October weather is fantastic too; last year was hot, 10/17-24, but it's usually very comfortable!

HTH!

 

[Momvic5]

We LOVE October; in fact, we always go in October or early Nov, and it's a great time. (well, we're headed in three more weeks, but whatever...) Anyway, my kids love the MNSSHP, we've done it twice, and it's decorated so beautifully for Fall. Now, *I* want to go in early December! What do you think of that?

By the way, we usually find that October weather is fantastic too; last year was hot, 10/17-24, but it's usually very comfortable!

HTH!

I think you will love early December too! The first time we went we fell in love with the decorations and the atmosphere of Christmas. The weather is usually very nice in December too. The first year we went it was in the mid to upper 60's during the day and then high 40's at night. We loved the cool weather for Christmas. However, this last year it was in the low 80's all week and the high 60's at night. Comfortable but warm enough to enjoy the pool. It did not rain on either trip.

To be honest, I would go in December this year too but my children want to visit the water parks. The December weather is just too unpredictable. It may be warm enough to swim or it may be very cold. My kids would be disappointed if it ended up being too cold and we had to skip the water parks.

We thought October would be a great alternative ~ the crowds, weather, and fall decorations. I was just concerned about the decorations ~ whether they were more typical of Halloween or fall.

Try December ~ I think you and your family will love it!

 

[StephMK]

Our first trip, first day was the MNSSHP. The decorations were cute & happy but some of the guests were dressed scary that night ( I thought they weren't allowed to?) - not overly but enough for my DD4 who was pretty sensitive. We watched the parade & the villains freaked her out completely. I guess the dark & having them come close, esp. Jafar I think - was not a good experience for her. THe other 2 DD9 & DS2 at the time, did fine.

I think for most kids it would be fine but if anyone is extra sensitive, it was still a fun night but just something to watch for.

 

[d1gitman]

They call it "Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween" for that vary reason. It is not too spooky or goulish for little ones. We have gone to Halloween for 3 yrs. straight now. Our 2 DS's love it, currently DS7 and DS2.