Officially planning another trip - woo hoo!

[Saskiwi]

DH has confirmed that I (the family uber-planner) can start researching our next trip to DL! We last visited in April 09 but he has been given free flights thru work so we can take another trip this year!
The decision is whether to go for the DL Halloween or Christmas experience - we've never been during either holiday period.
DS's 8 and 11 are both keen on experiencing Halloween at DL so that may be one we go for- who has been to the Mickey Trick or Treat party and can tell me all about it? I saw a thread here once but not sure where....
Will try and get rooms at Hojo again as we loved it last time - will it be warm enough to swim in their pool in October? (We are from Christchurch so used to swimming in freezing water most of the year!)
Any tips from Disboarders who have done the Halloween deal at DL gratefully received!

 

[Travel Mum]

Yeah for you Saskiwi!!! I can't answer regarding the Halloween versus Christmas as we will be doing our very first MNSSHP this year. However, I did live in L.A. years ago and know that you certainly have more chance of the temperature being okay (not perfect but possibly doable) for swimming in October rather than in November or December.

 

[platypus67]

My DD and I did the halloween party in both 2008 and 2009. We had a fantastic time on both trips, however the first was the best. There was a lot of construction happening on the second trip so this was the main reason it didn't seem as good as the first.
We've been at Christmas for two trips to DLR & two to WDW. This is my favourite time of year to visit, but Halloween is definately my second favourite time.
The Nightmare Before Christmas overlay at the haunted mansion is up over the Halloween/Christmas period. They also do a overlay on IASM but this is only for the Christmas period.
I believe there was a special Halloween version of Space Mountain as well when we were there in 2009.
Enjoy your holiday!

 

[Jade+3]

We were there first week in November and the kids swam, and we are from Brisbane.

I have been to DL twice during the christmas season, and love it. The decorations and the parade are amazing.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Congrats on the trip and happy planning.

Been to MNSSHP at WDW, which I thought was really enjoyable; but not at DLR.

Looking forward to reading another (P)TR!!

 

[kylieh]

 

[WAMUMOF4]

Happy planning what awesome news

 

[Snickals]

Congratulations on your up coming trip! Now you get to fun fun planning it!

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Yay for you and your family .

We went to a MNSSHP at DL in 2009 and really enjoyed it.

I'm a mad Christmas person though and I truly think that Christmas time would be much more magical than Halloween. But that's just me.

Why not have a look through these photos:- http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/photos.html

Scroll down to see Halloween and Christmas images.

 

[Busy Busy]

We were in DL in late September 2009 and it was 35 degrees - so swimming was definintely part of the trip!

We didn't do the Halloween party, but we did see the decorations - and they were great - BUT - coming from here where we don't really do the Halloween thing - I was over the decorations pretty quickly! Honestly, I wanted to see Mickey and Minnie in their "normal" clothes, and my DD5 was a bit freaked out by Goofy in a skeleton costume!

We arrived the day after they reopened the Haunted Mansion after it had been closed for a few days while they did it up for Halloween - and the lines were mental to get in. When we finally did I was disappointed again it wasn't the same with Jack Skellington all over the place - I wanted my old ghosts back!!

As for a specially themed Space Mountain - you would have to be berserk enough to ride it to find that out - so you'll have to ask the next maniac - when it comes to roller coasters I am the best at waiting outside holding the handbags!

Having said all of that negative stuff - we are off to WDW in September and are even planning to attend 2 MNSSHP!! So either I'm willing to give things a 2nd chance OR I'm crazy OR I just prefer Christmas!?! Most likely all 3

 

[Saskiwi]

Yeah if it was down to me alone, I would pick Christmas over Halloween, but it will depend on when we are allowed to use our air tickets - peak seasons will be ruled out, so I'm guessing that will include the lead up to Christmas - but they put up the decorations pretty early at DL don't they? Like right at the start of December?
So maybe.....
Anyway, DH has to clarify exactly when we can or can't use the tix and then I can start planning in earnest!
Thanks for all the feedback so far folks - we just got back from a wonderful holiday in Oz (Noosa and Sydney) and despite the rain, we had a fantastic time (it was WARM rain - which we don't get down here - and there were no earthquake aftershocks!!)

 

[Saskiwi]

We have booked! Staying at Hojos Oct 21-Nov 5...yes, we got a 14 day pass!
Friends and family thought we were nuts getting a 6 day pass last time (Comment: "What are you going to do at Disneyland for 6 days???"), so maybe we will keep quiet this time....

So I'm probably not going to get to see much Christmas stuff this trip - will have to do a DL at Christmas trip next time!

This trip is going to be all about Halloween - we will do Mickey's Halloween Party - DS8 is already planning his Jack Sparrow get-up and wants us to do a family POC - I'm not exactly Keira Knightly shape (!) so not sure how that is going to work!??

Any suggestions for easy-to-pack costumes?!

 

[hellosue]

We have booked! Staying at Hojos Oct 21-Nov 5...yes, we got a 14 day pass!
Friends and family thought we were nuts getting a 6 day pass last time (Comment: "What are you going to do at Disneyland for 6 days???"), so maybe we will keep quiet this time....

So I'm probably not going to get to see much Christmas stuff this trip - will have to do a DL at Christmas trip next time!

This trip is going to be all about Halloween - we will do Mickey's Halloween Party - DS8 is already planning his Jack Sparrow get-up and wants us to do a family POC - I'm not exactly Keira Knightly shape (!) so not sure how that is going to work!??

Any suggestions for easy-to-pack costumes?!

Congrats on planning your DL trip - re the 6 day pass - we did the same thing - only being in Anaheim for 7 nights. We will definately stay longer next time and get the 14 day pass. Enjoy Halloween in DL
By the time you go we will be back from our Halloween in WDW

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

That's wonderful news. My family did the Halloween Party in 2009 at DL and we thought it was lots of fun. It is such a different experience since it's not something we celebrate here.

I'm sure a really tight corset will help with the Keira Knightly shape .

All the best.

 

[areweindisneyyet]

There are the Halloween Superthread and Christmas Superthread on the Disneyland page. Lots of photos and info. I love Christmas but Halloween looks awesome too. Have fun planning.

 

[Saskiwi]

That's wonderful news. My family did the Halloween Party in 2009 at DL and we thought it was lots of fun. It is such a different experience since it's not something we celebrate here.

I'm sure a really tight corset will help with the Keira Knightly shape .

All the best.

Maybe a neck-to-ankle corset.....