Opinions needed: Halloween vs Christmas

[charlene1974]

What is your reason for picking Halloween vs Christmas? What is your reasons for not picking Halloween vs Christmas time?

I'm not saying the day of the holiday, but the timeframe. We went to Disneyland during Columbus Day week, went to Mickey's Halloween Party and loved it. We are thinking of going back at that time of year next year.

But, we are also talking about Christmas time, maybe after Thanksgiving and before Christmas time.

We can obviously only afford 1 vacation...so if you had to pick, which holiday would you pick/wouldn't pick and why/why not?

Thanks so much!
Charlene

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I think everyone should experience the magic of a Disney Christmas. I also lOve Halloween and the MHP. Since you did Halloween this year, I'd do Christmas next year.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Disney at Christmas was beyond amazing. I highly suggest giving it a try. We went the day after Thanksgiving and it was SO fun

 

[Sherry E]

I agree with Shannon. You've done Halloween Time already. Christmas should be next. Actually, the holiday season in the parks and around the whole resort (including the hotels and Downtown Disney) is bigger, more detailed and more grand than the Halloween festivities. It's really a much more all-encompassing experience, from the music to the details to the different styles of decorations in each area.

This is a subject/question that has come up a lot, as you can see:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2553822

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2542428

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2500498


And those are just a few of the threads - I know there was an even longer thread on this very Halloween Time vs. Christmas time subject, but I didn't have time to search in-depth and find it. These 3 threads were the ones most easily accessible!

As fellow DIS'er MattsPrincess recently expressed, after returning from her first Halloween Time visit, Halloween Time is a lot of fun, but Christmas has that extra magic. (I am paraphrasing, but that was her basic sentiment.) I have to agree - while I love love love Halloween Time and I love that Disneyland celebrates it, there is something extra special to the holiday season that is not there during September and October. There are some things - like the nighttime Winter Castle, the snow falling on Main Street and IASW Holiday, for example - that can practically bring a tear to your eye, if you get easily choked up.

There's nothing really like that - emotion-inducing - in Disneyland for Halloween Time.

So I would say that, unless you are not a Christmas fan and you just happen to prefer Halloween (many people do), then you've got to try the Christmas holiday season at DLR - it is truly special and you will fall in love with it!

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Agree! I bawled too many times to count during Christmas at Disney! LOL

 

[larina]

I haven't gone at Halloween, but Christmas is awesome. If I could afford to go twice in one season, I would do both, but until that day, I'll stick with Christmas!

 

[MattsPrincess]

Yup, like Sherry said, I have been able to experience both recently enough to compare clearly.

We went last November, and again last week. We totally loved Halloweentime, meeting the villains, etc. It was fun, but didn't seems as special.

With Christmas, there is just something...extra. I mean, the decorations are more numerous, there's more special merchandise, etc. But I don't think that was it. It's just a feeling...a special glimmer on the castle, a special smell in the air...I don't really know. I was actually brought to tears several times during my Christmas visit because it was just so magical.

I don't know that I would do Halloween again...but I would never pass up a chance to go at Christmas.

 

[rentayenta]

In 2009 we did Halloween.

In 2010 we did summer and Christmastime.

This year we're doing Christmastime.

Next October we're doing Halloween at WDW.



I love them both. But if I had to choose, I would choose the holidays over Halloween. Take the general magical good-will feelings of Christmas (regardless of religious affiliation) and mix that with Disney magic and voila, you've got Christmastime at Disneyland. It really is amazing.

 

[Pinocchio #1 Fan]

As someone who grew up in Orange County, California, and a Disney lover, I can say without reservation that Christmas is the most magical time of year at Disneyland, hands down. Disney is awesome year round, but they really kick it into overdrive at Christmas. The sounds, the sights, even the smells make it the greatest place in the world to be and celebrate the holidays. You'll want to go in early December to avoid the mega crowds that Christmas week has. You will want to have at least three days between the three parks, and do not miss the special Christmas show by Billy Hill and the Hillbillies at the Golden Horseshoe. The Small World Christmas is unbelievable, the tree on Main Street is breathtaking, and the live reindeer and presidential turkey at Big Thunder Ranch are awesome as well. The treats at the Disney bakery are not to be missed, as well.

Also, as long as you are in SoCal, I'd set aside a half day to do the Christmas Crafts Village at Knotts Berry Farm. It's like $7 to get in, and they have Christmas shows live on stage at the Bird Cage Theater. I pretty much think Knotts sucks as a park, but I go to the Christmas thing every year because it's very nice.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I think that Christmas at Disneyland is not to be missed. I'm at a point where no matter how many Christmas decorations are up, it doesn't really feel like Christmas until I've been to Disneyland.

I enjoyed Halloween at Disneyland and didn't even get to do the party. Because of professional responsibilities, I may never be able to visit Disneyland in October again. I'm okay with that, but I worry about the first year that I can't go to Disneyland in December.

 

[mvf-m11c]

The DLR during the Holiday season is one of the best times to go to especially with all the decorations around the resort. The DLR has way more decorations around the resort then the Halloween season, but it is still great during the Halloween season. I have done both seasons at the DLR the last few years and the Halloween season is great with all those different decorations. But the Holiday season at the DLR is so great and magical. It is also great when it snows on MS along with Believe...In Holiday Magic fireworks, "A Christmas Fantasy parade, & SB Winter Castle show which is part of the Holiday season at DL.

I agree with everyone that you got to do a trip during the Holiday season at the DLR.

 

[isisisme]

Halloween is my all time favorite holiday and season. My husband and I have been going to the park for Halloween for 10 years. It is the most magical time for us at the park since that is where he proposed to me and we got married on Halloween. I love the season. I love that Disney puts it's "dark half" forward a little.
I have a hard time giving up my time at the park.

I have been there to see the snow fall, and it was lovely. We are talking about going for Christmas one of these times, to be there on Christmas. I want to experience it.

But Halloween will always win out for me if I have to choose between the two.

 

[krispin41]

While I would love to go at Christmas. I can't. I work in retail, as does my husband (he works mall security actually) so the Holidays = black out time for both of us. However, I do like Halloween, and our wedding anniversary is on 10/15.

 

[DizMe]

I love both (and go both times), but if I had to choose between them I'd easily pick the holidays. I like Halloween but I LOVE Christmas, so that's part of it. The focus of Halloween isn't as close to my heart as the holiday focus...I just seem to have extra goodwill!

Both times have HMH. Halloween has fabulous fireworks and great decorations and I love SMGG, but you can only see the special fireworks if you go the the party and even then it's really hard to see them well. The party is a lot of fun but pricey. Christmas has a MUCH better parade, incredible decorations, great fireworks, absolutely incredible lighting on the castle and IASWH, and snow...easy to see and no extra charge.

ETA: There are the real reindeer, crafts tables, and you can go meet Santa in the cabin at Thunder Ranch! I think they have cookie decorating. During Halloweentime they offer something too, I think, but I'm not totally sure what.

 

[taaren]

We like October because the weather is perfect for us, but if you've done Halloween already, then give Xmas a try. I don't celebrate any holidays for personal reasons, but do love the lights on the castle and general good-will that seems to inspire other guests around the holidays. In the last 6 (7? lost track) years we've done our main trip in Fall all but one time, mostly catching the Halloween stuff at least one day at the beginning or end. The only time we went for Xmas/New Years was definitely special and memorable though. It should be done once. The next two years we will be doing the World, then the Land in early Dec to see the castles lit up and for a change just brave the cold.

 

[danceanddisney2010]

Disneyland is my favorite place and christmas is my holiday. i think that answers what i would choose I haven't been during halloween time but i am sure it's greatttt. i have been a couple times during the christmas season and let me just say AMAZING!! i think it's even a little MORE magical .. if that's even possible

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

I have been there for the last two Halloween seasons and absolutely loved it.

We went as a family last year the week after Thanksgiving and we are so sad we won't be back this Christmas season. Many have already said it, but there really is no comparison, Christmas time in DL is extra magical. If you can swing it, stay onsite. This is one of the few times of the year I can justify paying onsite prices, you might luck out and find a discount. Last year we got the GCH at 30% off after Thanksgiving.