Please help me decide Halloween or Christmas?!

[MacMama0930]

I originally booked our first WDW family trip for end of November to beginning of December, with hopes of doing MVMCP. The more I talked with my family about what they want out of the trip and what they want to do, it seems like there’s going to be a lot of “out of the park” time. Pools, boat rentals, etc. coming from California, I have NO idea what to expect weather wise for this time of year and worry it may be too chilly for all the other things we want to do.

Which got me thinking about October. We love DLs Halloween Party and I’m sure would love WDW even more! I checked dates and rates and we can do 7 nights at CL Poly for a little less than our original 6 night CL Poly stay for the holidays.

We do love both holidays. I loved DL at Christmas but it didn’t really wow me like I thought it would.

Can you help me decide? What is weather like in October vs end of November, beginning of December? Are there any other Halloween activities besides the party?

Any other advice?!

 

[Jimmy Mouse]

We did MVMCP in 2016 then MNSSHP in 2017. Took a vote and the kids and wife agreed to go back for MNSSHP this year. We did 2 parties last year and will do at least 2 this time. Maybe 3

Edit: Forgot to add, we did September so I cannot tell you what the weather will be in October but I can tell you November / early December weather is very comfortable and very little rain. We arrived the Saturday after Thanksgiving for 10 days in 2016.

 

[sailored]

Both! Go the end of October - early November. It's what we are doing.

 

[pigletgirl]

Both! Go the end of October - early November. It's what we are doing.

Yes! If you go over Halloween, you could do one of the last MNSSHP and the first MVMCP!

 

[MacMama0930]

I wish! We would actually be going mid October...

 

[Sommermo]

We have done the last week of October and the last week of November. Every year will be slightly different, but for us October was still very hot. Sweaty from just walking around. The last week of November was still warm. Mild in morning and night, but got to 80-82 every day and we went swimming every day. No rain on either trip. We've been to Halloween and Christmas parties and I prefer Christmas, but I am an elf.

 

[NikkiDP]

We went down the last week of October into the first week of November this past year and weather was all over the place. The first few days there were really humid, the next few were a mix between cold for Florida and cold (evenings got down into the 40s) and the last few days were gorgeous! Mid October will probably be warm but always pack layers because Florida can surprise you! Magic Kingdom is the only park that does anything for Halloween, and their decorations are nothing compared to DL based on pictures I have seen (I have never been to DL). The Halloween party is a lot of fun and gives Magic Kingdom an awesome atmosphere. We will be doing the Christmas Party this year to at least do it once but I think it will be difficult to top how much fun we had in October.

You will also catch Food and Wine if that is interesting to you. If you go in November you would have to make sure you go in the first week to still catch it. However if you go after Thanksgiving you get to enjoy the holidays settling in at all of the parks. Christmas goes up in the Magic Kingdom immediately after the last Halloween party (like that night, it is crazy)!

 

[bwang123]

We've been the DL and WDW during Halloween (on Oct 31st) and WDW around Christmas twice. Weather is hit or miss either time in Florida. It can be hot in October and very cold in December. We've enjoyed Halloween at WDW the most. The parade is the best and Food & Wine is going on at Epcot.

You will miss not having the Nightmare Before Christmas Haunted Mansion overlay. That was incredible.

 

[Moliphino]

I prefer Christmas, but I'm not much of a Halloween person and we don't do the parties. We usually go the second week of December and the weather varies wildly. In our last trip alone the first half was quite cold and in the 40s at night, the second half was gorgeous and warm even at night.

 

[Disneymom1126]

We've gone both times of year. Here are our experiences based on what you've asked about:

WEATHER
There could be a pretty big difference between mid-October and end of November/early December. Our experience in mid-October (we've gone this time the last three years) - it is hot during the day (mid-80's) and pleasant at night (mid-60's) and a good temperature to swim no matter where you live the rest of the year. The two times we've gone toward the end of November, we were comfortable in shorts and t-shirts during the day, but needed a sweatshirt at night. One trip it was in the 50's as the high for a few days, but this was more of an outlier. It's typically going to be more like 70's during the day and down into the 50's at night. For us, being from the Northeast, we can swim during the day in that weather (in a heated pool) and be comfortable. Being from California - that may be too cold for you! The humidity also drops by the end of November.

PARTIES
Both parties are a lot of fun with unique characters and experiences. We've done both. There is something magical about Disney at Christmastime, with the decorations, etc. They make it "snow" on main street during the Christmas party as well. Both parades and fireworks are unique, but in my opinion the Halloween fireworks are the best fireworks show I've seen. It's also a lot of fun dressing up and seeing all the costumes people come up with.

PARKS
At the end of November/December you'll also have things like Holidays around the World and the Candlelight Processional happening at EPCOT and usually some seasonal things in the other parks. In mid-October, you've got Food and Wine fest happening at EPCOT, which is a lot of fun as well. We found that last week of November/first week of December to be less crowded than mid-October, but we also went during November/December 4 years ago and mid-October the last 3 years...and I think crowds have generally gotten busier through that time frame. I do remember people complaining about it being busy the first week of December this year - could have been related to free dining as well, hard to say!

All that to say - you mention a few things that would have me leaning toward mid-October: (1) you would have an additional day (7 days instead of 6) and (2) you are hoping to have some pool time, boat rentals, etc. and I think the weather will be more conducive to that in mid-October - it's at least more predictably conducive to it. In November/December the weather is more of a guess until a few days before your trip! Happy planning!!

 

[pigletgirl]

I wish! We would actually be going mid October...

This is what I would choose. You get an extra day!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Especially since you are coming from CA and will be adjusting to a time change, I would pick 7 days over 6 days (heck, I would pick that for anybody coming from anywhere, LOL!). We've done October, November and December multiple times and the weather can be variable in any of those months, so it's very hard to predict. There isn't a ton of extra Halloween activities besides the party, but F&W will be going on at EP if you have any interest in that. We love both times of the year, so it's hard for me to make a choice, though I do enjoy MNSSHP over MVMCP!

 

[thelittlemermaid2]

Of the two parties I would HIGHLY suggest MVMCP (nothing against MNSSHP, I've done it three times and love it as well!), but if you are more focused on out of park activities you may want to go in October when the weather is a little more consistent. Both parties are amazing, I've never been to Orlando at the end of November, but we have experienced record-breaking heat over 100 degrees 4 of the 5 times we have been in mid-October (I think we keep breaking our own record ). This weather is perfect for boating/pool time, keep this in consideration when deciding when to go. After all the party is only 1 night, you want to be able to enjoy the rest of the trip just as much!

 

[BarbieGal457]

I have gone to both and I do prefer Halloween. The Christmas party was cute but my group, myself included, definitely thought Halloween was more fun. Even though the Christmas party has cookies and hot chocolate, we found the trick or treating to be a lot more fun since as adults, we haven't done that in years! It's also Food and Wine which we loved as well. I also thought the parade at MNNSH was a lot better and more unique than MVMCP (although both were adorable!).

As for weather, I've been in times when it was both chillier than normal by a bit, and then regular hot temperatures. My recommendation for either time of year is to bring layers - capri pants, shorts, jeans, a sweatshirt, etc. ETA: I think either time of year it wouldn't super affect things you could do if it was chillier than expected, although swimming might be a tad difficult (I get cold easily so I wouldn't swim in chillier temps but all of my friends and family do). With a jacket/sweatshirt I think you will be good for most everything!

 

[fhtpdw20]

I did 3 trips in one. Arrived Oct 31 and did last Halloween Party, went on 3 day cruise and when I returned was able to do Christmas Party as well.

 

[Dee McGee]

Decided to book Dec 3-7 for MVMCP and the Candlelight Processional. We have yet to experience either one so super excited!

 

[LandonDunes]

We’ll be doing Halloween for the 3rd time in 3 trips this October. we LOVE WDW that time of the year and its still pool weather. Crowds aren’t too bad either. Oct gets my vote. Also, I don’t think theyve done EMM in nov or Dec but could be wrong.

 

[CynBeth]

I would keep what you have the end of November and beginning of December. The storytellers and CP at Epcot are not to be missed also the MVMCP. And seeing the deluxe resorts decorated.

 

[disneylover102]

I've never been to WDW during Christmas time, but we were there the last week and a half of October in 2013. We didn't spend the money for the parties, but overall the crowds were really light. Epcot was really crowded because of Food and Wine Festival (if we had chosen another day to go, it would have been better) and one of our days was crowded at the Magic Kingdom but that was just because it was a Saturday. The other days had pretty short lines and it was really enjoyable. Even Halloween itself wasn't that crowded! The only thing I didn't like was getting kicked out of the park at 7, but if you'll be paying for the Halloween Party, then I'm sure you would have a wonderful experience!

 

[TCRAIG]

I originally booked our first WDW family trip for end of November to beginning of December, with hopes of doing MVMCP. The more I talked with my family about what they want out of the trip and what they want to do, it seems like there’s going to be a lot of “out of the park” time. Pools, boat rentals, etc. coming from California, I have NO idea what to expect weather wise for this time of year and worry it may be too chilly for all the other things we want to do.

Which got me thinking about October. We love DLs Halloween Party and I’m sure would love WDW even more! I checked dates and rates and we can do 7 nights at CL Poly for a little less than our original 6 night CL Poly stay for the holidays.

We do love both holidays. I loved DL at Christmas but it didn’t really wow me like I thought it would.

Can you help me decide? What is weather like in October vs end of November, beginning of December? Are there any other Halloween activities besides the party?

Any other advice?!

October is usually very nice weather - but sometimes it is a bit rainy. That being said - sometimes early December is perfect and sometimes it's freezing - like 32 degree freezing. You just never know. Crowds in early December are normally a bit lighter than Oct (we go yearly both times) but I prefer MNSSHP over MVMCP. It's the Headless Horseman and the families dressed up that make Halloween so special.