SHHHH no one tell my DH

[scoker]

I'm doing a five night stay in February with DD and I'm already thinking about the next Disney trip after that. My DH does not understand the Disney Magic and probably won't be doing any Disney vacations with us. He tried it once and it is just not his thing. In his words he wants a real adventure and does not want to be spoon fed his fun. Sure knows how to ruin the pixie dust so yeah we leave him home now. Anyhoo....

I'm thinking I would like to see the parks done up for Christmas. I'm tossing around the idea of WDW this time. I've been to both and I think I prefer DLR for its compactness but I would also like to take DD6 to WDW while she is still relatively little. She will have been to DLR 3 times but never WDW. I'm thinking of *gasp* taking her out of school for a week early December next year.

Any thoughts on Disney at Christmas time or which coast I should head to. I live in Texas so it is really easy for us to go either way.

 

[bethyylovee]

I couldn't marry a man who didn't love Disney. Luckily my boyfriend is just as Disney crazy as I am!

 

[scoker]

In his defense I don't have any interest in sitting on a boat for two straight weeks doing 3 knots while he looks for ship wrecks. We always try to do at least one trip a year together as a family. The rest of the time we follow our own interests. My interest is seeing my best girl with the biggest smile imaginable. Although she shows signs of going the way of her dad. She said this summer she had a better time hiking in Colorado than on our last Disney trip. I feel like I might only have a short time before she is totally sucked in by the dark side and I'm planning solo trips. Thought a little Christmas magic thrown in might give be a bit more time before she is looking at the attractions with her fathers analytically calculation.

 

[Susie63]

okay....your secret is safe with me.Would you like to join our Who's going in February thread.I'll bump it up the page so it is easier to find

 

[stargazertechie]

I'm doing a five night stay in February with DD and I'm already thinking about the next Disney trip after that. My DH does not understand the Disney Magic and probably won't be doing any Disney vacations with us. He tried it once and it is just not his thing. In his words he wants a real adventure and does not want to be spoon fed his fun. Sure knows how to ruin the pixie dust so yeah we leave him home now. Anyhoo....

I'm thinking I would like to see the parks done up for Christmas. I'm tossing around the idea of WDW this time. I've been to both and I think I prefer DLR for its compactness but I would also like to take DD6 to WDW while she is still relatively little. She will have been to DLR 3 times but never WDW. I'm thinking of *gasp* taking her out of school for a week early December next year.

Any thoughts on Disney at Christmas time or which coast I should head to. I live in Texas so it is really easy for us to go either way.

I have done Christmastime at WDW several times in the past. It is far as away the most amazing experience of my life. No ride overlays, but you have the Christmas party and four parks of stunning decor.

I am headed west this year unexpectedly for Christmas week so I will get to experience Disneyland Christmas

 

[Kristibo42]

It is great at Christmas time. We go the first or second week in Dec. It's cheap and less crowds!!!!

 

[scoker]

It is great at Christmas time. We go the first or second week in Dec. It's cheap and less crowds!!!!

Thanks Kristi. I see that you are from Ithaca. I lived the first 33 years of my life in western NY and visited Ithaca many times. Almost went to college there. Such a beautiful place to live.

I'm leaning towards WDW and trying for the 1st or 2nd week of December. The next question will be 2013 or 2014. Usually we do a 4 or 5 night DLR stay. I'm thinking more like 8 or 9 for WDW.

 

[tylerandalexsmom]

Yes! Yes! Yes! Luv Disney at Christmas! We usually do WDW, and were there at Christmas (as in, the week of actual Christmas including Christmas Eve and Day) Yes it was crazy, but we loved the Disney magic at Christmas. We have been many times, but that was our first time at Christmas. And even though it was crazy crowded (as in, we went to DTD the first night, and I have never seen it so crowded!!), we went knowing to expect the crowds, did our rides early (rope drop) and then just enjoyed the Christmas-y stuff the rest of the time. And actually got to do more and enjoyed a lot of little things we normally pass up! We loved it so much, I'm taking the kids to DLR for Christmas this year! (Shhhh.... it's a surprise!)

Oh, and right there with you -- DH went to WDW with us 3 times and on a cruise once. He liked the cruise, was "ok" with WDW, but didn't really get the Disney magic (once was enough for him). So now we leave him at home (he goes on hunting trips while we are gone) and we enjoy Disney just the kids and I!

 

[Kristibo42]

Thanks Kristi. I see that you are from Ithaca. I lived the first 33 years of my life in western NY and visited Ithaca many times. Almost went to college there. Such a beautiful place to live.

I'm leaning towards WDW and trying for the 1st or 2nd week of December. The next question will be 2013 or 2014. Usually we do a 4 or 5 night DLR stay. I'm thinking more like 8 or 9 for WDW.

I went to Ithaca High but never went to college. My husband went to TC3 and now my daughter goes there. Ithaca is a nice place to live and raise a child.

We will be going the first week in Dec 2013. That will be our 25th anniversary.
Adult only trip 9 people total. We always stay at the value resort as we don't spend much time there and like to spend the money else where. Pop century is nice. We have stayed there 4 times. Once with a group of 45.
We are going to stay at the Art Of Animation this time.

You also have to do the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party it is so worth the money!!!

 

[DollBabyKG]

We love Disneyland. We go about twice a year, and it has become super special to us. It's "our place," our home park (even though we're over in Utah).

However, in a contest between Disneyland and WDW, WDW wins hands down every time for us. Sure, it's not as compact, but if you have at least a week, there's just no contest, in my book. It's a much bigger experience.

We had hoped to be going there this year for Christmas, but with building a house, and putting in landscaping, the added cost of plane tickets and 8 nights in a hotel just wasn't there. If your budget can take it, WDW would be my vote! But, if not, Disneyland at Christmas is magical. The snow on Main St is amazing.

 

[Kristibo42]

Yes snowing on main street is my favorite. We have never been to DL but I would love to go at Halloween to see the Haunted Mansion. The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of our favorite movies so we would love to see that.

 

[DorkyDisneyMom]

The thing I like about Disneyland at Christmas is that all the Christmas stuff is free. Will it stay that way forever? Who knows. But at least for now you don't have to pay extra for the Christmas parade, fireworks, or snow. You can't say that about WDW.

Just MHO.

We've done DL the week following Thanksgiving twice. It's low crowds and the decor is all up. I always cry at The Believe in Holiday Magic fireworks and the snow. It brings back such great memories.

 

[tylerandalexsmom]

If you are going later in the month of December, WDW has everything for free too, after the last MVMCP.

 

[SA mom]

Another great thing about Christmas in WDW is the resorts and all the gingerbread houses. We spent a day resort hopping. The Osborn Family Lights are just amazing.

I can see your husband's point of view. We only take a Disney Vacation once every two or three years. The other years are spent seeing all the wonders of this great nation in which we live. We love Disney, but there is something to say about the natural beauty of our National Parks System.

Your daughter must feel a little like us.

 

[PoohsFan1]

I have to agree with the others and go to WDW. We have only been for Christmas once (went the first week of December) and loved it. Out of the 9 trips with DH and both of my DDs, that was by far our favorite trip ever. Everything is so pretty when they put Christmas lights and wreaths up. I second going resort hopping to the different deluxe resorts and seeing their unique Christmas decorations. I absolutely love the Christmas trees in the lobbies of WL, AKL, and GF (they are huge). Then of course you have the chocolate carousel at BC and the gingerbread house at GF. I can go on and on, but I won't because you will have to go see and experience it for yourself . Oh yeah one other thing...definitely make sure you go to DHS and see the Oborne Lights Spectacular, it is amazing .

 

[scoker]

Thanks everyone! Definitely going to work on the WDW angle. As long as my brother lives in San Diego we will be making many more trips to DLR but I know my DD wants to see WDW. I really want to see it all done up for Christmas. Now to work on the budget and figure out if I can do it next year. I'll have to see how long my February trip can hold me. If my DH wants to take us somewhere fabulous next year it might have to wait.