Hi All,
Our family wants to plan a reunion of 15 people (ages 2 - 82) to DL either in Sept (preferably the last week) or the first week in Dec.
I know one of the perks of going in Dec. is seeing all the Christmas decorations (which we have never seen)
What are the other pros/cons? I'm wondering about prices, crowds, weather, etc.
Thanks!!
I agree with everyone else's comments on the pros and cons about crowds and weather.
I currently have both the
Disneyland Halloween superthread and Disneyland Christmas superthread going on this forum. So I definitely love both seasons at the resort and would recommend them both for different reasons. If someone likes Halloween as a holiday better than Christmas, then I will encourage a Halloween trip. If they love Christmas more, I will advocate a Christmas trip. I try to take everyone's individual criteria/preferences into consideration before making a suggestion.
Since you are asking us which is the better time to visit of the two (or rather, what the pros and cons are of each time) - late September or early December - I am going to recommend December. And here are the reasons:
1. As others have stated, it will be cooler, most likely, in early December than in late September.
2. Out of the whole Christmas season (which begins in November and extends to early January), the first week of December is supposed to be the lowest crowd point or the second lowest crowd point, while still being able to enjoy the full array of holiday entertainment, treats, merchandise, decorations, etc.
3. If you go to DLR during the Christmas season, it is much more of an overall ‘experience’ than to go during HalloweenTime (which would be late September). It is much more detailed and all-encompassing – which is good if you want that feeling of being totally immersed. It is an all-out feast for the senses, from the sounds and smells to the colors and tastes.
New Orleans Square has its own unique style of decorations, as do ToonTown, A Bug’s Land, Main Street, Frontierland, etc. Each land has its own particular brand of holiday music, too, themed to its location! The Reindeer Round-Up is a true gem. The nighttime Winter Castle is just stunning to see as it glows throughout Disneyland. It’s a Small World Holiday is absolutely gorgeous when it becomes illuminated in thousands of colored lights after dark. Main Street at night is also beautiful, and it gets a light sprinkling of ‘snow’ each night.
The 3 Disneyland Resort hotels are decked out for the season as well (whereas, at HalloweenTime, they are not). The Grand Californian Hotel is the perfect place to sit in comfortable chairs with a beverage and snack by the giant Christmas tree in the lobby, listening to familiar holiday tunes provided by a pianist, a guitarist and Dickens carolers. Santa Claus appears at 4 or 5 places around the entire Resort (including at all 3 hotels, and usually in each park).
Downtown Disney plays festive holiday music which gets you in the spirit of the season as you head to and from the parks.
And the treats! Peppermint ice cream! Peppermint fudge! Peppermint mochas and cupcakes! Shortbread snowmen and Christmas trees! Freshly made candy canes!
While I do love HalloweenTime at Disneyland, there is just no comparison
yet in terms of which season will give you a more ‘overall experience.’ I keep hoping that HalloweenTime reaches that same level of detail that the Christmas season has achieved at DLR, but it has not happened yet.
If you only can do one season or the other, I always say that I think you will get much more bang for your buck if you go to DLR during the Christmas season than for Halloween.
Plus the Haunted Mansion and Small World seasonal makeovers are awesome.
is up and it is their "low" season, less expensive, less crowded! Have a great magical time!
