Silly question-Christmas vs Halloween

[lalasmama]

What's your preferred season in the parks?

I've got 2 trips in 2017. One will be in June, and the other is to be decided--either Halloween or Christmas. I've been at both times, but can't figure out which to do next fall/winter!

What is your favorite? Why? Help me decide!

ETA: Solo trip

 

[Darkbeer1]

I prefer Christmas for a few reasons.

Main reason, no special parties, everyone with a regular admission can enjoy all the events, including Candlelight weekend.

I also like the Christmas feel, for Halloween, I want more edgy events, such as Knott's Halloween Haunt, Universal Halloween Horror Nights and Six Flags Magic Mountain's Fright Fest.

Also not a fan of Ghost Galaxy (Space Mountain overlay).

 

[chickapin parterre]

What kind of Disney do you collect?
do you hand out candy for trick or treat?
do you like chorale music?
do you like christmas treats?
Yellow or silver colors?
orange mums or blue poinsettias?
longer days or shorter nights?

 

[kristabelle13]

I did Halloween weekend incl the Halloween party on Halloween this year, then went back for 9 days over US Thanksgiving.

Honestly, Christmas is the best. The decorations are varied and beautiful. The overlays for the rides are cool. (I hated ghost galaxy - the soundtrack is terrible and makes the ride feel slow) The Halloween parade and fireworks were phenomenal but not worth the price of party admission, IMO. (As previous person said, the added cost of the parties is a consideration - you don't have that at Xmas - but I highly recommend the holiday tour!!)

Now with Festival of Holidays, there's added (really great!!) musical acts at DCA.

I've been to DL about 7 times at Christmas and twice at Halloween. I don't think I'll ever go back at Halloween. Not my thing, but I can see why people would like it.

 

[WonkaKid]

Personally, I love Halloween, more so even than Christmas. Accordingly, I prefer Halloween in the parks. To me, the energy and mystery of Halloween is far more charged than Xmas.

 

[lorijohnhill]

I did both this year. I liked the cooler/cold weather much more than the 100 degree temps we had in October.

I'll be returning next Sept/Oct for Halloween Time, but our APs expire in October. Otherwise, I'd probably choose Holiday Time. With my job, I'd probably go in November instead of December.

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

I would also opt for the later holidays than halloween.

October has just been nuts the past few years at the parks. We have gone down for a halloween party from 2011-2014, but we will not do it any more. Just too many people, not worth the cost for us any more. Weekends in October are worse than weekends in summer, late November, or early December. I have been down for October and either late November or early December for the last five years for conferences and such (and hehe extra Disney days) and October has the worst crowds as far as my experience. The weekday crowds during some parts of October are quite formidable as well.

That being said, you will have a great time either way, just expect a few more people in October and plan accordingly.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Not a silly question at all. I went to both this year and love both, but the crowds at both are really too much for me. My pros and cons from this year:
October pros:
Long, sunny days.
Able to get soaked on Grizzly rapids and not care because it is hot and sunny outside.
Halloween party is a change up from the normal stuff - can wear a costume if you care about that stuff.
Villains out and about.
Halloween themed food.
October cons:
Can be oddly hot which can cause fatigue.
Lots of people!

December pros:
Absolutely beautiful decor.
It's a Small world.
Jingle cruise.
Christmas parade (pretty much same old parade year after year and annoying song can get stuck in head)
Different food options.

Cons:
Gets dark early which makes me tired earlier.
Can be very cold. (40s - 50s).
Lots of people!

I've already been thinking about next year because I am not too keen on doing both again because of the crowds. Based on when my adult children can join me, it looks like I'll be doing Halloween again with one or 2 of the parties. Personally, I like the Christmas theme more, but I'd probably do Christmas in November instead of December. From what I've read here the 4 day weekend of Thanksgiving wasn't nearly as bad as expected. I'd consider that week.