Thanksgiving or Christmas?

[Dallas_Lady]

DH finally admitted that he'd rather go to Disney again than some other vacation, so I am planning once more

We want to experience Disney at the Holidays. We are both nuts about the Christmas season and really want to experience Disney at that time of year. I am a teacher, so I am limited to coming Thanksgiving week or Christmas week.

Here is our cirteria:
-We want Value season rates!
-We really want to feel the Christmas spirit
-Our only other trip was in Septmeber when there were zero crowds. We are concerned about crowds (but not unwilling to deal with them)
-I am worried about the weather being too cold. I dont mind sweaters, jeans and gloves, but I don't want to have to dress like I am skiing.

That said, what do you think will be a better choice?

 

[Dallas_Lady]

Anyone?

 

[disney4us2002]

If you really love Christmas and want to see much of the hoopla, then I think you should go the week before Christmas rather than Thanksgiving week. Some of the resorts decorate early but I think I've read that the parks decorate Thanksgiving weekend so you might not see much. It will be colder however so it's a toss up maybe. Some have reported 80* in December and then others have said 45* so you can't rule out coats.

We're planning 12/19-12/27. Yes we anticipate crowds and possibly cold weather but I'd still rather be at Disney than anywhere else on the earth!

 

[ktglads]

Most of the Christmas decorations go up the day after Thanksgiving and if that is the purpose of your trip, then it would not make sense to go before Thanksgiving. The crowds may be more during your December timeframe, but if you are concentrating on the Christmas specials and events, you will be able to experience most if not all of them.

Saying this, I went last year from the day after Thanksgiving through the first week of December. The crowds were minimal after the weekend and it was nice during the day (shorts/t-shirts on all days except one) and at night, jeans or a sweatshirt were more than enough. But to do this week, you would have to take days off from school. As a teacher, you are kind of sunk since the kids and families travel on the same schedules that you do, so whenever you would be available to travel, the families are as well, making the parks busy.

 

[HollyJoy]

Well, I've heard that both times are pretty crowded, but if I had to choose, I'd pick Christmas!

 

[Dallas_Lady]

Thanks for the replies! We are gonna plan like crazy and tackle to the Christmas crowds. We have decided to go all out and stay at the WL the week of Christmas. We're going to head home Christmas eve, so hopefully we will miss the biggest crowds.

Anyone else with Christmas advice, please keep it coming!