Trying to decide the best time to go...

[williamscm3]

So currently we are scheduled to arrive at Disney on Nov 30 and leave Dec 7. We really want to experience Disney at Christmas this year After reading easyWDW recommendations for Nov though it looks like the week of Nov 16-22 is a great time to visit the parks. My son will be turning 5 on Nov 18(mickeys birthday too!) and I'm considering switching just to be there for his actual birthday. Will the parks looks exactly the same these 2 weeks or do Christmas decorations come out more the closer you actually get to Christmas Day? When do the Osborne lights start? And we're staying at WL mainly b/c it looks beautiful all decorated...I'm hoping the lobby tree will be up that early too? Thanks for any advice on this! I just know he is growing so fast and the thought of him sharing his birthday with Mickey is more of a reason to be there on the actual day but at the same time we want it to feel like Christmas...I'm not sure what to do.

 

[Mrs Green]

Google Christmas decor at wdw and you will find lots about the start dates. I would link but I don't know how or if I'm even able. Anyway, by the second week of November most things are ready to go. I loved being at wdw For the Christmas decorations. I hope to get back some day, especially the Osborne lights. I think you will be fine going at either time you are considering, but I would probably go for the birthday just because that is extra special!

 

[williamscm3]

Google Christmas decor at wdw and you will find lots about the start dates. I would link but I don't know how or if I'm even able. Anyway, by the second week of November most things are ready to go. I loved being at wdw For the Christmas decorations. I hope to get back some day, especially the Osborne lights. I think you will be fine going at either time you are considering, but I would probably go for the birthday just because that is extra special!

Thanks! I'm think we're leaning towards switching to be there for his birthday...That would be extra special

 

[MomofKatie]

The Magic Kingdom will be completely decorated (except for the Big Tree on Main Street, which doesn't go up until after the Christmas parade taping in early December) by the first MVMCP, usually somewhere around November 8th or 9th.

The other parks and resorts will be mostly decorated, but there will still be things added all the way up to Thanksgiving. The Osborne Lights traditionally start the same night as the first MVMCP, and DHS should be fully decked out by then. AK doesn't have a ton of decorations, but they should be mostly up by the second week of November.

Epcot is where you will notice a difference- most of their holiday offerings start the day after Thanksgiving. So if you are really looking forward to the Candlelight Processional or the different storytellers and Santas around the World Showcase, you might want to think about waiting until December to visit.

Most resort hotel decorations should be done by mid November, but there might be others that are still being finished (the gingerbread house at GF, the big chocolate/gingerbread displays at BC and Y&BC, for example). DTD will be pretty much ready for the holidays.

If you want to have a "Christmassy" atmosphere, either week will be great. If you really want to experience the Epcot holiday offerings, you need to wait until after Thanksgiving. We have visited several times when the Christmas stuff was going on, but not when Epcot's activities were included (always been in mid November or early January). Honestly, we didn't feel like we missed out on anything, but we aren't churchgoers so we weren't at all interested in the Candlelight Processional.

Crowd-wise, mid November is amazing! The weather is lovely, too. Early December is nice, too, but I believe a bit higher crowd levels (but not by much). You really can't go wrong with either week.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Have been there almost every year in December for past 15 years. Always beautiful.. There was one year recently (within the past 5) when the Osborne lights were not shown until day after Thanksgiving. But all other years, earlier in November.

For either time, make sure to bring cold weather clothing. It can get frigid at that time of the year. In 2010, it was downright freezing. Many of the topiaries and more delicate shrubbery/trees, etc. were covered to prevent frost damage.

All in all, a great time to go.