Veteran's day weekend vs. Thanksgiving weekend?

[Misskitty3]

It looks like we will not be able to visit DL this summer. Too much going on at DH's work to get away....

However......DH suggested we might be able to go in November for DD's birthday! Her bday is Nov 2nd and actually has already celebrated her birthday 2 other times at DL so I am not too worried about being there on her actual birthday. My kids (probably like most) have Vetran's day off which is Tuesday, Nov 11th. We could fly down Friday night and then spend Sat, Sun & Mon in the parks before coming home on the 11th.

I quickly looked at the Christmas time thread started by Sherry E. and it appears some Christmas stuff might be happening during that time or might happen right after Veteran's day which would mean we would miss it. Out of all the Christmas events, I would LOVE to see it snow on Main Street. Does that usually happen during the Christmas parade?

I am going to assume it will be less crowded if we visit during Veteran's weekend vs. Thanksgiving weekend. Probably cheaper hotels and flights too plus less hassle going thru the airports.

However, the benefit of going over Thanksgiving would be getting to see Disneyland in full Christmas mode!

Are we crazy to go Veteran's weekend and not wait a few more days to see Christmastime at Disneyland?

 

[GatorChris]

It just depends on what you want out of the trip. If you want rides rides rides, go on Veteran's Day. It will be a little crowded but not like Thanksgiving. That said, Christmas does look really nice and they play lots of Christmas music.

 

[Misskitty3]

We are more into the rides at this point....my kids are 11 and 8 (turning 9). As much as they like Christmas, they would rather ride Splash and BTMRR a million times!

I just checked flights and for that Sunday after Thanksgiving, Alaska and Jet Blue are charging almost $300 one way back to Seattle. Alaska's prices aren't too bad the Wednesday before Thanksgiving but Jet Blue is close to $300. Yikes!

 

[Drusilla99]

The parks should be in full Christmas decor because they usually film the Christmas Day concerts the 1st or 2nd weekend of November. As far as the snow, I'm not sure when they start that, but Santa comes by the middle of November too. The snow happens at different times & different places throughout the evenings, the schedule will have more info closer. I usually watch it from in front of small world, they do a beautiful light display, songs, then snow. Hope that helped a bit

 

[Misskitty3]

Veteran's day is sounding better and better!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Last year holidays in DL were November 12, 2013 - January 6, 2014. As you noted, Veteran's Day is November 11. Also, I could be wrong, but I think last year on that weekend before Veteran's Day they did the Christmas Day parade taping.

So with the dates you are considering, I would consider it likely that the parks will not be in full holiday mode yet. A lot of decorations will be up, but the special holiday shows and fireworks and snow will not yet be happening. Also, special food offerings and merchandise may not be available yet. Additionally, the parks could end up being very busy from the holiday weekend and the additional possibility of the Christmas parade taping (certainly no way to know now if that will be the weekend since that changes from year to year so not something to bank on whether it's something you would want to see or avoid).

About the snow, it doesn't occur during the parade. There are a few times throughout the evening when some music plays and some narration occurs and then snow falls. The big snowfall though is immediately after the fireworks.

 

[hjgaus]

My son's school has Monday & Tuesday off for Veteran's Day so we will be there from that Saturday through Tuesday. We are So Cal locals so there MIGHT be other local school districts with the SAME 2 days OFF.

 

[mich311e]

My son's school has Monday & Tuesday off for Veteran's Day so we will be there from that Saturday through Tuesday. We are So Cal locals so there MIGHT be other local school districts with the SAME 2 days OFF.

We are in Phoenix and we get the long weekend, too. I suspect lots of schools do.

 

[Misskitty3]

We are in Phoenix and we get the long weekend, too. I suspect lots of schools do.

I am sure you are right, I bet most schools make Veteran's day into a long weekend. Wish my kids got Monday, the 10th off too....

Looks like the So Cal AP is blocked on the 8th and 9th. The So Cal Select AP is blocked both those days and the 10th and 11th too.

 

[hjgaus]

I am sure you are right, I bet most schools make Veteran's day into a long weekend. Wish my kids got Monday, the 10th off too....

Looks like the So Cal AP is blocked on the 8th and 9th. The So Cal Select AP is blocked both those days and the 10th and 11th too.

This MAY help but doesn't mean that EVERY So Cal local owns the So Cal AP's. Although it should all turn out okay for that weekend!

We have Premier AP's.