When should we go???

[cjbcam]

I have looked at crowd and weather charts but would like people's opinions...
We have been to WDW twice, last year (January) and the year before (march). I want to go for either Halloween or Christmas decorations/ parties or maybe hit both?
There is six of us me, DH, 3 DD (will be 7,10 and 12) and DS (will be 5). We will be going 10- 14 days. So advice on when to go, what decorations are better or if anyone thinks we could maybe hit both parties or is it better to just do one? Also best place to stay. We have stayed at POR and ASMu. Thanks.

 

[ekatiel]

If you went the last week in October/First week in November, you could hit both parties . The last Halloween party is on Halloween, the 31st, and the first Christmas party this year was on Nov. 7th. We have never been to the Halloween party, but I hear that it's better than the Christmas party. We do, however, LOVE Disney at Christmas time-- the decorations are great and the whole atmosphere is just cheery. It looks like the Osborne lights started on Nov. 7th this year, too, so if they're still around next year (there are rumors that they might close), then you could catch those, too.

 

[abaldacci]

MNSSHP is the best of the two parades, I like early to mid-oct. I love Christmas but something is missing in the warm weather of FL. I can't get into it I also like being at home for Christmas Holiday. So that's my two cents.

 

[IBLarsen]

I LOVE Halloween/fall time at the parks! I'm not a big Halloween lover in general, but I love the fall feeling during October. That's always my first choice

 

[Wendybird55]

Is taking your children out of school any issue in your plans? If so, picking dates would be dependent upon school schedules.

If it's not an issue then it's a tough call. The past 3 years we've done 4-5 day trips for MNSSHP and F&W and love it. The Halloween party is great and it hosts my all-time favorite Disney parade. The kids may not enjoy F&W as much, but it's nice to stroll around in the afternoon (gets very crowded in evening).

This we would like to try to do a long-weekend during to see the Christmas decorations and events. It's been a long time since I've been to a MVMCP so based on my experiences, I enjoy MNSSHP better. However, I love the Candlelight Processional in EPCOT.

Basically, you can't go wrong with either. As PP suggested you may want to straddle Halloween and Christmas by going very end of Oct. into Nov. But that can be expensive buying separate tickets for both parities especially for 6 people. If it's one or the other, maybe watch videos form both parties on youtube and see if there's one your family prefers.

 

[anniemae]

Personally, November is my favorite time. The weather is great, not too hot, the crowds are low (if you avoid Thanksgiving, marathon etc.) Usually the second week is good.

 

[cjbcam]

Thanks for all the opinions. Most comments/articles I've read, people seem to like the Halloween party best. I think we are going to go the last week of October/ first week of November. Hopefully we can see both parties.

 

[patster734]

My main problem with the October/November trip plan is that you'll miss The Candlelight Processional at EPCOT, which doesn't begin until after Thanksgiving. To me, that's one of the three big reasons (Osborne Lights and MVMCP being the other two) of going in early December.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

I am also trying to figure this out. I have just got the idea that going last week of Oct first week Nov would be so cool. I am now trying to figure out oct 29-nov 10th or Dec 11-21st.
It is so appealing to go to both party's.
I am worried about missing Epcot, resorts, and the CP too so I guess you need to figure out whats most importation to you. That's what i'm in the middle of doing.
For you I'd vote oct-nov time and get both party's if that's what you want.