Which one do you prefer, Halloween or Christmas time at WDW?

[captaindavidhook]

I have never been there WDW at either of these times. I was thinking at possibly going next year to Disney and maybe leaving the day after Christmas and staying there and also celebrating New Year's there as well. Can someone tell me how it is around these possible dates. I always know crowd control is very high but I am asking people who have been there for these times, did you enjoy yourself?

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

If we are talking holiday parties, I prefer the Halloween special ticketed event over the Christmas event. However, if we're talking overall time of the year, Christmas has to beat it hands down. It will be incredibly crowded at the parks, so you'll need ADRs and fast passes, a plan and rope drop.

You just can't beat the beauty of the lit up Christmas light castle. Epcot has so many special things in World Showcase including the Candlelight Processional and the storytellers.

 

[Disneylover99]

I absolutely love the Halloween party, but I love being there for Christmas week. There's nothing like it.

 

[Doxycycline]

Given that Halloween is my favorite Holiday, a trip to WDW in October is definitely on my bucket list. Haven't been able to go since I'm always so busy around that time. One day...

 

[pigletto]

Of the two parties, I vastly preferred the Christmas party, but Halloween was fun. I also just prefer the Christmas season to Halloween, so it's my favourite time of year to go.

 

[StuckInKS]

Both are great in their own way. The Christmas lights on the castle and the HUGE tree on MS are absolutely beautiful, but I also like the bit in "spookiness" in MK during Halloween. They seem to start putting Christmas decorations up within a day or two of the last MNSSHP, so you can experience both if planned right.

 

[6loversofdisney]

I've been at both times and here are my thoughts. I love Christmas because I love Christmas anyway and seeing that castle lit is like nothing else. As far as the parties, I prefer the MNSSHP over the Christmas party and would do the Halloween one again but not the Christmas one. Just a preference. Weather wise you never know with either but have more of a chance of wonky weather in December than October. We loved dressing up and seeing so many dressed up and loved, loved, loved the headless horseman.

 

[RachaelA]

I love the Halloween party the most but I like that there is more overall Christmas themed stuff. We just did the week of Halloween and are doing it adding next year. Best of both worlds! You miss candlelight processional but you still get Christmas at mk.

 

[cattrix]

I vote Halloween party. We have been so many times and we love it. Have been to the Christmas party and while I love Christmas I prefer the Disney Halloween party. We usually go in Sept so that kicks off our fall season

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We've done both a few times. MNSSHP in both early and late October. MVMCP in late November and mid-December. And we've also visited WDW during the week between Christmas and New Year's. Purely for decorations, I prefer going when it's decorated for Christmas. I also prefer MVMCP. That being said, if you can go in November or December when it isn't a holiday season (week of Thanksgiving and week of Christmas), I would do that. Christmas week touring is a whole other animal. To say it's crowded is an incredible understatement. It's also one of the most expensive weeks to go. We had to keep our expectations of what we could see and do very low (typically we would do our 3 FP+ in the morning and leave the parks around 1-2 pm because it was so packed). We also incorporated a tour (Wild Africa Trek) and a lot of pool and resort time to get out of the crowds. We did have fun, but I don't know if we would do it again. We are going down again this year, but moved our trip earlier (Dec. 16-21) to hopefully see more of the parks and get out before the crowds get super big.

 

[mel&me]

Like the Christmas atmosphere better but love the Halloween party. Have not been to Disney for Christmas in ages, work keeps me around home during winter months.

 

[buteraa]

Christmas for sure. There is no comparison to the overall feeling of being at Disney during Christmas. Snow on main street! Can't get that on Halloween

 

[Sweettears]

I prefer the Halloween time frame at this point. I've done both. As a PP said the weather is better, food and wine is on and the crowds seem manageable. Another reason for me is that understandably so Christmas music is pervasive throughout the parks. I kind of miss the normal WDW soundtrack when I visit during Christmas. Having said that if you haven't ever gone during Christmas you need to do so. It can't be missed.

 

[Accident]

I wouldn't say I prefer 1 time over another. Halloween is for the most part just MNSSHP and decorations at MK and we like halloween so we enjoy that party more. But Xmas is a lot more things to do and see so it's a great time of year to visit when your looking to explore everything at WDW more. Very different trips in my mind and both great for their own reasons.

 

[Lesverts]

For Parties, it is Halloween over Christmas hands-down for me. And this is from a person that doesn't like Halloween too much. But for overall experience and enjoyment. Christmas. There is so much to see, do and experience. The new additions this year at Epcot were fantastic. It was just amazing.

 

[AndiSlamberg]

Both times are amazing to go! The decorations and general feel in the parks around both times is outstanding. However if you are talking just about attending the parties, MNSSH blows the Christmas party out of the water. 10000% better imo.

 

[skipfierce]

We have done both parties and they are both a great time! I think I like Christmas a little more. I do miss the Osbourne lights though.