Worth Postponing? About This Page:

[scillarella]

My first ever trip to DL is this Sept, but would it be worth putting it off a little in order to see the Holiday versions of small world and Haunted Mansion? Or is it better to just see the regular DL versions?

[bradk]

HM will actually probably be closed most of Sept to get the overlay up by Oct 1.

i'm anticipating going to DLR for the holiday season myself, although i've been there multiple times during normal seasons.

[scillarella]

Originally Posted by bradk

HM will actually probably be closed most of Sept to get the overlay up by Oct 1.

i'm anticipating going to DLR for the holiday season myself, although i've been there multiple times during normal seasons.

Hmm. Is that a big deal? Or is DL's HM pretty close to WDW's (or what WDW's is rumored to be when it reopens)? Is the holiday overlay something worth waiting for?

[bradk]

i couldn't tell you what the WDW version will be like when it re-opens, but the DLR version is much nicer as of today. from the stretching room effect to the fact that you actually walk down a hallway before getting on the vehicle to the paintings to the mindblowing madame leota effect.

i personally wouldn't know if the nightmare before christmas overlay is worth it yet either. but hopefully i will later this year.

[aka pastor guy]

I can't compare the holiday overlays to their counterparts at WDW (both Florida trips were in May/June) but I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed the SW & HM holiday versions at DLR when we there in 2003.

I'd also suggest that waiting until later in the year will enable you to see the whole Park decorated for Christmas (very pretty!), a chance to see Christmas in Storybook Land (not mindblowing but very cool nonetheless), a nightly Christmas parade... and - weather permitting - nightly fireworks (complete with the whole "fake snow" thing).

The crowds are also very light during the weekdays of this time period... and not too bad on the weekends.

Of course, that's when we're going this year... so, on second thought, go in September! I wouldn't want it to get too crowded during the holidays.

[SuzyMouse]

If I had a choice - I would go during the holidays as long as it is not Thanksgiving or Christmas week.

The decorations alone are SO worth seeing and the Nightmare Before Christmas HM is really memorable! They go all out and you will be amazed at how much they change the decorations for the attraction.

There is just something special about the holidays at DL. But, again, if you are not able to make it during a less-crowded time, I would stick with September.

[scillarella]

Crowds will be bad in Sept?

[DebiDebiDebi]

I agree with the others; Disneyland is charming when decorated for Christmas. I personally love the Disneyland version of the HM, with or without the Nightmare Before Christmas decor. September should'nt be too busy, but if you can wait a bit, I would go after Thanksgiving and before Christmas...you won't be sorry!

[bradk]

any weekday when kids are in school is best.

[LauraBelle V. Hime]

I would definately try to go during the holiday season. The Haunted Mansion decorations and the way Small World comes to life will not disappoint you.

[forever_amber]

so will they close Small World in September too?

[bradk]

no, HM closes for most of Sept so it can have the overlay in October for the halloween festivities.

i believe small world is closed most of november for its work.

[Tricia Davids]

It would be worth postponing in my opinion. We go to DL 7-8 times a year and I LOVE DL during the holidays. HM is sceduled to be closed Sept 4-20 to do the holiday overlay and then it stays decorated until New Years. In Oct. DL started celebrating Halloweentime so HM and the parks are decorated for Halloween. SW and the Christmas decorations and parades usually start right before Thanksgiving and run until New years. Crowds will be "lighter" in Sept, Oct or before or after Thanksgiving (not during that week) and in Dec. before Christmas (the week between Christmas and New Years and New Years Eve are insane). I hope this helps!