Halloween or Christmas or not? About This Page:

[elcodfish]

OK, so this fall or winter we are heading to DL and then Las Vegas... My question is when to go? I have been to WDW for Christmas and am affraid of the crowds in early December. I would love to see the nightmare version of HM but are they going to do it this year? I wouldn't mind January BUT I am affraid of the rehabs, I would hate to get all the way there and not get to go on everything... What about November? Any tips woudl be appreciated!

Erica

[HeatherD]

Hee! We live in Vegas and we'll be going to DLR for Christmas. We always go the first week(ish) in Dec. The crowds are still lower and everything is completed for Christmas. We used to go every May, but in 2003, DH suggested we go in Dec (since I was pregnant and we wouldn't be going that next May). We enjoyed it SO MUCH! that we changed our annual trip to December.

We got annoyed in 2005, because the crowds increased due to the anniversary (and since, with all the YOAMD promos) - but that's a year-round increase...

And, as far as I know, they are still doing Nightmare on HM. I would think we'd've seen it on here if they weren't...

[Tricia Davids]

Christmas time at DL cannot be beat as far as we are concerned. We love the decorations and entertainment. They celebrate Halloween Time during Oct. and then pretty quick start with Christmas stuff after that. If you go in Nov. - avoid the crowds of Thanksgiving weekend. Most of the Christmas stuff is up by Mid-Nov and they start the parades and such either right before or after Thanksgiving. We usually go the first weekend in Dec. before the big crowds arrive. HM is awesome and runs from late Sept./early Oct. till early Jan.

[SherryC]

I haven't been at Halloween, but we've gone to DL in Dec. for ten years now. I absolutely love it! There's nothing to mist you up like seeing Small World all lit up with Christmas lights, and hearing that familiar theme song blended with Christmas carols. Avoid Thanksgiving weekend, go in early Dec. and the crowds won't be bad.

[Stormie71]

I have to agree with what was put in the PassPorter. The parks are the most crowded around holidays and when kids are out of school, so if you won't to avoid a big crowds stay away during those times. (Exception) Probably the least crowded holiday at DL is Halloween. You don't have to deal the families that come there from other states or countries during that time.

Have fun planning your DL trip!

"Here's a little pixie dust to make your DL vacation magical!"

[Cinderella_68]

We always go to DL during the first or second week of December! The decorations are spectacular, there is Christmas magic in the air and we love the holiday fireworks and sipping an eggnog, eating a gingerbread man while sitting on Main Street watching the Christmas Parade! That parade brings back some memories!
Weekends are busy, but not intolerable, usually due to the Processional.
You will also be able to experience the NBC at HM at that time. But my favorite is Holiday Small World!

[Lilianna]

Hello from Vegas... sorta... just 45 minutes west of it, which puts me closer to DL than those in Vegas.

We usually hit DL in Nov because of my son's b-day. We hit it before Thanksgiving and there is still NBC in the HM and the Christmas decorations are up. One year we were at DL in Jan and they still had the xmas stuff up.

Plus... doesn't Small World reopen in Nov? Right around Thanksgiving...? Might be a good time to go, but the lines for this ride could be long.

[HeatherD]

Hello from Vegas... sorta... just 45 minutes west of it, which puts me closer to DL than those in Vegas.

Sure, as the crow flies...but I bet I would beat you to stateline!

It looks like the prevailing opinion is just after Thanksgiving, but not too far into December (1st 2 weeks). That way, you're not cutting into holiday planning too much, but they're still completely ready to go!

Also, Santa is always a treat - especially if they keep him in Frontierland (sorta) and create an entire interaction from it. SO much better than WDW Santas.

[elcodfish]

Well I talked to my husband and it looks like December has it! I get to see the Haunted Mansion Holiday, plus a small world, and of course everythig Christmas. The only problem is we have to fly Southwest (We have about $100 in a bank) so we have to wait to buy our plane tickets, but hopefully this week we can book our hotels and get disney tickets.

[Lilianna]

Originally Posted by HeatherD

Sure, as the crow flies...but I bet I would beat you to stateline!

That sounds like a challenge...

[Cinderella_68]

Originally Posted by HeatherD

Also, Santa is always a treat - especially if they keep him in Frontierland (sorta) and create an entire interaction from it. SO much better than WDW Santas.

Ooooooooh, forgot about Santa! Sorry, Santa! Santa's Reindeer Roundup is too cute! And the kids and I love the cookie decorating station!

[akleos]

We've been to all of the special parties, and of them all I think Halloween is the most fun.. esp. if you can go early enough that the crowds are very big. SO my recommendation is Late Sept., early October.

[colleymouse]

I have gone in October and during the holidays. I don't think you can go wrong either way. The decorations can't be beat during the holidays and it is a fabulous way to get you in the spirit. We celebrated the New Year in the park. The crowds were overwhelming but it is an experience that I will never forget.

[chezp]

Wow, reading this, I can't wait to go during Halloween - and one year we'll have to aim to be there at Christmas as well.

[Meggera]

We were there October 31 and into the beginning of November. On November 1st, all of the Halloween decorations were down, CALIFORNIA was no longer candy corn but red and white stripes, and Toontown was completely decked out for Christmas. It was a great time to go because we got to see a little of both times of the year. Haunted Mansion Holiday was up and running but iasw was not. I was so sad we didn't get to ride this ride. But, that means we will ride it next time.