Halloween or Christmas?

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Joined: 02/21/2011
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Halloween or Christmas?

Here in Australia we don't celebrate halloween, but it's always sounded like such a fun holiday!

Has anyone been to one of the disney parks for halloween? What's it like, and are the crowds insane?

We do celebrate Christmas biggrin, but the same questions apply!

If you had to choose, which holiday would you do? Or would you avoid them both?

kayb's picture
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Joined: 04/26/2011
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This is a tough one....the crowds are going to be way less at Halloween than at Christmas. But both have great special night events at Magic Kingdom (Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Mickey's Not so Scary Halloween.) If you decide to go for Christmas I would stay the week before Christmas instead of the week after Christmas when the parks are crazy full. mickey

JoAnn C's picture
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The parks are beautifully decorated for Christmas. I haven't been to Disney for Halloween. I do hear it's a fun time to visit.

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That is a tough one! We've not been there on the actual holiday itself, but we were there for Halloween festivities in 2009 (late September) and Christmas magic in 2010 (first week in December).

I'm not a big Halloween fan, but am a Christmas fanatic. I have to say, I had an absolute blast at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party! We found the crowds in late September to be very manageable, but I am guessing closer to and on Halloween they are a bit more busy.

Christmas time, though, is beyond words. Again, we went in early December, which is a pretty slow time, but all the Christmas decorations are out. The closer to Christmas you get, the worse the crowds. We did Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party that year and really enjoyed the special parade and fireworks. And the Osborne Spectacle of Lights is amazing.

The park decorations for both are so much fun; you can't go wrong with either!

Mase's picture
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Weve done Christmas... and wont do that again. But would LOVE to do Halloween! Just sounds sooooooooo awesome.!

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Yeah, to clarify - much as I love Christmas and Disney, there's no way I would do Disney ON Christmas day. I think it might ruin my love for both due to the crowds.....

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We have done MNSSH party and it is great! Never did the Christmas party but we did see all the decorations when we went early January one year and they are amazing. I agree with Jeff about the crowds on the actual day of the holiday, they would probably be a mess!

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Joined: 04/25/2011
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We have done Halloween before and we loved it! It was such a fun time! The parks were decorated with fall decorations (Pumpkins, hay bales, etc) and when we bought tickets to MSNSHP, the park wasn't crowded at all.

I haven't been during Christmas, but I hear it's just beautiful but crowded!

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I think it might have to be halloween! I want to wear a costume! laugh

Hubby's just let me know that work maybe sending him over in September. If that goes ahead I might go over too! We'll be able to spend a few days at Disney and do the halloween party! yay Fingers crossed!

Lizzy_B's picture
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Helen, I hope it works out! When MK is decorated for fall/Halloween, it is soooo pretty! And the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP) is a blast! It's so much fun to get dressed up and walk around the parks, gathering candy, late at night. It's definitely an "act like a kid" time! I think you'll be pleased. It will be a fun way to do something you've never done before. And although the parks - all of them - are breathtaking at Christmas, I've heard a lot of people say they prefer MNSSHP to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP.)

That is an important distinction, though. ALL of the parks do stuff for Christmas - well, I'm not sure about AK, but I know the others do. And my favorite Christmas traditions take place at Epcot, with the different stories that the countries tell about the Christmas (or other winter) holidays, as well as the Candlelight Processional.

BUT - if you go for Halloween, what will you dress up as?

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Egads..that is a toughie. I think Disney at Christmas is amazing..it is magical and the decorations are beautiful..but the crowds are what do it for me. If you have the opportunity to go the first two weeks in December then it would be great..after that things can get a bit crazy.
Halloween though is wonderful. I seriously wish I could go there every year for Halloween. The MNSSHP is sooo much fun and oh my gosh all the candy! Plus the parade and Hallowishes are just so muc fun. Oh, and seeing Mickey and friends all dressed up for the holiday..adorable!
If i had to choose one it would be Halloween.

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WyckedPhoenix's picture
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I love Halloween. In fact, it is one of my and Andy's favorite holidays. However.. we both like our Halloween to be more scary then what is offered by Disney so we don't really go that much. Christmastime is another story.. The feeling is truly magical and festive at that time of year at the parks, we love it! All the decorations are amazing, especially at night.

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I'll keep my fingers crossed - knowing his work, nothing will be settled until a couple of weeks before he gets sent off, but I'm keeping a keen eye on all things disney related, just to be prepared!

Halloween really is my preference though. Less crowds, combined with a holiday I've never celebrated before = win! mickey

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Having been to both, I think MNSSHP gets the nod from me.

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I've been during the the seasons of both but not on the actual Days. I am not a big fan of Halloween but I love the way Disney does it. I did the Mickey's Halloween Party last October in Disney World and suddenly I'm a fan of Halloween again. It's just awesome that you can go trick or treating and the park is spectacular with all its Halloween decorations and seeing all the characters dressed up in costumes is a hoot. Fireworks and the Boo To You parade are amazing as well. So my vote is for Halloween, especially since you don't celebrate where you are. It might be something worth spending the money on to experience Smile

Lizzy_B's picture
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WyckedPhoenix wrote:
I love Halloween. In fact, it is one of my and Andy's favorite holidays. However.. we both like our Halloween to be more scary then what is offered by Disney so we don't really go that much. Christmastime is another story.. The feeling is truly magical and festive at that time of year at the parks, we love it! All the decorations are amazing, especially at night.

shonkiesgirl wrote:
I've been during the the seasons of both but not on the actual Days. I am not a big fan of Halloween but I love the way Disney does it. I did the Mickey's Halloween Party last October in Disney World and suddenly I'm a fan of Halloween again. It's just awesome that you can go trick or treating and the park is spectacular with all its Halloween decorations and seeing all the characters dressed up in costumes is a hoot. Fireworks and the Boo To You parade are amazing as well. So my vote is for Halloween, especially since you don't celebrate where you are. It might be something worth spending the money on to experience Smile

I feel the same way, Shonkiesgirl. I'm not a big fan of Halloween in general - but a Disney Halloween is just my speed Smile

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