What Would a Pixie or Pirate Do?
I am planning a Walt Disney World® vacation for the fall. Our dates are flexible and I am trying to choose between October and November. Which is better - Halloween or Christmas decor?
-Larry H.
WWAPD?
Caitlyn L:
I have been in both October and November, both are wonderful times to go. I have found the best of both though. As Magic Kingdom has Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party usually through November 1st, and the Christmas decorations start going up during the first week in November, you can experience both. One of my favorite memories is going to bed one evening during my vacation and walking up the next morning and walking to the lobby at my Resort and seeing the Christmas decorations up. Either way, Disney does it right and you will enjoy either.
Molly L:
We've been there during Halloween and Christmas. While we loved visiting during those times, my personal favorite is Christmas time. Though my kids were excited and beyond to dress up, go trick-or-treating and see the characters in costume, I think Christmas time is a bit more magical. Seeing the castle adorned with lights, walking down the Streets of America at Hollywood Studios and taking in the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights will send your Christmas spirit threw the roof! And if decor is what you're looking for, each park and resort hotel show off amazing Christmas displays, while for fall/Halloween decor it seems like the Magic Kingdom does the most decorating. We are actually thinking about a trip next year where we would arrive on Halloween and stay through the first week of November so we can see both!!
Lisa R:
I would pick October. I love Halloween at the Magic Kingdom. Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party is my favorite event in all of Disney World. The special shows and trick or treating are great. But my favorite thing....all of the Villains available for photo opportunities. Hallowishes is the best fireworks show in my opinion. Disney goes above and beyond in the fall decorations. It is truly a magical time at DIsney world.
Julie B:
Hello! Both seasons are fabulous times to be at WDW! Having been there for both seasons, I would have to say my personal favorite is the Halloween decor (just because my family is big into Halloween & the Magic Kingdom just seems to come alive with the spookiness and fun of it all!). We had the opportunity to go to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party this year - which we LOVED! Keep in mind too, that while Christmas is super-popular time to visit WDW, crowd levels will be high (just something to keep in mind) Also, you can do what I did last Fall..My best friend and I went on Halloween & were there until 11/7 - we were able to see the Halloween decor, then a few days later the Magic Kingdom was magically transformed into Christmas. It was awesome!! ºoº
Chris L:
Although you can't go wrong with either of those (and to be honest, if you plan just the right dates, you could go to both), I'd have to say having been to both, I prefer MNSSHP over MVMCP. Sonya and I went to MNSSHP in 2008 and MVMCP in 2009 and felt that the Halloween party had more to offer in terms of things to do. We found these ridiculous "bacon and eggs" costume and I felt as though we were cast members. Everyone loved our costumes, we even had cast members wanting to take pictures with us. There are plenty of "candy stops" and you can make multiple trips to the stops, with cast members passing out candy by the handfuls. There is a villians stage show, meet and greets, ,"Hallowishes", the headless horseman and much more. The Christmas party was a blast as well, with the free hot chocolate and cookies, dance party, Christmas parade, and the "snow" as well. However, in my opinion, the Halloween party just seemed to have a better atmosphere (this coming from someone who prefers Christmas over Halloween any other time). All that being said, we've talked about an October 31 to November 10 vacation, in hopes that the we will be able to catch the Halloween party in the first of the week and the Christmas party before we leave.
Laura L:
Having been to both, I can honestly say they each have their own pros and cons. Halloween is still wonderfully warm, the MNSSHP has by far the best parade ever done by Disney but it does tend to be a rainy season. Also if timed right, you can check out the Epcot Food & Wine Festival. Christmas at Disney is just something everyone should experience once if they can. The lights, the gingerbread creations, the decorations and the MVMCP are amazing. The downside is that the weather may be unpredictable. If you are looking for warmth, there's no guarantee. Which one is for you just depends on what you are looking to see.
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