Disneyland at Halloween or Christmas?

[OliveMcFly]

I've decided to head back to DLR the end of next year. I'm interested in seeing the HMH. I've done WDW a thousand times for both holidays but I'm wondering which would be the better holiday to visit DLR. I'd love to hear experiences and thoughts. Thanks a lot everyone!

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Christmas is full out with entertainment and decor at both parks with no hard ticket events. Halloween is just okay and the special entertainment is only available during hard ticket parties. Christmas, no question.

 

[ForeverAnna]

I like both but it's true about the party. If you don't plan to do it go for Christmas. I recommend the 1st week of December.

 

[mikenatcity1]

it depends on the money aspect- if you want the full halloween experience with entertainment and a truck ton of candy, halloween for Mickey's Halloween Party; if you want the atmosphere and entertainment (parade, fireworks, music, carols), Christmas is best We have gone the weekend before Thanksgiving with great luck! The only thing we are missing is the chance to get freshly made candy canes on certain days

 

[SpaceMountain75]

Christmas by far. It's worth going just to see this beauty:

Add to that the atmosphere, decorations, and the Main Street Christmas music loop and you've got yourself a winning holiday.

 

[truecoat]

I've done both and Christmas although crowded is the way to go.

 

[SuddenStorm]

Just avoid the 2-3 weeks around actual Christmas. These are usually the busiest days of the year. Christmas is the better time to go, you'll have the Christmas Parade, the Holiday Fireworks, Holiday Small World, as well as extensive decorations throughout the park.

 

[truecoat]

Just avoid the 2-3 weeks around actual Christmas. These are usually the busiest days of the year. Christmas is the better time to go, you'll have the Christmas Parade, the Holiday Fireworks, Holiday Small World, as well as extensive decorations throughout the park.

The key at Christmas time is to get to the park EARLY. Can't stress that enough. You'll be able to do a lot by 1-2 oclock. Take a break and come back later for the lighting of It's a Small World, the parade and fireworks. Catch another couple rides and it's a very good day.

 

[OliveMcFly]

Thanks everyone! I think we're looking at Christmas, Dec 2-9, 2017.

 

[truecoat]

Thanks everyone! I think we're looking at Christmas, Dec 2-9, 2017.

You picked a good time.

This holiday season, the Candlelight Ceremony will be performed under the stars on Main Street, U.S.A., on Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4, with two performances each night.

 

[OliveMcFly]

You picked a good time.

This holiday season, the Candlelight Ceremony will be performed under the stars on Main Street, U.S.A., on Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4, with two performances each night.

That sounds wonderful! I'm really getting excited now.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

That sounds wonderful! I'm really getting excited now.

Be aware that seeing Candlelight requires a serious time investment. There are no seats available to the general public, so you will need to "camp out" for a spot for as long as you are willing. Some wait all day (which is of course, ludicrous), but of course the better performance to catch is the second one in an evening. You picked great dates; have a great time!

 

[OliveMcFly]

Be aware that seeing Candlelight requires a serious time investment. There are no seats available to the general public, so you will need to "camp out" for a spot for as long as you are willing. Some wait all day (which is of course, ludicrous), but of course the better performance to catch is the second one in an evening. You picked great dates; have a great time!

Thanks for the tip. I'm just shy of 6ft so I do pretty good seeing over heads but we will be sure to get there early.

 

[redfive13]

We are thinking of going the weekend of November 18th, this should be right after decorations are up, but before everything is super-crazy. Has anyone experienced the decorations this early?

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

We are thinking of going the weekend of November 18th, this should be right after decorations are up, but before everything is super-crazy. Has anyone experienced the decorations this early?

It will still likely be crowded, as there are very few dead zones anymore in the holiday season. The Christmas season goes full tilt on Veterans Day weekend each year, so you won't miss anything by coming on November 18th.

 

[Stevek]

Disneyland is my favorite place I've ever experienced for Christmas. Without a doubt, I'd go then versus Halloween.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Christmas.