No matter where you go at a Disney theme park, two holidays stand out above everything else. Halloween and Christmas. Frankly, I think Disney needs to scale back.
Whether you are visiting the parks themselves or the parks and a resort hotel, Disney goes all-out with their decorations and everything has become quite popular over the years. Guests plan a year or even more in advance just to get a chance to witness what Disney has to offer.
I won't hide behind a cardboard Mickey Mouse on this one. I have been to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party. Multiple times if I am being honest. I have stayed at a resort on the property during Halloween, stayed at the campgrounds at Fort Wilderness, and visited Disney parks during Christmas decoration time.
My problem isn't really with all the decorations. My problem is the incredible amount of time that Disney hosts these two holidays.
Of the two, Halloween is the absolute worst. Christmas starting the first week of November isn't all that bad if I am being honest with myself. The transformation from Halloween to Christmas is a popular two-day event where you can literally see the transformation in the span of two or three days.
My issue is more with Halloween which starts way back in August. That, I don't get. Well, I do, it's all about the money and let's face it, people will pay a lot of money to go to the MNSSHP and with more dates added every year, Disney is raking in big money for the semi-private ticketed event.
But August? Really? Why not just September and October like Christmas? Why does Disney have to close Magic Kingdom at 6:00 p.m. on event nights and not just one half of the park while leaving the other half open until say, 8:00 p.m. then open the entire park to the costumed guests?
The only answer and the right answer, again is money, and when Disney hosts these events they sell out quickly.
The Halloween events sold out pretty quickly and already, the Very Merry Christmas Party is starting to sell out as well.
This year's event will start on November 9th and the first two nights have already sold out. It will run until December 22nd which is also sold out. The first of December is also booked to capacity.
In all, there are 25 dates that will see Magic Kingdom close early for the Christmas event. This includes the 13th, 14th, 16th, and 17th of November (4 out of 5 days). In fact, once the party gets started, 12 of the 22 days will have early closing at M.K.
December isn't as bad. 13 days of 31 will be Christmas party nights.
What does this mean for you? If you are not going to Disney, it means absolutely nothing. If you are and do not plan to attend the after hours party, you will need to plan your parks accordingly.
Again, honestly, I don't have a problem so much with Christmas but starting Halloween in August? That's a little much for my taste.