1st Week of Nov or Dec?

[ifjf414]

I'm getting ready to plan another trip for the family.

I wanted advice on whether it's better to go in early November or early December What is the difference in whether? Will X-mas decorations be up in early Nov?

 

[LovePug]

I'd do December. The weather is a little more iffy, though. I think they may just be starting, or getting ready to start, decorations that early in November. I think they may have more the 2nd week, but it has been nearly 3 years since I've been...

 

[AshleeH]

I'd do December to be able to see all of the decorations.

 

[gorkt]

I've done both.

Early Dec: lower crowds, more xmas decorations, better discounts, weather can get downright cold some evenings
Early Nov: busier, food and wine festival, you see both fall and early Christmas decorations, weather is generally warmer

I am a huge food and wine festival fan so I prefer early November. My son loves the pool so having it be warmer is a nice bonus. You can get around the crowds with a good touring plan.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Early November would have the best weather and the Food & Wine Festival. They may be getting ready to put up Christmas decorations but most places won't be decorated yet.

Early December has all the Christmas activities going on but the weather tends to be more iffy. We went the first week of December in 2013 and had weather mostly in the high 60's to mid 70's. But I've seen people report freezing cold weather and super hot weather, too.

I don't think there is a big difference in crowds between November and December. The first week in December no longer has low crowds, but they do have lower crowds than other times of the month.

 

[Mikie]

if you don't plan to attend a Mickets Very Merry Christmas Party, you might prefer November. There will be no parties that week vs first week in Dec which will have parties causing MK to have 7pm closures a couple days and much heavier crowds on the non-party day as guests flock to the day without shortened hours.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

If you want to see all the Christmas decorations then I suggest going in December. The holidays around the world don't start until after thanksgiving. The food and wine festival is fun, but can be very crowded. I personally love the Christmas decorations.

 

[DizDaD7]

Weather alone.....Is enough to say Nov...Throw in F&W, and decent crowds makes it a perfect time...

Dec. early will definitely have some of the lowest crowds of any week in the year though...

X Mas stuff will most certainly be up for both....Maybe not a full 100% in early Nov. but alot...We've done Jersey week 3 times and were lucky to see the decorations, and the old (Osbornes Spectacle of lights too) Sadly no more... Either rouite you go, have a great time..

 

[kwdw]

Really depends upon what you want to do! The weather will most likely be warmer in November - so if going to the pool is important to you - go in November. I also like the F&W Festival - especially on weekdays (not weekends!). And the crowds really aren't bad. I would not count on any Christmas decorations - but they do start early in the month.

First week in December - it's great for seeing all the Christmas offerings - feels very festive. And you can go to Christmas party if you want to pay. Weather wise - the temperature range is WIDE. Could be upper 80's - could be low 30's at night. You have to take clothes for all weather. You can't count on having super nice pool weather in December. Crowds probably lower than first week November, but this week has picked up according to reports the past few years.

I like both times!

 

[heywagners]

We have been in early November before and are going again that week this year. Fall to Christmas usually makes the switch while we are there - around Nov. 3-5, typically.

 

[PeasandCarrots]

I'm getting ready to plan another trip for the family.

I wanted advice on whether it's better to go in early November or early December What is the difference in whether? Will X-mas decorations be up in early Nov?

The weather can be cool or hot either week because it's FL, however, it's more likely to be cooler in Dec. Both are usually pretty good as far as rain goes but again no guarantee.

The will start decorating Magic Kingdom, DHS, and AK that first week of Nov. Depending on how long you stay you might get to see the castle lighting but might not. Epcot & the resort gingerbread houses go up later. If you really want to see everything decorated I would do Dec. The only thing you're giving up by not going in Nov is Food & Wine Festival.

 

[geekbri]

We went Oct 28 - Nov 4th last year. The weather was BEAUTIFUL. The crowds were low (except for MNSSHP which we went to ON halloween.. still had a blast). We really loved doing Epcot at night and sampling all the different foods in different countries. Honestly if we didn't have a wedding to attend we would go again that weekend in 2016. We really had a great time.

 

[cassie58]

I would do Dec. to see all the Christmas decor. Some of it will go up first week in Nov. as the MVMCP starts, so you will see the castle lighting by the end of the week, and Main St. decorated. But after Thanksgiving, everything is up, you can see the giant gingerbread house at GF, chocolate carousel at BC, storytellers/Santas in Epcot, Candlelight Processional in Epcot, all resorts decorated, etc. We love to go at Thanksgiving and stay a few days into the next week, so we can take in all the decor, and it is quieter. It does tend to get crowded the end of that first week of Nov., as it is Jersey Week, F&W, 1/2 marathon, and Veterans Day so a lot of people arrive the middle of the week through the weekend for all those events/holidays. The beginning of the week will be a little less busy.

 

[Ambehnke]

We went in early November last year and the temps were pretty close to 100 the whole trip but I think it was a hot fall all around... That said we'll probably go at the same time next year although we are considering switching to December too.

 

[hookedonears]

I'm getting ready to plan another trip for the family.

I wanted advice on whether it's better to go in early November or early December What is the difference in whether? Will X-mas decorations be up in early Nov?

If decorations aren't that import, 1st week in November has slightly bigger crowds, 1st week in December's weather can be a little dicey.

 

[Kaler131]

December

 

[Bete]

I vote for December. Not only do you get the Christmas decorations, but there is more entertainment themed for Christmas like the Candlelight Processional. Epcot in each country has a storyteller explaining the traditions of that area. Illuminations is special at Christmas. Of course, you have MVMCP. Some of the character meet and greets are holiday themed, too.

 

[Accident]

I personally would do dec, although historically there's not much in discounts that week but the fall/winter holidays are in full effect and most years this is when they tape the xmas special that airs on tv...

If Food and Wine would be of interest and important, nov would be the better date for you. My experience is middle of nov is not as crowded and early/late nov is insane. First week of dec just after the thanksgiving weekend crowd leaves is usually really low.