A November Trip

[valskate86]

I am a Disney world vet and have traveled in May, October, and the peak summer months. A group of my girlfriends (6 of us right now) and I are potentially planning a trip for my birthday in November 2016.

Are there things we should consider about going in November? Any special events that are absolute must do's or must sees?

Also, we are really trying to do this trips on the smallest budget possible. So any tips you have in that department would be greatly appreciated as well.

Thanks so much!

 

[Accident]

In nov it's generally: Food and Wine + the start of the winter holiday parties (MVMCP) and decorations are going up. Not sure what to expect with AK next year since the evening show they are adding starts in the spring sometime (no exact date announced yet).

 

[Average Joes]

We just got back in the supposed slow time of November 9-19. It was busy. Slightly better the second week. We did like MVMCP as it cut the crowds down and we could do more. However, if money is tight and there are no kids going it can easily be skipped.

I assume you are familiar with the Food and Wine having been there in October. This year it ended on Monday Nov 16. I would imagine that a group of adults would not want to skip this.

 

[valskate86]

In nov it's generally: Food and Wine + the start of the winter holiday parties (MVMCP) and decorations are going up. Not sure what to expect with AK next year since the evening show they are adding starts in the spring sometime (no exact date announced yet).

Accident, do you know when Christmas decorations go up? That's one of my wishes to see.

 

[valskate86]

We just got back in the supposed slow time of November 9-19. It was busy. Slightly better the second week. We did like MVMCP as it cut the crowds down and we could do more. However, if money is tight and there are no kids going it can easily be skipped.

I assume you are familiar with the Food and Wine having been there in October. This year it ended on Monday Nov 16. I would imagine that a group of adults would not want to skip this.

Average Joes, I am very familiar with F&W...did realize it ran that late though! I'll add that to the list.

I have done MNSSHP in the past, and while it was a great evening with much shorter lines; I agree that it might by be worth the cost in our small budget with a group of adults.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Accident]

Accident, do you know when Christmas decorations go up? That's one of my wishes to see.

This is what I roughly know:

MK: Immediately after halloween is when the switch starts in time for the first party about 1-1/2 weeks after halloween. Only the large xmas tree is missing and that goes up immediately after they tape the tv parade (mid-nov this year, first week dec previous years).
Epcot: switches over after food and wine, generally everything holiday starts just after thanksgiving weekend.
Resorts and others: generally the same time as MK but the gingerbread displays complete about thanksgiving.

Osbourne lights and HS I left out as construction starts and this is the last year for them. I would expect some decorations to appear after halloween next year unless they announce something new closer.

 

[nkereina]

We've been the week before Thanksgiving a few times now and most Christmas décor was up, save for the tree in as PP notes above. The "main" resorts known for the Christmas décor have always been fully decorated, but the resorts we have stayed at (CSR and CBR) didn't put up decorations until closer to the end of that week.

We always were there after Food & Wine had ended, and MVMCP was underway. Osborne Lights had started and Candlelight Processional had not yet. Only thing we've encountered in November that we haven't on other trips is the potential for some cold weather. Last trip, it was in the 50s and 60s as highs and we needed jackets. Pool time was out of the question. That problem was never even a consideration whenever we traveled earlier in the Fall or in the Spring.

 

[Lori74]

you could check renting dvc points and get a great price on a villa. we just rented a 2 bedroom at saratoga springs last month and had a great time.

 

[ols386]

I just went the week of Thanksgiving, and it was a great time.

Crowds mid to late week were very manageable.

All the Christmas decorations were up.

The weather was perfect.

I'd definitely go again during late November.

 

[alopez926]

You may get lucky and get free dining which will help your budget. Lots going on in Nov (including Free Dining) that ratchet up the crowd levels in the 1st two weeks in Nov. Jersey week, followd by half marathon. MVMCP starts around the 8th so the non-party days at MK are packed. Then there's veteran's day, and the end of F&W all within a few days of each other. This year, they threw in the parade taping to boot and although we had a good time, I won't go back with those crowd levels. Right after we left (Nov. 15th), the crowds went way down. Something to consider in your planning!

 

[valskate86]

This is what I roughly know:

MK: Immediately after halloween is when the switch starts in time for the first party about 1-1/2 weeks after halloween. Only the large xmas tree is missing and that goes up immediately after they tape the tv parade (mid-nov this year, first week dec previous years).
Epcot: switches over after food and wine, generally everything holiday starts just after thanksgiving weekend.
Resorts and others: generally the same time as MK but the gingerbread displays complete about thanksgiving.

Osbourne lights and HS I left out as construction starts and this is the last year for them. I would expect some decorations to appear after halloween next year unless they announce something new closer.

Great! Thank you so much! Sounds like we might be there kind of in the in between time; but that's ok.

 

[valskate86]

you could check renting dvc points and get a great price on a villa. we just rented a 2 bedroom at saratoga springs last month and had a great time.

I've stayed DVC before and loved it! I am not a member; but stayed with a family who was. I know of renting points; but I have no idea where to start. I do a green with our group size this may be a great option.

 

[valskate86]

You may get lucky and get free dining which will help your budget. Lots going on in Nov (including Free Dining) that ratchet up the crowd levels in the 1st two weeks in Nov. Jersey week, followd by half marathon. MVMCP starts around the 8th so the non-party days at MK are packed. Then there's veteran's day, and the end of F&W all within a few days of each other. This year, they threw in the parade taping to boot and although we had a good time, I won't go back with those crowd levels. Right after we left (Nov. 15th), the crowds went way down. Something to consider in your planning!

Very true. Thanks for the honest feedback. My birthday is the 15th and I'd really like to be in MK that day. We were hoping to do an extended "weekend"; but we may need to think about extending it the other way. Thanks!

 

[nkereina]

Also worth noting that the first week of November is also Jersey Week. Higher than typical crowds for that time of year, and if it coincides with Veteran's Day or an election day, it makes it worse. Free Dining has always been blacked out during that time as well. We did have free dining the week before Thanksgiving when we went in 2014.

 

[Average Joes]

I've stayed DVC before and loved it! I am not a member; but stayed with a family who was. I know of renting points; but I have no idea where to start. I do a green with our group size this may be a great option.

We rented from Dave's Vacation Club. No issues. It was 45-50% of the cost of rack rate. There are other corporations that also act as a middle man with the owner. They have calculators on costs on their website. The downside is that you would have to rent them now to get what you want. Oct-Dec is a busy time for the timeshares. Even with renting timeshare points for a two bedroom deluxe or a couple rooms is going to be expensive. I wouldn't think it qualifies for the "smallest budget possible". A couple rooms at a value would certainly be cheaper. Should you book a timeshare now and free dinning comes out you won't be able to get it. Although with how busy it was this November maybe free dinning is less likely than in the past.

 

[valskate86]

We rented from Dave's Vacation Club. No issues. It was 45-50% of the cost of rack rate. There are other corporations that also act as a middle man with the owner. They have calculators on costs on their website. The downside is that you would have to rent them now to get what you want. Oct-Dec is a busy time for the timeshares. Even with renting timeshare points for a two bedroom deluxe or a couple rooms is going to be expensive. I wouldn't think it qualifies for the "smallest budget possible". A couple rooms at a value would certainly be cheaper. Should you book a timeshare now and free dinning comes out you won't be able to get it. Although with how busy it was this November maybe free dinning is less likely than in the past.

I will look into that for sure. Thanks for the jumping off point !