Hit me with the good/bad about November trip!

[Davey Jones II]

O.P., if you go during the F & W fest, avoid Epcot on the weekends. That's when locals flood the park for the festival. Avoid Animal Kingdom on Mondays, because most people arrive on Sunday, and are eager to go experience Pandora first. Toy Story Land will be open by then, so I would tend to avoid DHS on Mondays, too, by the same logic.

Go to Magic Kingdom on party days; the park is quieter then. If you want to see the fireworks, hop to MK in the evening. But, since you'll be with your granddaughter, I would avoid the madness in the hub. See the fireworks near the entrance to the park, or from Fantasyland.

P.S.: There's a new and very amusing Muppets show in Liberty Square, several times per day. I'm sure your granddaughter will be charmed.

 

[CynBeth]

I always arrive on the Sunday after TG and stay for the first week of December. I know you’re talking earlier November, but the end of November is nice too. You can do the candlelight processional, and the holidays around the world at Epcot. Although it is usually during free dining so it is very hard to get an ADR. We love this time of year, but it seems to be getting more crowded every year. And there is a week somewhere in November that they call New Jersey week where it’s a little more crowded with families visiting from New Jersey. Not sure the exact dates for this coming November though.

I would go right after Thanksgiving to experience all of the holiday stuff.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

I love the weather in Nov. perfect theme park touring weather IMO.

 

[jeff_h]

Are there after-hour parties in November?

To ask the "good" and "bad" implies there is a "bad"... maybe one possibility is chilly weather, but if you always go in January then you have experienced that.

GOOD: Christmas decorations will be up.
GOOD: You won't be there during Thanksgiving Week (we've done that 3x, it can get a bit crowded)
GOOD: I will be there at the same time! (only for a few days, 10th-12th).

As for parties, that's why I just asked in a different thread if they will be holding MVMCP events by then, and the reply I got from a couple forum members was that it was quite possible, so I will be on the lookout to get some tickets for one night if it's being held.

 

[MochaDrinker]

We were there from November 11-18, 2017 and loved it. The weather was great and my sister and bil caught the end of food and wine. Plus we woke up one morning and found the resort-French Quarter-decorated for Christmas

 

[disneydreamer1980]

The only drawbacks of going during MVMCP or even MNSSH is that MK closes early most days, and on non party days the park is crazy crowded.

 

[E.Jane]

Things I love about November....Food & Wine festival, MVMCP, Christmas decorations at the resorts/parks, and the amazing weather (swimming should be totally fine in my experience). As long as you avoid Thanksgiving week, crowds should be manageable (just have a good touring plan!).

Well, we are travelling from Canada so the weather will be much warmer than what we'll be leaving behind! Thanks for your input - I'm getting excited already!

 

[E.Jane]

The only drawbacks of going during MVMCP or even MNSSH is that MK closes early most days, and on non party days the park is crazy crowded.

are the hours even shorter than January? I seem to recall MK always closing at 7 or perhaps 8 pm in January

 

[E.Jane]

To ask the "good" and "bad" implies there is a "bad"... maybe one possibility is chilly weather, but if you always go in January then you have experienced that.

GOOD: Christmas decorations will be up.
GOOD: You won't be there during Thanksgiving Week (we've done that 3x, it can get a bit crowded)
GOOD: I will be there at the same time! (only for a few days, 10th-12th).

As for parties, that's why I just asked in a different thread if they will be holding MVMCP events by then, and the reply I got from a couple forum members was that it was quite possible, so I will be on the lookout to get some tickets for one night if it's being held.

I would definitely like to do a party. I know the cost is a little high, but from the couple of evenings that we paid for, to spend in MK after hours, was soooo worth it!

 

[E.Jane]

O.P., if you go during the F & W fest, avoid Epcot on the weekends. That's when locals flood the park for the festival. Avoid Animal Kingdom on Mondays, because most people arrive on Sunday, and are eager to go experience Pandora first. Toy Story Land will be open by then, so I would tend to avoid DHS on Mondays, too, by the same logic.

Go to Magic Kingdom on party days; the park is quieter then. If you want to see the fireworks, hop to MK in the evening. But, since you'll be with your granddaughter, I would avoid the madness in the hub. See the fireworks near the entrance to the park, or from Fantasyland.

P.S.: There's a new and very amusing Muppets show in Liberty Square, several times per day. I'm sure your granddaughter will be charmed.

Good to know...thank you! Can't decide between the BW or GF. BW would be so handy to slip into Epcot each evening. But then GF would be so handy to take afternoon breaks, as I'm sure we'll be spending more time at MK than the other parks. Decisions, decisions....!

 

[disneydreamer1980]

are the hours even shorter than January? I seem to recall MK always closing at 7 or perhaps 8 pm in January

MK closes around 6 on party nights

 

[Bete]

Usually, the week before Thanksgiving or the week after Thanksgiving you can catch the free dining promo.

I especially like the week after Thanksgiving because you can enjoy everything Christmas including the Candlelight Processional and the Christmas Storytellers in Epcot. The Voices of Liberty at the American Adventure Pavillon have holiday music a cappella. MVMCP will be running on selected dates in MK. Hollywood Studios have special effects for Christmas on the TOT. Characters will dress for Christmas.

This has been our favorite week for many years.

 

[Davey Jones II]

MK closes around 6 on party nights

For non-party goers, it closes when the Party starts. In October, that meant 7 p.m.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

@E.Jane... just so it's clear...

In 2017...

For MNSSHP, MK closed to non-party guests at 7PM
For MVMCP, MK closed to non-party guests at 6PM (this was was the first year Disney implemented a 6PM close on these dates instead of the traditional 7PM on party nights)

As to Jan hours, using this month as an example, you see a mix of mostly 8pm and 9pm, as well as later closings around the weekends, holidays, etc.

Hope that helps!

 

[Babs1975]

We go after Thanksgiving, so end of November. The weather is great. Usually 70's and 80's. Very little rain. Crowds are down our week. Christmas decorations are up and everything is festive. Christmas party is a must for us.

 

[E.Jane]

@E.Jane... just so it's clear...

In 2017...

For MNSSHP, MK closed to non-party guests at 7PM
For MVMCP, MK closed to non-party guests at 6PM (this was was the first year Disney implemented a 6PM close on these dates instead of the traditional 7PM on party nights)

As to Jan hours, using this month as an example, you see a mix of mostly 8pm and 9pm, as well as later closings around the weekends, holidays, etc.

Hope that helps!

Hmm...that is definitely too early to close. On average, how many parties are there in a week? I guess what I'm asking...it won't close at 6 pm everyday, right? Either we plan to be at the party, or just skip MK on a party day. But there will be other days that MK is open a bit later?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Hmm...that is definitely too early to close. On average, how many parties are there in a week? I guess what I'm asking...it won't close at 6 pm everyday, right? Either we plan to be at the party, or just skip MK on a party day. But there will be other days that MK is open a bit later?

It can vary, but there are generally 3-4 parties per week. Depends on the week though. There WDWInfo park hour page can give you a general feel for how the month looked this past year: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/hours/november17.cfm

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Hmm...that is definitely too early to close. On average, how many parties are there in a week? I guess what I'm asking...it won't close at 6 pm everyday, right? Either we plan to be at the party, or just skip MK on a party day. But there will be other days that MK is open a bit later?

Historically there are 4 party days per week (Sun, Tues, Thurs, Fri). The non-party days will be noticeably more crowded than party days. Our strategy during party season has always been 2 days at MK - one on a party day (when not attending the party) for the low crowds and a second night at MK by attending a party.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

If you have hoppers you can go to the Magic Kingdom on a party day, and when the park closes at six hop to another park. This is what we did, we spent the party days at Magic Kingdom for the low crowds and then hopped to Epcot. And then one non-party day, we spent the day at Epcot and hopped to MK for the night time stuff.

 

[tlmadden73]

Interesting feedback (I am reading since I have a trip planned the same time)

Going to MK when it closes at 6 would be disappointing, but I like the idea of it being less crowded. Especially since we probably wouldn't be staying late anyway due having toddlers. Maybe that will be the night my wife and I send the kids back with the parents while we hop to Epcot