Hmm...So how's The World the week after Thanksgiving?

[DWDan]

So I'm psyching myself up to plan a return trip to The World after a 10 day May 2016 trip (which was surreal!!) and was thinking late November 2017, but I'm not sure about the crowds. Of the little bit I've read, it seems that Nov. is a good time to go (minus the week of Thanksgiving). I'm thinking of traveling on Black Friday (for a late afternoon arrival) and stay until the following weekend. Aside from the arrival weekend, it seems like a good time to go...feedback appreciated!

 

[QueenJen]

DH and I have done that week twice and have really enjoyed it (2013 & 2015). In 2015 we arrived on Black Friday and we were surprised by getting into our room before 11 am and we went to Target to stock up ( forgetting that it was BF until a couple days before) - there were no lines. I really like to plan and FP plus really worked for us and I was able to get the dining reservations we wanted. Our vacation style is planned to be laid back-so that may help with our perception of crowds. We had decent weather (2013 was better) and we were able to enjoy pool time. We stayed at Kidani both trips - it seemed quieter than some of the other hotels we visited. If you have any specific questions, I'll do my best to answer.

 

[DWDan]

DH and I have done that week twice and have really enjoyed it (2013 & 2015). In 2015 we arrived on Black Friday and we were surprised by getting into our room before 11 am and we went to Target to stock up ( forgetting that it was BF until a couple days before) - there were no lines. I really like to plan and FP plus really worked for us and I was able to get the dining reservations we wanted. Our vacation style is planned to be laid back-so that may help with our perception of crowds. We had decent weather (2013 was better) and we were able to enjoy pool time. We stayed at Kidani both trips - it seemed quieter than some of the other hotels we visited. If you have any specific questions, I'll do my best to answer.

Thanks so much for the info. We are debating whether to fly on Black Friday or that Saturday. We'd like to have a mix of laid back but ADR's set and FP+ made. What kinda weather did you have? It looks like end of Nov. has milder temps (high 70s - low 80s) so we wanted to go when it could still get some pool time, but avoid the 90 degree hot and humid weather (although I know in FL anything is possible).

 

[QueenJen]

2013 there was no rain, slightly warmer days (great for the pool) and from what I remember, only one hot/humid day. High 70's -low 80's sounds about right. 2015 was a bit cooler and we had light mist/heavy drizzle a couple times. I don't recall any days that were too warm/humid. I have read about a big frost a few years back as well-so I do consider us very lucky regarding weather.

If we plan another trip at that time (and we likely will), I would probably fly in on Black Friday again. We spend Thanksgiving with family, then off to the airport for the red eye. Flying from the other coast -allows us to relax the first day and settle in to the new time zone. It feels like we get an extra day of vacation that way (all mental).

 

[DWDan]

Hmph. Well, I will keep my fingers crossed and hope for slightly warmer temps and dry in Nov. 2017! Although possible, would really prefer shorts weather, but will make the best of any situation. When we were there in May the weather was great...no rain in 10 days and temps were mostly comfortable (borderline hot) but manageable.

We also flew out at 7am (we're only a 2 hr flight to Orlando) and went straight to the parks and by the mid afternoon we were sluggish (being up at 4am had its drawbacks), so we'll either do that again and make the first day a relaxation day or fly out a little later in the morning and hit the ground running. It's so difficult to know what you are going to feel like doing so far in advance. Thanks again for your insight!