Mid Nov VS Early Dec or Jan Visit

[sherry8253]

My DH and I always go to Disney the first/second week in December or the first/second week in January. This year he suggested we arrive on Nov 10 the day before Veterans Day and then stay through the Nov 20th. Other than having to pay more because it is regular season vs value season, what other drawbacks are there? Is it more crowded. We have become spoiled because the weeks we go, everything is a walk on or minimal wait. We have been able to do Buzz 10 to 15 times in a row with no wait and even TOT, Mission Space, Test Track, etc have no more than 5 to 10 minute wait time. Is this a traditionally busy time at Disney? Thanks for your help!!!

 

[Bob P]

Hi Sherry,

I wouldn't call it busy, but it will be busier. I think the first part of your stay will fall in the famous "Jersey Week," so named because lots of NJ schools are closed and NJ families come to WDW.

One thing is for sure: the weather will probably be nicer (if you like warmer weather) than it is in December or January.

Enjoy!

Bob

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I have always found the beginning of Jan to be the BEST...even better than the beginning of Dec...did you find that also? We may go in Oct for MNSSHP anf F&W fest but becuase of those two events, I am afraid it will be a bit more crowded than I like!

Well, at least you will get 10 glorious days in WDW. I would love to stay that long! the longest we have stayed was 4 nights!

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

November is getting increasingly more crowded than it used to be. We were there last November from the 13-21 and the crowds were very manageable. The weekends get busier but the weekdays are no problem at all.

 

[LilMagic2000]

We were there December 3-10th and walked on to everything. After that trip, I argued why we could skip summer family vacations and just go in December, but unfortunately, due to the three of us DisneyDaughters in school, that's getting hard to do.
I'm not sure when exactly Thanksgiving is going to fall, but the crowds are going to be big the week of Thanksgiving. Not as big as summer crowds, and there are still families that swear by November visits, but the closer you are to Thanksgiving, the more crowded it will be.
I'm still partial to early December, but I don't think you will have a hard time doing a November trip. It's certainly not on my list of times NOT to go-you can't beat the weather or the decorations around the parks

 

[sherry8253]

I have always found the beginning of Jan to be the BEST...even better than the beginning of Dec...did you find that also?

I really like the beginning of Jan even though the decorations were gone and no MVMCP because I always feel depressed after the holidays are over and it is back to the grind in cold Pennsylvania. Our Jan trip gives me something to look forward to. But, we always buy AP and get two trips out of them. Traditionally, we buy them for our early Jan trip and use them again in Dec. Then we wait a year and buy them again for our next Jan trip. It has worked out really well because of the discount on rooms and for the last few years we have been able to sneak short trip in because we have found cheap airline tickets. We are thinking about Nov this year because DH's Holiday party falls the week we wanted to go and since he is one of the managers he feels he should show up. So, I guess no MVMCP for me this year either.

 

[tigerlilly]

We went to WDW the week of Nov. you are thinking about going (it was in 1999 thought). We thought it was a great time to go. Just think most people from NJ will be leaving on the 12 or the 13, the Food and Wine Festival ends the 13th, Most Thanksgiving crowds won't show up till Sat or Sun before Thanksgiving.
We have reservations this year for the second week of December but I am seriously considering changing them to the week of Nov. you are thinking about.

 

[Cookie Princess]

We used to go in December, but the weather was unpredictable. One year we had to wear hats and mittens...forget about swimming in the pool. We enjoy early November. The F&W Festival is great, and it is not very crowded. We did notice extra people there last year, but quite a few of them had rescheduled due to the hurricanes. It was still far from being crowded.