Nov / Dec week choice conundrum

[NorthernTown]

My family of four has never been to WDW except in the heat of the summer. This year, I'd like to go in a medium-to-low crowd, cool weather situation.

For those of you who are experts at this time of year at WDW, can you tell me what your preference would be?

Nov 4-10: Pros: Food and Wine, a probable split between Halloween and Christmas decorations/music, includes my son's birthday (6th). Cons: there's some running event, and the second part of the trip is Jersey week so most sites call for it to be fairly busy. Last year this week was oppressively hot, but that appears to be an abberation.

Nov 11-17: Pros: attendance is usually fairly low, weather is usually nice. Cons: Food and Wine only for half the trip, doesn't include actual birthday.

Dec 2-8: Pros: cooler, low crowds, halfway between son's birthday (6 Nov) and daughter's birthday (27 Dec), full-on Christmas. Cons: no Food and Wine, likely shorter park hours.


What would you choose? We value cooler weather and smaller crowds, but we also are interested in seeing what Food and Wine is all about.

 

[dkrauss]

My family will be at WDW during Jersey week. We're doing it that week because my niece and nephew are off school........so limited impact there. From what I've heard its not as crowded during Jersey week as it is in the summer..........ya just have to deal with us "northerners" . The weather in November may be warmer too..........its also at the end of hurricane season.......ya never know. You do get the end of F&W

I've heard that the week or two prior to Thanksgiving can be less crowded (if that even exists anymore ). Your full ahead into the holiday season..........park hours are reduced as you said but.............. Disney is just beautiful at Christmas!

My choice would be Dec 2-8th. Full on Christmas ..........great time for doing Christmas type activities because its actually more or less Christmas time! The weather is comfortable.........not hot in any way........maybe a chill in the morning.........maybe warm enough to swim! We visited during this week last year............LOVED IT! Did the Christmas party...........LOVED IT! Weather was wonderful..........LOVED IT! The castle..............NO CRANES.........LOVED IT!

Doug

 

[CynBeth]

I would do Dec so you can experience all of the holiday stuff.

 

[pd1138]

We have done first week I'm December. Great Christmas atmosphere, but it gets dark earlier and can be cooler. Most of our days we couldn't use the pool. I think the crowds may be less Nov 11-17. Plus you get to see a little food and wine. I know a lot of Jersey people going Jersey week!!

 

[anniemae]

Nove 11-17. I love Nov. Low crowds, GREAT weather, little rain etc. Can't beat it IMO.

 

[DWillowBay]

First week in December was lovely when I did a solo trip during that time period. Lower crowds. Still reasonable weather.

 

[NorthernTown]

Thanks everyone. December seems to be running away with this. So let me ask this: am I over-valuing Food and Wine? Does it make Epcot too busy, or is it just not worth the weather/crowds?

 

[amy1981]

All will be pleasantly low crowds, especially compared to summer, Touring Plans shows your week in December being the lowest of the three however. I think food & wine depends on your family, if everyone is on board with that. It depends on your kids ages and if that's something they'd be into. Our kids love epcot, but would still quickly lose patience at F&W. Since this is your first trip this time of year I'd go with December since you've never experienced Disney at Christmas...it's like all the magic of Disney times 2! We went in December and had great weather, mid 70's...perfect for touring and the pool. We're from Michigan though, so anything above 65 is warm!

 

[LisaBi]

I did the first week of Dec last year solo for all the Xmas stuff and it was fantastic. This year I'm doing early Nov to do Food and Wine. Both times are great....I'd probably choose Christmas over F&W if I could only experience one. CP is awesome, as are the Christmas Around the World "shows" at Epcot.

 

[rascooby]

We are going Nov 11-18. This will be our third November trip. We specifically chose this week because the weather should be cooler, the crowds are low and our kids will have Thanksgiving week to make up for the school they miss. We have 3 November birthdays, the 5th, 17th and 20th. We usually celebrate each of them. Disney doesn't care if it's your actual birthday or not.

 

[MrsJamesPSullivan]

Depending on the age of your kids they'll probably enjoy the Christmas atmosphere more than F & W. Also being there between both birthdays is better than being there for only one real birthday. Trust me on this I've been hearing about that for 11 years . LOL

You just can't beat being there with the Christmas decorations and early December weather. Yes, the parks close earlier but if you do rope drop you will get so much done because there are so many less people.

When you're like me an both your kids are in college go to F & W without them!

 

[AJA]

Thanks everyone. December seems to be running away with this. So let me ask this: am I over-valuing Food and Wine? Does it make Epcot too busy, or is it just not worth the weather/crowds?

Yes in your situation I think you are (unless your kiddos are older teens?). Food and Wine, while great for adults, isn't something I would plan around for a childs first trip to Disney. The lines can be long and it does bring a crowd in to Epcot especially in the late afternoon/evening when locals come in especially for F&W.

 

[Ashley Nadeau]

If you go between Nov 11-17 you still have the opportunity for the Christmas party! We are going Nov 12-24 and the one of the MVMCP lands on Nov 15! Granted this could change next year... but if you look at crowd calendars the week before Thanksgiving is one of the lowest of the year! Have so much fun with whatever you choose!

 

[Lothlórien]

Thanks everyone. December seems to be running away with this. So let me ask this: am I over-valuing Food and Wine? Does it make Epcot too busy, or is it just not worth the weather/crowds?

Only in the evenings and only in the countries. The rest of EPCOT is fine.

We have been mid-November and we loved it. There were virtually no crowds the week we were there. The weather was wonderful (of course that can change), wait times were short, parks were already being decorated for Christmas.... it was just a great time.

 

[disneyseniors]

We have been at all 3 times. We love the early December time the best. However, keep in mind that the first Full week of December is Pop Warner cheerleading time. The place will be swamped with large groups of cheerleaders, so we avoid that week like the plague Don't like big groups like that. Anytime after that and before Christmas week is great!

We were at WDW last year at the end of F&W, so the 2nd time you mentioned. We found Epcot to be crowded with the focus on drinking and eating around the world. We didn't do weekends, when we hear it is a drinking party for locals. So, that is what is said on the dis, but we have no personal imput to that. It was pretty crowded for us in the daytime on a weekday, so we didn't go back til it was over.

We have been to WDW several times during "jersery week" and found that it was no problem at all. We never knew it was "jersey week" until we read it on this board. So, we loved that week the best for crowds and weather.

I guess it is what fits for your family the best. Each time is great; just beware of Pop Warner week.

 

[bryanb]

Food & Wine is awesome! If you've never been to that, you absolutely should plan a trip during that period. Mid-November might give you the best of both worlds... F&W plus some of the Christmas decorations start going up.

I don't think any of the dates you picked are bad.