November 15 - 21 - any advice?

[excitedfamof4]

Hey there!
I visted here often when our family was planning our first trip to Disney a few years ago, so I thought I would come back since we are so excited to be going back to WDW in November.

We are planning to visit Disney World the Week of Nov 15th through the 21st of this year. (week before Thanksgiving) Does anyone have any advice for visiting that time of year? Are there any planned group trips that would make this a busy time? Are Christmas decorations up by that time?

If anyone has any advice on what to expect for crowd levels, etc we would truly appreciate it!

Thank you!

 

[hakepb]

The week before Thanksgiving week is a natural low between F&W and Thanksgiving crowds.

Last year that week was mostly 2's and 3's

You will probably find most resort decorations going up that week (might see a plain lobby one night and find it decorated the next am )
For parks, You won't see the MK tree (installed after the parade taping in Dec) or the CP at EPCOT, otherwise it is a great, easy time to enjoy Christmas decor at WDW!

 

[Applemomma]

That's actually my favorite week to go...not stinking hot, the Christmas decorations are all out and it's before the Pop Warner cheer leaders I believe. Crowds are pretty light too!

 

[allysetraskos]

We always go this week every year now.. Christmas decorations and party are in full swing. Gingerbread house is complete at the GF. Crowds are low. Weather is iffy... We had a day in the 80's and then a day that was like 53.

 

[hakepb]

We always go this week every year now.. Christmas decorations and party are in full swing. Gingerbread house is complete at the GF. Crowds are low. Weather is iffy... We had a day in the 80's and then a day that was like 53.

Yep, like any "winter" month in WDW, temps can vary wildly that week. In our experience: One year, it never got above 65, with some temps down into the 30's and some highs in the 50's. (At least the Christmas decor felt right)
The following year, it was all lows in the 60's and highs in the 80's. I enjoyed that year, more

 

[Figmentmommy]

That's our favorite time of year to go. I highly recommend it! As PP said, you will see varying degrees of resort decorations, but MK will be decked out (minus the big tree) and MVMCP will be held. At AK we've seen some decorations and at HS Osborne Lights are lit. At EPCOT you will see some decorations - the finishing touches before the Candlelight Processional begins after Thanksgiving.

We've been lucky with the weather on our trips and often enjoyed both day & night swimming. Also, if you are able to do some deluxe resort touring you will probably catch some Disney elves working on the gingerbread houses!

Have a great trip!

 

[nkereina]

We've been that week the last two years. We've unfortunately had horrible luck with the weather. First year it rained about half the time, and this past year it was downright cold. One day the high was only 55. It's not uncommon for temps to be in the 60s that time of year, which might sound like pleasant touring weather, but it was actually cold since it was also overcast. We wore jeans, sneakers, hoodies, and jackets - and we're from Buffalo so we know cold! It was especially cold on water rides and any rides outdoors (safari, Everest, BTMRR, etc etc).

Last year was busier crowd-wise than the year prior. My advice to combat this would be to follow EasyWDW's park recommendations to a T. On the days we visited the most recommended park, it was manageable. On day we visited a non-recommended park, it was noticeable - we were using FPs for things like Figment and Small World because it was hard for us to justify waiting 20 mins for them.

All the Christmas decorations have been up when we've been there, except our resort decorations went up mid-week (CSR). We caught everything holiday related that time of year except for Candlelight Processional which starts after Thanksgiving.

 

[LibrarianBecky]

Thanks for asking this. I had the very same question. We're looking at going this week as well. We wanted to do December, but I couldn't swing it with my work schedule. I think November will be a great time to visit! We like low crowds, not so hot temperatures (our first trip was in September, and it was 100+ every day--that was exhausting!), and we want to do the Christmas party and see Osborne Lights.