November 2015....is it going to be crowded??

[Tigpooh]

We go just about every year in Sept/Oct with the FD special and the crowds are not usually too bad and fairly easy to get dining reservations.

This yr we want to try to see the Christmas lights so we decided to go 11/13-20. It has been nearly impossible to get any reservations for our "must" restaurants and everywhere I look people seem to be going the same week we are.

Am I overreacting or is there a good chance the World is going to be extremely busy? We like the more laid back approach and we were thinking we were going during one of the last "down times" of the year. Does it just seem like it will be packed because of the FD or is this usually a very busy time? Thanks for any input or experiences!!

 

[Robo]

We go just about every year in Sept/Oct with the FD special and the crowds are not usually too bad and fairly easy to get dining reservations.

This yr we want to try to see the Christmas lights so

1. we decided to go 11/13-20. It has been nearly impossible to get any reservations for our "must" restaurants and everywhere I look people seem to be going the same week we are.

2. Am I overreacting or is there a good chance the World is going to be extremely busy? We like the more laid back approach and we were thinking we were going during one of the last "down times" of the year. Does it just seem like it will be packed because of the FD or is this usually a very busy time? Thanks for any input or experiences!!

1. I tried to book restaurants for that same time (and even earlier,) myself, and found the same problem.

2. From these early indicators, it looks like it will be very busy then.
I'm canceling those dates and moving our trip into 2016.

 

[MataHari22]

1. I tried to book restaurants for that same time (and even earlier,) myself, and found the same problem.

2. From these early indicators, it looks like it will be very busy then.
I'm canceling those dates and moving our trip into 2016.

That's not an answer I'd like to be reading. I'll be there 11/12-11/20. I usually go down in October, but I have always wanted to go down at Christmas time, but that is insane. So I figured that we'd go in November and see it decorated and go to a MVMCP. I really hope it won't be too bad.

 

[missbrooke06]

This has been discussed a lot and I think it's overblown. I have 8 people and very specific times for dinner and I've locked in 6 of my 8 reservations.

I just looked and if you have a family of four, you can basically go anywhere except BOG, CRT, or Ohana.

 

[chris1212]

I don't think it will be that busy. We have been mid to late November the past 3 years and haven't found it overly busy or crowded. I can't see why this year would be significantly different. I think free dining just increases the amount of ADR's made.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Those dates fall during free dining. The nature of the offer makes the restaurants more busy.

 

[senadler]

I think the fact that the dates fall during free dining indicate that is not going to be a busy time. That is the reason free dining is being offered. Unfortunately, it does make it more difficult to book ADRs, especially the more popular locations.

 

[Tigpooh]

This has been discussed a lot and I think it's overblown. I have 8 people and very specific times for dinner and I've locked in 6 of my 8 reservations.

I just looked and if you have a family of four, you can basically go anywhere except BOG, CRT, or Ohana.

We have a family of 5 and i haven't been able to find anything in the parks....including the late night reservations!

When I look around the forums, the week we are going seems to be the wk a LOT of people are going..hoping its just my perception. The dates for FD are so limited around Christmas this yr that we cant change our dates unless we shorten our trip.

 

[JenQ]

This has been discussed a lot and I think it's overblown. I have 8 people and very specific times for dinner and I've locked in 6 of my 8 reservations.

I just looked and if you have a family of four, you can basically go anywhere except BOG, CRT, or Ohana.

Family of 5 here and selections are VERY limited for that week. I can't get anything in HS. Very little in Epcot (although some opened up yesterday) and the ones I do have are nowhere close to ideal times.

 

[larandtra1990]

Early part of November is usually a great time to go. Go after the Halloween stuff ends and well before the Thanksgiving crowds show up the weekend before thanksgiving and youll find it rather enjoyable. Plus you get the F&W festival. We generally enjoy this time of year as the weather is also rather good. This time and the first week in December after the Thanksgiving crowds leave are two of our favorite times of the year.

 

[han22735]

I went that same week last year and expected level 2,3,4 crowds and was shocked at how busy it was. We also got stuck in a cold front and had temps in the 30's. I'd rather take my chances with the heat in September.

 

[vicarrieous]

I would assume ADR's are more difficult to get due to more people opting for sit down locations because of free dining. ALSO, I have a firm belief that people over book. People will grab more than what they need and release as it gets closer.

We are a family of four and were able to get everything we wanted at desirable times. Granted we don't have any princess meals and weren't planning for BOG dinner. I did get a lunch though.

Its Disney, so it will be busy, but I am fairly relaxed that it wont be insane.

 

[BugsDaddy]

I am going from November 14 - 21 and I will say that there seems to be a lack of reservations available for the very popular places such as BOG, Ohana, etc. However, there are still a lot of options, especially at some of the resorts and downtown Disney. I think this is more of a symptom of free dining and not totally reflective of how busy the parks will be.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

There are many factors that go into how busy a park feels. The resorts will be at capacity. This will make buses, restaurants, and EMH parks busy. Overall it is a slower season, but most people going during this time are staying onsite.

Factor in that Disney recognizes this and condenses park hours, lowers staff, and reduces ride capacities in the parks.

I would definitely reference websites that offer a low crowd calendar and stick with their recommendations.

 

[tinkerbella16]

I have been going that week for as long as I can remember, and the past few years it has gotten more crowded each trip. It used to be such a great week to go. I booked my trip during Jersey Week because I wanted to get away from that week for a change and not worry about free dining. I had no problems getting any of my adr's for my whole trip... even CRT and BOG lunch and dinner. It is not holiday or summer busy, but definitely noticably busier than past years.

 

[Flamingeaux]

We went last year during that week and we are going back the same week again this year. We go for the Christmas decorations and activities so if it is a little crowded it is no big deal. We hit the parks early and with FP+ we can get a lot done. Here's hoping we have great weather!!!

 

[River Country]

I agree that this is getting blown out of proportion. I am going 10-31 through 11-9 and I got every reservation I wanted, including CRT Cali Grill, 1900PF Tusker House pre opening, I could've had BOG but ive been there done that 3 times and its time for a change. Saying you are getting locked out of ADR's or impossible to get is a direct effect of 2 things

1. Free Dining during your time period
2. Some Epcot reservations have not been released as the Candelight Processional Dinner packages are being developed

I do not anticipate the parks being any more or less crowded. A hard to get ADR is just that regardless of the time of year

 

[jacksgirl]

I agree. I think FD just fills up the restaurants. We are going 11/8-11/17, and I got all the ADRs I was wanting, most at the times I wanted.

 

[UnderTheRialto]

I think beyond FD, the short park hours, especially with all of the MVMCP, limits availability. I am fairly certain some restaurants are holding back availability, too. It just doesn't make any sense that I can't get 1900 PF for any meal for an entire week, for example.

 

[WiscMomof2]

If you think about it, EVERY time of the year is getting busier. We're going 11/13-11/17 and I'm not at all worried about it being too crowded. Maybe FD makes restaurant reservations a bit harder to come by, but I don't think the parks will be too bad. To me, it's all about perspective. No matter how busy it is, if you have realistic expectations and a good touring plan you'll be fine.