November ? Weather/crowds

[diddldonna]

We are going to Disneyworld florida On the 19th November and returning 4th December. I know its Thanks giving on the 24th and was wondering what the crowds would be like that week and the week after? Are the crowds more than June as we went last year and it wasn't too bad.

Also whats the weather like at this time of year so i can plan on what to buy and take.


Just one more question when does the christmas parades and christmas events start.

DONNA

 

[safetymom]

You might want to ask your question on the theme parks board. More people will be able to answer your questions.

 

[JoyMouse]

Thanksgiving will have heavy crowds, but it should thin out after the weekend. The 1st week in Dec. is usually great for small crowds and the weather is pretty good.

 

[InsanelyMickey]

The weather should be beautiful... DH and I have lived down here for almost a year and a half now and November is my favorite month for weather because the humidity is gone but the daytime temps are still in the 70's - low 80's.

Unfortunately, as JoyMouse said, Thanksgiving does have heavy crowds. We were at MK a couple days before Thanksgiving in 2003 and it was one of the most crowded days I've seen - and since we're now AP holders, we go quite frequently. The week after Thanksgiving should be less crowded except in the case when MK is having the taping of the Christmas Day parade. DH and I were at MK the past two years during weekends of the taping and the crowds seemed just as heavy as Thanksgiving week. I believe they only do the taping on weekends, though, so during the weekdays following Thanksgiving there should be lighter crowds.

I'm not sure of the exact start date of Christmas decorations/events, but when we were at MK on Dec. 4, all of the Christmas decorations were up and they did the whole Christmas Parade that evening after the Christmas Day taping was done for the day. I think you should be able to experience the Christmas events at least during the later half of your trip.

Good luck with your plans and enjoy your trip!

 

[edk35]

We arrived the Friday before thanksgiving and the crowds were light until about Tuesdsay and then each day they picked up with Thanksgiving Day and Friday being really crowded. We left that Sat. and we drove from MD. WOW...we had NO IDEA about the traffic....it took us hours to get just to Jacksonville...so we learned a valuable lesson. NEVER DRIVE ANYWHERE OVER THANKSGIVING WEEKEND. It added so many hours to our trip going home it was unreal. Anyway..back to WDW. We said if we went again...we would arrive on that Wed. (where we arrived that Friday before) and have a few extra low crowds day AND WE WOULD FLY HOME.


Now years before that trip we went twice in Dec. ....once the first week of Dec. GREAT TIME TO GO...low crowds and we went the 2nd week and that was great too. The temps are weird....there were a couple nights that Thanksgiving week that we were freezing at night in Epcot and were thankful we had our jackets and gloves....and sometimes during the morning hours we would wear them ...then it was nice and in the low 70's the rest of the day. We only wore shorts once.....mostly pants and shirts. I would much rather go during the colder months. We are going in 10 days ....arriving on the 26th of this month for a week.........I am sure it will be colder at night. HOPE THIS HELPED.



Denise

 

[bdcp]

We've only gone in Nov. This Nov we'll be there 6-12 and then onto a 4 day cruise. The weather has always been great. Almost no rain and the crowds are almost nonexistent. Hardly any wait for rides, just the most popular ones.

It's been in the 80's and even hit 90 on one trip, so you can even swim and do a water park. One water park is usually closed during this time since they take the slower months to refurbish them.

 

[Nanajo1]

We've gone for T'giving 3 times now and the weather has ranged from very warm 80's to chilly 50's. We make sure we have long pants and a warm jacket just in case.

 

[4mykids]

I've heard from friends that Thanksgiving week is packed, but we love arriving on Saturday after Thanksgiving and going into the parks on Sunday. No crowds. Weather has ranged from pleasant to cold. Hard to know what to pack. We just take layers. Great excuse to buy T-shirts or sweatshirts in the parks!

 

[Jeanny]

we've gone twice during Thanksgiving, flying down early Wednesday, and returning late Sunday night.
The parks are crowded, but it's only as crowded as you make it. Meaning, yes, it's crowded... but if you go there knowing it's going to be crowded and you can adjust you plans, you'll be fine. Go early and take a break during the afternoon, then go back later. The weather is usually nice during the day, but can be cold at night. We should have brought our sweatshirts Thanksgiving night while we were at Fantasmic....it went down into the 40's, which doesn't seem cold when you leave 20 degree weather like we do, but once the sun goes down, it can be quite cold.

 

[dizkidz2]

I agree with Jeanny, "it's only as crowded as you make it." If you go with that attitude, you'll have a great time. If one park is too crowded, try switching to another one.
We have gone every other year at Thanksgiving (usually the sat. before to the sun/mon. after) since 1983. Back then there were no crowds, but year after year it has really picked up. It is one of the best times of the year to go, warm weather 70's-80's, and cooler in the evenings.
You really have to pack for anything. This past trip we went from high 80's in the beginning of the week to low 70's in the day to 40's at night. We packed little pairs of knit gloves (& used them).
As far as the Christmas parades and events, some of them start that week. The decorations are up by Thanksgiving.