October or November

[MeganS721]

Hi everyone! We will be taking our next trip to Disney in the fall of 2018 and can't decide which month to go. I'm guessing the packages for next year will be released over the summer, so we are trying to decide now. We are between mid-October or the week before Thanksgiving. We won't be trying to get free dining since our kids are going to be 2 and 4, so we don't think it'll be worth it. A room discount would be nice. Are there room discounts offered in October? It looks like last year there wasn't, but maybe I'm missing something. What's the weather like in general both of these times? My kids will want to swim. Thanks!

 

[Pennstate6411]

You have some time to decide- They haven't even released any discounts for November of 2017 yet! From the research I have done November is less crowded - We are actually going that week this year 11/11-11/18.

 

[MeganS721]

You have some time to decide- They haven't even released any discounts for November of 2017 yet! From the research I have done November is less crowded - We are actually going that week this year 11/11-11/18.

I've read that the parks are less crowded then too. I'm just worried about the weather. We went in January once and it was chilly. I'm curious when it starts to make that turn to too cold to swim. We are from the Midwest so it's hard to tell because that turn happens in September here!

 

[lala5176]

I can't tell you about discounts in the fall but can tell you we have gone in the middle of November and it was a little cool, nights especially. Around 55/60. We did however have a day of really warm weather, like 85. It's really all over the place. We did love seeing all the Christmas decorations though!! Dying to go in October to catch Halloween festivities. If my kids were not in school I'd definitely go in October. I like it a little warmer. Good luck deciding.

 

[Hopefully]

I agree, there is NO WAY 2018 discounts will be released soon.
October is now very crowded. Early in the month it can be very hot and HUMID. That wanes the later it is.
November will be less crowded, but increasing crowds as you approach Thanksgiving.
Florida weather is unpredictable. There is no way to say when it will be swimmable. Last December set record highs in the 90's. This Spring has been setting records highs as well
You never know

 

[Pennstate6411]

We went in December in 2010. Record LOWS the first full week of December - highs in low 50's . Have family living down there now and avg temp in November is mid 70s

 

[MeganS721]

Thanks for the help everyone! I know Nov 2018 discounts probably won't come out until next summer, but I think packages for 2018 will be released for online booking this summer. July 2016 I was able to start booking online for 2017 dates, so I want to be ready to book online when they come out. It sounds like it's unpredictable either way in terms of weather.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

Sadly, it can be very unpredictable. I was at the Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic (Halloween weekend) with temps in the 90s. Two years before for the Wine and Dine Race (mid-November), it was perfect 70s. Been in early November before with highs in the mid/low 60s. With that, it's always been enjoyable (absent the attempt to go to the pool the 60s trip - not recommended!)

A few items to think about:

1. Check the RunDisney events. They don't change things too much, but they can get in the way. I would avoid those weekends if possible.

2. October has gotten busier. But, the major impacts I've seen are - avoid Epcot on weekends, especially Saturdays. And, check MK's hours. The Halloween parties can make things a bit funky. With that, that may be an event to consider (especially if the kids are costume oriented). Or, plan to do your MK during the mornings (especially at rope drop) and then come back one evening to see the fireworks. Even in high crowds, you typically have an hour each morning to really knock out some attractions.

3. For November, it really depends on what you mean by "week before". If you mean the actual week before, assuming no race conflicts, that can be a great time to go. If you mean including the Tuesday or Wednesday before Thanksgiving, that can start to creep up crowds wise.

4. With the pool consideration, I might suggest erring on the mid/early October side. October is typically when I go, and I would say at least 80% of the time the weather included fine pool weather temps (at least during the day).

 

[MeganS721]

Sadly, it can be very unpredictable. I was at the Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic (Halloween weekend) with temps in the 90s. Two years before for the Wine and Dine Race (mid-November), it was perfect 70s. Been in early November before with highs in the mid/low 60s. With that, it's always been enjoyable (absent the attempt to go to the pool the 60s trip - not recommended!)

A few items to think about:

1. Check the RunDisney events. They don't change things too much, but they can get in the way. I would avoid those weekends if possible.

2. October has gotten busier. But, the major impacts I've seen are - avoid Epcot on weekends, especially Saturdays. And, check MK's hours. The Halloween parties can make things a bit funky. With that, that may be an event to consider (especially if the kids are costume oriented). Or, plan to do your MK during the mornings (especially at rope drop) and then come back one evening to see the fireworks. Even in high crowds, you typically have an hour each morning to really knock out some attractions.

3. For November, it really depends on what you mean by "week before". If you mean the actual week before, assuming no race conflicts, that can be a great time to go. If you mean including the Tuesday or Wednesday before Thanksgiving, that can start to creep up crowds wise.

4. With the pool consideration, I might suggest erring on the mid/early October side. October is typically when I go, and I would say at least 80% of the time the weather included fine pool weather temps (at least during the day).

Yes we are looking at the actual full week before Thanksgiving. I just want the kids to be able to take a pool day since they are young and will probably be overwhelmed doing full park days. We are rope drop people, so we could always come back in the afternoons and swim then when the youngest naps, assuming we don't get those 60s temps! And I also can't choose between the parties. Both look amazing to me. Halloween is my favorite holiday so I would pick MNSSHP, while my husband prefers Christmas so he would so with MVMCP. Too many decisions! Good thing I have A LOT of time.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Yes we are looking at the actual full week before Thanksgiving. I just want the kids to be able to take a pool day since they are young and will probably be overwhelmed doing full park days. We are rope drop people, so we could always come back in the afternoons and swim then when the youngest naps, assuming we don't get those 60s temps! And I also can't choose between the parties. Both look amazing to me. Halloween is my favorite holiday so I would pick MNSSHP, while my husband prefers Christmas so he would so with MVMCP. Too many decisions! Good thing I have A LOT of time.

Oct is a beautiful month to go. Its warm enough to swim but at the same time the heat isnt overwhelmingly scorching. Very minimal rain too. My fave time to go for sure. BUT, yes its crazy crowded in Oct now. If you want fewer crowds, Nov would be better.

For swimming, keep in mind the disney pools are heated. If its not too cold in Nov, you still might be able to swim? Oct is fine for swimming, during the day for sure anyway. So you wont have any problems there.

One thing I will mention is mnsshp in Oct means MK closes at 7pm a bunch of times. Meaning on the few days without mnsshp, the park is so packed!! people want to take advantage of the regular hours (and sometimes EMH's)!

Regarding the two parties, i'd go with MNSSHP. At least you get to trick or treat AS A FAMILY, yes even the adults. Collecting candy is fun! And you get to see some pretty unique characters...in costumes too! Its very cute. I just feel that you get more out of mnsshp than you do the xmas party. I feel that the xmas party is a waste of money to be honest.

Another bonus to the month of Oct is Food & Wine. Did you have any interest in going? That ends mid Nov i believe. Its pretty awesome! I have reviews in my link below.

 

[MeganS721]

Oct is a beautiful month to go. Its warm enough to swim but at the same time the heat isnt overwhelmingly scorching. Very minimal rain too. My fave time to go for sure. BUT, yes its crazy crowded in Oct now. If you want fewer crowds, Nov would be better.

For swimming, keep in mind the disney pools are heated. If its not too cold in Nov, you still might be able to swim? Oct is fine for swimming, during the day for sure anyway. So you wont have any problems there.

One thing I will mention is mnsshp in Oct means MK closes at 7pm a bunch of times. Meaning on the few days without mnsshp, the park is so packed!! people want to take advantage of the regular hours (and sometimes EMH's)!

Regarding the two parties, i'd go with MNSSHP. At least you get to trick or treat AS A FAMILY, yes even the adults. Collecting candy is fun! And you get to see some pretty unique characters...in costumes too! Its very cute. I just feel that you get more out of mnsshp than you do the xmas party. I feel that the xmas party is a waste of money to be honest.

Another bonus to the month of Oct is Food & Wine. Did you have any interest in going? That ends mid Nov i believe. Its pretty awesome! I have reviews in my link below.

I forgot that Disney pools were heated, so we might be ok in November! Food and Wine is something we want to do, but won't be devistated if it's not running the week before Thanksgiving. I really want to do the Halloween party, but my husband is leaning towards November since it'll most likely be less busy and a little cheaper that week. I guess we will see when the prices come out. Either way, I'm definitely going back and doing the Halloween party some day before I die!

 

[goofyintoronto]

I forgot that Disney pools were heated, so we might be ok in November! Food and Wine is something we want to do, but won't be devistated if it's not running the week before Thanksgiving. I really want to do the Halloween party, but my husband is leaning towards November since it'll most likely be less busy and a little cheaper that week. I guess we will see when the prices come out. Either way, I'm definitely going back and doing the Halloween party some day before I die!

Less busy and cheaper is what i'd go with too, to be quite honest. F&W is great but if you want lower crowds, you might be better off in Nov.

BTW the prices of mnsshp and mvmcp tickets have increased this year though. Oddly enough there's no party listed the week of Nov.19th. CLICK HERE. But the week before and after tickets cost $84 per child and $89 per adult. So for 2 kids and 2 adults its $346. Thats a lot of money to pay for cheap cookies and hot chocolate, parade & snow, fireworks which you can see for free from TTC or one of the nearby resorts, and rides which you can easily do at rope drop with less wait time. But hey, if you love xmas, then it might be worth it to you.

 

[nkereina]

We've been the week before Thanksgiving, and experienced some pretty cold temperatures. I don't think it's typical, though. October may have better weather but will be more crowded with higher probability for discount black out dates. November has a higher chance for less desirable weather, but will be less crowded and may see better discount offers because of that. October, you'll want to avoid Columbus Day weekend. November, you'll want to avoid Veteran's Day, Jersey Week, and Thanksgiving.

 

[MeganS721]

Less busy and cheaper is what i'd go with too, to be quite honest. F&W is great but if you want lower crowds, you might be better off in Nov.

BTW the prices of mnsshp and mvmcp tickets have increased this year though. Oddly enough there's no party listed the week of Nov.19th. CLICK HERE. But the week before and after tickets cost $84 per child and $89 per adult. So for 2 kids and 2 adults its $346. Thats a lot of money to pay for cheap cookies and hot chocolate, parade & snow, fireworks which you can see for free from TTC or one of the nearby resorts, and rides which you can easily do at rope drop with less wait time. But hey, if you love xmas, then it might be worth it to you.

That does seem expensive! I can see plenty of snow for free at home haha

 

[MeganS721]

We've been the week before Thanksgiving, and experienced some pretty cold temperatures. I don't think it's typical, though. October may have better weather but will be more crowded with higher probability for discount black out dates. November has a higher chance for less desirable weather, but will be less crowded and may see better discount offers because of that. October, you'll want to avoid Columbus Day weekend. November, you'll want to avoid Veteran's Day, Jersey Week, and Thanksgiving.

It does seem like there are a lot of busy weeks to avoid in November, so I think the week before Thanksgiving is our best bet. October sounds just busy as a whole, and I I don't like my chances of getting a discount then, which is a bummer because the weather sounds perfect. It's probably better to have cooler temps with our little kids anyway. That's why we are steering away from our usual April trip because it's been in the 90s every day when we go then. At least the pools are heated if it gets chilly!

 

[goofyintoronto]

That does seem expensive! I can see plenty of snow for free at home haha

oh btw! The prices are excluding tax! So $346 plus tax equals.....???

Yes, i get snow for free too! plenty of it! haha. so thats definitely not a draw for me.

 

[Candis857]

We are going Nov 8th-18th hoping it will be warm enough to swim!

 

[jcvalenti]

We are going Nov 25 - Dec 2, and I can guarantee my kids will be in the pool the whole trip. 70 degrees is well within swimming weather, coming from Michigan.

 

[MeganS721]

We are going Nov 25 - Dec 2, and I can guarantee my kids will be in the pool the whole trip. 70 degrees is well within swimming weather, coming from Michigan.

We are coming from Kalamazoo so I would agree with you on that! For them at least, I might not be swimming in 70 degrees haha

 

[Bookgirlinchicago]

We're going in November 2017 too. If it's too cold to swim, is there an indoor water park nearby?