*** Official November 2018 Thread - It's Turkey Lurkey Time! ***

[ChanduTail]

help, in the past I have used easywdw crowd calendars to guide me and plan my trip but of course those of us who follow him know he had not release crowd calenders for 2018. Planning week of Thanksgiving NOV 17-25. Anyone have a free reliable crowd calendar they can recommend.

I like Kenny's: http://www.kennythepirate.com/crowd-calendars/

Crowd levels seem to be much more difficult to accurately predict now than they used to be. There are just so many variables. I think that's why Josh doesn't do them anymore.

 

[kpd6901]

So far, no CRT or BOG for 11/23. MBYBBQ only available for cat.2 on an earlier show for 11/22. . Means I need to get the earliest flight I can on Nov. 22

 

[jmg5342]

So far, no CRT or BOG for 11/23. MBYBBQ only available for cat.2 on an earlier show for 11/22. . Means I need to get the earliest flight I can on Nov. 22

I was able to get a BOG dinner on 11/24 but no CRT :-( (maybe they weren’t released yet??) still BOG dinners available but haven’t seen lunch or breakfast, my guess is the change to signature is making lunch and breakfast more popular. I was able to get a 5pm BYBBQ on Thanksgiving but only category 2 was available. I have a split stay so was only booking for three days today. The week after Thanksgiving I have to wait to book until Monday! Let the constant searching begin!!

 

[kpd6901]

I was able to get a BOG dinner on 11/24 but no CRT :-( (maybe they weren’t released yet??) still BOG dinners available but haven’t seen lunch or breakfast, my guess is the change to signature is making lunch and breakfast more popular. I was able to get a 5pm BYBBQ on Thanksgiving but only category 2 was available. I have a split stay so was only booking for three days today. The week after Thanksgiving I have to wait to book until Monday! Let the constant searching begin!!

Same boat for me. Monday begins the second part of split stay.

 

[yeheyprincex2]

I like Kenny's: http://www.kennythepirate.com/crowd-calendars/

Crowd levels seem to be much more difficult to accurately predict now than they used to be. There are just so many variables. I think that's why Josh doesn't do them anymore.

Thank you, I did go to kennys and used his calendar. This will be our first trip during thanksgiving week. We Have been before in early November and right after thanksgiving so I'm kinda nervous about crowds

 

[kpd6901]

Second ADR180 day today. Big success. Got all the biggies, and just some minor scheduling differences for a couple of others. We were, for both my crew and my parents. Would like to slide our CRT back a couple of hours - we have a BOG bfast at 8, then CRT lunch at 11:15 on Nov. 29. would like CRT more around 1 or so, before hopping over to HS for the rest of the day. Our actual preference was for those 2 on Nov. 23, but that was only day 2 of our first split stay, and with the heavy Thanksgiving crowds, just hasn't been available. Otherwise, had a good morning. just some scheduling issues with Yachtsman (only avail for dinner that time of year instead of lunch) and House of Blues Sunday Gospel Brunch not showing the 10:30 availability - only showing 1pm, neither of which are a huge dinger. Next Sunday begins booking for round 3 of the three-part-split-stay, but the biggies are out of the way. Now, if we could only have Mickey's BY BBQ open up a Category 1 for the 5:30 show, that would be great - it's arrival day, and we were only able to get Cat. 2 for the 2 pm show on Thanksgiving. Flight window for booking opens up on May 31, so I have to plan for a flight arrival to MCO no later than 10 am to be safe. But I suppose that if that doesn't happen, then we use the longer time window from our plans to accomodate for the post meal character meet, though we would prefer the pre-meal no lines of the Cat. 1. My TA and I did a nice teamup to make sure that BOG, CRT, and 2 Ohana ADR's were secured before she took care of the lesser-demand ones.

 

[jmg5342]

Now, if we could only have Mickey's BY BBQ open up a Category 1 for the 5:30 show, that would be great - it's arrival day, and we were only able to get Cat. 2 for the 2 pm show on Thanksgiving.

There has been 5 pm availability today. Not category 1, but it may help your flight time. I’m still trying for cat 1 at that time too! Other than that ADR day #2 for us was successful as well. It seemed really easy compared to the same week last year. We moved a few things around that actually ended up working better with our schedule, but other than that we got everything we wanted! I keep waiting for something to go wrong because it seemed to go too well lol.

 

[biochemgirl]

I just found this thread and so happy to join

Holiday time at WDW has been a dream for awhile now and we will be staying at my dream Christmas resort too!! We arrive November 18 and stay through November 26. We are staying at POFQ an that resort is a huge piece of my dream trip. As West Coasters, DLR is our home resort and New Orleans Square is my favorite area especially during the Holidays.

During this trip, we will activate our APs and attend our first MVMCP. I've also secured a dinner reservation at BOG for Thanksgiving day. So far, the trip planning has been fun, exciting, and magical. Fingers crossed that the pieces continue to come together once we reach FP day

 

[biochemgirl]

I'm going to drop BOG lunch for 2 on Thursday 11/22/18 and also Monday 11/26/18. Anyone looking? I can wait until I hear from someone before releasing the reservations.

 

[kpd6901]

There has been 5 pm availability today. Not category 1, but it may help your flight time. I’m still trying for cat 1 at that time too! Other than that ADR day #2 for us was successful as well. It seemed really easy compared to the same week last year. We moved a few things around that actually ended up working better with our schedule, but other than that we got everything we wanted! I keep waiting for something to go wrong because it seemed to go too well lol.

Thanks for that. When I just checked now, there wasn't any. The downside with category 2 for the late show is that my middle son and my parents are going on the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage at 8:15....so the line for meet and greet after the late show will be a problem. So, Category 1 would be needed for the late show, but for the 2:30 show, the Category 1 exclusive time might be cutting it extra close for flight. So, either category 2 for 2:30 show like we have, or category 1 for the late show.

 

[CynBeth]

I just found this thread and so happy to join

Holiday time at WDW has been a dream for awhile now and we will be staying at my dream Christmas resort too!! We arrive November 18 and stay through November 26. We are staying at POFQ an that resort is a huge piece of my dream trip. As West Coasters, DLR is our home resort and New Orleans Square is my favorite area especially during the Holidays.

During this trip, we will activate our APs and attend our first MVMCP. I've also secured a dinner reservation at BOG for Thanksgiving day. So far, the trip planning has been fun, exciting, and magical. Fingers crossed that the pieces continue to come together once we reach FP day

The first time we ever went for Thanksgiving Week we stayed there and loved it! We have been a few times that week or the beginning of Dec and try a different resort each time. We will be at POR and arrive a few days before you.

 

[sandym718]

I'm going to drop BOG lunch for 2 on Thursday 11/22/18 and also Monday 11/26/18. Anyone looking? I can wait until I hear from someone before releasing the reservations.

Ack, wish I could take Monday but we need for 7. I was able to get Friday, 11/30 which is fine. We just prefer to have no set plans on our last day and just do what everyone wants. Not a big deal to just hop over for lunch though. I’m sure someone will grab those, nice of you to offer!

I was up bright and early this morning and I see how FD affects availability. I’d probably mind less if WE could have gotten FD lol. I have not found a Ohana dinner yet. Everything is after 9. We only need it for 4. My kids are taking my niece to Captain Cook’s instead. But that’s just too late as they’ll need to be getting her to bed and I don’t like eating a huge meal so late anyways. We also didn’t get Liberty Tree. I was trying for as late as possible on a party night. We’re not “tied” to this one though and could replace it. Ohana we really want!! I have set up TP reservation finder for both.

We did get H&V Minnie’s Holiday Dine with no problem as well as 1900 Park Fare breakfast. BOG lunch just on a different day. Tutto Italia lunch instead of dinner (I can probably find a dinner but I’m guessing we might need to move this one around to grab Ohana whichever day it becomes available). Got Hoop Dee Do for our arrival day at 4. Category 3 vs 2 but we don’t care that much.

 

[Creatingpeace]

@Newsies Just adding to roll call, have not yet read the thread! We are checking in on Nov 24th-29th staying at CSR celebrating my son's 6th bday and his first Disney trip!

 

[Roscoe18]

My day 180 was yesterday and I’m really happy with the ADRs we got! Only one we missed on so far was Ohana. We got everything else we wanted and even when the times weren’t great, I was able to switch them out for better ones. Feeling good right now - November can’t come soon enough!

 

[IceQueen182]

Hi all! We are heading back to the Poly for the week after Thanksgiving, 11/25-11/30. ADR day was today and I had MUCH better luck than this same week last year. I wonder if there were fewer free dining packages than last year? In any event, there are a few times I'm hoping to change and I had a tough time getting a BBB reservation, but so far so good! We're planning to go to MVMCP on 11/29, and buy 3 days of the CL FPs so that we can fit in more rides on a shorter trip! Happy planning!

 

[Ashby04]

@Newsies
Just found this thread although our trip has been planned for awhile. We are booked at the Poly for 11/24-11/30!

Had our ADR day yesterday and had mostly good luck. I just have a few I am hoping to find better times for. Only thing I had bad luck with was CRT for an early dinner on a party night.

 

[Ashby04]

Hi all! We are heading back to the Poly for the week after Thanksgiving, 11/25-11/30. ADR day was today and I had MUCH better luck than this same week last year. I wonder if there were fewer free dining packages than last year? In any event, there are a few times I'm hoping to change and I had a tough time getting a BBB reservation, but so far so good! We're planning to go to MVMCP on 11/29, and buy 3 days of the CL FPs so that we can fit in more rides on a shorter trip! Happy planning!

I see we're at the Poly on similar dates! We'll be there 11/24-11/30 and we're also planning to go to MVMCP on 11/29!

 

[GrantMcR]

Have a seat, pass the cranberry sauce and come plan with us! It's the November 2018 thread!

Whether you're celebrating Thanksgiving, an early Christmas, a birthday, an anniversary or life in general, we're so excited to have you with us!
​

*A previous Nov 18 interest thread was in existence, but a poster requested an "official thread" that would keep track of roll call, events, etc. Let me know if you want this taken down!

​

This is a space for talking about all of your November 2018 Walt Disney World Resort travels. Transportation booking/issues, queries about park events and hours, or general rambling-- all welcome here!

**NEW 4/24: November Free Dining Promotion
​

Free dining has been announced for 2018! For our November travelers, you may be eligible for free dining if you are traveling between November 24-November 27. In order to be eligible for free dining, you must purchase a non-discounted Walt Disney World resort and ticket package with at least a 5-night/6-day Magic Your Way Package with Park Hopper or Park Hopper Plus Option.

The 2018 Free Dining promotion excludes the following resorts:

Value:

• All Star Movies
• Art of Animation Little Mermaid Rooms
• Fort Wilderness Campsites

Moderate:

• Port Orleans Riverside
• Port Orleans French Quarter

Deluxe:

• Contemporary Resort
• Bay Lake Tower
• Wilderness Lodge
• Polynesian Village Resort (standard rooms and villas)
• Villas at the Grand Floridian Resort

The promotion must be booked by July 7, 2018.

Guests staying at value and moderate resorts will receive a free Quick-Service Dining Plan, guests staying at deluxe resorts will receive a free Disney Dining Plan.

​

November Event Information/"Check-In" Threads
​

November is a very special time of year at Walt Disney World Resort! There will be plenty of special events taking place this month, make sure you take advantage of all the holiday magic! Here are just a few links for connecting with others and learning more about these happenings!

2018 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival: The best part about early November is that you still have a chance to catch the 2018 Food and Wine Festival! The Epcot-based event begins August 30 and runs all the way up until November 12, so our earlier November travelers will have the chance to experience seminars, culinary demonstrations, exclusive merchandise, and above all, FOOD from all around the world! F&W is a great event, my personal favorite Epcot festival, so be sure to check it out if you're in WDW during this time! Don't forget to follow the 2018 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival: August 30 to November 12, 2018 thread for updates on information as it's released!


Walt Disney World Wine & Dine Half Marathon weekend: From Nov 1-4, Walt Disney World Resort and runDisney invite you to join them in Epcot for the Wine & Dine Half Marathon! Be sure to follow the Official Wine & Dine 2018 thread for more information on registration, updates, and more!

• Registration opens up on Tuesday, March 20 at noon EST. You can register here.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party: Do you need a little Christmas? Right this very minute? You're in luck! On select dates, you can watch Magic Kingdom transform into a holiday wonderland with special nighttime offerings during this hard ticket event. You'll find free cookies and milk, exclusive entertainment (a parade, a castle show, and a fireworks show just for the event!), exclusive character offerings, and above all: SNOW ON MAIN STREET! Follow the "Official" 2018 Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party - Holiday Magic thread for more updates on dates, ticket sales, party information, and more! I'll update this section with dates and prices as information is released.

As of 3/19, tickets for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party are on sale! The November dates are: 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 25, 28, 30. Tickets are $95 in advance or $105 at the gate (if available). Tickets can be purchased by calling (407) 939-1872.

Roll Call​

Joining the November 2018 train? Wanna be a part of our Roll Call? No problem! Reply to this thread with your trip dates, which resort you're staying at, and anything else you'd like us to know! Be sure to tag @Newsies so you know I'll see it!


ROLL CALL!
In order of trip dates (then alphabetical by poster name)

Walt Disney World

sailors- 10/27-11/10 (POR)
CatNipRules- 10/27-11/10 (SSR)

chiisai- 11/1-11/6 (Poly)
lovingeire- 11/1-11/6 (Grand Flo)

Arazia- 11/2-11/11 (Poly)
ciaoaloha31- 11/2-11/7 (Pop)
mi*vida*loca- 11/2-11/4 (POFQ), 11/3-11/11 (BWV)

AFwifelife- 11/3-11/4 (SoG)
balty74- 11/3-11/11 (BRV/WL)
EmmyKay- 11/3-11/9 (BRV)
KStash- 11/3-11/7 (BCV)
lauren_elizabeth- 11/3-11/10 (ASsp)
tracee22- 11/3-11/10 (POP)

Cordy2424- 11/4-11/10 (POFQ)
DebnPaul- 11/4-11/10 (Grand Flo)
FortWildernessCamper- 11/4-11/12 (FWCG)
Shane Fireopal- 11/4-11/9 (OKW)

BMAEC- 11/5-11/10 (Contempo)
RolloTomasi- 11/5-11/9 (POFQ)
shairpdrh- 11/5-11/8 (BLT)

DisneyLore 11/6-11/14 (POFQ)
JJ2017- 11/6-11/11 (Dolphin)
SueandPooh24- 11/6-11/13 (CR)
Tallent- 11/6-11/10 (WL)

CanadianPrincess- 11/8-11/18 (Pop)
DisneyMandC- 11/8-11/9 (BCV)
Fernanda Diaz- 11/8-11/15 (DoubleTree)

disneygrl704- 11/9-11/18 (Pop & Offsite)
Jasmine81- 11/9-11/17 (ASMu)

Alison S- 11/10-11/15 (Poly)
ChanduTail- 11/10-11/17 (BCV)
Evilrubberducks9- 11/10-11/17 (Pop)
Helvetica- 11/10-11/18 (ASMo)
loveshak22- 11/10-11/13 (YC)
MADRUN 11/10-11/17 (BWV)
MrsSaraG- 11/10-11/18 (AKL) - PTR
NikkiDP- 11/10-11/16 (AKV)
tinkerbella16- 11/10-11/18 (POR)
**Courtney** - 11/10-11/17 (Pop)

glennsgirl762- 11/11-11/17 (CBR)
mar7967- 11/11-11/18 (AKL Kidani Savannah View)
Mrs~Incredible- 11/11-11/18 (Sheraton Vistana)
mxkris- 11/11-11/17 (CBR)

pilferk- 11/12-11/23 (AKV)

Happy2BGoofy- 11/13-11/20 (Pop)
MickyHuman- 11/13-11/20 (AOA)
Sommermo- 11/13-11/17 (Pop)

Disneymom1126- 11/14-11/19 (BRV), 11/19-11/21 (AKV Savannah View)
TorontoJoe- 11/14-11/19 (Contempo)

Christinecinti- 11/15-11/25 (ASMu)
cmarsh31- 11/15-11/18 (AKV)
dSp12- 11/15-11/19 (POFQ)
LadyDiznee123- 11/15-11/19 (POP)
Sandiz08- 11/15-11/22 (BRV)
summerskye- 11/15-11/25 (BWV)

CynBeth- 11/16-11/24 (POR)
mgaspard- 11/16-11/18 (Hard Rock Hotel), 11/18-11/24 (Hilton Buena Vista Palace)
Shellyb84- 11/16-11/23 (FW)
WhoDatDisney- 11/16-11/24 (VWL)

Bethislucy- 11/17-11/20 (Off-Site)
cindilouwho76- 11/17-11/24 (POR)
DisneyBarlans- 11/17-11/24 (CSR)
ericstac- 11/17-11/23 (Poly)
wdwnut61- 11/17-11/25 (BC)

Newsies- 11/18-11/24 (Poly) - PTR
stitchfan75- 11/18-11/23 (POFQ)

camnham- 11/20-11/25 (Off-Site at Bonnett Creek)
gulliesmom- 11/20-11/26 (GF)
mommy2mrb- 11/20-11/24 (ASMu)

hbrc2125- 11/21-11/26 (Poly)

kangamangus- 11/22-12/2 (OKW)
kpd6901- 11/22-12/2 (AoA)
melbelle75- 11/22-11/27 (Off-Property)

DisneyDude71- 11/23-11/30 (ASmu)
Goldenowner- 11/23-11/27 (Poly), 11/27-12/1 (BC), 12/1-12/2 (TBD)
LadyntheTramp- 11/23-12/2
Liserson- 11/23-12/1 (SOG)

anitsa123- 11/24-11/30 (ASsp)
deedeew80- 11/24-11/30 (ASMu)
Dolphindee- 11/24-12/1 (BWR)
JustMeFran- 11/24-12/2 (POP)
mamaofsix- 11/24-12/1 (Off-site at Windsor Hills)
MudBud- 11/24-12/4 (Pop)
piglet girl- 11/24-12/1 (AOA)
Roscoe18- 11/24-11/30 (CSR)
sandym718- 11/24-12/1 (Poly)
theostwalts- 11/24-12/2 (AKV Kidani Villlage)
1427disney- 11/24-12/18 (CSR)

Chris Anglin- 11/25-11/30 (ASMu)
King Dominic- 11/25-12/1 (OKW)
lambdabeta- 11/25-12/5 (Poly)
midnightlouise- 11/25-11/30 (Saratoga Springs)
ollynholly- 11/25-12/2 (ASsp)

DiaryofaDisneyKid- 11/26-12/4 (BWV, AKL Kidani)
LadyRayado- 11/26-11/12/1 (CBR)
Sandy Mouse- 11/26-12/3 (Pop)
Sarah_B- 11/26-12/2 (Poly)
Tearbear- 11/26-12/05 (Poly)

Chrystandenise- 11/27-12/4 (CBR)
Kimber1962- 11/27-12/4 (ASMo)
MamaJessie- 11/27-12/1 (POFQ)
Stephdisney- 11/27-12/4 (Pop)

crazyash82- 11/28-12/05 (AoA)
nicynot- 11/28-12/1

michelleiada- 11/29-12/7 (AKL Jambo and BC)


Disneyland Resort

sgerto- 11/12-11/15 (Best Western Stovall)


Disney Cruise Line

dnllmz- 11/5-11/9 (Disney Cruise)

We are going 11/25-12/2 and staying at AKL Kidani. There will be 9 of us and it will be our first time at AKL. We are so excited!

 

[GrantMcR]

Just booked our ADRs today! Got everything we wanted except I can't find any availability for Sci-fi on 11/26 for dinner. We have a group of 9. Is Sci-fi really that hard to get, or is something going on there at that time? I even got Ohana and Chef Mickey's with no problem. I can't believe it would be harder than those.

 

[JustMeFran]

Just booked our ADRs today! Got everything we wanted except I can't find any availability for Sci-fi on 11/26 for dinner. We have a group of 9. Is Sci-fi really that hard to get, or is something going on there at that time? I even got Ohana and Chef Mickey's with no problem. I can't believe it would be harder than those.

It might be a party size issue. They only have so many tables that can be used for larger groups, most seating is in the cars.
If you are willing to break up your group into the cars, you might have an easier time.