Tell me about early November...

[Hobbes]

..But please, not that it comes after late October!
We usually go after Thanksgiving cos we love the Christmas decs, but DH really enjoyed F & W when we there so we are considering going the beginning of November. So 2 questions:
1. If we go for 2 weeks until around 18th, will we see Chrimbo decs? And will there be the piped background music? I know its sounds lame but i fill up every time I hear "Do you see what i see" (I think thats what its called!)
2 How much effect does Jersey week have? I understand its the second week of Novemebr and one website (not this) sais it significantly increases crowds. Is it busier than Pop warner week?

I'm getting excited at the thought of booking agian even though only last week I wanted to do a coach Tour of the Smoky Mountains instead...

 

[tomatecerise]

We were there november 9-19 and music and christmas decorations in magic kingdom, Hollywood studios and animal kingdom all over. They start The decorations in Epcot and at The Grand Floridian 2 days before We leave and at Disney Spring on our last day.

In epcot The crowd were heavy in The food stands but ok for The attractions.

In general The crowd were a little bit heavy in The night because lightning decorations.

 

[imthemamahere]

Early November is the quietest part of the month, I believe - certainly lower crowd than the week of Thanksgiving.

I live in New Jersey, and I can assure you that the entire state of NJ does not descend upon Disney World during Jersey Week. There's a small bump in attendance, which tends to be a bigger bump if Jersey Week also overlaps with Veterans Day - but that's more because of Veterans Day.

The decorations will roll out while you're there, first in the parks, and then eventually in the resorts as well. The decorations are lovely, and definitely lend a very Christmas-y air to the whole World.

And, I think the carol you're thinking of is called Do You Hear What I Hear?

 

[cruisingkat]

The weekend of the Food & Wine half marathon in November was quite crowded when we went two years ago (DS was running). We normally go to Epcot Mon thru Thurs just for F&W but that year we also went for the weekend of the half marathon.
Usually the Disney run weekends (Disney marathon, Princess half, etc) are more crowded than usual - you usually have to book your room early.

 

[anniemae]

November is one of the best times to go IMO (just not Thanksgiving week). The crowds are low and the weather is beautiful. Cool nights and mornings, then warm in the afternoon. Perfect park touring weather. We love November!

 

[tinkerbella16]

I have been going during the first 2 weeks of November since 1995. All I can really say now, is that it used to be a lot less crowded up until around 2010-2011. Crowds really started to pick up each year after that, and we noticed it so much, that we decided to take a break from November this year. It is manageable, and we LOVE the Christmas party and MK being decked out in decorations. But I guess I remember how it used to be, so I notice it more now. There is a lot more that goes on nowadays than before too - F&W, Marathon Weekend, Jersey Week. But it is definitely not as crowded as summer or holidays. I cannot compare it to Pop Warner Week, since I have never been during that time.

We really loved going when F&W was over, but now they extend it, and we don't really enjoy it - only because we love Epcot and it really brings the crowds, even on weekdays. I love World Showcase when F&W is not going on. So we planned this years trip before it starts. I was there this past Nov 5-14th.. I did F&W, and it was crazy, even on a Tuesday! It was also unusually hot that trip - so hot!!! We love November because of the great weather. This past November was just weird - hot and humid, but it never really rained, except a quick shower at night a couple of times.

 

[jvattes]

..But please, not that it comes after late October!
We usually go after Thanksgiving cos we love the Christmas decs, but DH really enjoyed F & W when we there so we are considering going the beginning of November. So 2 questions:
1. If we go for 2 weeks until around 18th, will we see Chrimbo decs? And will there be the piped background music? I know its sounds lame but i fill up every time I hear "Do you see what i see" (I think thats what its called!)
2 How much effect does Jersey week have? I understand its the second week of Novemebr and one website (not this) sais it significantly increases crowds. Is it busier than Pop warner week?

I'm getting excited at the thought of booking agian even though only last week I wanted to do a coach Tour of the Smoky Mountains instead...

We went last year from 11/6-11 and it was lovely. It was exceptionally hot for the season but we enjoyed it. Christmas decor was up in MK at that time, and going up in some resorts. Did not hear a lot of Christmas music, except at MVMCP which we found very enjoyable and quite a good value for the money. Lots of Christmas merch available. We did not see any effect of Jersey Week; I'm not sure it had started by the time we left? If it had, zero impact

Crowds last year were larger than expected at that time. However, we had only to that point been in summer with crowd levels of 8-9, so level of 6 was welcome.

 

[2binak]

We've been a few times during the week before Thanksgiving and would say that it's the next best thing to going during December if you're looking for that Christmas feeling. The parks are fully decorated & playing Christmas music and most of the resorts are decorated or in the process of being decorated. Now that they've extended F&W, you can catch the end of it and still get the Christmas decorations too! We've been during the week of Veteran's Day too but only MK was decorated for Christmas during that week.

 

[disneyseniors]

Been to WDW during "jersey week" several times, and didn't even know it was Jersey week til I read these threads!!
So, No, didn't notice it being more crowded during JW- go and enjoy November

 

[ksinniger]

We went for the first week in November in 2014, which covered Jersey week, and while the parks were definitely not empty, they were not summer crowds. That said, it certainly felt over-crowded in places -- I don't think I've ever seen the walkway between PP and IASW NOT jammed -- but I think the difference is that you could usually escape the crowds and still be in the park.

 

[pagek83]

We went from Nov. 8-13 last year and like a PP said, Christmas was up in the MK and they did have piped in Christmas music in the Main Street area, but it wasn't annoying or anything like that. HS and AK also were decorated. We were there for the last full week of F&W and the only super busy day there was on Sunday and the lines were insane. We went back later in the week and crowd level was super low. The resorts started putting up their Christmas decor the day after we left.

 

[Hobbes]

Early November is the quietest part of the month, I believe - certainly lower crowd than the week of Thanksgiving.

I live in New Jersey, and I can assure you that the entire state of NJ does not descend upon Disney World during Jersey Week. There's a small bump in attendance, which tends to be a bigger bump if Jersey Week also overlaps with Veterans Day - but that's more because of Veterans Day.

The decorations will roll out while you're there, first in the parks, and then eventually in the resorts as well. The decorations are lovely, and definitely lend a very Christmas-y air to the whole World.

And, I think the carol you're thinking of is called Do You Hear What I Hear?

Thanks for that-this other website which shall remain nameless seemed to suggest the entire state would transplant to WDW! And thanks for the name of the song-its not a very well-known Christmas carol in the UK which I think is a pity because its beautiful-one of my favourite memories form the first time I took DH is hearing the Candlelight Processional singing it and making him wait outside to listen before continued on round World Showcase.

 

[JaimeK]

The Christmas decorations in MK have to be up in time for the first MVMCP which is the first week of Nov. it's a very quick transition from Halloween to Christmas there!

We were there Nov 9-15, 2014 and I thought it was a perfect time. We got just the tail end of F&W, MK was decorated, HS had Osborne lights (boo hoo), and the GF was building the gingerbread house during that week which was fun to see the daily progress. But I don't remember seeing decorations in Epcot or AK, no trees yet at the resorts.

 

[DisneyHardin]

We've gone during "Jersey Week" the last 2 years and did not find that it was overly busy. The first time we did it, the weather was perfect - warm and sunny during the day and cool enough for a light sweater in the evenings. Last year it was hot as can be that week. Locals said it was the warmest first of November they had in 20 years. We are going Nov 8-13 this year and I am hoping for the nicer weather again.

It is a great time of year because, as people have mentioned you get the end of Food and Wine and the beginning of Christmas stuff.

 

[RustManFan]

I like the weather best too in early November! And we never have had huge crowds.

 

[fauntleroy1953]

We were there at the same time PP JaimeK was there,early November. We had never seen the decorations before,so were mesmerized by the building of the GF gingerbread house ( we stayed at the WL). It was built so quickly. There was someone there at a table giving out samples and explaining how it was built. We were on the second floor,looking through shops when I saw smoke and grabbed my husband,saying I think there's a fire. Turns out,the chimney actually has smoke coming out of it....just a tad embarrassing.
We showed up during the last three days of the F & W festival. The difference in crowd levels was visible when the festival was over. A lot less people and a less stressful atmosphere. We got to see most of the Christmas decorations without the holiday crowds. The weather was perfect. Not too hot or cold. We'd love to go back at that time,but Disney has caught onto how popular November is, and no longer offers any Value days during that month. But it will always be our favorite month to go. We were there last December ( our first time during the holidays) and will be going back the last week of August ( our first time there during the Summer). Holiday crowds were large,but F & W crowds were bigger, believe it or not. Haven't decided yet when to make our return trip next year,but November keeps calling us......