Tips and/or Advice for WDW in November

[scchristo]

Long time lurker, very few posts (as you may guess by my ticker):

We are going on a "full family" trip November 16-21st, two adults DSD 18, DD 4 (by the time we visit). This will be our fourth trip to WDW for two of us, so we are not necessarily "newbies", but have only visited in January and March. This will be our first trip WITHOUT park hoppers (the horror) so I am a little apprehensive about "missing something" because we are not hopping.

We plan to see the Osborne Lights, Pirates and Pals, we WILL be going to the MVMCP (not sure what night yet). Our last trip was right after POP stopped testing Magic Bands (we know about FP+ and all that jazz).

I would like to get some advice/tips for "must see" or "need to experience" items that are not already on our list!! I am most interested in the holiday themed events - parks, resorts, etc. I would be happy to read through any helpful previous posts as well, if those exist!!

TIA!!

 

[MeanestMomEver]

If the Christmas Decorations are in the resorts by then, I'd say do a tour of the monorail resorts' decorations. The last time we visited in November, (2008) the resorts had photo pass photographers in the lobbies on the evening we toured them and we got several beautiful family photos in front of the resort Christmas Trees. Also, the Epcot Santa and Mrs C photo pass photos by the American Pavilion in Epcot are still our very favorites. Best looking Santa and Mrs Ever and a pretty setting.

 

[babydoll65]

Definitely, the Christmas decorations. Especially at the grand floridian. We made a breakfast reservations at the grand floridian cafe just to see the gingerbread house. It was beautiful.

 

[scchristo]

Those are great suggestions! Is there anything "park specific" I should be mindful of? I thought I read something somewhere about the castle lighting??

 

[CarouselOfProgress4]

I agree with pp's: The resort Holiday decorations are really a must see. We usually spend a good half day or more exploring many different resorts and their decorations. They really are awesome.

 

[ChipAndOrDale]

Glad I found this, heading there in mid November and I never thought of checking out the decorations at the resorts. Thanks!

 

[practicallyperfect77]

In addition to monorail resorts, Wilderness Lodge has a huge tree....absolutely breathtaking. The Epcot resorts also are decorated. I think it was the Beach Club that had a carousel all made out of chocolate. Fyi...I know I read a blog where the author suggested using the morning of the day you go to the Christmas party to resort hop and check things out. You could save a little money by not getting a park ticket that day.

Not sure when they start but Epcot also has Storytellers around the world that describe how that country celebrates the holidays. I thoroughly enjoyed these and would think your DD would like France and Norway for sure.

They do have a castle lightning at MK...I want to say it was 6:15 or so. The lights stay lit on the castle all night but kinda fun to see them turn on. Osborne lights are wonderful.....I think my favorite part.

Enjoy - it's beautiful!

 

[Minniekins]

Just as a heads up, in case you didn't know, on the day of MVMCP, you can enter MK at 4pm using only your party ticket. Now, you could actually sort of hop that day, to one park on your days' ticket, and then go to MK at 4 pm to start the party early, getting in with your party ticket. Or, if you are using just regular day tickets, you could get by with one day less on tickets, saving a few dollars which is always good! And, then like a PP noted, you could maybe tour resorts for the earlier part of the day to see the Xmas decorations, then pop over to MK at 4pm. Between 4 and 7 you could do the rides that are not open during the party, and use FP+ during those 3 hours as well. And, also as previously noted, the Castle lighting is at dusk, around 6 - 6:30 pm, it's just under 10 min long, I think. A couple of the special holiday things go on at the MVMCP with the special XMas parade, and the XMas fireworks show.

The Osborne lights at DHS are definitely a favorite of ours, so beautiful and fun, so be sure to do those!

If you are at Epcot, you can exit thru the International Gateway and easily tour the Epcot resorts Yacht and Beach Clubs, and the Boardwalk Inn and see all of the theirs Xmas decorations, including gingerbread houses! The Swan and Dophin resort is just past the Boardwalk Inn and had an all chocolate Santa display! At Epcot, they do have the Storytellers around the world who share the "legends and lore of the season", but they don't start till right after Thanksgiving so you'd miss those. Same for the Candlelight Processional where they share the Christmas story, with a celebrity narrator such as Neil Patrick Harris or Whoopi Goldberg, with a large choir and orchestra. But again, unfortunately doesn't start till right after Thanksgiving. Any chance you can go a couple weeks later, lol?

 

[scchristo]

OP here: I WISH we could go later or longer but the deal I got on airfare is kind of what started this trip! We are doing AK the morning of our MVMCP - for ME, this is a half day park. Once DD is tall enough for the rides at Dinosaur Land (or whatever that area is called), that may change!!

Our "dream" trip is October with F&W and MVMHP, but I am thankful for ANY trip!!

Great suggestions!

 

[xipotec]

We always go that time of year, its one of the best times to go. Holiday themes are everywhere, the monorail resorts are a good bet.

Might want to see Belle in Epcot, usually she is wearing her Christmas garb. Also Epcot does the Candle light processional, but I do not know the schedule or who is going to guest star. It will be extra crowded those nights.

If you do MVMCP try a week day versus week end its less crowded.

Plus I HIGHLY recommend the Wishes Dessert party for one night, we always do this and its way better than being shoved in the crowds.

For the parade , Liberty square close to frontier land is your best viewing.

Any specific questions Feel free to PM.

Best time of year to go!!!!

 

[nkereina]

We left on 11/22 last year and found that most of the decorations were up by the time we left. At our resort, CSR, the decor didn't go up until 11/21. So, if you plan to resort hop to see the holiday decorations, I'd plan for that late in your trip so you don't miss anything.