Torn between two weeks this fall...

[100acreHiker]

Hi All!
I'm planning to take my mom (who hasn't been to WDW in over 30 years) and my two boys for a quick getaway this fall. We've gone a few time in the last few years. We absolutely love the first week in December--crowds last year were very good and the holiday cheer is awesome. Our other option is November (Jersey Week, it seems). We will likely stay at BWI. Here are our pros and cons:

November 8-13:
Pros:
it will likely be warmer so boys can swim
we would have 4 full days instead of 3
Cons:
It will be Jersey Week AND the last week of Food and Wine. Worry about it being a zoo and we do want to spend a couple of days in Epcot, but we don't really care about F&W

December 1-4 (arriving night of Nov 30th):
Pros:
Probably lower crowds
Holiday decorations and cheer
Cons:
shorter trip (3 full days instead of 4)
possibility of bad weather at home/snow may delay travel
may not be warm enough to swim

Ultimately, crowd level does really matter, as we hope to ride the new EP rides a couple of times, and my mom is not used to Disney at all--if it's a zoo it may be overwhelming to her. What do y'all think? Also, is there a preliminary Dec 2016 crowd calendar out yet? TIA!

 

[dislovefrommn]

December for the decorations!

 

[DisneyMom111]

I vote for December as well. We have gone at both times and if EP is a must, you want to avoid the end of the F&W. It was a mad house when we were there. We can usually still swim in early December too. They may be filming the Christmas parade that weekend at MK, so keep that in mind as well. Avoid the day they film the parade, but the day they do the castle entertainment has usually been no issue. And it's fun to watch.

 

[busymommy2pink]

I vote for December as well. We have gone at both times and if EP is a must, you want to avoid the end of the F&W. It was a mad house when we were there. We can usually still swim in early December too. They may be filming the Christmas parade that weekend at MK, so keep that in mind as well. Avoid the day they film the parade, but the day they do the castle entertainment has usually been no issue. And it's fun to watch.

We were there the second and third week in November last year and the parade was filmed while we were there. It totally messed up our touring plan and was chaos and it made the food and wine (we were there the last week of it as well lol) even more insane than it was in previous experience. It was overall not great and we won't return in November because of it lol.

OP I suggest December in order to skip all the chaos.

 

[Dayman99]

Totally Disagree.....You will still have Christmas decorations up in November, Jersey week isn't as bad as you think, and you get an extra day which you can chill at the resort if you wanted. Also, the Eat to the Beats concerts may have an entertainer that your Mom may enjoy!

 

[minniemous]

I vote November. There will be holiday cheer because all the decorations and music will be going full blast when you are there. Jersey week is actually a good time to go. Never found Jersey week to be a negative. People are nice not very high crowds. That being said I never went in December when you are talking about just New years.

You have a much better shot at swimming although it is not a given in November as you mentioned. We have gone for the last several years October 27th/30th through November 9th/15th. It is a real nice time to go to Disney.

I agree with Dayman99.

 

[DisneyMom111]

We were there the second and third week in November last year and the parade was filmed while we were there. It totally messed up our touring plan and was chaos and it made the food and wine (we were there the last week of it as well lol) even more insane than it was in previous experience. It was overall not great and we won't return in November because of it lol.

OP I suggest December in order to skip all the chaos.

Yeah for some reason they filmed it early last year. It's usually the first weekend in December, so it may be early again this year too, who knows. Sounds like you need to plan another trip soon for a do-over! lol

 

[100acreHiker]

Thanks, everyone. We went mid November 2014 and the Christmas decorations were only up in MK at that point, but they were still quite nice. It was more crowded compared to early December, but not awful, but that was the week after F&W ended--we've never been there for F&W and it's really not my mom's thing--she doesn't drink at all. But the boys do love to swim and use the slides so it's hard to know what to do! I appreciate all your thoughts!

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

Torn between two lovers, feeling like a fool, but loving you both is breaking all the rules...

 

[brockash]

Hi All!
I'm planning to take my mom (who hasn't been to WDW in over 30 years) and my two boys for a quick getaway this fall. We've gone a few time in the last few years. We absolutely love the first week in December--crowds last year were very good and the holiday cheer is awesome. Our other option is November (Jersey Week, it seems). We will likely stay at BWI. Here are our pros and cons:

November 8-13:
Pros:
it will likely be warmer so boys can swim
we would have 4 full days instead of 3
Cons:
It will be Jersey Week AND the last week of Food and Wine. Worry about it being a zoo and we do want to spend a couple of days in Epcot, but we don't really care about F&W

December 1-4 (arriving night of Nov 30th):
Pros:
Probably lower crowds
Holiday decorations and cheer
Cons:
shorter trip (3 full days instead of 4)
possibility of bad weather at home/snow may delay travel
may not be warm enough to swim

Ultimately, crowd level does really matter, as we hope to ride the new EP rides a couple of times, and my mom is not used to Disney at all--if it's a zoo it may be overwhelming to her. What do y'all think? Also, is there a preliminary Dec 2016 crowd calendar out yet? TIA!

I'd do Nov. for the warmer weather, less chance of issues getting there/back, and 4 full days instead of 3. I have never been during Jersey week though, so if it's something that makes it crazy crowded, then I guess I'd do the shorter trip later.

 

[PeasandCarrots]

If you don't care about F&W, December hands down. Nothing beats the Christmas decorations and "extras" like the Candlelight Processional.

 

[Lisa R]

We have gone both times - and December definitely. If you don't care about F&W - the crowds are SO much better that first week of December - it was our favorite time to go until our daughter got too old to take out of school. 3 days with light crowds are better than 4 crowded days - in my opinion. The pools are heated - they'll be fine.

 

[BeHappyNeverSad]

I'm not sure what effect it will have but Veteran's Day is Nov 11th and falls on a Friday. We were there last year during that time and MK got so very crowded on Vereran's day and it was a Wednesday. We had only planned the morning in MK that day though and it was much less crowded when we hopped to HS. Just something to consider since that falls during your trip. Maybe avoid MK that day.

 

[busymommy2pink]

Yeah for some reason they filmed it early last year. It's usually the first weekend in December, so it may be early again this year too, who knows. Sounds like you need to plan another trip soon for a do-over! lol

Along with terrible resort experience we are currently planning that do over haha!

 

[ThreeBoyMama]

We did November 28th to December 3rd last year (so close to your dates at least!) and thought it was a great time to visit. Holiday decorations everywhere, it was still warm enough for the kids to swim, and crowds weren't terrible, even with it being the last year for the Osborne Lights. If you don't care about F&W I probably wouldn't go in November, but I'm sure you'll have fun either way!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I'd do Nov. for the warmer weather, less chance of issues getting there/back, and 4 full days instead of 3.

We've done both times, and I would do Nov for the reasons above. I think an entire day more makes a big difference for a shorter trip. And even if crowds are a little bigger, a whole extra day can certainly mitigate that!

Hope you have an awesome time, whatever you choose!!