WDW in November - any experts?

[ShannyG]

I booked my trip for 11/15-11/21 on August 1st, so missed the 180 day dining reservation window. I am unable to get ADR for ANY character dining location for any day during our trip. (There are six people in my party). I also went online exactly at 11pm central time 60 days out from out trip to reserve fast-pass+, and I wasn't able to get the top attractions (Elsa/Anna, etc...) My question is, the travel sites state the crowds that week as being 2-4 (out of 10), so why am I unable to get any reservations if it's not supposed to be busy? Am I going to be shocked when I get there with crowd level 10?! Anyone with experience with Disney in November the week before Thanksgiving have any guidance? TIA.

 

[Figmentmommy]

Our family often visits during that week in November. I think you will find the crowds more than manageable and it is a really lovely time with all the Christmas decorations. The problem you're having with getting ADRs is probably due to the free dining offer during that time. A lot of people who normally might not book dining reservations have done so. Keep checking for last-minute reservation openings. I've often found a lot of ADRs available closer to my vacation dates. In fact a few years ago when we went during that exact same week I planned our trip with three weeks notice believe it or not! I was able to get two character meals- one dinner at Chef Mickey's and one dinner at Crystal Palace- so it can happen for you too! Have a great time!

 

[ShannyG]

Thank you Figmentmommy! With free dining that makes sense. I'll keep an eye out for cancellations.

 

[idledaz]

ShannyG we booked in August as well for 11/14-11/20 and I have had the same experience with ADRs and FP. Hoping we can find what we need as time gets closer. Someone said to watch for cancellations around the time that full payment is due on vacations which will be end of Sept for us. Good luck!

 

[cattywampus]

There have been a lot of character buffet cancellations on the Dis November cancellation thread under Dining Reservations. I am going to be there the exact time and have been stalking that thread -- I just don't need character meals. Look there. I'm also hoping the 45 day mark over the next week will mean released ADRs.

 

[nkereina]

Free Dining. Crowds in the parks will be low as predicted, but free dining fills up the restaurants. Especially this year, since free dining for November was announced BEFORE the November 180 day window. Those ADRs went early and fast.

 

[krupes]

i am going that same week and suggest you keep checking. People are constantly changing their plans, and I have seen many hard to find reservations pop up. Good luck!

 

[LemonNeko]

I booked for the exact same week in Aug and have managed to get Tusker House which I've seen come up a few times and CP. If you are flexible with which ones you want and keep checking something will appear.

 

[bebe88]

keep checking. I am going that same week and plan to drop some ADR's as I'm changing my plans a bit. Hoping I can pick up the ones I need too! Good luck!!

 

[Mom2princessprince]

Free Dining. Crowds in the parks will be low as predicted, but free dining fills up the restaurants. Especially this year, since free dining for November was announced BEFORE the November 180 day window. Those ADRs went early and fast.

Ugh! Thanks for explaining this. I have been getting nervous that it would be much more crowded than I thought because I have not been able to get a single character meal during my third week of November stay yet, having booked my trip recently. I'll keep stalking the cancellations page and feel some relief that at least the rides and parks won't be mobbed. Maybe while everyone is in the restaurants I can get on some rides!

 

[nkereina]

Ugh! Thanks for explaining this. I have been getting nervous that it would be much more crowded than I thought because I have not been able to get a single character meal during my third week of November stay yet, having booked my trip recently. I'll keep stalking the cancellations page and feel some relief that at least the rides and parks won't be mobbed. Maybe while everyone is in the restaurants I can get on some rides!

I will be there the same week as you, and was there last year the same week as well. Last year, free dining was announced much later - well after the 180 day mark, so ADRs were a little easier to come by. This year, everyone booked earlier than usual due to the early free dining announcement. Crowd calendars and everything else are still showing low crowds in the parks, so we shouldn't be concerned

Another thing to note is that, even though the parks won't be mobbed, the resorts might feel crowded. Free dining entices people to stay on site that maybe normally wouldn't. So resorts and restaurants pack them in, but it all evens out in the parks.

 

[MissDisney365]

Just like everyone else said, that is typically a slower time in the park (even though there really isn't an "offseason" at Disney anymore). You shouldn't have too much trouble navigating the parks and getting on the rides you want. Plus you'll get to see all of the beautiful Christmas decorations! As for the dining issue, definitely keep checking to see if anything opens up. Disney gives you up to the day before to cancel a reservation, so I bet you'll be able to find something, especially as you get close to your vacation. Have a magical time!!

 

[cinnamon1908]

Free dining was offered during November so I feel like that is the reason we are having such a hard time getting ADRs

 

[cinnamon1908]

I will be there the same week as you, and was there last year the same week as well. Last year, free dining was announced much later - well after the 180 day mark, so ADRs were a little easier to come by. This year, everyone booked earlier than usual due to the early free dining announcement. Crowd calendars and everything else are still showing low crowds in the parks, so we shouldn't be concerned

Another thing to note is that, even though the parks won't be mobbed, the resorts might feel crowded. Free dining entices people to stay on site that maybe normally wouldn't. So resorts and restaurants pack them in, but it all evens out in the parks.

Yes that makes a lot of sense. Keeping fingers crossed for low crowds since we have a short trip this time around.

 

[GimmeMoreMagic]

i thought the free dining offered was the Quick Service plan, at least thats what i was given for our Nov 12 - 19 trip.

 

[tlw29]

We have booked the same week and have had lots of trouble booking ADRs, even though we jumped on them as soon as reservations for our week opened up. We are also concerned that this is supposed to be a slower week, but the ADRs are not reflecting that. Even some of the least popular restaurants seem to be booked. I am wondering if they are not running things at full capacity in order to gear up for the extreme crowds during the next week. We have booked during free dining 4 times before and have never had this much trouble.

 

[Figarro]

i thought the free dining offered was the Quick Service plan, at least thats what i was given for our Nov 12 - 19 trip.

Doesn't that depend on the resort thst you book? If you book Value, it's the Quick Service DP. If you book Moderate and above, it's the Disney DP. At least, that's what I know.

 

[mpgrandpa]

We are coming the week before Thanksgiving and finally got the FP+ that we wanted. You have to be persistent and a little lucky. We even got BOG reservation.

 

[nkereina]

Doesn't that depend on the resort thst you book? If you book Value, it's the Quick Service DP. If you book Moderate and above, it's the Disney DP. At least, that's what I know.

This is correct. If you booked a value resort under the free dining promotion, that comes with the quick service plan. If you book a moderate or deluxe under the free dining promotion, it comes with the regular dining plan. You can always pay the difference to upgrade to the next level, if you prefer the regular dining plan but want to stay at a value. Or if you prefer the deluxe dining plan, even.

 

[katiea86]

I'm going the same time and i was one of the many that booked back in May because free dining was announced so early. So there I was sitting at my brother's college graduation making ADRs (I did take a break to watch him walk haha). I thought it was crazy even then that i got what seemed to be the last CM reservation for the night I wanted and couldn't even get Boma for the time I wanted. I was lucky that I didn't actually miss out on any ADRs, I just had to change some of my planned times around a little. Good luck to those trying to get ADRs!