When to go...Oct or Nov.

[KAM2]

Looking ahead to next year......would like to plan a trip to WDW around my kiddos school vacations. I will have 2 in middle school next year, one in Kindergarten, one in 2nd grade. I used to pull them out of school but catching up got too hard!!

So, they always get a week off of school in mid to late Oct. and then most of Thanksgiving week off. Which would be the best week to go?? We have done MVMCP and MNSSHP---we really loved the Christmas party and decor although it was freezing almost every day we were there ---the first week of December!

My question---

#1 Does the Christmas "stuff" begin Thanksgiving week? Are the crowds manageable?

Or #2 Do we go in October and miss Christmas decor in lieu of smaller crowds?

What do you think??

 

[LibertyBelle]

This year the Christmas decorations went up the week of Thanksgiving. However I personally would come in October. The crowds Thanksgiving week are BIG... October is a slower time with more manageable crowds.

 

[Simba's Mom]

It also depends on whether or not swimming is a high priority. If so, definitely October. I wouldn't count on the weather in November for swimming. So I guess it depends on which is more important: Christmas decorations? November! Swimming? October!
My vote (not that it matters)? November

 

[Dopey Sharon]

I would go in October.

 

[sters]

The onsite hotels are a bit cheaper in November vs. October, except of course around Thanksgiving. We went the first week in November, along with a lot of others from New Jersey, and I found it very crowded. Christmas trees were going up in the hotels late that week... an unexpected pleasure! ANd it was plenty warm to swim, even late in the evenning.

 

[lasmickey]

We are planning to be there next October, but if I had my way, we'd be changing to November. I've always wanted to be in WDW when the Christmas decorations go up. (Just can't talk DH into it though!)

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by LibertyBelle
This year the Christmas decorations went up the week of Thanksgiving.

Actually they started decorating all the way back in October. Here's a link to the schedule that was posted on The DIS:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/holidays/decorating.htm

 

[barbeml]

Both have their pros and cons.

We have always gone in October until this year's trip, which was November 15-23.

October benefits are moderate crowds, food & wine festival, good weather.

November this year had the most spectacular weather I have ever experienced in WDW. With the exception of one rainy day (cleared by mid-afternoon), it was sunny, clear and not at all humid. Crowds were manageable, and just after Food & Wine Festival ended, we watched Epcot slowly begin to transform to holiday decor. CBR and other parks were being transformed as well. Neat!

I believe Food & Wine Festival is being extended next year, so it may be going on during Thanksgiving.

Good luck!