Which is better.... Last week of Oct or First week of Nov. ?

LisaRay

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Oct 11, 2000
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We are planning a trip and have been many times before but we are looking to pick one of these two weeks. We want to spend several days at the beach and some other places so we can choose which week we do Disney VS the other stuff.

We'd like to go before it turns into Christmas stuff.
We don't usually attend the MK parties but we do like hitting the MK on party days for lower crowds. Which would be late Oct because I don't think the 1st Xmas party will happen that 1st week of Nov based on previous dates.
We like it to not be super hot.
But basically what are some things that are happening that 1st week in Nov to make me want to avoid it?
 
If I were just doing a week in Disney, I would choose the first week of November because November has lower hurricane stats than October, so less chance weather would mess with your trip.

But since you're already traveling to Florida for the two weeks, and just choosing the order to visit places, I'd do Disney first, since you said you wanted to avoid the Christmas decorations, and I think they do at least start changing things over right after Halloween.
 
We are planning a trip and have been many times before but we are looking to pick one of these two weeks. We want to spend several days at the beach and some other places so we can choose which week we do Disney VS the other stuff.

We'd like to go before it turns into Christmas stuff.
We don't usually attend the MK parties but we do like hitting the MK on party days for lower crowds. Which would be late Oct because I don't think the 1st Xmas party will happen that 1st week of Nov based on previous dates.
We like it to not be super hot.
But basically what are some things that are happening that 1st week in Nov to make me want to avoid it?
Your first point kinda provides your window. If you don't want Christmas decorations then you will need to go in October. The MK quickly turns over to Christmas within the first few days of November. Also, there will not be any parties the first week of November so you would not have the opportunity to go to the MK on a party day the first week of November.
 
Your first point kinda provides your window. If you don't want Christmas decorations then you will need to go in October. The MK quickly turns over to Christmas within the first few days of November. Also, there will not be any parties the first week of November so you would not have the opportunity to go to the MK on a party day the first week of November.
Yes, I am kind of on the fence on if I would prefer the low crowds on party days or a week with no parties at all and more normal hours for MK.

I do know that November has a lot of things going on with Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving etc but I wasn't sure if there was anything that first week that might make me want to avoid it.
 
Also I was just thinking that since the Xmas parties won't have started maybe it wasn't so much in your face Xmas stuff quite yet.
I prefer Disney music to xmas music in early November. LOL
 
I was just there for both of those weeks in 2024. I found October to be preferable due to Jersey Week and marathon crowds during the 1st week of November. It really depends on how those events fall on the calendar this year, but based on my experience, I'd vote for October.
 
If you want Halloween themed stuff, or at least NOT Christmas themed stuff, then you should go in October. They start switching all the themed stuff to Christmas on November 1st. They won't have it all finished in the first week of course, but the further after Nov 1st you go, the more there will be.
 
We are going 10/28 - 11/7. The marathon is the weekend of 10/23 to 10/26 I think?

We love the Halloween party, so we want October for sure. I'm prepared that MK will switch over to Christmas and while we aren't thrilled (been there, done that) it won't be nearly as bad during the first week of November as it will later in the month. Resorts shouldn't be decorated yet and I think MK will be only place with Christmas music. No parties I would think until Friday 11/7.

Had to choose those dates because bounceback offer doesn't start until 10/26 unfortunately or we'd go last week and half of October and skip Christmas altogether!
 
I would go the last week of October since you want to visit the parks before Christmas decor is up. Halloween will be going on, along with RunDisney's Wine and Dine half marathon weekend. However the first week of November you'll have: Christmas decor likely in MK, no parties yet, and it'll be Jersey Week.
 
Both will be crowded because you’re facing:
  • 10/23-10/26 F&W marathon
  • Nov 3-7 Jersey Week
  • Veterans Day on Tues Nov 11 will encourage 4 day weekends starting Nov 8
Many people make the mistake of thinking this time of year isn’t crowded. It is. It won’t be Xmas/Easter crowded though, so don’t get too worried. (Book your hotel now though.)
 
We have been going Halloween week for decades. Weather is usually good - sometimes hot. 2024 was a perfect 80 degrees and sunny skies nearly every day with no humidity! Crowds were thin at EPCOT and especially at our resorts. Towards early November we see NJ plates on cars everywhere...Jersey weekend and it is real. CM's were setting up for marathon signs (we noticed) on 10/30.

Early Halloween week is less crowded. Getting in the week before Halloween and out before marathon is ideal IMO. Enjoy!
 
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