Which week to go in Nov?

[kristenandrick]

Hi, all! I am planning my first trip to DLR (we are WDW vets) so I am not sure which week to pick for our trip-it will just be hubby and myself. I have reservations for the week of Nov. 14th-20th, but I am now wondering if we would hit lighter crowds the week of Nov. 1st-6th. TIA for any input!!!

 

[deejdigsdis]

I think that sounds like a great time to go. We went Nov. 16th - 20th last year and loved it. It was my first time back after 13-ish years, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Weather was 73-ish the whole time, most rides were walk-ons or 10-15 min. waits, the Christmas seasonal stuff was in full swing, etc. Just ask if you have any more questions and I will do my best to answer them.

 

[jenniferrose]

You should hit low crowds that week but there could be some closures.

In 2008 we went that week (the week before Xmas and it was GREAT). That Friday the Xmas parade will start and the crowds will pick up, but the week you are there should be nice and quiet. Be prepared for shorter hours and possibly some closures.

In 2009 we went the first week in November and it was also fairly slow but not all the decorations were up. They continued to go up throughout the week and several things were down getting the holiday overlay.

If I had to choose, I would go the week just before Thanksgiving because on your last day there you can catch the holiday parade and everything will be fully decked out.

Have fun!!

 

[kristenandrick]

Thanks so much for replying :, I really appreciate it. It makes me feel better to know there have been light crowds around our original time line. Can anyone tell me if we will have to wait for that Friday to be able to see the night time shows? Thanks again!

 

[Nala83]

The official start to the holiday season is Nov. 13th this year. Will that first weekend be extra crowded? Also, Veteran's Day is Thursday the 11th. Will that affect things?

 

[deejdigsdis]

The Christmas Parade was daily at 5:30pm during the week, then increased to 2 showings per day from Friday the 20th on. The Holiday Fireworks were nightly during that week, and so was the falling snow. (My favorite ) Fantasmic! wasn't going on during the week, but started nightly on the 20th. By the way, the hours were 10am to 8pm at Disneyland Monday the 16th through Thursday the 19th. DCA was 10am-6pm. Friday the 20th had the extended hours. Jungle Cruise, Casey Jr., and Storybook Land Canal Boats were down for refurb during the week, and all re-opened on the 20th. I don't believe there were any other ride closures.

 

[deejdigsdis]

The official start to the holiday season is Nov. 13th this year. Will that first weekend be extra crowded? Also, Veteran's Day is Thursday the 11th. Will that affect things?

So there's been an official date announcement for this year? It started on the 13th last year as well. I was there Nov. 16th through the 20th last year and we loved everything about it. It was really great crowd-wise. During the day it was great...nighttime by Small World was a different story. Not sure about that actual opening weekend, though.

 

[Nala83]

Nov. 13th is the date circulating on the Christmas thread. Not sure it that has been published by Disney or if it's speculation...

 

[Sherry E]

Nov. 13th is the date circulating on the Christmas thread. Not sure it that has been published by Disney or if it's speculation...

It won't be the 13th this year. November 13th was the date it started last year, in 2009. This year, the holiday season will start on November 12th or the 19th - a Friday. The dates have not been announced yet, but it's always a Friday. I just wanted to clarify so that no one thinks anything has been announced. The 13th was a Friday last year, so it won't be that date again this year.

We will definitely post on the Christmas thread as soon as a date is mentioned - even if it's just an early leak via the Disney Parks Blog (which is how we learned what the HalloweenTime start date was).

 

[Nala83]

Sorry to pass along misinformation...sounds like I'm a year behind!

So Sherry (and others), is the opening weekend of Christmas super busy?

 

[Sherry E]

Sorry to pass along misinformation...sounds like I'm a year behind!

So Sherry (and others), is the opening weekend of Christmas super busy?

Oh that's okay! There's so much information floating around on this board that it's easy to get some stuff mixed up or forget where you saw what. There are so many World of Color threads around that I have no clue where to find any given bit if info!

I have never been to DLR on the actual Friday/weekend when the holiday season begins. That's one thing I want to eventually do, just to see if it's any different in November than in December. But, if I recall from last year and the year before (in 2008, the season began only one week prior to Thanksgiving, whereas last year it was 2 weeks before Thanksgiving), people on the DIS who went on opening night/weekend in 2008 and 2009 said it was very crowded. It won't be New Year's Eve-type crowded, but I think the novelty of it will draw people in. Then, by all accounts, the crowds seem to settle down right after Thanksgiving and on through early December. Then, by mid-December, the crowds begin to pick up steadily, reaching their peak in the week between Christmas and New Year's.

 

[jessicaerv]

I took advantage of Southwest's fantastic fare sale, and will be in OC Nov 10 through 17. Unfortunately, I will have family obligations for most of the time, but have no fear -- I'll be sure to squeeze Disneyland in for at least two of those days.

Oh I hope, I hope, I hope that the season starts on the 12th.

 

[Aussie Princess]

It won't be the 13th this year. November 13th was the date it started last year, in 2009. This year, the holiday season will start on November 12th or the 19th - a Friday. The dates have not been announced yet, but it's always a Friday. I just wanted to clarify so that no one thinks anything has been announced. The 13th was a Friday last year, so it won't be that date again this year.

We will definitely post on the Christmas thread as soon as a date is mentioned - even if it's just an early leak via the Disney Parks Blog (which is how we learned what the HalloweenTime start date was).

I hope its the 12th not the 19th as i leave on the 18th

 

[Brady's Mom]

We went Nov. 1-6 last year and loved it. We had shorter park hours - 10-8 at DL and 10-6 at DCA. Crowds were minimal and wait times were very short. I don't think we used FP very often since we could mostly walk on to rides. We did gather a few FP, and used them in the evening (6-8) when things got a teeny bit more crowded. We love going that time of year since we got to see some of the Halloween decos and then saw the change over to Christmas decos.

We loved it so much we are planning another trip at that same time this year.

Our DS 8 was able to ride Screamin' 15 times in 3 days - until we all got tired of going on the ride with him and told him no more!

 

[kristenandrick]

ACK! I am so confused lol. I do LOVE Christmas but if push comes to shove I will take smaller crowds over season decorations any day. It sounds like the week we are looking at might be too crowded. For those of you who have been there during the week before Thanksgiving-are crowds better during the middle of the week? Thanks to all :

 

[Sherry E]

ACK! I am so confused lol. I do LOVE Christmas but if push comes to shove I will take smaller crowds over season decorations any day. It sounds like the week we are looking at might be too crowded. For those of you who have been there during the week before Thanksgiving-are crowds better during the middle of the week? Thanks to all :

Have you had a look at our Disney at Christmas super thread? It's extremely popular and has convinced more than a few folks to make DLR holiday trips!! The pictures tell the tale!

Well, since lower crowds are more important to you, I would say just go early November. The holiday season won't be in full swing, and you will miss the stunning nighttime Winter Castle as well as the jaw-droppingly gorgeous It's a Small World Holiday, but you will see early traces of decorations beginning to go up, and it should be relatively quiet, and you'll get to experience Haunted Mansion Holiday, which will remain after Halloween, on through the holiday season.

 

[kristenandrick]

Thanks for the link, Sherry! I might have to risk a more crowds so we can see and eat many of the great things about Christmas in DLR.