Who's been in November?

[Superchikk]

In 2013, we spent a week at Disney in September. Crowd levels were PERFECT, but it was blazing hot. We were thinking that for 2015, we'd go the second week of November, 8th - 14th. We were looking forward to cooler weather and Christmas lights.

Now that I look at crowd calendar in earnest, I'm concerned by what I'm seeing. (I'm having to go by 2014 crowd calendars, as 2015 is still a long way off!) We'll have a 4 year-old and an 8 year-old then. In September, we never waited more than 10 minutes, and had no wait for most things. We were spoiled. From what I'm seeing on the crowd calendars, waits could be significantly more in November, even though it's a relatively low crowd time. I think one thing that's contributing to this is that the Wine & Dine Half is the weekend we'd be arriving. (We wouldn't hit the parks until Monday.)

Who has been in November and can actually speak to crowd levels during that time? We're trying to decide if we should stay with our original plan, go a week later (the week before Thanksgiving), or switch back to September. I really hate to go back to the heat and miss the Christmas lights, but I'd rather do that than have to deal with lots of long lines. Some lines aren't a big deal, but the 4 year-old isn't going to hang with long lines for everything. (And of course, fingers are crossed for Free Dining.)

Thanks everyone!

 

[mcjaco]

They're typically low. We're going the second week of November this year. My parents went last year the same week, and said the longest they waited for anything was fifteen minutes (except Soarin').

 

[figment3258]

We went November 10-17 in 2012 we did get free dining the crowd level were fine we never really waited for rides and if there was a wait we would fast pass them. Very nice time but I wish we waited until after thanksgiving when all the Christmas things were up the things that will not be up are the candling hit processional and santas around the world. Also the ginger bread things were being built this year we are going dec 2/10 and I'm very excited!

 

[lizzyb5280]

We went in 2010 Nov 7-13. The crowd levels were wonderful. And IMO it was a perfect week to go as we caught the final week of Food & Wine, and the first week of the after-hours Christmas party at MK. Weather was great too, still comfortably warm (but not hot) during the day, and just a light airiness in the evening. Threw on sweatshirts and we were fine.

 

[Superchikk]

Thanks, everyone! I appreciate the feedback!

 

[Figmentmommy]

We have always gone that week in November and loved it. Last year we did notice an increase in crowd level but wait times were still low and we never had any issues. We were planning to return for the same week this year but decided on mid December instead just because we want to- not for any reasons pertaining to November crowds. I'm sure you will have a great time that week- enjoy the Christmas celebrations!

 

[slzer0]

I've been on Nov 14 (our anniversary) and are planning that week again this year.

Crowd levels are lower. Avoid Jersey week. As a FL resident, I can vouch for gorgeous weather in November.

 

[disney is my life]

We have gone twice in November the week before Thanksgiving and the crowds were mild and the weather was great! If you're interested in Christmas decorations I noticed that the Grand Floridian's Christmas decorations went up November 20th this year and the resorts we've stayed at were also usually decorated around the 20th

 

[Superchikk]

I've been on Nov 14 (our anniversary) and are planning that week again this year.

Crowd levels are lower. Avoid Jersey week. As a FL resident, I can vouch for gorgeous weather in November.

That's our anniversary as well! We'll likely be traveling home that day. I'm willing to spend it traveling if it means a trip to Disney!

 

[mm1971]

Second week of November will be low crowds (at least the new version with the increased attendance). Weekend days will be busier, but weekdays should be very short lines. Even the busier days around that time we never waited more than 15-20 minutes for most max.

The weather is usually still warm enough to swim during the day, but much less humid and nights are cooler.

 

[kohlby]

I love going in Nov! We've been many times. We've gone the second week - right after the Jersey Week people start to leave. We've gone the last full week before t-giving. We've arrived right after t-giving. The weather has been wonderful! It rarely has rained when we were there. In all our Nov trips, I can only think of one day that was uncomfortably hot, and it was one of those record days. Plus, the Christmas stuff starts to come out. If you go after t-giving, then everything set up and the Epcot storytellers start up. If you can't go that late in the month, make sure you go once the lights are set up.

Crowds have been low to moderate when we have gone. I can only remember one day with higher crowds and it was the last Sat of F&W after t-giving. But it was still quite manageable because we worked around it by sticking to Future World mostly that day. Then crowds dropped off. We never had any issues with crowds and rides. Of course, rides like TSM are going to have their super long rides. But the regular rides were pretty easy to get on. We rarely get in a line that is longer than 20 minutes, and even 20 minutes doesn't happen much for us. I love going in November! (The only time we had crowd issues was walking on the paths - especially in AK).

Our next trip is in Sept. I'm dreading the heat but we're going with a group so it's what we have to do. Nov was so manageable that the lower crowds of Sept don't seem like that much of perk to me, since with Sept comes heat and thunderstorms. I'm hoping I can deal with it better than I expect.

I have not done Sept, but my hunch is that I prefer Nov anyway. But either way - if your kids have not gone to see all the Christmas things, then give Nov a try!

 

[Superchikk]

I love going in Nov! We've been many times. We've gone the second week - right after the Jersey Week people start to leave. We've gone the last full week before t-giving. We've arrived right after t-giving. The weather has been wonderful! It rarely has rained when we were there. In all our Nov trips, I can only think of one day that was uncomfortably hot, and it was one of those record days. Plus, the Christmas stuff starts to come out. If you go after t-giving, then everything set up and the Epcot storytellers start up. If you can't go that late in the month, make sure you go once the lights are set up.

Crowds have been low to moderate when we have gone. I can only remember one day with higher crowds and it was the last Sat of F&W after t-giving. But it was still quite manageable because we worked around it by sticking to Future World mostly that day. Then crowds dropped off. We never had any issues with crowds and rides. Of course, rides like TSM are going to have their super long rides. But the regular rides were pretty easy to get on. We rarely get in a line that is longer than 20 minutes, and even 20 minutes doesn't happen much for us. I love going in November! (The only time we had crowd issues was walking on the paths - especially in AK).

Our next trip is in Sept. I'm dreading the heat but we're going with a group so it's what we have to do. Nov was so manageable that the lower crowds of Sept don't seem like that much of perk to me, since with Sept comes heat and thunderstorms. I'm hoping I can deal with it better than I expect.

I have not done Sept, but my hunch is that I prefer Nov anyway. But either way - if your kids have not gone to see all the Christmas things, then give Nov a try!

Thank you! The Osborne lights should be out when we go, and MVMCP should be starting up that week as well. I'm not sure we'll do the Christmas party, but we for sure want to see the lights.

We enjoyed September - the crowds were spectacularly low and we could pretty much do whatever we wanted. We were hot, but we were very lucky and didn't have much rain at all. One afternoon when we went back to the resort to rest, we woke up to find that it had rained quite a bit. Otherwise, there was just a quick evening sprinkle here and there. The following week, it rained every day. I think it's pretty hit & miss that time of year. We lived in FL for about a year when we were first married, and I vividly remember the 4pm thunderstorms. You'll have fun in September, but be ready with one of those spray fans and/or a cooling towel.

Thank you to everyone who has helped calm my nerves about the November crowds. We're booked and looking forward to it! Now, if only the November 2015 countdown wasn't 400+ days!

 

[tatumsmommy]

We are going Nov 22-26 for our first trip, hoping for low wait times.

 

[staceyrhood]

We are going Nov 22-26 for our first trip, hoping for low wait times.

Unfortunately the week of Thanksgiving is packed. The week before is good, 2 weeks before is awesome. The week after is great too. However, the MK will be decorated and Osbourne lights will be up, you will have a great time!

 

[tatumsmommy]

Unfortunately the week of Thanksgiving is packed. The week before is good, 2 weeks before is awesome. The week after is great too. However, the MK will be decorated and Osbourne lights will be up, you will have a great time!

I kind of figured based on the ADRs I'm struggling to find.

 

[Mrs Lapo]

We'll be there 22-30 for our 1st trip too. I am expecting long lines and will just power through it. We just did a day trip to Hershey Park on a Saturday and not only was it excessively hot but the lines were very long for all the coasters. At least 40-60 minute waits. My kids dealt with it pretty good so I'm thinking it was good practice

 

[uwascuba]

Great info regarding being warm enough to go swimming in November. Will be there the week before Thanksgiving (15th - 22nd) and hopefully the weather will be delightful.

 

[MulsInDisney]

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[MulsInDisney]

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[minimemm]

This will be my 3rd time there. We are going Nov 26-Dec1. I am so excited for all of the holiday events. thank you for the information on the weather!