Here is what to expect this November at Walt Disney World

The Weather

November, in Orlando, completes the conversation from wet, rainy season of May-October to the more dry season of November-April.  On average, it rains six days per month in November with an average rainfall of 2.17 inches.  Temperature-wise, things are cooling off as well.  The average high temperature is 78 degrees while the average low is 58 degrees.  Record high is 93 degrees and the record low is 28 degrees.  This makes November one of the more difficult months to pack for.  There can be large temperature swings during the day and during the week.  It can be shorts and a tee shirt one day and pants with a light jacket the next.  It’s best to bring a little of everything but you can leave the heavy winter gear at home.

Average Temperatures Day-by-Day for November

The Crowd

The crowds, in the early parts of the month, are very manageable with most school districts in school and not on break.  New Jersey schools have what is called “Jersey Week” where a lot of the schools are off.  This does have some impact on crowds boosting them from light crowds to the light side of moderate.  It’s not a big boost but the crowds will seem larger.

The crowds really pick up toward the end of the month and especially around Thanksgiving.  All US schools are off during this time and parents will pull their children out of school leading up to Thanksgiving.  Crowds increase day by day leading to Thanksgiving and the days after Thanksgiving.  Crowns drop back down to beginning of the month levels by the end of the month.

Crowds (out of 10)

November 1-8: 3.6

November 9-20: 2.9

November 21-30: 7.1

Special Events

Two special events wrap up in November.  The last Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is held on November 1.  The 2015 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival ends on November 16.  Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party will cause Magic Kingdom to close at 7 pm. While the Food and Wine Festival will bring plenty of locals into EPCOT during the weekend and out-of-towners for the Wine and Dine Half Marathon the weekend of November 6 and 7.

Two special events will be starting in November.  The first will be Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party which starts on November 8. Lots of magic (snow on Main Street, Christmas Parade, and rare characters) happen during the Christmas party.  Some lucky guests who have long stays early in the month can enjoy both the Halloween and Christmas Party during their stay.  The Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights should be making their return to Hollywood Studios sometime in November.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will be running on the following nights: November 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, and 29th.

Tickets must be purchased for this event and grants access to party at Magic Kingdom from 7 pm to midnight on those nights.

General Park Hours

Magic Kingdom: Typically opens at 9 am and closes at 10 pm.  Extra Magic Hours have the park open either an hour earlier (8 am) or close later (midnight) on select nights.

EPCOT: Future World opens usually at 9 am and closes at 9 pm.  World Showcase opens at 11 am and closes at 9 pm.  Extra Magic Hours will have Future World open early at 8 am and evening hours will have the entire park close at 10 or 11 pm.

Hollywood Studios: Opens at 9 am and closes at 8 pm (in general).  Extra Magic Hours will have the park open at 8 am and close at 10 pm.

Animal Kingdom: Opens at 9 am and closes at 6 pm most days.  Extra Magic Hours will open the park early at 8 am.  There are not evening magic hours currently scheduled for Animal Kingdom.

November Refurbishment Schedule

Magic Kingdom:

• Liberty Tree Tavern Restaurant: July 6 – November 19, 2015
• Monorail System will be undergoing ongoing maintenance through December 2015 and may be running on limited hours

EPCOT

None

Hollywood Studios

None

Animal Kingdom

None

Polynesian Resort

• General Construction through Early 2016
• East Pool Renovation through Late Spring 2016

Walt Disney World Swan Resort

• Guest Room Renovation August 20, 2014 – TBD

Disney Springs

• Roadwork on Buena Vista Drive through March 2016
• Parking Lots – Entrance 2 – Lots A-G December 1, 2014 through August 1, 2016

Planning Calendar

Top date: 180-day mark for Advance Dining Reservations

Middle date: 60-day mark for Fastpass+ Reservations for guests staying on resort property

Bottom date: 30-day mark for Fastpass+ Reservations for guests staying off resort property