November 2012 at Walt Disney World
OVERVIEW: NOVEMBER 2012 AT DISNEY WORLD
This page reviews Walt Disney World in November 2012: crowds, prices, deals and discounts, weather, special events, and operating hours; and ends with week by week summaries.
Early November, with cooling but typically nice weather, low crowds (other than the week beginning 11/3 Jersey Week) and lower prices, has some of the best weeks of the year to visit.
Thanksgiving Week is more expensive, and much more crowded.
The last few days of the month begin one of the three best weeks of the year to visit Walt Disney World.
November also has two special parties: the last shows of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and the first of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, each a special evening event–with its own ticket–that have become family traditions for many.
The Candlelight Processional begins the Friday after Thanksgiving.
The 2012 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival continues to November 11. See this for more.
NOVEMBER 2012 CROWDS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD
Much–but not all–of November is one of the least crowded periods at Walt Disney World. Crowds hit a small mini-peak over Jersey Week and hit a very high level during Thanksgiving Week, but are low the rest of the month.
On a crowd scale of 1-11, the week beginning 10/27 has a ranking of 2/lower, 11/3 6/moderate, 11/10 2/lower, 11/17 9/high, and 11/24 2/lower.
See this for more on 2012 crowds at Walt Disney World.
NOVEMBER 2012 PRICES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD
Prices begin the month 13% higher than the lowest of the year at the Value Resorts, 6% higher at the Moderates, and 8% higher at the Deluxe Resorts.
All resort prices bump up $30-65 per night over Thanksgiving week, and then return t0 the level at which they began the month.
Click the image to see a Pop Century Resort example of Disney World resort pricing. (When open, click again to enlarge.)
See this for more on 2012 prices at Walt Disney World.
NOVEMBER 2012 DEALS AND DISCOUNTS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD
As I write this, deals are not available for November. If any come out, you’ll be able to find the details here.
NOVEMBER 2012 WEATHER AT WALT DISNEY WORLD
Early November has weather near as good as Orlando gets. Over the course of the month, lower temps, and more variability in temps, emerges. Days can be perfect or quite cool.
Click the image, or go to Weather and When to Go to Disney World, for more on temperatures.
NOVEMBER 2012 SPECIAL EVENTS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party kicks off in September 2012 and continues in November, on November 2.
The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is a hit with many repeat visitors, and runs from September 28 to November 11.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party kicks off early in the month and continues except for Thanksgiving Week.
2012 dates include
- November 2012: 9, 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29 and 30
- December 2012: 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 21.
NOVEMBER 2012 OPERATING HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD
Park operating hours vary by the day, and sometimes change without notice. It is rare for hours to be shorter than Disney has publicized, but Disney may lengthen them in response to unanticipated crowds.
The best way to keep up with operating hours is to check Disney’s official calendars, usually available six months in advance, but changing during busy periods even the day before.
These calendars can be found by clicking the following links:
The calendars can be tricky to use–see this for hints on how to work with Walt Disney World’s online calendars.
WEEK BY WEEK COMMENTS FOR NOVEMBER 2012 AT WALT DISNEY WORLD BY ARRIVAL DATE
The week rankings that follow below are from 2012 weeks to visit, ranked in order, and are designed for first-time visitors who do not know whether or not they will return.
Click the image for a calendar view of 2012 weeks (when open, keep clicking to enlarge.)
10/27/12 Prices are 6-13% higher than the lowest of the year. Lower crowds–crowd ranking is 2. Week ranking=6. Recommended Week. Use the Autumn-Winter-Spring Itinerary, but see this for required changes.
11/3/12 Jersey Week. Prices are 6-13% higher than lowest of the year. Moderate crowds–crowd ranking is 6. Week ranking=17. Use the Autumn-Winter-Spring Itinerary, but see this for required changes.
11/10/12 Prices are 6-13% higher than lowest of the year most of the week. Lower crowds–crowd ranking is 2. Week ranking=7. Recommended Week. Use the Autumn-Winter-Spring Itinerary
11/17/12 Thanksgiving Week .Prices kick up for the Thanksgiving holiday week. High crowds–crowd ranking is 9. Week ranking=37. Use the Autumn-Winter-Spring Itinerary, but see this for possible changes
11/27/12 Prices are 6-13% higher than lowest of the year. Lower crowds–crowd ranking is 2. Week ranking=2. Recommended Week. Use the Basic Itinerary
MORE ON WHEN TO GO TO WALT DISNEY WORLD
- For when to go to Walt Disney World, see this
- For the next best dates, see this
- For the best and worst times to visit, see this
- For 2012 weeks to visit, ranked in order, see this
- For the 2012 Week Picker, see this
- For 2013 weeks to visit, ranked in order, see this
- For forecasting crowds at Walt Disney World, see this
- For the 2012 Crowd Calendar, click here
- For the 2013 Crowd Calendar, click here
- For seasonal pricing at Walt Disney World, see this
- For 2012 price seasons, see this
- For 2013 price seasons, click here
- For weather at Walt Disney World, see this
26 comments
We’re thinking about 11/14 through 11/20 departing prior to Thanksgiving. Any thoughts on expected crowds during this time and when they will begin to grow?
Hi Keith, you should be fine until the 17th. Crowds will be bad starting the 18th.
Just wondering when the 2012 Christmas decorations will “officially” apear at Magic Kingdom. We planning to be there in early November and would like to extend trip to cover the first “Christmas Days” at Magic Kingdom. Thanks!!
Hi Henry–Magic Kingdom decorations are largely done by the first Christmas Party. That looks to be November 9 this year (not official, based on my read of the calendar.)
What would it cost to stay a week at a moderate Disney resort beginning November 10 with park hopper and eating tickets? This would be for two senior citizens, my wife and me. We would be driving to Orlando. Can our two dogs stay with us at night and then in a kennel during the day?
This is great information! We are already getting lots of people interested in November and we always want to avoid Jersey Week!
Hi Phil, to set a budget, just go thru the steps of an online booking but don;t complete it–see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/what-to-budget/estimating-budgets/
And I’m sorry to say that with the exception of some parts of Disney’s campground Fort Wilderness, no pets are allowed in the hotels at any time…Disney has a kennel (“Best Friends) very close to the Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter moderate resorts..
Great, Allison!
Hi Dave!
Quick question, is it possible to come mid week to a disney resort? My family of 4 is looking to come the wednesday before thanksgiving (I know, but its the only time sports are not a factor!) and leaving the monday after? txs.!
Sure Dana, you can arrive any time.
I see that the Nov. 2012 calendar is now on the disney.com How do you know when the parades and fireworks are scheduled??
Shanna, click on the date–e.g. on November 1–and a new page will open with that day’s schedule
Do you believe they will extend the free dining thru November?
Hi Perry–it depends on the economy, as Disney is trying to cut back on its discounts.
If they do, between Jersey Week and the early Thanksgiving I wouldn’t expect to see many arrival dates offered except the first day or two, late in the week of the 3rd til the middle of the next week, and days following the Saturday after Thanksgiving…
Hi Dave, another question…do I need to have my ‘magic your way’ reservations complete before I can make dinner reservations for say Thanksgiving day and the candlelight procession and even fantasmic? I’ve read where it says when making the reservations, I should inform them that I am on the dining plan. Does that need to be confirmed first? thanks Dave!
How much more traffic does Jersey week generate? Will the parks be very crowded?
Perry, Jersey Week isn’t bad, it’s just a little more crowded than the weeks around it. See this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/05/02/jersey-week-at-walt-disney-world/
Dana it’s easiest if you have your reservation done first, but you can call them back and convert a reservation from cash to dining plan…
Do you think Nov. 12th (arriving that afternoon) thru 14th (leaving 15th) will be crowded? Thanks!
Hi Janet, no I don’t–crowds will be low those days…
Thanks, Dave! Love your site!
How bad is it on 11/21 tru 11/25
Hi Mila–that’s about the 5th busiest week of the year at WDW. So, bad.
We are planning a short multi family trip and it seems that 11/9-11/13 is what everyone can do … we hear that first saturday is among the most crowded park days of the year but the rest should be fine. What is your advice?
TC, I concur on both points…Saturdays are always rough but the rest of those dates should be fine..
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