May vs November 2022

[xx396]

We were choosing between May 2-16 and November 13-27 as our 2 week stay on the UK anniversary package and was virtually decided on the latter because it is very slightly cooler, cheaper, gives longer for the parks to return to normal and POFQ to reopen, Christmas is starting to coming out, no lovebugs (though we've only been in May in 2019 before so have a particularly bad memory of this and hear its not normally anywhere near that bad). Then we discovered that one of those weeks will be Thankgiving and you can't avoid it on this deal for reasons that escape me. Based on this one point, we're now leaning back to May because of it being quieter overall. Which would you choose/recommend?

Thanks

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Honestly I think most things will be back to normal before the end of THIS year.

For crowds/weather I'd probably go for May.
Getting hot but not quite to the rainy season and spring break crowds are gone and summer break crowds are not quite in gear.

But for atmosphere I'd probably go for November. (I just booked for this November today!)
Weather can be a bit more iffy if there happens to be a cold spell and if it rains it tends to be an all day thing.
Thanksgiving 2022 is November 24th so you'd be looking at a slightly higher crowd from the 23rd-27th.

 

[xx396]

Thanks for your thoughts. We'd love to think everything will be normal by May especially in terms of regular character dining and all the restaurants back open. We found May a touch on the hot side that 5 degrees off might be welcome! When you say slightly higher, how slight are we talking? Some articles say the start of the week isn't too bad and we'd jus have to t be sensible towards the end but most say it's one of the worst weeks of the year for crowds.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

When you say slightly higher, how slight are we talking? Some articles say the start of the week isn't too bad and we'd jus have to t be sensible towards the end but most say it's one of the worst weeks of the year for crowds.

I think that's a bit of an overstatement especially in recent years.
Crowds have shifted over time. Honestly at this point October and the first half of December tend to be more crowded than November even with Thanksgiving in the mix.
Like I mentioned the 23rd to 27th yes expect it to just feel more crowded but we are in no way talking Easter/Christmas/NYE types of crowds which is what the "worst" time of the year should be reserved for.

 

[TheGuyThatMakesSwords]

DW & I are MI US DVC owners.... We just booked APR 20 - APR 28, 2022 at BRV. Fully vaccinated, we really do not expect any more "crap" by APR 2022. In all honesty? We can also cancel without penalty in the event that there are no Restaurants, low staff, no fireworks.

Just OUR approach - Book, but WAIT on Air Transportation. Reserve everything that can be reserved, and dumped in a heart-beat with zero financial impact. We refer to this as "defensive booking".

 

[James J]

We had the same discussion and ended up booking for mid-May rather than November. It certainly appealed more than dealing with Thanksgiving Crowds plus we've never been when Flower and Garden is on before, so we're excited to see that.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

We have always loved November. We usually went the first 2 weeks. One time we stayed til the day before Thanksgiving, and it was very crowded. The crowds actually started building 4 days before, and it was not an enjoyable experience.
We now go in the Spring, before spring break. We don't tolerate heat well, so May would be too hot for us.
I really don't know how the crowds will be post pandemic with all the pent up travel from the US alone, and with other countries as they are allowed. I guess I would just go with the weather that you like the best and can tolerate. Good luck

 

[xx396]

Thanks for all the replies. We're happy enough with Disney's policies to just put something in (e.g. the booking will be changed to POFQ as soon as it is available) but our annual leave with work is less flexible. We did like the Flower festival at Epcot but haven't been towards Christmas before. We thought it might be manageable if we went to MK mostly in the first week and then say Monday as our last visit, Epcot on Tuesday, And then ended up at HS, AK, BB or TL, Resort and Springs for our last 4 days. Even with this plan, we're still slightly leaning to May!

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Thanks for all the replies. We're happy enough with Disney's policies to just put something in (e.g. the booking will be changed to POFQ as soon as it is available) but our annual leave with work is less flexible. We did like the Flower festival at Epcot but haven't been towards Christmas before. We thought it might be manageable if we went to MK mostly in the first week and then say Monday as our last visit, Epcot on Tuesday, And then ended up at HS, AK, BB or TL, Resort and Springs for our last 4 days. Even with this plan, we're still slightly leaning to May!

I know UK often gets a 14 day ticket is that what your package includes?
If so you could always just pop into the parks even on the slightly busier days to see how it is and do some attractions. Considering its right near the end of the trip at least you will have already done most attractions you wanted to do and can be leisurely.

 

[MissViv]

I would pick November .... May is usually quite HOT and November will be decorated for Christmas, just lovely that time of the year!

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I would pick November .... May is usually quite HOT and November will be decorated for Christmas, just lovely that time of the year!

Imo November is way too early for Christmas decorations, especially in a place when it's routinely 80 degrees outside. I specifically avoid November for that reason.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Tough choice- early to mid May shouldn't be as warm as late May and summer, but you just never know. I recall early Mays with temps in the 70s and 80s and others where it was low 90s every day. This year has been on the warmer side. Crowds will definitely be lighter at that time because you're past US spring breaks, but before Memorial Day/Mid May and when most of the southern US schools end for summer break. I know my parents like to go during this time of year for this reason. They were there a couple of weeks ago and it sounds like things were pretty pleasant as far as people go. Plus you get Flower & Garden and any Star Wars festivities they might bring back for May the 4th.

The second half of your dates in November definitely will be more crowded, but it's not Christmas to New Year's crowded. From our experiences, the Monday of US Thanksgiving week is when you start seeing a change in the crowds, but it wasn't until later Tuesday to Wednesday (day before Thanksgiving) where it altered our touring plans. That week before Thanksgiving, from our experiences, was really quiet, so a decent portion of a trip at this time should see lower crowds. I'm also one of those people that adores the holiday decor and music at pretty much any time. We've been at various times in November, December and January (from first week in Nov to Marathon in Jan- and many points in between) and I personally love seeing all of it, regardless of how early or late it is. November "should" be much cooler, but you just never know there either. We've had November-December-January trips where it was 20s-40s the entire time and others where it was 80s to mid 90s. You may also catch the tail end of Food & Wine as well as the beginning of the holiday food in the World Showcase.

As for lovebugs, I've lived in areas with them for 30 years and have seen them in both spring and fall. Annoying, but harmless...unless they get all over your car. Maybe it's because we're used to them, but I wouldn't let them be a deciding factor in a trip. There are pros and cons to both times, so I'd probably let festivities guide your choice. Like would you prefer the activities/decor of November vs. the activities /decor of May.

 

[Tomi-Rocket]

My friend is actually there right now and she said it’s been crowded and the teps have vern in the mid-high 90’s. At least in Nov it won’t be that hot. (Shouldn’t be anyway, lol.)

 

[JIMINYCR]

Weve enjoyed trips in both months. We just returned from a May trip that was unusually hot and harder to handle though. And weve had some Nov trips that have been overly chilly. Between the two you have the F& G festival or the more decorative Thanksgiving atmosphere and events. If I was to decide I'd give the Nov. trip more of a look. Both months will probably be more crowded than normal from guests returning from the long Disney covid droughts. Yeah... look more at November.

 

[ShookieJones]

I would choose early May over November. In fact I have. Many times.

Early May is great time to go. It HAS steadily been getting more crowded over the years......
Wait maybe I should have kept my mouth shut!!??

Go in November it's great then!

 

[plawren2]

My friend is actually there right now and she said it’s been crowded and the teps have vern in the mid-high 90’s. At least in Nov it won’t be that hot. (Shouldn’t be anyway, lol.)

its crowded now because Memorial Day weekend is one of the busiest times at WDW, earlier in May has much smaller crowds

 

[plawren2]

I would choose early May over November. In fact I have. Many times.

Early May is great time to go. It HAS steadily been getting more crowded over the years......
Wait maybe I should have kept my mouth shut!!??

Go in November it's great then!

early/mid May was a very common WDW trip period for us as our kids were out of school while many others were still in

 

[xx396]

We've booked for May at CS with a view to move it to POFQ should we get the chance. I think a couple of UK theme parks over the bank holiday period and realising what we could be letting ourselves in for swung it in the end! We went in late April/early May in 2019 and found that busy enough when no doubt it was comparatively quiet. We'd absolutely love to do closer to Christmas but I think it would have to be the 2 weeks before or after Thanksgiving and the UK offers are making it increasingly difficult to do this now.

 

[James J]

We've booked for May at CS with a view to move it to POFQ should we get the chance. I think a couple of UK theme parks over the bank holiday period and realising what we could be letting ourselves in for swung it in the end! We went in late April/early May in 2019 and found that busy enough when no doubt it was comparatively quiet. We'd absolutely love to do closer to Christmas but I think it would have to be the 2 weeks before or after Thanksgiving and the UK offers are making it increasingly difficult to do this now.

Great choice! We're going more towards the middle of May and also staying at CS, with a potential move to POFQ on the cards once it's available to book again.