November/December 2023

[kimberlymautz]

Hi Friends.

I really need to talk out my trip options and I figured this is the best place to do it. I'm open to any and all suggestions!

Backstory: We were supposed to go to WDW in October 2020 however I'm sure you can guess what happened. I did end up going for a quick three day trip with my best friend in September 2021 (if you read my post about it then, we went to see one of the "last" shows of Happily Ever After and it cost me $38 round trip from PHL), but now it's time to plan our COVID redo trip with my kids (daughter will be 12 and son will be 6)

We're planning a trip for November 2023, but I'm open to the beginning of December too.

Regardless of WHEN we go, we know we're going to do 4 base days at Disney plus the Christmas Party, plus a few days at Universal.
We also know we want to do Disney first because my son hasn't really been on rides so we want to start him with the gentler Disney rides.

One of our options would be November 11th - 23rd.
We would spend November 11th - 18th at WDW and then move to Universal for the 18th - 23rd.
With this option we would take advantage of Universal's current Buy 3 Days Get 2 Days Free deal. There's also the option of express passes if the parks end up super crowded with the holiday (which is why you won't see Disney as an option over Thanksgiving).

Option #2 would be November 24th - December 4th.
We would spend November 24th - December 1st at WDW and then move to Universal for the 1st - 4th.
With this option we would either take advantage of Universal's current Buy 3 Days Get 2 Days Free deal - OR - get tickets to the Orlando Informer Event at Universal on the 1st and 2nd.
The downside with this option is that we would be arriving to WDW at the end of the holiday and I know the parks will be INSANE.

Option #3 would be December 1st - 11th (or 12th)
We would spend December 1st - 7th (or 8th) at WDW and then move to Universal for the 7th/8th - 11th/12th.
With this option we would either take advantage of Universal's current Buy 3 Days Get 2 Days Free deal - OR - get tickets to the Orlando Informer Event at Universal on the 8th and 9th.
The downside to this option (although it is admittedly my favorite) is that it's smack in the middle of Thanksgiving and Christmas which is a ROUGH time to take a kindergartener and a 7th grader out of school. At least right before or immediately after the holiday I don't feel like they'd be missing TOO much, but smack dab in the middle?

I'm also unsure of whether to do the Buy 3 Days Get 2 Days Free deal or the Orlando Informer event for Universal.
The pro with the 5 days would be that we could do Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and/or Volcano Bay. We could also come and go as we please because there wouldn't be a requirement to get on every ride in just a day or two. The con is that 5 days in the parks is a lot on the wallet when it comes to food and drinks.
The Orlando Informer event is limited so we would most likely be able to get on rides without waiting (or with minimal waiting) and includes food and drinks. The downside is that it's only from 5pm-1:30am, which I don't THINK would be a problem with my night owl children, but staying up that late after a busy week might be a little more difficult. It would save us a couple of extra days though.
The cost for both is almost identical.

I think I might be more undecided now then I was before I started typing this up.
Give me your ideas and suggestions - I'll take them all!

Thanks in advance

 

[DisneyDelirious]

I can’t speak to Universals crowds around that time of year. That being said, , I can tell you that arriving the weekend right after Thanksgiving is a great time to visit WDW. We hit that Sat after Thanksgiving thru the Sunday 8 days later regularly. You have the choice of 2-3 MVMCP and crowds are manageable. We will be there Nov. 25-Dec 3 this year.

 

[SuperTink]

I can’t speak to Universals crowds around that time of year. That being said, , I can tell you that arriving the weekend right after Thanksgiving is a great time to visit WDW. We hit that Sat after Thanksgiving thru the Sunday 8 days later regularly. You have the choice of 2-3 MVMCP and crowds are manageable. We will be there Nov. 25-Dec 3 this year.

We plan on doing exactly that (arriving at WDW the Saturday after Thanksgiving) this year (but we will only have 3.5 park days).
Any additional tips?

 

[DisneyDelirious]

We plan on doing exactly that (arriving at WDW the Saturday after Thanksgiving) this year (but we will only have 3.5 park days).
Any additional tips?

Not sure how much WDW time you have under your belt. That Sat will probably be the busiest day of your trip as far as crowds. Crowds seem less on Sunday as folks head back home after the holiday. Decide if you are going to the parks that day or not. Get up early and get your ADR’s made at 60 days out. Think about if you are going to try to hit a MVMCP or not and include that in your planning. You can look at what days of the week they historically take place. If trying to keep costs down and you want to do MVMCP just use it for your park for the day and enjoy Disney Springs and/ or the pool/ sleeping in. If not doing MVMCP it’s not the best use of your park day to go to MK on party day. They will shoo you out early. We come from the Midwest so generally find it quite warm but you may come from someplace warmer. My chilly wife does capris and long sleeved t-shirts/ spirit jerseys. I’m good with t-shirts and shorts and don’t usually bring anything long sleeved. I will say we all got chilly once during this time of year but it was after 8 straight rides on Kali River Rapids (6 times didn’t have to get off.) We were soaked and it was breezy. Christmas decorations will be up at resorts and the parks. I love Disney Parks and Christmas so it’s the best of both worlds for me. Take in the sights and sounds. Have a gingerbread shingle from the Grand Floridian. Feel free to message or reply if you need anything or have questions. Have a great trip. 196 days to go!

 

[SuperTink]

Not sure how much WDW time you have under your belt. That Sat will probably be the busiest day of your trip as far as crowds. Crowds seem less on Sunday as folks head back home after the holiday. Decide if you are going to the parks that day or not. Get up early and get your ADR’s made at 60 days out. Think about if you are going to try to hit a MVMCP or not and include that in your planning. You can look at what days of the week they historically take place. If trying to keep costs down and you want to do MVMCP just use it for your park for the day and enjoy Disney Springs and/ or the pool/ sleeping in. If not doing MVMCP it’s not the best use of your park day to go to MK on party day. They will shoo you out early. We come from the Midwest so generally find it quite warm but you may come from someplace warmer. My chilly wife does capris and long sleeved t-shirts/ spirit jerseys. I’m good with t-shirts and shorts and don’t usually bring anything long sleeved. I will say we all got chilly once during this time of year but it was after 8 straight rides on Kali River Rapids (6 times didn’t have to get off.) We were soaked and it was breezy. Christmas decorations will be up at resorts and the parks. I love Disney Parks and Christmas so it’s the best of both worlds for me. Take in the sights and sounds. Have a gingerbread shingle from the Grand Floridian. Feel free to message or reply if you need anything or have questions. Have a great trip. 196 days to go!

Thanks! Lots of WDW experience but nothing since 2017, so basically it's like starting over. Now I'm trying to plan for young adults (who have very limited time off work) with the new system and finding it daunting. Trying to get my "head right" and I appreciate your help and your offer for more!