November is an amazing time to visit the Disney Parks! Check out our Ultimate Guide for What to Wear to Disney World in November for everything you need to know about visiting early the Walt Disney World Resort early in the Holiday Season- crowds, special events, what to pack, what to wear, and much more!
Ultimate Guide: What To Wear to Disney World in November
If you are planning a Walt Disney World vacation during the holiday season November is a great time of the year to go! There are lower crowds (except around Thanksgiving- more on this to come) but all four parks are decorated for the holidays and the holiday decor at the Disney resort hotels is next level! Central Florida also has cooler temperatures during this time of the year and there are some festive special events happening throughout the month of November.
Let’s dive into what to pack, what to do, and what to wear to Disney World in November!
What to Pack for Disney World in November
For your Disney World trip in the fall remember that the weather can change so pack accordingly!
Layers, Layers, Layers
We’ll discuss this in more detail in the next section, but layers are definitely needed for Disney World in November. Think short-sleeved shirts or tank tops layered with cute cardigans, hoodies, or light jackets.
Bring in some holiday cheer with these layers, have some fun with your November Disney outfits as you will be surrounded by holiday magic.
Here are some great layers you can pack on your Holiday Disney Trip:
This cozy sweatshirt makes a great layer for evenings in the parks and comes in a variety of colors!
Best Shoes for Disney World
I always pack some cute and comfy tennis shoes, along with some sandals ( I have been known to wear comfy flip flops all day at the Disney parks and not regret it). If you don’t mind the look of them Crocs are also a great option and they have so many choices with Disney characters. You will do a lot of walking on your Disney World vacation- our family usually averages about 20k plus steps per day- so you will want comfortable shoes!
Tennis shoes come in so many comfortable and cute options, but make sure you never pack new shoes—you will regret it! Always wear them a few times first to get them broken in. A cute pair of white Keds is always fun, even with a dress. For more sneaker-style shoes, I love Adidas. Running shoes or trainers tend to be even more comfortable for a long day and can still be paired with pants, shorts, skirts, or even dresses.
An updated take on classic Keds tennis shoes. They go with everything and can last through a long day at the parks- and there are lots of colors to choose from!
Warm Weather Necessities
Don’t forget your bathing suit, the weather is usually warm enough to hit your resort pool (and the Disney resorts pools are some of the best), and there will be many sunny days! And often the Disney water parks are still open. As of late Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon have been alternating when they are open so always check My Disney Experience (the Disney World app) or the website to know what water park is open and what the park hours are.
And speaking of the sun please remember your sunscreen on any Disney trip! Here are some of my favorite options for all day wear at the parks. A good lip balm with sunscreen is also key- you can get just as much sun in November as you can in the summer months!
Rain Gear
You may also want to pack a poncho or raincoat for water rides like Kali River Rapids or Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (formerly Splash Mountain before it was re-imagined). These could also come in handy for the rare rain storm at Disney World in November, but see more on weather below (it’s still the shoulder of hurricane season so an unexpected storm is not out of the picture).
You will need these for those rainy days or water rides!
Best Disney Park Bags
A good Park Bag is key to a good day so don’t forget a cross body bag, fanny pack or hip pack, or mini or full sized backpack depending on your preference.
I love a good cross body bag for my Disney days. Loungefly mini-back packs are also a great option and come in lots of different Disney Holiday themes for your November trip.
Check out our free Ultimate Disney World Packing List so you don’t forget a thing on your next Disney Vacation!
11 Must-Have items for your Ulitmate Disney Packing List
Weather Forecast for Disney World in November
Florida weather can be fickle, and Central Florida weather is no exception. It’s still hurricane season so the weather can get extreme fast, but when there’s not a tropical storm or hurricane looming, November is one of the mildest and driest months at Walt Disney World.
The average high temperature is in the 70s F (21 C or higher) in the daytime and in the 50s F (10 C or above) at night. However, the Florida sun can be strong during your park days. You will also want to be prepared for chilly nights, so be sure to pack layers, layers, layers!
Crowd Calendar: Disney World in November
Though crowds at Disney World can be quite unpredictable, as of the last few years, there are some days that are busier than others in November at Walt Disney World.
Based on last year the least crowded days in November of 2024 are predicted to be:
- November 4-6th
- November 12-15th
- November 18th-22nd
The most crowded days are typically around Thanksgiving at the end of November which would be:
- November 25-30th, with the 23rd and 24th creeping higher and higher before the peak
Special Events at Walt Disney World in November
November is also a perfect time to plan a Disney World trip if you love festivals and festive events! There’s a few to choose from including the paid ticket special event, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, as well as the free (included in your park admission cost) Epcot festivals of Food and Wine early in the month, and Epcot International Festival of the Holidays later in November.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
A true fan favorite, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is pure holiday magic!
During this special holiday event, guests can enjoy a less crowded Magic Kingdom (for a price) from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. on select nights, complete with the following perks:
- Experience Minnie’s Wonderful Christmas Time Fireworks spectacular- Minnie Mouse hosts this specially-themed fireworks show set to beloved Christmas Carols! This fireworks show can be viewed from almost anywhere in the park and typically starts at 10 p.m.
- Check out Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration- a special castle stage show with holiday theming and songs.
- Indulge in complimentary (included) themed cookies and cocoa
- Watch Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade featuring all your favorite Disney characters decked out in holiday gear, and you’ll also see an appearance from the big man himself- Santa Claus!
- Meet special Disney characters in their festive best, some hosting special dance parties!
- Enjoy exclusive Christmas party snacks
- Experience a “snow” fall on Main Street
- And, of course, a gorgeously decorated Magic Kingdom Park!
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Details
The party takes place on select nights from November 8th to December 20th, 2024. Though the party officially starts at 7 p.m. you can arrive as early as 4 p.m.. This allows you to enjoy another park that closes earlier like Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park (which also has some awesome holiday decor and cheer) early in the day and still be able to enjoy the Christmas party at night. Or you could have a resort day taking in all of the fun recreational activities as the Disney resorts and get to the Magic Kingdom by 4 p.m. to make the most of your magical night!
The price of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party varies and the price gets higher the closer you get to Christmas. Ticket prices range from $169 to $219 per person, plus tax. Child tickets (ages 3–9) are $10 less than the general admission price. Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can also get a $10 discount on select nights. There’s also a special dessert party, here’s my take on whether or not the Christmas Party dessert party is worth it.
Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
The Epcot Food and Wine Festival is a Disney foodie dream come true! Featuring food booths, wine and cocktails, and special festival events from around the world this festival is a super popular fall favorite.
During this festival the food and drinks are the stars of the show but they also have an Eat to the Beat Concert Series, dining challenges, and fun scavenger hunts (this year featuring Pluto). As always Epcot also has exclusive Food and Wine Festival merch, much of it featuring the unofficial mascot of Epcot, Figment, or Remy, everyone’s favorite rodent chef!
Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival runs from August 29th to November 23rd, 2024.
Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
The Epcot International Festival of the Holidays really brings on the holiday spirit. The charming festival features storytellers from each of Epcot’s Pavilions hosted countries. These story tellers tell the story of the holiday season in their home country.
In addition to the charm of the storytellers this holiday festival also showcases holiday treats and special international food and beverages from Holiday Kitchens all over the World Showcase. There’s also a holiday cookie stroll where you can taste cookies from all of the Pavilions. And of course Olaf is the host of this festivals scavenger hunt!
This lovely festival also has a treasured event called the Candlelight Processional. On select nights you can be a part of local choirs and musicians singing Holiday favorites while a celebrity narrator shares the story of Christmas. These shows also feature the talented Voices of Liberty from Epcot’s America Pavilion accompanied by an orchestra. Oh, and you also meet Santa!
The Festival of the Holidays runs from November 29th to December 30th, 2024.
Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios
In 2023 Hollywood Studios, not wanting to be left out of the holiday celebrations, started what might be a new tradition of special events there and hosted Jollywood Nights. It was announced earlier this year that this glamorous and festive holiday party would be taking place again on select nights at Hollywood Studios in 2024.
Jollywood Nights is a 5-hour event on select nights from November 9 to December 21, 2024, and is a specially ticketed event like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Ticket prices range from $159-$179 and Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members have special ticket pricing on select dates.
During this event favorite attractions get glamorous holiday overlays, and there is even a party at the “Tip Top” club at the Hollywood Tower hotel! There are also special character meet and greets, and a Sing a Long storytime show with Jack Skellington.
Another party special is the nighttime-themed show Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam, as well as a holiday-themed show featuring Kermit and Miss Piggy from the Muppets. As always there’s also lots of special food and this year they will be offering more event merch.
This event is one that really brings out the glam in the Disney fans so pack your sequins and tiaras (well maybe not tiaras but definitely something shiny).
Disney Resort Hotel Christmas Decor
The Disney resort hotels also get into the holiday spirit with festive trees, lights, and beautiful decor. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge features a gorgeous Christmas tree and lovely rustic decor while the Grand Floridian has a life-sized gingerbread house made out of real gingerbread! And speaking of gingerbread- Disney’s Beach Club has a real, life-sized Carousel made out of gingerbread!
Consider resort hopping- checking out all of the fun Christmas decorations and the special holiday treats at each resort! My favorites are:
- Beach Club
- Grand Floridian
- Wilderness Lodge
- Fort Wilderness (though it’s a bit of a trek the campers and rv’ers at Fort Wilderness really go all out for the Christmas season)
- Animal Kingdom (they have a gorgeous Christmas tree and it’s such a fun resort to visit)
- Disney Springs (ok I know it’s not a Disney resort hotel but they have really upped the game on Christmas decorations over the last few years and even feature a Christmas tree stroll, and of course the treats!!)
What to Wear to Disney World in November
Taking all of this into account here’s a quick bulleted list of what to pack for and what to wear to Disney World in November (take into account your preferences and comfort levels):
- Layers
- A light jacket or hoodie
- Long-sleeved shirt
- Short-sleeved shirts or tank tops for layering when going from sunny days to evenings
- Raincoat or rain poncho for water rides and in case of a tropical storm or rainstorm (less likely than the warm weather months but still possible)
- Long pants, skirt, but also some clothes for warmer weather like jumpsuits, capri length pants, or shorts depending on your style pand preferences
- Bathing Suit
- Sunscreen and lip balm with spf
- Tennis shoes or sneakers and holiday socks (if you like themed socks)
- Comfortable shoes or sandals like Crocs, Oofos, Keens, or your favorite comfortable shoe brand
- Holiday themed clothes or accessories (many a family has been known to wear matching holiday pj’s to the Christmas party)
- Sequins, sparkle and glam if you are going to Jollywood Nights
- Stretchy pants if you are going to Food and Wine (I’m kidding…but seriously…you might need them)
- Maxi dress or skirt that can go from day to night; same for pants and shirts for those who don’t wear dresses
- Park Bag (cross body bag, small back pack- Loungefly makes some great holiday themed Disney backpacks, fanny pack or hip pack)
- Park Bag essentials- here’s a blog that walks you through everything you need for a small, medium, and large size Disney Park Bag!
Wishing you the best of travels to Disney World in November!!!
Here are some other posts you may love:
Disney Parks Loungefly Bags Review: Are they the Best Park Bags?
11 Must-Have items for your Ultimate Disney Packing List
Shelley has been going on Walt Disney World trips since she was a toddler growing up in South Florida. Since then, she has expanded her interests and passion to include Disneyland and runDisney trips. She is a Disney College of Knowledge-certified Travel Planner, runner, Physician, mom of three, and all-around Disney fan. She believes the magic is in the details of any Disney or runDisney trip!
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