Visiting Walt Disney World in November 2022
There is something truly special about Walt Disney World in November. In fact, it’s one of my favorite times to visit. Not only is the weather mild, but it is also the beginning of the holiday season. Yes, Christmas comes early at Walt Disney World. But visiting Disney World in November allows you to experience the holiday season without the holiday season crowds! (Unless you visit during Thanksgiving week, of course!)
With the exception of Veteran’s Day weekend and the week of Thanksgiving, November crowds are generally moderate. Although this year could be a bit different with Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. This 18-month-long event began on October 1, 2021, and it will bring new attractions, restaurants, and entertainment. That being said, Disney World in November could be truly magical this year with many new and exciting things taking place!
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**The reopening of Walt Disney World is an ongoing process that is constantly changing. Be sure to visit our guide to visiting Disney World during the phased reopening for updated information to guide your vacation planning!
November At-a-Glance
- Major refurbishments are not typically common in November. Disney tends to schedule their refurbishments during less busy months (such as January or February), but that doesn’t mean closures can’t or won’t happen in November.
- The Food and Wine Festival is quite popular with locals. Consider visiting Epcot on weekdays if you’re trying to avoid the crowds.
- Veteran’s Day Weekend and Thanksgiving week will be crowded. If you’re trying to avoid crowds in November, be sure to avoid these times… especially Thanksgiving week as it is one of the busiest weekends of the year.
- The holidays begin throughout the parks during the month of November. Christmas decorations and holiday events typically begin the second week of November. So be prepared to celebrate!
November Events
It was just announced that Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival will be returning from July 14 to November 19 in 2022. Undoubtedly one of the most popular festivals, this event typically features over 30 food and beverage booths (compared to under 20 for the other festivals). As we stated earlier, be prepared for local crowds as many come to “eat and drink their way around the world.” Evenings and weekends will be busier so plan on visiting Epcot during the week if crowds are a concern.
Also taking place in November as part of this festival is the Wine & Dine Half Marathon. The entire event will take place November 3-6, and it will feature a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and the Disney Two Course Challenge (10K and Half Marathon). Virtual options are available as well! According to Disney, guests will experience “an extension of the Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary celebration throughout a weekend filled with magic and miles––capped off with a unique post-race party highlighting flavors from around the world.”
Another festival that will begin in November is the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays, which will take place from November 25 through December 30, 2022. Featuring traditions from around the world, including some incredible cuisine and holiday treats, this festival is certainly to put you in the holiday spirit. It offers some unique holiday entertainment including a celebrity-hosted Candlelight Processional.
Another thing to consider for November is that Christmas arrives quite early in Walt Disney World! Christmas decorations start to spring up throughout the parks and resorts shortly after Halloween. (Epcot typically waits to decorate until after the Food & Wine Festival.) And while Disney does honor Thanksgiving (and the Thanksgiving crowds are typically massive), Christmas is certainly the main attraction for most of November and all of December.
ESPN Wide World of Sports typically hosts several athletic events each month. These events don’t usually have a major impact on crowds in the parks, but they can affect resort availability and crowds at Disney’s value resorts. Here are the events scheduled so far as well as events that are typically held in November:
- ESPN Events Invitational – November 24-27, 2022
- Disney Junior Soccer Showcase – November 25-27, 2022
Other notable events/dates for November include the return of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party – Magic Kingdom’s ticketed Christmas event. This very special Christmas party will take place on select nights from November 8 through December 22. And Magic Kingdom isn’t the only park to have special holiday events. We also have Flurry of Fun at Hollywood Studios, Holiday Celebrations at Animal Kingdom, and Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. Be sure to visit our guide to celebrating Christmas at Disney World for more information!
Veteran’s Day falls on a Friday this year (November 11), so it could affect the weekend crowds a bit more than usual. The dates to watch out for, however, are November 19-27. This particular week draws some of the biggest crowds of the year.
November Refurbishments & Closures
As things return to normal at the theme parks, nighttime spectaculars and fireworks are returning as well! Two new shows premiered on October 1, 2021, for the 50th Anniversary Celebration. “Disney Enchantment” kicked off the 50th-anniversary festivities at Magic Kingdom Park, and “Harmonious” also debuted at Epcot. Fantasmic! will also be returning to Hollywood Studios at some point in 2022!
*We’ve included all current refurbishments here on this list… even ones that may be open in time for November 2022. (Please note that this list could change at a moment’s notice.)
Magic Kingdom
- Walt Disney World Railroad is closed indefinitely due to construction on the new Tron roller coaster.
- Enchanted Tales with Belle is also temporarily closed with no reopening date yet announced.
- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is reopening August 25, 2022
- Tron Lightcycle Power Run is still under construction (We are hopeful for a 2023 opening date!)
- Splash Mountain will close at some point for retheming to become Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. No dates have been announced yet, however.
- Character meet-and-greets at both Pete’s Silly Side Show (Donald Duck, Goofy, Daisy, and Pluto) and The Thotful Spot (Pooh and Tigger) are returning soon!
EPCOT
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is now open!
- Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana is expected to open in 2022
- Canada Far & Wide in CircleVision 360 is closed through November 2022 (most likely for the Food & Wine Festival)
Hollywood Studios
- Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away (stage show) has permanently ended
- Fantasmic! is returning in 2022
- Frozen Sing-Along Celebration will close on August 22, 2022, for refurbishment and is scheduled to reopen on September 9, 2022.
- Voyage of the Little Mermaid is temporarily closed with no reopening date yet.
- Jedi Training Academy: Trials of the Temple is also temporarily closed.
Animal Kingdom
- Primeval Whirl is permanently closed
- Rivers of Light has permanently ended
- Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! debuted on June 13, 2022
- Festival of the Lion King returned with a FULL version of the show on July 15, 2022
Other
- Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park is closed for refurbishment. The opening date is TBA.
November Weather
The weather can be a bit unpredictable in the month of November, but it is typically one of the most beautiful months to visit Disney World. The average high is 79 degrees and the low is typically around 59 degrees. Hurricane season is typically over by November as well, meaning there will be fewer rainy days. You will undoubtedly want to dress in layers, however. The days (especially if they are sunny) will feel quite warm, but the evenings will probably get a bit chilly.
November Disney World Crowd Calendar
Crowd calendars are very popular, but they can also be a bit unpredictable. That being said, the pandemic has made predicting crowds even more difficult than normal.
While crowd calendars can be a big help in planning your trip, keep in mind, they are predictions at best. When designing our calendars, we take a look at events, school calendars, ticket prices, park hours, holidays, and typical monthly patterns. But unfortunately, our crowd calendars cannot predict other things such as weather, travel advisories, pandemics, or last-minute openings or closings of shows and attractions.
Normally, November is fairly average in terms of crowds, with the exception of Thanksgiving week. In fact, Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest weekends of the year.
Another thing that might change the crowds a bit in November is whether or not more things will be reopened or introduced. New attractions are expected to open in 2022 as part of Disney’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, and dates have not yet been confirmed. Should Disney decide to open a major attraction in the fall, this could certainly impact November crowds!
**For a free printable PDF version of this crowd calendar, be sure to visit our resource page to become an email subscriber! You will also gain access to other printable resources to help you plan your next Disney vacation!
Ready To Start Planning Your Visit To Walt Disney World In November?
Here are some resources to help you get started!
Walt Disney World Resorts:
Walt Disney World Dining:
Walt Disney World Attraction Guides:
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Attraction Guide for Magic Kingdom
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Attraction Guide for Epcot
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Attraction Guide for Hollywood Studios
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Attraction Guide for Animal Kingdom
There’s nothing better than knowing what to expect on your Disney World vacation. Our monthly guides can help you visit with a plan!
January | February
March | April
May | June
July | August
September | October
November (you are here) | December
Planning your first Walt Disney World vacation? Be sure to visit my step-by-step guide to get started!
