Best Trip Tips: November Vacationers

Heading to Walt Disney World next month? Lucky you. Be sure to be aware of all the things going on the month of November to make sure you don’t miss out on something perfect for your family. Or readjust your plans to make the most out of your park passes.

November 1st-10th

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

The last day of 2017s Halloween Party is November 1st. Tickets are still available at $94 dollars per adult and $89 dollars per child. The park will close at 7pm for this special ticketed event so don’t plan on going to the Magic Kingdom that evening if you will not be attending the party. Otherwise you will be asked to leave. Those enjoying this Halloween Party can expect lots of candy, special character experiences, exclusive Halloween treats for purchase and a special Halloween Parade and Stage Show.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

The evening of November 9th and 10th, the Magic Kingdom is shut down for Christmas Festivities. You can be a part of the magic and excitement by purchasing a ticket to this party. $94 dollars per adult and $89 for children on the 9th and $95 per adult and $90 per child on the 10th. This event features a special stage show and parade. Snow falling from the sky on Main Street USA, delicious Christmas themed food, unique character meet and greets and you can see Elsa cover Cinderella’s Castle in ice. What a way to kick off your holidays. If you don’t plan on enjoying this event I’d make sure you plan to go to another park on this day to steer your family away from the disappointment of not participating in such an event.

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.

Enjoy a multitude of food and beverages around World Showcase. There are 35 kiosks located around this area of Epcot where you can purchase a sample of that country’s speciality food and drink. Id is required to enjoy alcoholic beverages and the food must be purchased but you can use some of you meal credits from your dining plan. Bonus right. This festival lasts until November 13th. Head to the Festival centre upon arriving at Epcot so you can get all the details for that particular days events and also to purchase some unique merch. Blue Diamond Almond Breeze will be found at the Festival Centre on November 3rd, 4th and 5th to give you tips on your cooking. The Festival Centre is located on the eastern side of Future World. If you’re entering Epcot through the main entrance you’re going to walk under Spaceship Earth and then hang a left before the water fountain. You’ll walk towards Mission Space and the Festival Building is on your left.

Wine & Dine Half Marathon.

Taking place November 2nd-5th, Run Disney’s Wine & Dine Half Marathon. Information everyone needs to know. Expect delays on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The runners use the main roads and inside the parks for the course. Cast members will be taking down any mile markers, water stations and traffic cones once the race has ended. The races begin early enough you shouldn’t be effected unless you plan on enjoying Extra Magic Hours on Saturday for Animal Kingdom and on Sunday for Hollywood Studios. For those of you runners, there is still space available in the half marathon and in the two course challenge. Follow this link if either of those things interest you. Maybe you don’t see yourself racing, you can always head to the Expo. It’s a great way to spend a non-park day. Located at the ESPN Wide World of Sports, the expo runs for three days. Thursday: 10am-7pm, Friday: 10am-7pm and Saturday: 9:30am-3:30pm. Enjoy guest speakers and lots of cool gear for sale. There are also kids races. For ages 0-13. All of these races are on Saturday November 4th at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Be sure to check out these events if you have some free time over this particular weekend. Who knows you might just get bit by the running bug.

Eat to the Beat Concert Series.

Spending the evening at Epcot this week? Head to the American Pavilion for some live entertainment by some of your favourite artists. November 1st. Hanson. November 2nd and 3rd. Blue October. November 4th and 5th. Living Colour. November 6th and 8th. Boyz II Mean. November 9th. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. All performing their best hits at 5:30pm, 6:45pm and 8:00pm.

Sunset Season’s Greetings.

Beginning November 9th, each night at Hollywood Studios, immerse yourself in the holidays by walking down Sunset Boulevard. Snow will fall and the billboards will shine taking you back to a different era of Christmas.

Blizzard Beach Now Closed.

Diamond Softball Tournament.

Head to the ESPN Wide World of Sports and watch some softball on November 4th, 5th and 6th. Use the transportation found at your resort for the Wine & Dine Half Marathon weekend to take you there.

November 10th-20th

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

On November 12th, 14th, 16th and 17th the Magic Kingdom will close to regular ticket holders and open for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. If you do not plan to participate in this event I would strongly suggest choose another day to enjoy the Magic Kingdom. This way you’ll still get to enjoy the Happily Ever After Fireworks. If you’re thinking of heading to the Christmas Party you can actually enter the park at 4pm with your party pass. Party attendees will experience a Christmas Parade and Stage Show. Enjoy interactions with special characters and watch Elsa cover Cinderella’s Castle with ice. If this party lands on a non-park day for you I would strongly suggest finding a spot to watch the fireworks outside of the Magic Kingdom. Even though you aren’t heading to the party doesn’t mean you have to miss out on one of the biggest draws.

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.

Enjoy a multitude of food and beverages around World Showcase. There are 35 kiosks located around this area of Epcot where you can purchase a sample of that country’s speciality food and drink. Id is required to enjoy alcoholic beverages and the food must be purchased but you can use some of you meal credits from you dining plan. Bonus right. This festival lasts until November 13th. Head to the Festival centre upon arriving at Epcot so you can get all the details for that particular days events and also to purchase some unique merch. TwiningsTM of London will be in the centre on November 10th, 11th and 12th to teach you how to use their products in your every day cooking. The Festival Centre is located on the eastern side of Future World. If you’re entering Epcot through the main entrance you’re going to walk under Spaceship Earth and then hang a left before the water fountain. You’ll walk towards Mission Space and the Festival Building is on your left.

Party for the Senses.

Found at the World Showplace Events Pavilion, this special ticketed event gives guests a chance to experience a wide variety of tastes in one place. Cooked by the best chefs found on Walt Disney World property and from around the world. These expensive tickets are above and beyond your park admission. There are three different kinds of seatings for the Party of the Senses: Wine View Lounge, Reserved seating and Guaranteed Seating. For the Wine View you get a reserved table, artisanal cheese, and a speciality cocktail at $329 per guest. Reserved Seating with a private table on the main floor at $199 per guest. Guaranteed Seating is your basic package at $179 per guest. With 19 chefs and samples from 7 other companies you be assured you will walk away impressed and satisfied. Call (407) 939-3378 to book your tickets.

Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It!

Head to the Food & Wine Festival Centre on Monday November 13th to participate in a taste class with Chef Anthony LoGerfo. He’ll teach you how to wrap up a delicious dish for your next dinner party. For $49 per guest, you get to learn from the best and then enjoy your creation. This class takes place at 12:15pm, call (407) 939-3378 today to reserve your spot.

Eat to the Beat.

November 12th and 13th are the last days for the Eat to the Beat Concert series. Planning an Epcot park day on either of these dates? Make sure to enjoy some live music from Squeeze at the stage in the heart of World Showcase, the American Pavilion. Performances are at 5:30, 6:45 and 8pm.

Epcot International Festival of the Holidays.

Sunset Seasons Greetings.

Stick around in the evening at Hollywood Studios for this special seasonal experience. Beginning November 9th, each night at Hollywood Studios immerse yourself in the holidays by walking down Sunset Boulevard. Snow will fall and the billboards will shine taking back to a different era of Christmas.

Blizzard Beach Closed.

Special Olympics Florida Fall Classic

Come cheer on local special olympic athletes. Featuring a wide variety of events: softball, powerlifting and gymnastics. You can get transportation to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex by making your way to the Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort or Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Or you can always take a taxi or Uber.

IWLCA Brine Presidents Cup

On November 17th-19th you’ll find a Field Lacrosse Tournament at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Whether you are a fan of Lacrosse or you have a player in your vacationing party a trip to the Sport Complex could make an interesting non-park day for you and your family.

November 20th-30th

By now all of Walt Disney World will be dressed for the holidays. This is a great time of year to spend your non-park days wandering around different resort areas to see the beautiful decorations on display. Each park will also have its own enormous Christmas tree with unique and special decorations. It’s a picture taking must. Try to get a group picture in front of each park’s tree.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

If you’re vacationing between the 20th and the 30th you can be less concerned with the Christmas Party because there are only two parties during this time. One on the 26th and one on the 28th. Both parties are $95 per adult and $90 per child. Even if you choose not to participate in these parties you’ll still see the Magic Kingdom decorated for Christmas with the large Christmas tree at the entrance of Main Street U.S.A and the castle will be lit with lights in the evening.

Epcot International Festival of the Holidays.

Starting November 19th, step into Epcot as it’s submerged in the holiday traditions of the cultures represented. Each pavilion is decorated with the season and special holiday treats can be found at the carts and kiosks. Participate in Chip & Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree by spotting them decorating trees found around the park. You can even pick up a map for $6.99 and collect stickers as a memento. In front of the Future World Fountain you can watch JOYFUL! A Gospel Celebration of the Season with all your favourite Christmas tunes. The beauty of this event is it’s filled with special things without any extra cost to you. Do not miss the Candlelight Processional that begins on the 26th of November. Each night the Christmas story is narrated by a celebrity while an orchestra and choir interject songs. This performances take place in the American Pavilion at 5pm, 6:45pm and 8:15pm. The only narrator to be announced between these dates is Matt Bomer. Regardless of the narrator the live music is enough to put you in the Christmas spirit.

November 23rd is Thanksgiving. The following restaurants have special dining on this Thanksgiving day to coincide with the holiday. You’ll find Thanksgiving offerings for lunch at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Biergarten Restaurant, Coral Reef Restaurant, Le Cellier, Olivia’s Cafe, The Wave… of American Flavours and Whispering Canyon Cafe. For dinner there will Thanksgiving food at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Biergaten Restaurant, Chef Mickey’s, Coral Reef, Jiko-The Cooking Place, Le Cellier Steakhouse, Olivia’s Cafe, The Wave… of American Flavours and Whispering Canyon Cafe. If you have reservations for any of these restaurants on November 23rd and don’t want a Thanksgiving feast then adjust your reservations. Want to join in on the occasion then head to your My Disney Experience account and make a reservation for one of the above mentioned restaurants.

From November 23rd-26th you have the choice between three different sports to enjoy at the ESPN Wide World of Sports, whether your family enjoys Soccer, Basketball or Baseball, there will be a game for you. Girls Soccer is taking place with ages ranging from 11 to 19. Baseball is being played by young boys between the ages of 8 and 14. College Basketball will be played on the courts inside, with 8 different teams competing. So whether you’re looking for a day away from the parks or you’re trying to get your kid interested in one of these sports, here’s an opportunity to watch a sport in a fantastic facility during an unforgettable vacation.

As you can see there is a lot going on during the month of November. Some within the parks themselves and some at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Being aware of these events can help you with making those last minute preparations to make your vacation the best for YOUR family. Happy Planning.