Walt Disney World in November 2011 - Crowds, Ride Closures, & Special Events

Jersey Week - The New Jersey Public schools all have November 10th & 11th off for teacher-in-service days. This has a huge impact on attendance during the week of November 7th as thousands of families take the opportunity to take a few extra days and head to Disneyworld.

Thanksgiving Week - "Holiday Season" is even more crowded than "Peak Season" so expect very high crowd levels November 21st - 27th. Heavy crowds can be fun because Disney extends park hours and adds extra show times but you'll need a good touring plan to help you avoid horrible lines.

Fantasmic! (Disney's Hollywood Studios) - Yea! Hooray! It looks like Disney will offer this great show every night in November EXCEPT November 5th and November 17th. This is a very popular show and we highly recommend it - arrive 60-90 minutes early, if you do not have a Fantasmic! Dinner package. Disney may add a second, later performance on certain evenings during the busiest times - if they do, the later showing of Fantasmic! will always be less crowded than the earlier one. Warning: This show is excellent but it does feature villains for a good 8-10 minutes. The scene is fairly intense and can be frightening to small children.

Disney's Main Street Electric Parade (Magic Kingdom) - This wonderful nighttime parade is not offered every night and the Magic Kingdom will be more crowded on days featuring Disney's Main Street Electric Parade. Disney's Main Street Electric Parade will be presented on November 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 2011. If Disney offers a second evening parade, the later parade will be less crowded than the earlier.

Extra Magic Hours - (Special hours only available to Disney resort hotel guest) We recommend that everyone avoid the Extra Magic Hour park(s) of the day. Disney has 33,000 hotel rooms and no one goes to Disney alone - that means too many people are pointed in the same direction at the same time. You'll have a much nicer time by going to a less busy park. This is doubly important if you are not staying at a Disney resort - you don't want to get to the theme park and find a bunch of Disney guests in line in front of you.

TIP: Everyone should avoid the Magic Kingdom on Thanksgiving Day - try Animal Kingdom or Disney's Hollywood Studios instead. You absolutely, positively need a good touring plan to keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the long lines. Make any dining reservations right away!

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The 35th Annual Festival of the Masters (Downtown Disney) ~ Nov. 11 - 13, 2011 PM. The works of award winning artists will be on display at this event. No charge.

November 4, 2011 - January 2, 2012 - Magic Kingdom - Cinderella's Holiday Wish Stage Show evenings at the front of the castle. A short performance followed by the lighting of over 200,000 twirnkling lights that cover the castel towers and turrets.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (Magic Kingdom) 7 PM to Midnight - November 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 18, 27, 29, and 30; December 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, and 18, 2011. This event requires a special ticket ( $55 - $63 per person, depending on your age and the date) - you cannot enter using your Magic Your Way or Park Hopper tickets. Please contact us if you want additional information or tickets. TIP: It is important for you to be aware of this event even if you do not plan to attend because the Magic Kingdom will close early (7PM) on these dates and there won't be a Main Street Electrical Parade or Wishes Fireworks these nights.

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (Epcot) ~ September 30 - Nov 13, 2011. This is a wonderful event with food and music. TIP: This event draws a lot of annual passholders and local residents on the weekends so try to visit Epcot on a week day to avoid crowds. This event includes the Eat to the Beat mini-concert series. This year's line-up (subject to change):
September 27-28: Gin Blossoms
September 29-October 2: Taylor Dayne
October 3-5: .38 Special
October 6-7: Jon Secada
October 13-16: Starship Starring Mickey Thomas
October 17-19: Sugar Ray
October 22-23: Howard Jones
October 24-26: Boyz II Men
October 31-November 1: Hanson
November 7-8: Air Supply
November 9-10: Richard Marx
November 11-13: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (Magic Kingdom) 7 PM to Midnight - November 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 18, 27, 29, and 30; December 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, and 18, 2011. This event requires a special ticket ( $55 - $63 per person, depending on your age and the date) - you cannot enter using your Magic Your Way or Park Hopper tickets. Please contact us if you want additional information or tickets. TIP: It is important for you to be aware of this event even if you do not plan to attend because the Magic Kingdom will close early (7PM) on these dates and there won't be a SpectroMagic Parade or Wishes Fireworks these nights.

November 10, 2011 - January 2, 2012 - Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly Disney-MGM Studios). Millions of lights decorate the Streets of America backlot area. No extra charge - included with your theme park admission.

Candlelight Processional (Epcot) - November 25 - December 30, 2011. Performances at 5:00, 6:45, and 8:00 PM. Retelling of the Christmas story with mass choir & full orchestra. Very, very popular - arrive early for the 5:00 performance for your best shot at getting in. Candlelight Processional Lunch and Dinner packages that guarantee a spot are still available on select dates.

This year's celebrity narrators (subject to change without notice):
Nov. 25 - Nov 27: Mira Sorvino
Nov. 28 - Dec.1: Michael W. Smith
Dec. 2 - Dec. 3: Geena Davis
Dec. 4 - Dec. 6: Edward James Olmos (no 5PM performance on December 4th)
Dec. 7 - Dec. 9: Isabella Rosselina
Dec. 10 - Dec. 12: Neil Patrick Harris
Dec. 13 - Dec. 15: Lorraine Bracco
Dec. 16 - Dec. 18: Chita Rivera
Dec. 19 - Dec. 21: Trace Adkins
Dec. 22 - Dec. 24: Susan Lucci
Dec. 25 - Dec. 27: Blair Underwood
Dec. 28 - Dec. 30: Marlee Matlin with interpreter Jack Jason

Holidays Around the World. (Epcot) - November 25 - December 30, 2011. The World Showcase pavilions will each feature a special holiday storyteller that tells about Christmas (or other holiday) festivities in that country. No extra ticket needed - included with your park admission. Check your Epcot times guide.

Epcot World Showcase Pavilions Holiday Storyteller Locations:
American Adventure: Story of Hanukkah, Santa Claus, Story of Kwanzaa
Canada: Papa Noel
China: The Monkey King
France: Pere Noel
Germany: Helga
Italy: La Befana
Japan: Daruma Vendor
Mexico: The Three Kings
Morocco: Taarji
Norway: Julenissen
United Kingdom: Father Christmas

November 8, 2011 - January 3, 2012 - Animal Kingdom - Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade. Special Holiday Parade where Mickey & his friends celebrate the season safari style.

Contact us today to start planning your Disney Vacation:
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Toll free: 877-815-6515

Here is the current list of rides that are closed at Disney World in November:

* Ariel's Grotto & Pooh's Playful Spot have closed to make room for the big Fantasyland expansion project. (Magic Kingdom)

* Mickey's Toontown Fair (Magic Kingdom) is closing on February 11, 2011. A new area is being constructed in this space. The Walt Disney Railroad will continue to run but the Toontown station will be closed during construction. The Disney Princess, Mickey Mouse, and Minnie Mouse Meet-and-Greets are now offered at the new Town Square Theater. FASTPASS tickets available. TinkerBell & Friends are currently meeting guests in "Tinker Bell's Magical Nook" at the Adventureland Verandah in the Magic Kingdom.

* Magic Kingdom: Swiss Family Treehouse will be closed September 8th - November 19th, 2011.

* Magic Kingdom: The interactive queue area at the entrance of The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh will be closed for repairs from November 2 - 9. During this time, all guests will enter the ride using the FASTPASS entrance and no FASTPASS tickets will be issued for this attraction during these days.

* Magic Kingdom: Liberty Square Riverboat will be closed November 9 - 10, 2011.

* Honey, I Shrunk The Audience 3D (Epcot) has been replaced by Captain EO, featuring Michael Jackson.

* Epcot : Yakitori House (Restaurant / World Showcase - Japan Pavilion) will be closed for refurbishment from August 10 - November 15, 2011. During the refurbishment, some Japanese Quick Service items will be available at the temporary Food & Wine kiosk.

* Blizzard Beach Water Park - Closed for annual refurbishment from October 30th - December 3rd, 2011.

* Disney's Lake Buena Vista Golf Course is closed October 24 - November 3, 2011.

* Disney's Palm Golf Course is closed November 3 - 13, 2011.

* Disney's Osprey Ridge Golf Course is closed November 14 - 23, 2011.

* Disney's Magnolia Golf Course is closed November 28 - December 7, 2011.

* Port Orleans Riverside - the Magnolia Bend Leisure Pool (near buildings 90/95) will be closed October 17 - November 19. All other pools - including the Ol'Man Island feature pool will remain open.

* Disney's Magical Express (Airport Shuttle Service) - New luggage procedure for late night arrivals. Luggage service will no longer be available for arrivals to Orlando International Airport after 10:00PM. Collect your luggage at baggage claim and take with you to the Disney's Magical Express check-in desk.

Contact us today to start planning your Disney Vacation:
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Toll free: 877-815-6515

Disney World Discounts and Promotions

Walt Disney World Fall Room Discount Offer.

Save up to 30% on rooms at select Walt Disney World Resort Hotels for most nights from October 30 -November 18, November 26 - December 23, 2011.

This offer can be applied to packages but only the room portion is discounted.

Must Book By November 19, 2011

Limited Availability & Black-out Dates Apply.

The Campsites and Cabins at the Fort Wilderness campground are included in the promotion.

Existing reservations falling within these days can be altered (subject to availability) to reflect the free dining promotion. Call and ask to have the discount applied - it will not happen automatically.

Dining Reservations - Dining can be booked up to 180 days prior to your arrival. Book your dining reservations as soon as you are eligible. Remember that we book dining reservations on your behalf (subject to availability) when you book your Disney vacation through Build A Better Mouse Trip Travel

In addition to this discount, you can receive vacation planning help at no additional cost when you book your Disney vacation through Build A Better Mouse Trip. We help with establishing a "Best Days" itinerary, help with dining reservations, and theme park touring plans designed to keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the long lines.

Contact us today to start planning your Disney Vacation:
Build A Better Mouse Trip Travel
Toll free: 877-815-6515

f you find this report helpful, please consider using us to book your vacation reservations or for custom theme park touring plans. We are authorized Walt Disney World Vacation Planners and book directly with Disney so you never pay more than if you booked the reservation yourself. Then we provide lots of help and advice designed to take the stress out of vacation planning.

1) Help with building a Best Days Itinerary - a daily schedule that puts you in the best park for each day of your trip

2) Help with dining reservations (subject to availability)

3) Theme Park touring plans that keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the long lines. At no extra cost to you, we will provide your choice of a subscription to Tour Guide Mike, a TouringPlans.com subscription, or the newest edition of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World when you book through www.buildabettermousetrip.com.

At Build A Better Mouse Trip, we are convinced that everyone can benefit with good touring plans. During busy times, a good plan will absolutely keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the lines - our clients typically wait less than 20 minutes for rides, even thrill rides and headliners. During less crowded times, a good plan factors in shorter park hours and fewer performance times. But the most important benefit of a good plan is that everyone gets to ride and see the things that they are looking forward to because everyone's priorities are included in a plan that tours the parks efficiently and effectively.

Are you wondering how we can provide these services for free? We accept Disney and other hotel commissions as payment for our planning services. If you've already booked your own reservation, it may be possible to have our name added as the agent of record. Your rate, confirmation, and benefits all stay exactly the same. In this situation, Disney just pays us the commission they would've kept for themselves. Then - free to you - we provide you with the help you need to take the stress out of vacation planning and itineraries that let you enjoy more attractions with less lines.

Contact us today to start planning your Disney Vacation:
Build A Better Mouse Trip Travel
Toll free: 877-815-6515