Disney World in November 2026 (Crowd Expectations, Weather, and Details)

November is a busy month at Walt Disney World. This month marks the end of the Fall season as yellow and orange decorations make way for red and green. It’s a wonderful time to visit the parks during their transition because you get a taste of both seasons. That said, Christmas is a unique time of year because it’s celebrated in all four theme parks, the resort hotels, and Disney Springs.

Unfortunately, not everything will be completed by the first week of November. It has been our experience that the park decorations are finished by the official kick-off of the holiday season, but said date has not been announced yet. Typically, everything will be completed at Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios by the first party nights. Those parties are Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Disney Jollywood Nights. Disney has confirmed that both will return in 2026. As far as the resorts go, Christmas decorations are usually completely up by a day or two before Thanksgiving. (Some will be completed earlier.)

This guide has been updated for 2026 pending news and announcements that will be made at a later date. We’ll provide those updates below as they are announced. Initial Christmas details are generally announced in early July.

The Weather In November

Regarding the weather, November can be hit-or-miss. Typically, the days are warm to hot, and the evenings are mild. You might need a jacket. We’ve also experienced cold fronts this time of year with temperature dips that might leave you wishing you had packed warmer clothing. Our best advice is to bring items you can layer in the event of chilly weather. November is also the last month of hurricane season. So continue to remain weather aware as your trip date approaches.

Crowds in November

Veterans Day and Thanksgiving are the major holidays this month. Jersey week often falls sometime in the first two weeks of November. This is a time when New Jersey schools are let out for a state convention, and many guests from the region visit Disney World during this time. These dates could overlap the weekend leading up to Veterans Day, which means that most people will have an extra day off. With the two combined, a busy weekend is expected.

Thanksgiving will also be an incredibly busy time at the parks. However, after Thanksgiving, things will somewhat calm down until schools start to let out for the Christmas holidays.

If you’re visiting this month, planning will be crucial. With two seasonal parties kicking off at two separate parks, you’ll have to do a little extra thinking when selecting your park days. You might also be extra selective about your dates if you’re visiting the week of Thanksgiving. We’ve said it before and will continue to offer this advice as it applies:

Choosing to visit Magic Kingdom on a party day has its trade-offs. The most obvious downside is the early closing time, which means no fireworks or evening parade. For guests with just one Magic Kingdom day, a non-party date is the better choice. On the other hand, if you have multiple Magic Kingdom days built in your trip or a park hopper ticket, a party date might be worth your while. Crowds tend to be lighter on party dates since most visitors avoid using their ticket on a shorter day.

This same advice applies to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on evenings of Jollywood Nights. However, I don’t think that it will work in your favor as much on weekend nights. We’ve tested this out a few times and felt that crowds were still fairly moderate even on a party night. Your mileage may vary.

November also means the end of Daylight Saving Time (November 1, 2026). The sun will set earlier each day. This might affect showtimes for the nighttime parade and fireworks at Magic Kingdom. If these things are important to you, you’ll want to check the schedule beforehand. For example, the fireworks might be offered at 9:00 or 10:00 p.m. in the summer months, then shift back to 8:00 or 8:30 in the fall and winter. These times can easily be checked in the entertainment section of the My Disney Experience app on the day of your visit.

The positive to it getting dark earlier is that you may be able to visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom after dark. This window of time each year (November through early March) often allows guests to see Pandora: The World of Avatar with a bioluminescent glow. The Tree of Life Reflections show is also offered when the park is open late enough to host it. Keep an eye out for any days that the park is open past 6:00 p.m. (Park hours can change between now and your visit. So use the app to check them closer to the time and during your visit.)

What’s the deal with the holiday parties?

The holiday parties are separate, ticketed events with exclusive entertainment offerings. They will be offered on select evenings at both Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in November and December.

Other Reminders for This Month

Extended Evening Hours are offered twice weekly for deluxe and deluxe villa resort guests. If you would like to learn more about this benefit, see our guide to Extended Evening Hours at Disney World.

Ride Closures:

Magic Kingdom Temporary Ride Closures: TBD

Epcot Ride Closures: TBD

Hollywood Studios: TBD

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: TBD

Significant park construction continues throughout 2026 at Magic Kingdom (Villains Land and new Cars area), Hollywood Studios (Monsters, Inc.-themed land), and Disney’s Animal Kingdom (Tropical Americas-themed land).

Final Thoughts

We will update this calendar as more announcements are made. As always, we hope that these timelines will serve not only as a current reference but also as a future one. For a complete overview of what to expect throughout the year, see our guide: The Best and Worst Times to Visit Disney World. Check back with us soon at ResortsGal.com for more Disney World news, resort updates, and reviews!

In the Comments

Did you find this November planning guide helpful? Will you be visiting toward the end of 2026? Let us know in the comments below.