When in November for holiday decorations?!?!

[Belle619]

Hi All,

As many times as I've been to WDW, I've never been there to see the Christmas decorations. This year I'm trying to plan a trip in November...the problem is my husband wants to go the first week of the month. I think this is too early and I want to make sure the decorations are up by that time. So, I figured I'd ask the experts - when do the decorations and holiday events normally begin in WDW?

Thanks in advance for the help!

[seanyred]

Most of the decorations are up by Mid November. We were there the week prior to Thanksgiving in 2009 and the Magic Kingdom had all of its decorations. EPCOT had a majority of the decorations but wasn't complete. Same for Studios(Osborn Lights were up but only running on certain nights) and AK had some decorations. AKL was not completed at this time. However, I would say that it still felt like Christmas at Disney World.

On a side note the crowds were not bad that week but they got bigger as Thanksgiving approached.

[Mrs. Nesbit]

We have gone in mid-November the past 2 years. The parks were decorated when we arrived and the hotels were done during our stay. I believe that MK is decorated for the first MVMCP, which this year is 11/8.

[TheDuckRocks]

Last year we were there starting on Nov. 7 for 10 nights. We attended the first MVMCP and 90% of the decorations were up. The other parks were at various stages during our stay, Epcot was still in Food & Wine Festival mode and had the least decorations. The hotels were just beginning the process and the Gingerbreadhouse at the GF was just getting the frame work set up on the 9th when we went for dinner. I do have to say the weather was absolutely beautiful at that time though.

[DAWS]

I think you may see some decorations during the first week of November, but you certainly will miss Osborne Lights. Last year the lights were up Veteran's Day weekend (I think that's what I remember), but the year before we were there the weekend before Thanksgiving, and the Osborne Lights didn't start until the Monday before Thanksgiving. If I were going for the decorations, I wouldn't want to miss Osborne Lights - they are my favorite part of the holiday decorations!