Monthly Archives: April 2020

Disney World Thanksgiving
Apr 30 2020

Helpful Information For Your November 2020 Disney World Vacation

So you are planning a vacation to Disney World in November 2020?
November is a wonderful time to visit Walt Disney World!

Weather

The weather in Disney World during November is mild and mostly dry. The average high is about 78 degrees, the average low is about 58 degrees and the average rainfall is about 2.14 inches. The evenings can get a little chilly, so be sure to pack a few clothes for cooler weather, too.

Crowds

The crowds in November are fairly moderate with the exception of Thanksgiving week.

Magic Kingdom Welcome ShowNovember 1 – November 7
Average Crowd Level 6.4 out of 10
November 8 – November 14
Average Crowd Level 6.6 out of 10
November 15 – November 21
Average Crowd Level 5.6 out of 10
November 22 – November 28
Average Crowd Level 9.7 out of 10
November 29 – November 30
Average Crowd Level 4.0 out of 10

Magic Kingdom ClockPark Hours

Magic Kingdom
Open most days from 9am – 8pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Epcot
Open most days from 9am – 9pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Hollywood Studios
Open most days from 9am – 8pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Animal Kingdom
Open most days from 9am – 8pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)

For specific hours on each day during November, please click this link. Remember that park hours are subject to change and are often adjusted two weeks prior.

Events

Epcot International Food & Wine FestivalOne of the best things about visiting Disney World in November is the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. Last year’s festival featured featured 197 chefs and included more than 35 food and beverage marketplaces scattered around World Showcase, signature dining experiences, food and beverage demonstrations and music concerts.

Very Merry Christmas Party Gingerbread MenOn select nights in November and December 2020, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will be held at Magic Kingdom. This party is a festive and heart warming experience for the entire family. There is a special holiday parade, entertaining shows, spectacular fireworks, hot chocolate and cookies, character dance parties, and even snow on Main Street!

Turkey LegFor Thanksgiving, several Disney World restaurants serve a traditional holiday feast. If you have your heart set on eating at a particular restaurant for Thanksgiving, be sure to make your dining reservation right away, because holidays do fill up quickly. Disney World dining reservations can be made by clicking here.

Holidays Around the World — Mexico PavilionEvery year at Epcot, the holiday season is celebrated with the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. This year’s event will be held from late November through December 30. It is filled with yummy food, joyful music and wonderful traditions from countries around the globe.

Refurbishments

Periodically throughout the year, Disney closes attractions for refurbishments and enhancements. Here are the currently scheduled closures during November (subject to change without notice):

Magic Kingdom
Tron Themed Attraction: Opening in 2021
Walt Disney World Railroad: December 2018 – TBD

Epcot
Fountain View Dining: TBD
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind: Opening in 2021
Journey of Water: Opening in 2021
La Creperie de Paris: Opening in 2020
Mary Poppins Attraction: TBD
PLAY! Pavilion: Opening in 2021
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure: Opening in 2020
Space 220: Opening in 2020
Spaceship Earth: May 26, 2020 – TBD
Wondrous China: Opening in 2021

Hollywood Studios
Roundup Rodeo BBQ: Opening in 2020

Animal Kingdom
No Scheduled Refurbishments At This Time

Water Parks
No Scheduled Refurbishments At This Time

Disney Springs
No Scheduled Refurbishments At This Time

Planning Tips

If you are traveling to Disney World in November 2020, your planning is probably well under way at this point. Here’s a checklist to make sure you are on track:

  • Make sure you have created your My Disney Experience account. If you haven’t, click here to sign up now.
  • If you haven’t already made your dining reservations, be sure to make them now by clicking here.
  • If you are staying on site, be sure to customize your MagicBand on your My Disney Experience account by picking the color and adding your name. And if you really want to make your MagicBand special, personalize it with your own custom designed MagicBand Skin from Magic YOUR Band. Click here to get started!
  • Now is a great time to research what attractions you and your family would like to see at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Because Walt Disney World is so large, it is very difficult to see everything during one trip, so be sure to get everyone’s top priorities. This is also a great time to begin looking at menus for counter service restaurants so that you have an idea of which locations serve foods that your entire family will enjoy.
  • Whether you are staying on site or off-property, be sure to purchase your admission tickets and link them to your My Disney Experience account.
  • 501 WaysOnce your tickets are linked and at exactly 60 days in advance of your check in date (7am EST time) if you are staying on site or 30 days in advance for all other guests, login to your My Disney Experience account and book your Fastpass+ reservations.
  • If you are staying on site, be sure to check in online at 60 days out from your arrival date.
  • Double check your flight times and if you will be using Disney’s Magical Express for your airport transportation make your reservation at least 60 days in advance by clicking here.
  • It’s never too early to start creating a packing list so that you don’t forget anything.
  • Need more help planning? Please check out my book UPDATED FOR 2020 501 Ways to Make the Most of Your Walt Disney World Vacation, for hundreds of insider tips and secrets for having the most magical Disney World vacation possible!

Special Offers

If you haven’t already made your November 2020 reservations, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save money:

Have a magical vacation!

Apr 28 2020

First Look At Beatrix Coming To Disney Springs

In recent years, Disney Springs has quickly become one of the best spots in Walt Disney World to find a delicious meal. With so many restaurants recently debuting in this location, get ready to add another one to your list. Slated to open this year, Beatrix is soon to join the ranks of tasty must try dining options in Disney Springs West Side. Once it opens, here’s what guests can expect when dining at Beatrix according to Disney:

Beatrix, owned by Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises (a Chicago-based restaurant group), will open their first restaurant in Florida at Disney Springs West Side. Beatrix is your neighborhood restaurant, coffeehouse and grab-and-go market featuring healthy food options including vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan along with fresh-squeezed juice cocktails.

The restaurant will also offer a bakery and full-service bar with a selection of all-American beer and wine. Executive Partner and Divisional President, Marc Jacobs, explains “Beatrix represents the way people are eating today – it’s that mix of health and comfort. Whether grabbing a cup of coffee and your favorite pastry, or having a cocktail, lunch, or dinner with friends, it’s your neighborhood meeting place.”

While you’re planning your visit to Walt Disney World, be sure to put Beatrix on your list of must-try restaurants, and I hope to see ya’ there real soon!

501 WaysHeading to Disney World?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Are you excited to try Beatrix once it opens?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

Apr 26 2020

Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up April 26, 2020

Here’s the Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up for April 26, 2020!

Latest Disney World Enthusiast Articles

Disney Hollywood Studios CokeDisney Did You Know

More than 75 million Cokes are consumed each year at Walt Disney World Resort along with 13 million bottles of water.

Tip Of The Week

If you would like to get some incredible photos of the Tree of Life in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, don’t snap them as soon as you get into the park. Instead, take one of the Discovery Island Trails near the tree itself. These tranquil paths will take you up close to the park icon for a spectacular photo opportunity.

Looking for more tips like this? Click here!

Walt DisneyWalt’s Words

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. ”

Featured Advertiser

Create your own unique look with a personalized Disney MagicBand Skin. Magic YOUR Band has a range of designs to choose from that you can use as-is or customize with your own text. And if you want to take it to the next level, you can even upload your own photos or images to fully personalize, customize, and decorate your MagicBand. With great discounts for multi-buys, why not create one for the whole family? For more information or to start customizing your own Magic YOUR Band Skin now, please click here.

501 WaysFeatured Book

UPDATED for 2020! The difference between an average and an outstanding Walt Disney World trip is in the details. Kristi Fredericks helps make your dream vacation a reality with her numerous tips and tricks to save money, time, and sanity while at the happiest place on earth in her new book “501 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Walt Disney World Vacation”. For more information, to read an excerpt, or to purchase, please click here.

dwe logo small size white bkgdComing Up Next Week

Next week I’ll have some planning information plus all of the latest Disney World news!

Have a wonderful week!

Apr 23 2020

Inside The LEGO Store At Disney Springs

One of my all time favorite shops in Disney Springs has to be the LEGO store. Filled with so many colorful play sets, it makes a creative person like myself go wild! While Walt Disney World is closed, I have been getting my LEGO fix from watching the new FOX series, LEGO Masters. If you haven’t seen it yet, definitely check it out. Their builds are absolutely incredible, and the first episode begins with something near and dear to all of our hearts, an amusement park! I currently have my eye on a few LEGO sets including the Disney Steamboat Willie Building Kit and the Disney Train and Station to keep me going. Once the LEGO store at Disney Springs reopens, I can’t wait to check out the newly added LEGO Minifigure Factory. Here’s what guests can expect according to Disney:

Recently the LEGO Store expanded on their minifigure selection and brought the LEGO Minifigure Factory to Disney Springs where you can completely customize your figure from head to toe! The design is completely up to you—start with over 150 templates to choose from for your figure’s torso then finger paint with different brushes, add exciting icons and emojis or even text in different color and fonts. The LEGO Store at Disney Springs is the only place in North America where you can enjoy this experience so it’s definitely on my must-do list when you visit.

Next time you visit Disney Springs for some shopping and dining, be sure to you check out the LEGO Store, and I hope to see ya’ there real soon!

501 WaysHeading to Disney World ?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Do you love the LEGO Store at Disney Springs?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

Apr 21 2020

M&M’s Orlando Store Coming To Disney Springs

Where are all of my chocolate lovers? So here’s some exciting news for fans of everyone’s favorite chocolate candy, a brand new M&M’s store will be opening in Disney Springs. Currently scheduled to debut later this year in Disney Springs West Side near the NBA Experience, guests will be able to shop and enjoy the colorful fun of M&M’s. Here’s what you can expect once M&M’s at Disney Springs opens according to Disney:

M&M’S Orlando store will be making a sweet addition to our unparalleled mix of shopping at Disney Springs. The new state-of-the-art store will offer an immersive experience that combines the colorful fun that fans of the M&M’S brand enjoy with lasting memories. “Guests will be fully immersed into an interactive chocolate experience that will create more moments and more smiles through the colorful fun of M&M’S,” said Patrick McIntyre, director of global retail at Mars Retail Group.

Next time you visit Disney Springs for some shopping and dining, be sure to you check out the new M&M’s at Disney Springs, and I hope to see ya’ there real soon!

501 WaysHeading to Disney World ?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Are you excited to shop at the new M&M’s at Disney Springs?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!