What to Take to Disney World in November
We all know how important it is to plan what to pack before a vacation. From the weather to the location to what activities you have planned, there are many factors that go into thinking about what you should pack in your suitcase. A vacation to Disney World is no exception. The magic of Disney can certainly be overlooked if you do not take essential items for you and your family with you.
In addition to what’s in your suitcase, it’s also important to think about what you pack in your bag for an entire day at Disney World. Maybe you want to bring a backpack or a purse, or maybe you’re like me and don’t want to deal with the hassle of a large bag when you’re trying to meet Cinderella, and you would rather opt for a fanny pack instead. Nevertheless, you want to be mindful of what is in those bags for a day at Disney.
Let’s dive into exactly what to take to Disney World, specifically in November.
November in Disney World: The Holiday Magic Begins
There are lots of advantages to visiting Disney World during November. First of all, the weather is much more manageable in Orlando than it is in the summer.
Goodbye, extreme humidity!
Not only does the humidity decrease, but you can most likely expect a cold snap or two if you visit in November. A regular high temperature is about 78 degrees while the lows can reach to as low as about 60 degrees. Because of the lower temperatures and possibility of a cold snap, swimming may not be as comfortable.
Even in November, Florida weather can be very unpredictable. You could expect a few afternoon showers during your time there, but it’s unlikely as the chance of rain in November is the lowest of any month for Orlando. This makes it one of the best times to visit Disney World!
During most years in November, you could anticipate smaller crowds in the first half of the month, plus near-perfect weather. While you can still expect that near-perfect weather, during special anniversary dates (such as when Disney World celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2021), you have to plan around the fact that more people are going to show up, which means you’re also competing against more people for limited reservation slots (everything from ride and restaurant reservations to of course hotel reservations).
The absolute best part about visiting Disney World in November is the start of the holiday season! Beginning November 12, holiday decorations will begin rolling out across the parks, plus holiday food, seasonal rides, holiday parades, and more. With the expansive Christmas trees, cozy lights, and holiday music, you will already feel like you’re home for Christmas.
Be sure to check out Disney’s hotels and resorts on the property to see what beautiful decor they have on display. This is the perfect time to think about holiday shopping for loved ones (and yourself!), so at the end of your trip, make sure to leave extra room in your suitcase for holiday goodies.
This is the time of year to plan ahead for the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, as well. This of course is an additional cost, but I absolutely love this party and it’s going to be a Magic Kingdom event that you won’t want to miss.
All in all, it is a great idea to visit during this time, not only this year because of the 50th anniversary, but also because the holiday season is just beginning. Disney World in November is simply wonderful, cheerful, welcoming, and even more magical than usual.
What to Pack for Disney World in November
So, if you’re 100% set on going to Disney World in November, I’ve got some good news and some bad news (or, at least, some “not-so-good” news”).
The good news is that you just made the best decision you’ll ever make in your life—or, at least, the best decision you’ll ever make in your life…for today! But the not-so-good news is that, starting today, you gotta start thinking about what to pack in your suitcase—a task very few (if any) people enjoy.
There are many things to consider when thinking about what to pack: are you traveling with children (or, gulp, driving to Disney World with children)? How long will you be visiting? Are you planning on eating park food, or would you like to pack your own?
Let’s focus on what to pack in a suitcase if you are not traveling with children. Since the weather will be warm during the day and chilly at night, when it comes to clothes, you will definitely want to layer. This means taking pants and a light jacket or sweatshirt for the mornings and evenings.
For during the day at the parks, opt for loose fitting, cool clothing. Take a jacket or sweatshirt that can be easily packed in a bag or tied around the waist. The Florida humidity will make it seem even warmer than it is, so if you’re someone who gets hot easily, you may even want to pack some shorts in addition to long pants.
If you’re planning on spending some relaxation time in your hotel’s pool or hot tub, you’ll of course want to take your swimsuit. Don’t forget about taking a rain jacket or poncho for those unpredictable Florida showers! Depending on where you’re staying and what your plans are, you may want to take a nicer dress or outfit for dining out. Keep in mind many Disney restaurants have a dress code.
Make it easy on yourself by planning an outfit for each day you’re at Disney World. You could even create a capsule wardrobe so you can easily mix and match items together. One of the most important clothing items to take are a pair of comfortable walking shoes. It cannot be stressed enough how much of a downer it is if your feet are hurting at Disney World. Recommended comfort shoe brands like Allbirds, Vivo Barefoot, and even Birkenstock are great options.
If you’re super into Disney, you can’t forget about taking your mouse ears! They really are the perfect addition to any outfit you wear at Disney World. Overall, the clothing you bring ultimately depends on your style. If comfort is your number one priority, you can’t go wrong with athletic wear. (Hello, athleisure!) Maybe you’re wanting high quality Instagram pictures in your super cute Disney-themed outfits, and that’s great too! Your suitcase may just be a little bit more stuffed.
As far as other essentials go, you’ll want your toiletries, an umbrella, and a backpack or other bag to take into the park. You could take a fanny pack in case you don’t want to rent a locker. A refillable water bottle is a must; take dish soap with you to wash out your water bottle and any other refillable items you may want to bring.
If you’re planning on bringing your own snacks to the park (or maybe you want to sneak out your favorite Disney park food), bring sandwich bags for any leftover snacks you may have. For extra luxury, bring a face mask to put on during your relaxation time at your hotel after a long day walking around at the parks.
Since it will still be quite warm and sunny during the day, opt for spray deodorant and bring a cooling towel as well. You’ll want to be extra protected from the sun, so be sure to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
It is recommended that all the products you take with you be mini or travel sized. It is really a plus when products like sunscreen, deodorant, and hand sanitizer are travel sized so you can take them with you in your bag for the day at the parks.
Best Clothes to Wear in Disney World
When it comes to what to wear to Disney World in November—especially when you’re at the parks—comfort is very important, especially if you plan on spending the entire day at Disney World. In November, the weather will be warm during the day and slightly chilly at night, so you’ll want to wear loose fitting clothing and be sure to bring a light jacket or sweatshirt with you to put on once it gets chilly.
To avoid spending too much time getting ready in the morning, plan an outfit for each day you’re there. Optimizing your time at Disney World is a breeze when you can put on your planned outfit for the day and get on the move!
In general, wearing a pair of jeans or other long pants, a light jacket or sweatshirt, a short sleeve shirt, and some comfortable shoes is a great outfit option for Disney World in November. Switch up this style by adding some Mickey ears or other Disney-themed accessories too!
Packing for Disney World with Children
There is a lot that goes into planning a Disney World vacation with children. In addition to everything you’ll want to pack for the adults, you’ll want to pack items in your suitcase specifically for your children as well.
Having your child dressed in Disney-themed clothes while they’re experiencing all the magic at Disney World is enough to make your heart explode. If desired, pack those Disney-themed clothes and accessories like baby Yoda hats and Minnie ears! Even though November in Orlando will be a little chilly at night, if your family still wants to swim, be sure to bring your children’s swimsuits too.
This is specific to what to take to Disney World in November, but since Disney World is requiring masks indoors, you’ll want to make sure to take plenty of children’s masks with you as well. It’s important to bring lots of them in case they get wet from rain or even saliva. Plus, it’s very likely that they will lose them throughout your vacation time!
It’s also a good idea to sort their clothes in bags by day to make it easier to get out the door in the mornings.
Plan their outfits for each day, zip them up in a clear plastic bag, and you’re good to go! Even though you’ll most likely be taking a stroller with you if you’re taking your children, make sure they have comfortable shoes to wear as well. Bring extra changes of clothes for them for each day you’ll be in Disney World.
For that super important relaxation time you’ll (try to) have at your hotel after a long day, take their coziest pajamas and any stuffed animals or lovies they may want to bring with them.
Best Day Pack for Disney World
Alright, so you’ve packed your suitcases and now you’re wondering: what do I actually need to bring with me for the day at Disney World? First, we’ll go over what to bring to the parks if you don’t have children with you.
The best type of bag to bring with you to the parks is a backpack; it can be carried easily and if it’s spacious enough, can fit all the items you could possibly need throughout the day. You most likely won’t be wearing the light jacket or sweatshirt you bring with you during the day since it will be warm, so if you don’t want to tie it around your waist, throw it in your backpack! In case it rains, take a rain jacket or poncho with you too.
A hand towel may not be something you would have thought to bring with you, but it really comes in handy to wipe down seats after a Florida shower.
Other essentials include sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, and a portable phone charger. When it comes to sunscreen, you may want to opt for a stick or spray kind; a squeeze bottle could spill into your bag and cause a mess. If you’re a die-hard squeeze bottle sunscreen fan, pop it into a plastic sandwich bag for added protection. You will want to take a refillable water bottle of some sort in order to avoid spending crazy amounts of money on water at the parks.
Make it an insulated one and enjoy your ice-cold water all day! A portable phone charger may not be something that immediately comes to mind to take to Disney World, but if you do decide to take it with you, you’ll be happy you did. If you’re using Disney’s My Disney Experience App, your phone battery may die quicker than you’d think. Portable chargers like the Fuel Rod are great options for giving your phone some battery life.
If you take any sort of medication, of course bring that with you to the parks as well. You may want to bring some Advil or Ibuprofen too, just in case. You never know when all the magic may be a little bit too much and give you a headache. Because Disney World is requiring guests to wear their masks indoors, make sure to bring plenty of masks for yourself in your backpack. Hand sanitizer or sanitizing wipes are good items to bring also.
Some people like to take items to touch up their hair or makeup throughout the day. Fill a small makeup bag with things like lip balm, mini mascara, and a mini can of hairspray for any touch-ups you may want to do if the Florida humidity has wreaked havoc on your hair and makeup.
Speaking of the humidity, we can’t forget that even though it’s fall, the weather will still be quite warm during the day. Pack a cooling towel and a mini fan in your bag to keep cool during your day at the parks. You’ll also want to take your sunglasses and a hat to protect yourself from the sun. And of course, pack a few extra pairs of Mickey ears if you’d like as well!
Let’s say you don’t want to take a backpack to the parks, but you’d rather take something smaller like a purse instead. You could wear your light jacket or sweatshirt around your waist if you get hot throughout the day and pack a rain poncho in the purse just in case.
Other essentials that would fit in a small purse are a mini can of sunscreen spray, portable phone charger, and a small refillable water bottle. If you really don’t want to carry any sort of bag during the day, a fanny pack is a great option! You can easily fit your phone, credit cards and money, portable phone charger, and even a mini can of sunscreen into a fanny pack.
Whether you’re wearing a backpack, a purse, or a fanny pack with you into the parks, you have plenty of possibilities and varieties of essential items to take with you for the perfect day at Disney World.
Tips and Tricks for the Day with Children
What to pack for a day at Disney World if you have children may seem like an entirely different ball game. If you plan ahead of time, you can ensure that you will have everything you need for the day for both you and your children.
If you’re taking a backpack with you, you’ll want to take everything listed above for the adults, plus baby sunscreen, diapers, wipes, and a changing mat for the little ones. No matter what your children’s ages are, a change of clothes (or several) is super important as well. Take a few extra masks per child, as the masks are most likely going to get wet throughout the day. Another helpful item to take with you is noise-cancelling headphones! These are perfect for protecting their ears while watching fireworks at the end of the day.
If you think your child is too old for a stroller, throw that idea out the window- this does not apply when it comes to a vacation at Disney World. Bring it! Nothing is worse than having to carry a 40-pound crying, exhausted toddler after a long day at the Happiest Place on Earth.
Strollers are great for storage, but keep in mind that you have to fold it when you are on Disney transportation. Stollers also must be 31” wide and 52” long to be in compliance with park rules. Be mindful that wagons and stroller wagons are not allowed in the parks.
It is stressful (to say the least) to try and find your stroller amongst a sea of them at Disney World. There are so many strollers parked throughout Disney World, so make sure to bring something to put on your stroller to differentiate yours from the others. If you have more than one child it is recommended to have two single strollers if possible, rather than a double stroller. Don’t want to deal with the hassle of bringing your own? No problem! You can even rent a stroller at the Orlando airport from Kingdom Strollers. This is a great option for less stress, and you just bring the stroller back to the airport once you’re leaving for home!
It’s possible to really deck out your stroller so it’s convenient and comfortable for both you and your child. If you’re concerned about them becoming too hot, attach a fan to the stroller. You could also attach a drink holder to the outside of the stroller for added convenience. Be sure to pack extra diapers and a rain cover for the stroller in case of an afternoon shower. To really optimize the extra storage you’re getting with the stroller, pack a cooler in which you can throw extra snacks and drinks.
Saving Money on Food? No Problem!
The food at Disney World is extremely delicious and sometimes can be quite expensive. You can avoid those extra expenses by taking your own snacks with you into the parks.
Think of snacks that are easily accessible and can fit in whatever bag you choose to take with you for the day. For children, think of snacks like fruit pouches, crackers, snack pack puddings or applesauce, and string cheese. If the food isn’t pre-packaged, put the snacks into small sandwich bags instead of keeping them in their larger containers. Other great snacks to take with you are granola bars, Cheez-Its, protein bars, and trail mix.
In addition to bringing your own snacks with you, you can also save money on food by opting for the lower-priced food options at Disney World. There are many restaurants and food trucks that offer snacks for under five dollars. For example, there’s the pineapple lumpia from Pongu Pongu in Animal Kingdom, Lunch Box Tarts from Woody’s Lunchbox in Hollywood Studios, and the scrumptious egg rolls from Joy of Tea in Epcot.
Other great options include the Chesire Cat Tail from Cosmic Ray’s and the delicious cinnamon roll from Gaston’s Tavern, both in Magic Kingdom. If you’re spending lots of time in Epcot, you could always grab a half baguette from Les Halles, School Bread from Kringla Bakeri, or the decadent Nudel Gratin from Sommerfest.
Of course, if you’re on the go and don’t want to spend time searching for snack options at the parks, bringing your own snacks with you for the day is a great way to avoid hunger at Disney World!
Wrapping It Up
Just like any other month you would visit the parks, when it comes to what to take to Disney World in November, it’s important to plan ahead of time and to be prepared. From what to pack in your suitcase for the entire vacation to what to pack in your bag for the day, it’s most certainly a lot to think about! If you take the time to plan and maybe even make a checklist for yourself, it’ll be nothing but smooth sailing during your Disney World vacation.
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