After-Thanksgiving Crowds

[WDWFigment]

We are heading down to WDW for five days after Thanksgiving. We arrive midday on the 28th, and plan on going to DHS. The following day we are going to EPCOT, for the Candlelight Processional among other things. On the 30th, we're doing MVMCP. On December 1st, we head to AK and MK (this time to enjoy the attractions!).

I am wondering what type of crowds to expect? I expected it to be really busy all weekend, but I found that the Nov 30th MVMCP is a discounted party. I know they don't just arbitrarily discount the showings, so do the crowds really die down by Sunday? How busy is it Friday and Saturday? Thanks!

 

[hemloc]

The day after Thanksgiving is traditionally one of the busiest of the year. It will most likely be a pretty wild weekend this year, as always.

 

[mroman]

We are heading down to WDW for five days after Thanksgiving. We arrive midday on the 28th, and plan on going to DHS. The following day we are going to EPCOT, for the Candlelight Processional among other things. On the 30th, we're doing MVMCP. On December 1st, we head to AK and MK (this time to enjoy the attractions!).

I am wondering what type of crowds to expect? I expected it to be really busy all weekend, but I found that the Nov 30th MVMCP is a discounted party. I know they don't just arbitrarily discount the showings, so do the crowds really die down by Sunday? How busy is it Friday and Saturday? Thanks!

We've been down twice before on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. I think you'll find that the crowds will be considerably less Sunday and Monday and for the rest of that week. We're arriving on the 29th and staying until the 5th, going to MVMCP on the 4th.

BTW, I've enjoyed all the pictures you've shared, thanks!

Mark

 

[DisneyGigi]

Thanksgiving crowds died down on our trip in 2000 the Sunday after Thanksgiving. We got there a couple of days before Thanksgiving and it was a nightmare until the following Sunday. Once most of the out of school crowd left though it was great. The other parks were managable btw, it ws just MK that was packed so if the crowds are bad at first maybe hit the other parks and save MK for the latter part of your trip. At least that is what we did. :wave:

 

[disneytopdog]

Thanks for the info, I am planning a trip in 2009. I want to arrive thanksgiving day but not do any Disney till maybe Sunday. I was kicking around IOA/US on Thanksgiving Day, Friday and Saturday and stay off property those nights until Sunday

 

[fauna]

We're arriving on 11/29 - not planning to do parks that day (I don't know how I'll stand it!). We're hoping for nice weather so we can do some swimming in SAB.

See you there, WDWFigment!! :wave:

 

[DormaNesbit]

I have no information to help you WDWFigment, but boy I can't wait to see the pictures you post from that trip!:wave:

 

[awilliams4]

We have been to WDW each year since 2001 the week of and after Thanksgiving.

Your Saturday at Epcot will be tough. I would get a fast pass for Soarin and Test Track and save them later for the day and just do higher volume attractions.

We always do Sunday afternoon after Thanksgiving at MK and it has always been great by the time 5:00 p.m. rolls around.

Starting Monday, things clear out even more. Not as much as they use to but we handle the crowds just fine beginning late Sunday afternoon.

 

[charatijennings]

We've been during Thanksgiving and the days following and it's the most crowded time we've ever been. At DHS for example, there were wall-to-wall people waiting from the entrance to the Osborne lights all the way around to the front of the park (by Star Tours) to see the lights turn on. I invited my parents and was worried about getting to do anything, but I learned that if you avoid any of the event openings (like Osborne) and go a little later it will all work out. And I didn't know that you could enter the lights from the opposite end of the park too! I love the weather and the Christmas decs. and my bday is Nov 30, so just me and my DH are going from Nov 30 until Dec 4 this year--staying at the CR and WL. Make sure to stop by the GF to see the life size gingerbread house and Christmas decs. I can't believe it, Figment (the great photographer) will actually be on property while I'm there. Have a great trip.

 

[hhhmickey]

Figment,
We arrived on the Sunday after Thanksgiving last year. It was moderately crowded on Sunday, but the crowds lessened considerably Monday - Thursday. The parks by no means were empty, but typical wait times for top attractions were generally no more than 20 minutes. We had a great time...the weather was unseasonably warm, even for Orlando. It would have been nice (for me at least) if it would have been a little cooler. Temps most days were in the mid to upper 80's. The day after we left temps were back in the mid to upper 60's. Have a great time!

 

[JCtheparrothead]

My wife and I have been to Disney the 2 weeks after Thanksgiving (usually arriving the day after Thanksgiving) for the last 3 years. I have found that that Friday is usually still chaos but Saturday things start to thin out everywhere except for MK. By Sunday it really is nice at all parks with waits averaging 20-30 minutes usually. The strange thing is that all of the restaraunts are still packed so make sure you try to make some reservations...it might be to late even now.

 

[Todd L]

Ill be there the same week Nov 29th - dec 6th. I made a few adr's for the harder to get places Like Cinderellas and Coral Reef. We tried adding 1 person to our adrs' 2 months ago and as of yet have not been able to. From what ive read I have to agree with what most people are saying- Saturday will be nuts Sunday a little better and Monday thru Friday alot better.

 

[mroman]

We're arriving on 11/29 - not planning to do parks that day (I don't know how I'll stand it!). We're hoping for nice weather so we can do some swimming in SAB.

See you there, WDWFigment!! :wave:

Fauna, we're arriving the same day, although staying off-property on the 29th. We'll probably be shopping, visiting resorts since my in-laws never been to WDW. Also, this is my 1 year old's first trip so the wait is killing me, lol. We'll be staying at Boardwalk Villas after that.