Days *before* Thanksgiving?

[sambahat]

I've had a change in plans. We were originally planning a trip in September but for various reasons we can only go in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. Specifically, we're considering going the Saturday through Tuesday *before* Thanksgiving.

I've never been during that time. Does anyone have any advice, thoughts, or hints for that time period? Are the crowds unbearable? Any idea what queue lengths I should expect?

 

[cemeb4dk]

I can't help you but I will be there from the Monday before Thanksgiving to the Monday after. Some friends of mine went last year over Thanksgiving and said it was not overly crowded or anything. So based on their comments we booked our trip this year for that week.

 

[mousefan1972]

I've had a change in plans. We were originally planning a trip in September but for various reasons we can only go in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. Specifically, we're considering going the Saturday through Tuesday *before* Thanksgiving.

I've never been during that time. Does anyone have any advice, thoughts, or hints for that time period? Are the crowds unbearable? Any idea what queue lengths I should expect?

I can't help you with that timeframe, but I will offer some general (albeit unsolicited) advice..... even with huge crowds, you can still have a wonderful trip! We have always gone to WDW in the "off" season (even though lately there really isn't one anymore), and were hesitant to go during Christmas due to the "THIS IS NUTZ" crowd levels I had heard about. Finally, we said "lets do it!" and spent this past Christmas (Dec. 19-27) in WDW. Was it busy? Yup. Not bad when we arrived, but got increasingly crowded as our stay progressed, peaking on Christmas Eve and Day. But, we were smart with fastpasses, ALWAYS were at the parks for or just after opening, took breaks, and utilized EMH. And..... we had a wonderful time. And I should add our kids are 4 and 2 years old, so by no means are we "theme park commandos" We saw/rode everything we wanted to, and many favorites were ridden many times over.

So don't let the crowds bother you, and have a great trip! :wave:

 

[sambahat]

So it sounds like it's crowded, but not *too* unbearable. Should I expect capacity crowds during those days?

I always got the feeling that the busiest days like Thanksgiving day and Christmas day are so crowded that it is almost unbearable.

 

[kstella]

I was there this past Thanksgiving, starting the Tuesday before through the Thanksgiving weekend. Crowds were very large, but not unbearable. We decided what was most important to us to get on and went accordingly. Effective use of fast pass is vital.

 

[figmentmom]

We were there several years ago at Thanksgiving - there were crowds, but it was nowhere near the gridlock of Easter or the 4th of July!

 

[Mchristianson]

I was there from the Sunday before to the Friday after Thanksgiving this past year....sorry but it was BUSY! Everything took forever, lines, buses, food. Everyone was commenting on how packed the parks were.I will never go during a holiday week again. sorry for the unpleasant news....:shrug:

 

[Craig & Lisa]

We have been there the week of Thanksgiving, and we've been there the week of the 4th of July, and it is more crowded in July. We have gone at other times during the year, F&GF, F&WF, Aug., November, and have yet been there when it got so crowded they had to close the parking lots, or it was almost impossible to walk down Main Street. In fact on days that it was supposed to BE crowded we bassically walked on the more popular attractions 2 or more times, you just have to remember to be spontaneous and be prepared to change you touring options in a pinch. If something is crowded try a fast-pass and go to something else. There is so much to do no matter where you are in WDW. And above all, enjoy yourself. 47 days and counting till visit 18 at AKLV, a Grand Gathering! :sohappy::sohappy:

 

[WildcatDen]

We were there this past November from the Saturday prior to Thanksgiving until the day after. Four of us, DW, and two DD (12 and 9). Had a great time. We had a base schedule we worked up from the unofficial guide and what the girls listed as their priorities. We did everything we wanted to do with no issues. My only suggestion is to get the Hopper Pass. With the Extra Magic Hours and ADR's, we made good use of visiting multiple parks each day.

Have fun :wave:

 

[azzureblue]

Our family of six has gone to WDW during the days leading up to Thanksgiving for about 5 years in a row now. We think it's the best. Saturday before, the parks will be basically empty, but the schedules are short. Starting Sunday the park schedules adjust hours (MK was open until midnight last year + EMH until 3am). Beginning Monday you'll notice the parks, resorts, busses, etc. getting a little more busy each day - but nothing like Christmas, Spring Break or Summer. Thanksgiving Day itself will be packed at MK. Last year we were at EPCOT on Thanksgiving Day. It was a little busy in the morning but basically deserted leading up to Illuminations. We usually leave the day after Thanksgiving and head home. Weather is generally perfect. Highs in the low 80's - Lows in the mid 60's. You can pretty much go shorts and t-shirts all day long. Maybe a light jacket and jeans for any late evenings at the parks.

Go for it!

 

[sambahat]

Cool. I can deal with that. I was worried that the crowds would be unbearable. I'm thinking about staying at the Poly or Contemporary. Never stayed at either... Will keep you guys posted!

By the way, nice avatar, Wildcatden!

 

[bcuinohio]

Thanks for the post

My family and I are going from the Saturday before Thanksgiving to the day after this year. I too feared the crowd but after reading these posts, I feel much better. I was originally going to go in the summer but I was dreading the crowd and the heat. My kids will only miss one day of school and we will be able to spend almost a week at Disney during Thanksgiving.

 

[JessicaB]

My son and I are going the Saterday before until the Sunday after this year. It will be our first holiday trip. I hope the crowds aren't to bad. We usually go in October and the crowds are great.

 

[teacup317]

Hello, the first time we took our boys to WDW we went the week leading up to Thanksgiving. The crowds weren't bad at all. We had very little wait time in any of the attractions. We even got to do Splash Mountain twice in a row because the camera didn't work the first time! We arrived on a Friday and left on a Saturday. The days leading up to Thanksgiving were fine. Thanksgiving eve, Thanksgiving day and the day after were very crowded. Also be sure to make your ADR's soon! Have a wonderful trip. :wave:

 

[coulty]

I've had a change in plans. We were originally planning a trip in September but for various reasons we can only go in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. Specifically, we're considering going the Saturday through Tuesday *before* Thanksgiving.

I've never been during that time. Does anyone have any advice, thoughts, or hints for that time period? Are the crowds unbearable? Any idea what queue lengths I should expect?

we once went the week before thanksgiving for two weeks and the first week there was hardly anyone there we hardly had to queue for anything. It got a bit busy over the holiday but I would say that was the best time of year we have had at disney, and the weather was great.We have just got back on 28th january from 2 weeks at sports resort we thought it would be quiet in january but actually I have never seen it that busy.

 

[sambahat]

I should rename this to the official "Going before Thanksgiving" thread! How soon until we have to make ADR's?

So you'll know part of my motivation...
We normally go to WDW every few years in September. We live in Cherokee County, GA and the schools are out for a week. Normally that is a great time to go. Crowds are great... we can get off-season rates.

The down side (besides still too hot and those &*!@ love bugs) is we only get to go evry few years. I'm a closet Disney freak. My own family doesn't even know how much I love this place. When we go, my wife is in to it, but gets burned out after seven days and doesn't to go for another few years.

So here's my strategy:
We always have to go see the in-laws in Palatka, FL (about an hour south of Jacksonville... about two hours away from Orlando) for Thanksgiving. We do this *every* year. I would love to go to WDW every year. I'm trying to convince my DW that it's better to go during November since we're already there. The downside? we only get to go for about four days. The upside? My wife won't be burned out and will be ready to go again next year!

My wife has been wavering lately. She wants to go for the whole week in September. I've countered with a stay in a delux resort if we stay in November... probably Polynesian. She's starting to sway toward the November stay again.

Wish me luck!

 

[MGMBoy]

Whatever you do, PLEASE get there at opening. You can get more done in the first 2 hours during a peak season then someone who gets there two hours after park open. That's my suggestion.

 

[sambahat]

Whatever you do, PLEASE get there at opening. You can get more done in the first 2 hours during a peak season then someone who gets there two hours after park open. That's my suggestion.

That shouldn't be a problem. We almost always get there at opening... even during the off season. Besides, the kids don't let me sleep in anyway!

I understand that the parks will be open later than when we're used to going in September. If so, I want to try going early, going back to the hotel after lunch (or early afternoon) for a nap, then head to another park afterwards. I'll have to see if I can find the typical open and close times for that time of year.

 

[Princess Clayre]

I went around this time two years ago for 2 weeks(as we live in the uk); the week before thanksgiving and the week of thanksgiving. The first week was fairly quite but the second week did get really busy, however I have never been at xmas or easter to compare. Soaring had only just opened so was impossible to get on without a really long wait as did Test Track and the whole of the MK had long waits. AK, MGM & other areas of Epcot weren't so bad so with a bit of planning you could achieve seeing the thing you want to.

 

[dixiepixie]

Our family has been visiting WDW during Thanksgiving Week since 1995. Our last trip was this past November from the Sat. before to the Sat. after ThD. We did find that it was more crowded than in years past. But we just adjusted our plans where needed and were still able to have a great week.

A few tips we discovered....

EMH's: We found that it worked better for us to utilize the AM/EMH and forgo the PM/EMH. This was discovered after spending an evening packed into D-MGMS (now DHS). Luckily it was at the first of our week so we were able to adjust our plans. We had planned to go to AK to ride EE during it's PM/EMH, but instead headed over the next night when it was open until 8pm. As we arrived it was 1 hour til closing and as we entered the park it seemed everyone else was leaving. There was a very short line at EE and we were able to ride it 2x's in a row. We then rode a few other rides before deciding to head on over to MK as they were open til 12pm. We got to Mk in time to get a snack and find a great little spot to view Wishes! (our little secret spot actually). We rode several rides there before heading out to beat the crowds to the buses.

In contrast, we had great success during the AM/EMH. On ThD it was EMH-M at MK. We got to do everything we wanted, then popped over to Chef Mickey's for breakfast (which was GREAT), headed to MGM from there til mid-afternoon, back to the resort for a rest and refresh and on to MK for the rest of the evening. It turned out to be a great plan. The next day we were back at MK at opening. There was almost no one there. We were able to ride SM 6 times in a row in 20 minutes.

BUSES: We heard several people complaining about buses during the week. Our friends were staying at POR and had alot of bus issues. We stayed at A-SS and had no problems getting to the parks but found very long lines at the end of the day. Our solution...we just looked for a bus to another All-Star resort (music or movies) and hopped on it. There was usually a very short line and most of the time no line. It was just a short walk over to our resort and at least we were able to sit down on the bus.

I agree that it is important to make your PS requests early and use your FastPasses. And most importantly, do your homework about the hours, closings, new stuff, etc. for the time you are going and have a plan in place. But be flexible when you get there, try to have backup plans, or at least when you see that something you had planned maynot be a good idea at the time, move on to something else. You will probably always be able to go back at another time and do it later during your trip.

Good Luck in your planning and I hope you have a great trip!