WDW at Thanksgiving
Our family visited WDW in '04 and '05 arriving the Saturday after Thanksgiving and staying until the following Saturday. We have our trip booked for the same week again this year.
In '04 the parks were virtually desolate and never waited more than 10 minutes on any attraction. The weather was warm, mornings in the 60's and afternoons up to 80. We even did an afternoon at Typhoon Lagoon on Dec.1 and it was in the 80's and uncrowded. Dining was never a problem and room rates were lower too.
In '05 the crowds seemed to be a bit heavier especially the Saturday and Sunday following Thansgiving. I think a lot of it has to do with post 9/11 and people are a little more comfortable with the risk of travel now than immediately following 9/11.
All the parks are beautiful with the holiday decorations, you can see the Osborne Lights, the holiday parades are special and you won't have as much trouble getting a curbside view. Several times we did Space Mountain, Big Thunder, and others like TOT, and Aerosmith's and just got right back on without a wait. Even at Epcot, Soarin, Test Track, and Mission Space were only 10 minute waits in standby. We never had to use a FastPass.
The parks do close a bit earlier, but you more than make up for it with the shorter lines. I can't imagine how miserable it must be to stand in the summer heat for 2 hours listening to whining kids that are tired, hot, and thirsty waiting to ride. I would not go through the torture if they were giving free admission!
Just another note, seing all the characters in their holiday outfits is special too. It really adds a special feeling to the Christmas Season for us.
I've got quite a few pictures posted that will show you how nice and pretty Disney is during the holidays. Enjoy them here :
http://photoalbums.wdwmagic.com/showgallery.php?ppuser=38041&cat=500