Thanksgiving Weekend 2008????

[Snoodles74]

We are a family of 4 (DDs will be 13 & 15 at time of trip) planning to fly and arrive on Nov. 26 (Wed) and stay through Nov. 30 (Sun).....what should I know? This will be our first trip planning ourselves. We went 11 yrs ago at the same time, but in laws & travel agent planned. I don't remember the park closing early, the weather, crowds or anything.
I haven't book a room but we are picking from 9 different ones that I have overly and obsessivly researched online across from Disney.
I have been reading posts for several hours, but still oh so confused.
Thank you so much for any help!


Erika

 

[shkeogh]

See you there. Been every Thanksgiving since 2000.

 

[XTinabell]

Welcome to the dis first of all. We go almost every year in November, in 2007 we were there the week of thanksgiving and we'll never do that again. It was just way too crowded for our liking, we couldn't get anywhere without being smashed into or taking half hour to get somewhere when normally it would take five minutes. If you are going over thanksgiving regardless of the crowds make sure you know how to use fastpasses and get to the parks early.
Make reservations at all the places you want to eat and don't miss fantasmic or the fireworks show if you can.

Were you wanting to stay onsite or offsite? If you're looking for a nice offsite hotel with good rates and walking distance I recommend Howard Johnson's hotel.
As far as weather, it will either be hot or cool. November I find is a little unpredictable. In 2006 there was a heat wave and it was summer temperatures in November. In 2007 the first part of our trip was super hot and I got heat stroke but by then end of the trip I was in sweaters and skipping the wet rides. Hopefully that helps you get started with your planning.

 

[Snoodles74]

Thank you very much!
We are looking to stay across the street basically. I actually have 10 places:
Tropicana
Castle Inn and Suites
Ramada Plaza Hotel
Holiday Inn Express Maingate
HoJo
Ramada Inn Maingate
Best Western Anaheim Inn
Best Western Park Place Inn
Park Vue

We figured it would be busy busy over T'giving, but it was the best choice of not having to take many days off of work.

 

[Golfing Goofy]

Hi there,

We have never gone during that time period, but we have gone during lots of other holiday seasons. XTinabell's advice regarding reservations is so important. Our friends also went in 2007 and they said it was the most crowded compared to all of the other years. Call and make PS for your sit down meals, especially if you want to go to the more popular spots like Blue Bayou, Carnation Cafe, Rainforest Cafe, or ESPN Zone. Also, if you want to spend the extra money, you can make reservations for Fantasmic! and have a place to sit with a snack box and drinks. Then, just stay there and watch the fireworks, not the best location, but it does make it easy for one night.

Another trick to avoid some of the crowds is to do the holiday tour. You can go on Haunted Mansion & Small World with minimum wait and then you get a special spot to sit and view the parade....no waiting and holding a spot.

We love Disneyland during the holidays and it will be all decorated during that time. Have a wonderful time.

 

[Snoodles74]

Hi there,

We have never gone during that time period, but we have gone during lots of other holiday seasons. XTinabell's advice regarding reservations is so important. Our friends also went in 2007 and they said it was the most crowded compared to all of the other years. Call and make PS for your sit down meals, especially if you want to go to the more popular spots like Blue Bayou, Carnation Cafe, Rainforest Cafe, or ESPN Zone. Also, if you want to spend the extra money, you can make reservations for Fantasmic! and have a place to sit with a snack box and drinks. Then, just stay there and watch the fireworks, not the best location, but it does make it easy for one night.

Another trick to avoid some of the crowds is to do the holiday tour. You can go on Haunted Mansion & Small World with minimum wait and then you get a special spot to sit and view the parade....no waiting and holding a spot.

We love Disneyland during the holidays and it will be all decorated during that time. Have a wonderful time.

Thank You!!
Where do you stay? I am so confused on getting the best prices and distances!
I don't think we will be doing any sit down type eating, mainly Denny's type of stuff or fast food. I guess the cheapest good food is actually where we will eat. LOL
How do I get reservations for the Holiday Tour? Sounds like a great idea

 

[XTinabell]

Hi there,

We have never gone during that time period, but we have gone during lots of other holiday seasons. XTinabell's advice regarding reservations is so important. Our friends also went in 2007 and they said it was the most crowded compared to all of the other years. Call and make PS for your sit down meals, especially if you want to go to the more popular spots like Blue Bayou, Carnation Cafe, Rainforest Cafe, or ESPN Zone. Also, if you want to spend the extra money, you can make reservations for Fantasmic! and have a place to sit with a snack box and drinks. Then, just stay there and watch the fireworks, not the best location, but it does make it easy for one night.

Another trick to avoid some of the crowds is to do the holiday tour. You can go on Haunted Mansion & Small World with minimum wait and then you get a special spot to sit and view the parade....no waiting and holding a spot.

We love Disneyland during the holidays and it will be all decorated during that time. Have a wonderful time.

I 2nd the holiday tour. I forgot about it, I did it inNovember 2006 and it was awesome. It was great way to beat the crowds and it was a fun tour and you get awesome seats for the holiday parade.

Thank You!!
Where do you stay? I am so confused on getting the best prices and distances!
I don't think we will be doing any sit down type eating, mainly Denny's type of stuff or fast food. I guess the cheapest good food is actually where we will eat. LOL
How do I get reservations for the Holiday Tour? Sounds like a great idea

You can make reservations for the tour I believe 1 month in advance. Maybe someone can give you the number, if not you can find it on disneyland.com
I found the number to call for you it's : 714-781-4400

 

[Golfing Goofy]

I think that the tour is around $59 per person, $47 with an AP discount. You also get a special pin, hot chocolate and a special treat.

As for where we stay, we have an AP, so we always wait to get the special extra AP discounts and stay at one of the resort hotels. I know that there are awesome deals out there, espeically for HOJO's and Candy Cane. My brothers' families always stay in one of those. They love them and everything is so close in DL. Just keep looking on this board for ideas. It is good to start this early, because some of the great rates get sold out quickly. I know HOJO's has an entertainment rate that is great.

Good Luck and have fun planning for your magical trip.

 

[PrincessKell]

We went for Thanksgiving '07. We had a blast. It wasn't too bad crowd wise until Saturday. It was really really bad (for us) We got there wednesday and hit CA first which was awesome, there was next to nobody there.

We stayed at Best Western Anaheim Inn. Which is right across the street. just few hotels down from the cross walk. It was a quick easy walk we have a five year old and it wasn't too bad at all. And I think Denny's was right next to the hotel. We were able to call it in, and pick it up (nice of dh to go and get it for breakfast. hehe). Same thing for Pizza. we had a rough night with our dd and skipped out Goofy's Kitchen ( I know I know...so sad, but such is life) we ordered a pizza and it was delivered. no issues at all.

Good luck and have lots of fun. We might see ya there! It was a blast for Thanksgiving!

 

[Snoodles74]

Thank you to everyone

What is an 'AP' discount and how do I get one? lol

 

[DangerMouse]

Thank you to everyone

What is an 'AP' discount and how do I get one? lol

AP discount is for those who have Annual Passes. You can get the discount once you've purchased an annual pass.

Snoodles, the HoJo has a standard Disboard 15% discount. There's a code around here somewhere or you can just mention it to in-house reservations.

 

[Snoodles74]

AP discount is for those who have Annual Passes. You can get the discount once you've purchased an annual pass.

Snoodles, the HoJo has a standard Disboard 15% discount. There's a code around here somewhere or you can just mention it to in-house reservations.

I would LOVE to have a 15% discount code for HoJo! If anyone knows where to find it, please, please let me know