Advise Please...we have 1 day at Disney (Thanksgiving) Which park to visit? - The DIS Discussion Forums

macook · 11-09-2009, 03:01 PM

We are a family of 5, kids ages are 10,12,and 13. My husband and youngest boy are not into thrill rides. It's my birthday on that day and I'm considering using the bday fastpass option. It will be our first visit to WDW, we have been to Disneyland(4 years ago). We are travelling from Tampa the morning of Thanksgiving and driving back that evening. Could you please help us decide on which park to spend the day at. Thankyou

cleostar09 · 11-09-2009, 03:04 PM

Personally, I would go with Magic Kingdom. It has something for everyone in your family. There are rides for the thrill seekers and rides for the not so thrill seekers. LOL It is the largest park and has a lot of great options to offer.

twokids0204 · 11-09-2009, 03:04 PM

1 day - Magic Kingdom without a doubt...

Epcot is a close second.

NuttyDisneyMom · 11-09-2009, 03:08 PM

MK is going to be, most likely, PACKED on Turkey Day!

I know we're avoiding it that day on our trip. We are hitting AK that day, solely based on this was the only day we could get our Tusker House ADR. But I would go to Epcot if I had a choice

Missytara · 11-09-2009, 03:19 PM

Avoid MK like the plague on T-day. Also, since you aren't staying on-site, the possibility of being shut out of the parks by afternoon is a possibility.

Also, people have already made dining reservations, for most of the day, so it will be hard to find some place to eat - if at all, other than counter service. Restaurants will be booked the entire day.

Epcot will be easier to get around, due to its size, but still be crowded. DHS will be crowded due to the Osborne Family of Lights, Fantasmic, etc.

If they are not into thrill rides and don't have a whole lot of time, the only park that is really manageable is AK. With the exception of EE, there is a lot of things for their age to do - especially if they love animals. The shows are great, the afternoon parade is great and there are a lot of character greetings.

BenA81 · 11-09-2009, 03:20 PM

My vote is for Epcot. Lots of space to walk around and explore.

macook · 11-09-2009, 03:21 PM

What about Disney Studios? I have read about the Osbourne Christmas lights and was considering that park as an option.
Thankyou for the quick responses

Missytara · 11-09-2009, 03:24 PM

I go the week after Thanksgiving, and DHS is still mobbed that Saturday/Sunday. Cannot get a place to eat anywhere that weekend. One year, I gave up, and went back to my resort and had pizza sent back to my room!

djblu883 · 11-09-2009, 03:27 PM

I agree with the above posters ! MK will be impossible to enjoy that day! I was there Halloween day and it was pretty packed so I can just imagine how horrible the crowds will be. My vote would be for AK and 2nd Epcot. You could do all of AK in a day. Epcot has the Kim Possible adventure that would be perfect for your kids ages and allow them to visit the world in a fun and educational way without it seeming so!!!

mom2rtk · 11-09-2009, 03:38 PM

I hear what everyone is saying. For someone with more than one park day, MK should most definitely be avoided! But if it's your ONLY Disney day, then the MK would be my first choice!

DEFINITELY take the FP option for your birthday. ALSO be using your regular FP option at the same time. One does not cancel out the other.

DEFINITELY be there well in advance of park opening, even if it's super early that day. If the park closes to capacity at some point, you don't want to be shut out, especially since you won't be staying on-site.

Research ahead of time and have a touring plan! Research threads here on the boards from others who have been there in insanely busy days, like Christmas or Easter.

Bring a few snacks along in case you get stuck waiting in a long line for food. Counter service will be the only option.

I think if you enter into it with the right expectations, you can have a great time.

Those birthday FP's will be critical!

macook · 11-09-2009, 04:13 PM

I'm surprised noone has recommended DHS, I thought the Osbourne lights would be a big reason to visit DHS.

Thanks for your opinions.

11-09-2009, 03:01 PM	#1
macook Earning My Ears Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3	Advise Please...we have 1 day at Disney (Thanksgiving) Which park to visit? We are a family of 5, kids ages are 10,12,and 13. My husband and youngest boy are not into thrill rides. It's my birthday on that day and I'm considering using the bday fastpass option. It will be our first visit to WDW, we have been to Disneyland(4 years ago). We are travelling from Tampa the morning of Thanksgiving and driving back that evening. Could you please help us decide on which park to spend the day at. Thankyou

11-09-2009, 03:04 PM	#2
cleostar09 Annastesia Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: MI Posts: 38	Personally, I would go with Magic Kingdom. It has something for everyone in your family. There are rides for the thrill seekers and rides for the not so thrill seekers. LOL It is the largest park and has a lot of great options to offer. __________________ My baby sister, Sunny MAW child

11-09-2009, 03:04 PM	#3
twokids0204 DIS Veteran Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: GTA - Canada Posts: 1,141	1 day - Magic Kingdom without a doubt... Epcot is a close second. __________________ 1982 - Off Site * 1996 - Off Site * 1998 - All Star Sports * 2009 - Pop Century 2010 - Coronado Springs

11-09-2009, 03:08 PM	#4
NuttyDisneyMom Born and raised with the mouse for 23 years! Now we just visit him 2 times a year! Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 543	MK is going to be, most likely, PACKED on Turkey Day! I know we're avoiding it that day on our trip. We are hitting AK that day, solely based on this was the only day we could get our Tusker House ADR. But I would go to Epcot if I had a choice __________________ Thanksgiving PTR in progress! Dining Report 11/21-29 already stared..."We're armed with forks!" April 09- A mini review of GF Tea DH(38)me(34)DS(18)DD(14 )DD(7)DM

11-09-2009, 03:19 PM	#5
Missytara I'm all ears! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Delaware Posts: 2,457	Avoid MK like the plague on T-day. Also, since you aren't staying on-site, the possibility of being shut out of the parks by afternoon is a possibility. Also, people have already made dining reservations, for most of the day, so it will be hard to find some place to eat - if at all, other than counter service. Restaurants will be booked the entire day. Epcot will be easier to get around, due to its size, but still be crowded. DHS will be crowded due to the Osborne Family of Lights, Fantasmic, etc. If they are not into thrill rides and don't have a whole lot of time, the only park that is really manageable is AK. With the exception of EE, there is a lot of things for their age to do - especially if they love animals. The shows are great, the afternoon parade is great and there are a lot of character greetings. __________________ Oct 10, 1971 with dad before dedication Mar 1992 with DBF and DBF's daughter; stayed offsite Dec 2000 on land/sea pkg; CBR Dec 2002 on land/sea pkg; Dolphin Dec 2004 on land/sea pkg with DM; POR Dec 2006 with three friends; POR Dec 2007 solo; POR Dec 2009 with two friends from my local watering hole; SSR Dec 2010 - booked at POR Dec 2011 - planning stages; land/sea pkg with friends

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11-09-2009, 03:20 PM	#6
BenA81 is it a golf ball? Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 679	My vote is for Epcot. Lots of space to walk around and explore. __________________

11-09-2009, 03:21 PM	#7
macook Earning My Ears Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3	What about Disney Studios? I have read about the Osbourne Christmas lights and was considering that park as an option. Thankyou for the quick responses

11-09-2009, 03:24 PM	#8
Missytara I'm all ears! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Delaware Posts: 2,457	I go the week after Thanksgiving, and DHS is still mobbed that Saturday/Sunday. Cannot get a place to eat anywhere that weekend. One year, I gave up, and went back to my resort and had pizza sent back to my room! __________________ Oct 10, 1971 with dad before dedication Mar 1992 with DBF and DBF's daughter; stayed offsite Dec 2000 on land/sea pkg; CBR Dec 2002 on land/sea pkg; Dolphin Dec 2004 on land/sea pkg with DM; POR Dec 2006 with three friends; POR Dec 2007 solo; POR Dec 2009 with two friends from my local watering hole; SSR Dec 2010 - booked at POR Dec 2011 - planning stages; land/sea pkg with friends

11-09-2009, 03:27 PM	#9
djblu883 DIS Veteran Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,708	Turkey Day I agree with the above posters ! MK will be impossible to enjoy that day! I was there Halloween day and it was pretty packed so I can just imagine how horrible the crowds will be. My vote would be for AK and 2nd Epcot. You could do all of AK in a day. Epcot has the Kim Possible adventure that would be perfect for your kids ages and allow them to visit the world in a fun and educational way without it seeming so!!! __________________ 22? trips to WDW including but limited to lol:1975 Honeymoon trip, 1990 Graduation from College with kids off premise, So many trips off premise and at Fort Wilderness I've lost count. 2010 AKL with Savana View!!!!

11-09-2009, 03:38 PM	#10
mom2rtk DIS Veteran Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 2,450	I hear what everyone is saying. For someone with more than one park day, MK should most definitely be avoided! But if it's your ONLY Disney day, then the MK would be my first choice! DEFINITELY take the FP option for your birthday. ALSO be using your regular FP option at the same time. One does not cancel out the other. DEFINITELY be there well in advance of park opening, even if it's super early that day. If the park closes to capacity at some point, you don't want to be shut out, especially since you won't be staying on-site. Research ahead of time and have a touring plan! Research threads here on the boards from others who have been there in insanely busy days, like Christmas or Easter. Bring a few snacks along in case you get stuck waiting in a long line for food. Counter service will be the only option. I think if you enter into it with the right expectations, you can have a great time. Those birthday FP's will be critical! __________________ Mom2RTK's Flickr Photos

11-09-2009, 04:13 PM	#11
macook Earning My Ears Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3	I'm surprised noone has recommended DHS, I thought the Osbourne lights would be a big reason to visit DHS. Thanks for your opinions.

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