Advice for Thanksgiving 2009 in WDW

[vincehrivera]

My family and I are going to spend Thanksgiving at Disney World and I was wondering if anyone has advice from previous experience. Also is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas a part of the ticket? Any help will be appreciated.

 

[rt2dz]

MVMCP is an extra ticket.

If you go to a park on Thanksgiving, make it Animal Kingdom. MK and Epcot are crazy busy for nothing extra special. Make any ADRs early. I suggest a resort hotel (or AK if you're going there that day) for Thanksgiving dinner.

 

[luvsJack]

How long is your stay? We were just there this Thanksgiving arriving the Saturday before and leaving the Saturday after.

I second the advice to go to AK on Thanksgiving Day, MK and Epcot are way too crowded that day. They are also crowded on the Friday after--DHS seemed more managable (it was our last day in the parks so we hopped to them all doing dd's favorite attractions) Keep in mind that the crowds will be fairly heavy all that week but Thanksgiving and the Friday after are the most crowded. Plan on getting to the parks early--that helped us stay ahead of the crowds every day.

I got my ADR's at 180 days out and when I called back to change one to a later time, they were compelety booked. Try to get a plan in mind and know where you want to eat on what days well in advance--lunch ADR's seemed easier to get.

The weather changed every day and 2-3 times each day! It was chilly in the AM, warm in the middle and cold at night. We dressed in layers.

We didn't do MVMCP because the only night that week it was scheduled was the Saturday we arrived--after that long drive we are just way too tired to plan too much for that night. If you want to do this you will need to extend your trip to include days before that week or after.

 

[Lesley Mahler]

Just subscribing b/c we will be there next year for Thanksgiving too!!!

 

[ehmickey]

We arrived the Friday before Thanksgiving and came home Thanksgiving day. We attended MVMCP on the Friday night and MK was virtually empty. We waited no longer than 5 minutes for rides...it was great! During the time we were there, Monday and Wednesday were the busiest. Go early if you can and take in all the attractions before the really big crowds hit!

 

[vincehrivera]

Thanks this will help alot I was planning to be at MK for Thanksgiving dinner but if it is way crowded I think we will try AK. I will be there 11/21/09 - 11/27/09 and staying at AKV.

 

[december]

We did the same thing in 2007-arrived the Friday before, had a great time at MVMCP, went to an uncrowded Epcot on Saturday, a more crowded DS on Sunday, then the crowds were pouring in on Monday. We went home on Thanksgiving morning, so no park that day. Book dining early, plan (we did TGM), and bring clothes for all kinds of weather. It was freezing Friday night (made MVMCP great because we were dressed for it-the ones in shorts went home early),and the kids swam later in the week. I'd love to be able to do it again one day.

 

[vincehrivera]

How cold was it?? So layers it is.

 

[december]

How cold was it?? So layers it is.

It was around 40 degrees-cold for a southern girl! But cold in the south is a wet cold, and from what I've read feels colder than 40 up north (where the air is dryer). We wore sweatshirts, jackets, gloves, and hats. The next morning, we were in tshirts and jeans. I don't know where you are from, but here the weather can change quickly. It was 70 yesterday. Today it is low 40s, and tomorrow, the high is 36 and we may get snow!!!!!

 

[rt2dz]

We were just there the Wednesday before Thanksgiving through this past Sunday (11/25-12/8). Days ranged from lows in the 30s to highs in the high 70s. Days that had lows in the 30s did not have highs in the high 70s.

The south, especially areas off the water, switches temperatures on a dime. We were wearing shorts yesterday and it is snowing today! Woo Hoo! We never get snow. It's not good snow, but it's snow.

I've learned with WDW that from mid-September to end-of-April, always bring at least 2-3 pairs of shorts, 2-3 pairs of jeans, and a light jacket no matter what the weather forecast for your trip on the day you leave! In October it was freezing temperatures a couple of days.