Are the crowds around Thanksgiving THAT bad?

[disneygal6568]

I am planning a trip for Thanksgiving and I know the crowds with be bigger, but are they really as big as everybody makes them sound? This is ,y first trip to Disneyland but I have been to Disney World but never during a holiday week.

Thanks in advance!

 

[IBLarsen]

We went to DLR during Thanksgiving week last year and didn't think it was too terrible. Just like any busy time of year, you can get a lot done in the morning, and the crowds build throughout the day. We expected it to be crowded and it was but not unbearable.
Good Luck!!!

 

[PixiDustDears]

This will be our first time there for Thanksgiving but we have been during other busy times. Halloween, New Years, and Spring Break. For us it has always been pretty managable. We take a break in the afternoon and go in expecting to spend time in lines. I'm hopeing that it wont be any busier than spring break.

 

[HydroGuy]

I am planning a trip for Thanksgiving and I know the crowds with be bigger, but are they really as big as everybody makes them sound? This is ,y first trip to Disneyland but I have been to Disney World but never during a holiday week.

Thanks in advance!

The last few years it has made a big different whether you went before TG or after, with before having very high crowds.

See "Understanding AP Blockouts and Impact on Crowds" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2365983

 

[Eeee-va]

My mom and I went AFTER Thanksgiving (Friday - Tuesday). Crowds were not bad at ALL, particularly Sunday-Tuesday. Sunday night was so dead, I got a FP for Space Mountain with about a 40-50 minute return time.

Like some others, I've heard the parks are ridiculously bad the days immediately before Thanksgiving. After should be at least OK.

 

[gatorfreud]

We went in 2008 - Thursday-Monday. Really crowded, but manageable if you go early and use FP strategically.

Summer and Halloween were less crowded to me. The days before Xmas more crowded.

 

[disneygal6568]

Now the dates for our trip is November 17th to 24th...So I guess it will be IMPOSSIBLE to avoid the crowds? Can you compare it to WDW around late August or Early May??? What was the longest wait time during this period of time?

 

[disneegrl4eva]

Now the dates for our trip is November 17th to 24th...So I guess it will be IMPOSSIBLE to avoid the crowds? Can you compare it to WDW around late August or Early May??? What was the longest wait time during this period of time?

no i dont think its avoidable this year especially...I bet its going to be crowded...I cant answer about the comparison but...my daughter is going to wdw over labor day weekend so if you will pm me after the first few days in Sept. and remind me, I will let you know what she thinks

 

[disneygal6568]

Thanks! I hope they aren't too bad for her!

 

[I❤MICKEY]

Now the dates for our trip is November 17th to 24th...So I guess it will be IMPOSSIBLE to avoid the crowds? Can you compare it to WDW around late August or Early May??? What was the longest wait time during this period of time?

We will be there similar days (Nov 17-22). I think people's ideas of what is busy is slightly different. We've been there for Memorial Day weekend and just after Christmas including New Year's. I felt it was very manageable. Yes it was crowded and the lines were long. We just took advantage of fast passes and went on rides with shorter lines.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Yes, they are that bad. We were there in 2010 and it was sooooo crowded. REALLY crowded. As always, the best plan is to be there before opening and collect FPs along the way. I could not believe the amount of people in front of Pirates and other areas of DL, it was not even possible to walk.

We still had a very good time, but my opinion is that it is extremely busy at Thanksgiving. You can tell from my signature that we've been there at various times throughout the year.