Are there any DVC folks that go over Thanksgiving week??

[edk35]

Our last trip over that week was in 2008. We stayed at SSR because it was planned kind of late in the game. That was our 4th trip over Thanksgiving and we noticed that it was really starting to get crowded during that week as compared to previous trips during that time. Is that still the trend?? We loved our Spring Break trip this year.... the crowds were not bad at all and were thinking of doing the same week next year or Thanksgiving week 2016. Do you think it is more crowded the week of Easter or Thanksgiving?? We would like to stay at our home resort of VWL if we go in Nov. Would love any advice if you have been over Thanksgiving in the past few years. What DVC resort did you stay at?

 

[Simba's Mom]

If you count the DVC at HHI, yes. We got there every year. Years ago (about 8) we did go to WDW over Thanksgiving, staying at OKW. We didn't think crowds were too bad. On Thanksgiving morning we went to DHS, which seemed pleasantly uncrowded.
One reason we go to HHI now, instead of WDW, is that at WDW, that week seems more like "pre-Christmas". At HHI we get more of the Thanksgiving holiday vibe. But if you want to see Christmas decorations, I'd encourage you to not be scared off about WDW during a major holiday-we thought it was fine.

 

[edk35]

If you count the DVC at HHI, yes. We got there every year. Years ago (about 8) we did go to WDW over Thanksgiving, staying at OKW. We didn't think crowds were too bad. On Thanksgiving morning we went to DHS, which seemed pleasantly uncrowded.
One reason we go to HHI now, instead of WDW, is that at WDW, that week seems more like "pre-Christmas". At HHI we get more of the Thanksgiving holiday vibe. But if you want to see Christmas decorations, I'd encourage you to not be scared off about WDW during a major holiday-we thought it was fine.

I have heard that Thanksgiving is nice at HHI. Can you swim during that time??

 

[magicaldisney]

We go every year during Thanksgiving week. I think it's hard to say if it is more crowded because things change with Disney. With FP+, we definitely tour differently than we did before. With that said, it is still crowded without a doubt. Major attractions can easily have 1 hour wait times. We have been during spring break but not during Easter. I believe though, Easter is busier than Thanksgiving, but I can't say for sure. During our Thanksgiving visits we have stayed at SSR, OWK, AKV, and BWV. With all of those, we didn't feel one resort felt busier than another.

 

[edk35]

Do you feel that you can get a lot done if you go to Rope Drop?? That is what we did over Spring Break.

 

[magicaldisney]

I'm probably the wrong person to ask!!! We haven't done rope drop in many years, opting for the late nights instead. However, I can say the late hours have been increasingly busier each year.

 

[drusba]

The Easter weeks are more crowded than Thanksgiving week at WDW and that will be particularly true next year because of the double whammy: Easter is March 27; that last week of March is a very high spring break week for those schools that have the same week annually for spring break, and the week that will begin March 21 next year is annually a very high college spring break week; thus the usual mass of vacationers whose break is tied to Easter time (week before or of) will be joined by the mass of vacationers who always have Spring Break during the latter part of March. It is when Easter is in March that you get a real risk of the parks, particularly MK, actually closing due to capacity during the day.

Advantage of Thanksgiving is Christmas decorations -- all will be up and all Christmas events will be going on. At Easter, decorations and events for that holiday are far more subdued than Christmas A second advantage is points needed are lower than Easter time.

Thanksgving's disadvantage is extremely high DVC demand. If you own at VWL or any other near park resort, you should make your reservations 11 months out for Thanksgiving to be safe, and should not expect to be able to change to any near park resort at 7 months out, and even AKV and OKW studios and possibly 2BRs can fill for the Wednesday Thursday and Friday before 7 months out. For the Easter weeks, a moderate DVC demand time, you can find VWL, BLT lake view, BWV pool/garden view, and even possibly BCV open at 7 months out.

 

[lisah0711]

We went to WDW for Thanksgiving in 2014. We did a split stay BCV and OKW. It was crowded but not impossible. You can get a lot done if you go for rope drop. We were able to get all the FP that we wanted. The crowds increased as the week went on. The Christmas decorations, especially at the resorts, were put up later so except for MK for MVMCP not all the decorations were up at resorts and some of the parks before we left. That was a surprise.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I have heard that Thanksgiving is nice at HHI. Can you swim during that time??

Although we've never swam then, many people have. We have had a few "hot tub" years, but one ice year



That's steam rising from the pool because it was so cold.

 

[rlovew]

Up until last year we went regularly Thanksgiving week (normally leaving before Thanksgiving Day) because it is normally also my birthday week and I like my trip to be at Disney. Then the church 9DH is a pastor) scheduled a huge event that week so we had to go home even earlier. We have now moved to the Keys and have longer trips 1-2 times a year instead of little trips every few months so we are not planned to go this Thanksgiving. I found crowds were pretty heavy but manageable except at MK on Thanksgiving Day, and if you can miss Epcot on Black Friday you will have a much better time at Epcot(many families go that day to see Christmas which starts then but if you can wait a day or 2 it is not quite as crowded there).

 

[Sleepy Sheep]

We did Thanksgiving week, Sun-Fri in '10,'11 and '12. It seemed to get progressively busier each year on Sun,Mon, Tues. Noticeably so. Last year ('14) we only did Wed-Fri. I agree Fast Pass+ changed the way we did the parks. Having older teenagers, we don't do rope drop but take full advantage of late night hours. It's crowded, but not noticeably more than Spring Break.

Easter is a whole different animal. You couldn't pay me to go to the parks during Easter week. I suffered through that too many times to do that to myself anymore. But, in all fairness, I'm old and crabby and it's been more than 10 years since the last time I ventured into the parks during Easter week. Maybe things have changed?

One caveat about Thanksgiving week. It can get downright chilly at night.

 

[goofy friend]

We went last Thanksgiving week and stayed at Kidani Village , the crowd was very heavy. It was miserable , long lines everywhere.

 

[edk35]

We did Thanksgiving week, Sun-Fri in '10,'11 and '12. It seemed to get progressively busier each year on Sun,Mon, Tues. Noticeably so. Last year ('14) we only did Wed-Fri. I agree Fast Pass+ changed the way we did the parks. Having older teenagers, we don't do rope drop but take full advantage of late night hours. It's crowded, but not noticeably more than Spring Break.

Easter is a whole different animal. You couldn't pay me to go to the parks during Easter week. I suffered through that too many times to do that to myself anymore. But, in all fairness, I'm old and crabby and it's been more than 10 years since the last time I ventured into the parks during Easter week. Maybe things have changed?

One caveat about Thanksgiving week. It can get downright chilly at night.

We think Easter week is great. We arrive the week before and actually leave on Easter Sat. So we are there the weekend before Easter weekend.

 

[rmcildw2m]

Our last trip over that week was in 2008. We stayed at SSR because it was planned kind of late in the game. That was our 4th trip over Thanksgiving and we noticed that it was really starting to get crowded during that week as compared to previous trips during that time. Is that still the trend?? We loved our Spring Break trip this year.... the crowds were not bad at all and were thinking of doing the same week next year or Thanksgiving week 2016. Do you think it is more crowded the week of Easter or Thanksgiving?? We would like to stay at our home resort of VWL if we go in Nov. Would love any advice if you have been over Thanksgiving in the past few years. What DVC resort did you stay at?

I am going during thanksgiving week this year for the 2 time .It was busy for sure the last time we went some 5 yrs ago.

 

[suebeelin]

We would never go during peak park season but that's just us. Right now kids are young enough to take them out of school (kindergarten next year and toddler) in December or January.

 

[yeahdisney]

We have been that week. We have rest days. Thanksgiving is our pool day. We sleep in. Eat morning buffet last sitting. Go to pool, eat Thanksgiving meal on our patio. Hang with each other all day. We normally have a new released movie that we bring with us and watch that together. Friday off to a park.

 

[lawboy2001]

We did Thanksgiving week, Sun-Fri in '10,'11 and '12. It seemed to get progressively busier each year on Sun,Mon, Tues. Noticeably so. Last year ('14) we only did Wed-Fri. I agree Fast Pass+ changed the way we did the parks. Having older teenagers, we don't do rope drop but take full advantage of late night hours. It's crowded, but not noticeably more than Spring Break.

Easter is a whole different animal. You couldn't pay me to go to the parks during Easter week. I suffered through that too many times to do that to myself anymore. But, in all fairness, I'm old and crabby and it's been more than 10 years since the last time I ventured into the parks during Easter week. Maybe things have changed?

One caveat about Thanksgiving week. It can get downright chilly at night.

No, things haven't changed! We were there this Easter for the first, and last, time!

 

[edk35]

No, things haven't changed! We were there this Easter for the first, and last, time!

We arrived on Thursday the week before Easter and we departed the day before Easter. We stayed at BCV for 3 nights and SSR for 6. The only time we ever thought it was crowded was the first weekend at EC. We figured with the F & G festival and it being a weekend...more locals were there. We did RD every day and did a ton. That trip was one of our best trips. We enjoyed the temps far better than our summer trips. We thought some of our summer trips were more crowded/hectic than this week. I have NO problems ever going back over spring break. Now as far as Thanksgiving goes...we have departed on Thanksgiving day, the day after and two days after. We like leaving THE DAY AFTER. The day after was INSANELY busy at EC and we wouldn't even attemp MK after Wed. that week. However, being there with cooler temps and THE BEAUTIFUL decorations trumped any crowd issues.

 

[Nanajo1]

Since 1999 we went Thanksgiving week. We noticed the crowds getting bigger as the week went on. Then we came a few days earlier leaving on Thanksgiving. Because of work issues this year we are going early Nov. didn't know that was a very busy time. Had some trouble getting rooms at 7 months. I know EPCOt will be busy with F&W. Will avoid weekends there.

 

[mvndvm]

and if you can miss Epcot on Black Friday you will have a much better time at Epcot(many families go that day to see Christmas which starts then but if you can wait a day or 2 it is not quite as crowded there).

Explain to me the Black Friday Epcot phenomenon.