Attendance @ Disneyland Week of Thanksgiving???

[Disney Dadd]

Hello all,

My family and I are going to see some family in So Cal the week of Thanksgiving (11/18 - 11/24) and we are going to take a day to go to Disneyland.

I have two questions:

(1) How is attendance traditionally the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday BEFORE Thanksgiving?

(2) Which ONE day do you think would be the least busy (all things considered)?

Thanks for any responses!

 

[audrabolster]

But I have a deluxe passport and thursday-sunday is blacked out for me, but not monday-wednesday. So I would think the crowds will still be bad, but not too awful.

I would think monday or Tuesday.

 

[Disney Dadd]

Thank you miss Audra!!! We were thinking Monday or Tuesday as well. Just wanted to get some other opinions!!!

 

[PrincessKell]

We are heading down on Wednesday through Sunday. I have heard that Monday or Tuesday would be the best. More and more people are taking the whole week off, or Wednesday through the weekend (like us) My dd's school is out on Wednesday, more schools are doing this now days.

 

[Vanvmom]

Many schools in the area around DL are off the entire week of Thanksgiving (we learned this from experience a couple of years ago). Maybe things have changed....not sure.

I would expect Monday and Tuesday to be the least crowded days that week, but still expect there to be a lot of people. I've yet to meet a fun person who does not take advantage of doing a day at DL when they visit family close to the mouse house. The draw of DL is just to temping to resist Well... for me it is!

 

[Wendi2000]

I agree that Monday and Tuesday are going to be a little less busy. Last year this was the case anyway... It seemed to get busier each day up until Thanksgiving when they had the big signs out letting us know that the parks would likely hit capacity early. I don't remember if they did indeed hit capacity and closed to new entries or not that morning, I know it has happened before while I was there though.

 

[Disney Dadd]

...I've yet to meet a fun person who does not take advantage of doing a day at DL when they visit family close to the mouse house. The draw of DL is just to temping to resist Well... for me it is!

Me too Mom!!!!

Thank you all for your replies. I am sure we will stick with Monday/Tuesday then!

I'm super excited to see the Magic kingdom will be dressed up for Christmas starting November 16th, 2007. Than means it will be even MORE beautiful than normal. Yay!

 

[todzwife]

You'll have to let me know how it is. We are planning to go the same time next year

 

[Leofoenget]

Hello all,

My family and I are going to see some family in So Cal the week of Thanksgiving (11/18 - 11/24) and we are going to take a day to go to Disneyland.

I have two questions:

(1) How is attendance traditionally the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday BEFORE Thanksgiving?

(2) Which ONE day do you think would be the least busy (all things considered)?

Thanks for any responses!

I was there last year those days. Mon/Tues. It was pretty busy but not Packed. Just use your fast passes and you will be fine. I left Weds so can't speak to that day

 

[Vanvmom]

To be honest...I don't let the possibility of crowds scare me off. I just like to me mentally prepared for it (I tend to get a tad bit claustrophobic when I am shoulder to shoulder with tons of people for too long ). Basically the only day I would be scared away from is the day after Thanksgiving! The sight of the crowds in the esplanade on that day back in 2002 was enough to make me want to face the shopping mall crowds instead.

 

[KimD]

We were there Sunday, Monday & Tuesday before Thanksgiving last year. It was a lot busier than I thought it was going to be but we still had tons of fun. I just wasn't prepared for HOW busy it would be. Like others have said use fast pass, get there early and you'll be fine!

I remember it was HOT too! It was funny walking around listening to Christmas carols while sweating. Our Christmas picture was of us in shorts & tank tops gleaming by the tree in DCA. If I recall it was around 90 degrees out!

Have a great trip!!

 

[Disney Dadd]

You'll have to let me know how it is. We are planning to go the same time next year

Will do!

 

[Disney Dadd]

I was there last year those days. Mon/Tues. It was pretty busy but not Packed. Just use your fast passes and you will be fine. I left Weds so can't speak to that day

Yeah Leo,

We're pretty much Disney Vets. My mom grew up in Torrance, CA so I've been to Disneyland about a million times in my life. Now, as an adult, I've taken my kids to WDW and/or Disneyland every year of their life. We do, however, normally go in slow seasons because I hate the crowds.

I recognize this day trip is going to be busy. I was just wanting to get a feel for the crowd size. I am sure we will use the 'ole Fast Pass all day long!!

Thanks for your response, Leo!

 

[todzwife]

Are you going to try Ridemax? I think next year we'll go ahead and buy it. With 2 little ones, waiting in line longer than you have to means more meltdowns.

 

[Disney Dadd]

Basically the only day I would be scared away from is the day after Thanksgiving! The sight of the crowds in the esplanade on that day back in 2002 was enough to make me want to face the shopping mall crowds instead.

I wouldn't be caught dead there Thursday or Friday of Thanksgiving week. (Or for that matter - the week of Christmas either!!)

 

[Disney Dadd]

Are you going to try Ridemax? I think next year we'll go ahead and buy it. With 2 little ones, waiting in line longer than you have to means more meltdowns.

I had seen that Ridemax site last year when we went to see Grandpa (DL). However, like I was saying a second ago -- we normally go when it's really slow -- like a 3 out of 10 attnedance day -- so we haven't really ever needed that help before. Maybe this year I will utilize it.

I know when I went to WDW for the last 3 trips, we have used Tour guide mike. It does help even when crowds are low. Maybe I'll have to try Ridemax.

I'll let you know if we do!

 

[Disney Dadd]

We were there Sunday, Monday & Tuesday before Thanksgiving last year. It was a lot busier than I thought it was going to be but we still had tons of fun. I just wasn't prepared for HOW busy it would be. Like others have said use fast pass, get there early and you'll be fine!

I remember it was HOT too! It was funny walking around listening to Christmas carols while sweating. Our Christmas picture was of us in shorts & tank tops gleaming by the tree in DCA. If I recall it was around 90 degrees out!

Have a great trip!!

Hey miss Kim,

Thanks for the advice! We will make sure and utilize FP and we are ALWAYS there early!! Daddy is ready to go at 6am on Disneyland day!!

As far as the temp -- it's actually supposed to be rather nice/cool this next week. High 60's/low 70's. That's about where it's at here in Tulsa this week so it should be pretty nice. I would much rather it be in the 70's that 90's!!!

Take care!

 

[Disney Dadd]

You'll have to let me know how it is. We are planning to go the same time next year

Hey Todzwife,

I was thinking... If there is a way you could visit DL or WDW the weekend after Thanksgiving -- If you like to avoid the crowds that is -- that is really a great time to go!

I only say that to you because you are contemplating visiting the week OF Thanksgiving (if I read your quote right) and I know the week after Thanksgiving, historically anyways, is quiet as a tomb. We have gone to both WDW and DL multiple times just AFTER Thanksgiving and it is AWESOME. It is decorated for Christmas so it is beautiful and just after the Thanksgiving rush yet still BEFORE the Christmas rush (the crowds build each week until Christmas). Just food for thought IF you can adjust your vacation plans for a year from now...

 

[KimD]

I know the week after Thanksgiving, historically anyways, is quiet as a tomb. We have gone to both WDW and DL multiple times just AFTER Thanksgiving and it is AWESOME. QUOTE]

I am SO happy to hear you say that! My DH said that he didn't want to go again so soon if it's going to be busy like last year and then just doing WDW in April has made him a little apprehensive. It was the end of spring break for the most part but still pretty darn packed! We can work crowds just fine and know Friday will be busy...we'd just prefer to have at least one day where we don't have so many flattened toes!

 

[todzwife]

That definately is an option. My parents like to do knotts berry farm on thanksgiving day but I don't have my heart set on that LOL!