Be honest - how bad is the weekend before Thanksgiving

[dawnmommy]

My family is begging me to add 3 days/nights at Disney during our Orlando trip. We land around noon on Saturday November 23rd, and we'd move to our next location the night of Tuesday November 26th. We'd stay at either the Hilton Bonnet Creek or the Waldorf, and both do include the 60 day Fastpass+ window, and EMH. I want to ensure I book in time to take advantage of that 60 day window. I can see the crowd calendars but I'm hoping for some actual feedback too. I'm a bit worried it will just be so miserable that we should skip, and wait a few months. Our teens really can't be pulled out of school any more, and with their musicals, we typically only travel Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Spring break - so all very busy times. Thank you!

 

[kimberwee]

We will be there at the same time and have been wondering the same thing. I think most people have said it will be busy, but if you have a plan and realistic expectation, it should be manageable.

 

[Alesia]

It won't be that bad. As far as holidays go, thanksgiving is one of the least busy ones. The weekend before should be fine. It's definitely nowhere near Christmas or Easter

 

[Klayfish]

We were there starting the weekend before in 2017. It's busy, but not horrible. It gets busier the closer you get to Thanksgiving. Wed-Sun of Thanksgiving week are very crowded, but the days before aren't too bad. You'll only be miserable if you let yourself be. Yeah, it's going to be busier than an average June day, but have some holiday spirit, a bit of patience and you'll have a blast!

Oh, and don't bother looking at the crowd calendars. Total waste.

 

[SaintsManiac]

It's busy, but the atmosphere cannot be beat! Can't wait to get back this Thanksgiving.

 

[SarahC97]

Yeah, it's busy -- but Disney is always busy. I think the only real difference is how long the lines for rides are. You'll be fine! Plan well and have fun!

 

[Timothy02359]

Go with the expectation of it being packed. That way If it isn`t, that`s a bonus

 

[thor369]

My family is begging me to add 3 days/nights at Disney during our Orlando trip. We land around noon on Saturday November 23rd, and we'd move to our next location the night of Tuesday November 26th. We'd stay at either the Hilton Bonnet Creek or the Waldorf, and both do include the 60 day Fastpass+ window, and EMH. I want to ensure I book in time to take advantage of that 60 day window. I can see the crowd calendars but I'm hoping for some actual feedback too. I'm a bit worried it will just be so miserable that we should skip, and wait a few months. Our teens really can't be pulled out of school any more, and with their musicals, we typically only travel Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Spring break - so all very busy times. Thank you!

I have a thread going on this topic. I also booked for nov 23rd and then got recommendation to move it up if I could and others said go with a plan.

I was able to move the dates up by a few days. I could still change it back. I was there was a definite way to gauge the crowd size. For us it’s out first time so I have no clue.

 

[lahobbs4]

We've enjoyed that week many times! So much, that we even went during the week OF Thanksgiving this past year. Yes it can get pretty busy (esp in the more compact and easily congested areas such as Fantasyland). But the weather is great, the holiday decorations are beautiful, and as long as you go with the expectation of not doing EVERYTHING it's a perfect time to go.

Just be sure to get the FP for your must-do attractions.

Enjoy!

 

[cgattis]

Ditto to what @Klayfish and @SaintsManiac said. Weekend before wasn’t bad at all. Weather was spectacular. That may me “our” new week...shhh!! Don’t tell anybody!

 

[pooh2001]

We go the week before Thanksgiving - per other websites - low attendance except busy on weekends
So EPCOT on weekends - or early MK then EPCOT on weekends

 

[Elle23]

This year may be busier than others because they extended Epcot F&W through 11/23.

 

[nkereina]

Have you already confirmed availability at those resorts? I'd just be concerned that one or more of the dates you want to extend may not be available, due to F&W, Galaxy's Edge, and the holiday week. It seems late to be booking, and I know I just had trouble finding value/moderate availability in October.

But if there is availability and that's a non-issue, I would probably do it. Adding more time helps you to tolerate any crowds better because you have more time to work with. The weather is also great that time of year!

 

[Mickey's Best Girl]

It’s too busy for us.

We stayed until the Saturday on our last trip for the first time.
Never again. We’ll be flying out on the Friday from now on.

As you can see from the previous posts we’re in the minority but we simply can’t handle that level of crowded.

 

[OhDannyBoy]

There is never a time Disney is not busy. If I'm wrong, please let me know as I'd love to go that day.

It won't be the busi-EST of the year, but it will be busy and crowded.

It'll be great weather with moderate temperatures and low chances of rain.

Enjoy your day!!

 

[Moushe]

We usually go the week of Thanskgiving and love it. Its crowded but definitely doable. We make sure to book onsite so we can get FP at the 60 window. Once there we rope drop and use FP in the early afternoon.

Its our favorite time of the year to go. Christmas decorations are already up and the weather is nice.

 

[stinkpickle]

We've been there the weekend before Thanksgiving for several years. Friday is good. Saturday is busier, and that seems to be the day people start arriving at the resorts. Sunday is when they all head to the parks, and that's when we've seen the biggest jump in crowds. It's still not Spring Break/Christmas busy, though.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

We are going over thanksgiving week this year. Typically, Wednesday through Saturday will be crowded. It is not terrible. We usually go over Christmas, but have been over thanksgiving about 4 times and I prefer thanksgiving week. The thing to think of about thanksgiving week is that there will be no MVMCP so MK will be open late unlike the weeks before and after. That will help spread out the crowds in the evening.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

We went during Thanksgiving week last year. As others have said, it was definitely crowded, but not unmanageable. It really helped to have our Fastpasses booked 60 days in advance. Slinky Dog Dash was the newest ride and we saw wait times over two hours! FOP also had long stand-by waits. We had several ADRs booked, including Thanksgiving lunch at Yak and Yeti, and a Candlelight Processional breakfast package. Having so many things preplanned really helped us navigate the crowds. I would not hesitate to go again during Thanksgiving week!