Consensus on Thanksgiving at DL

[cindyland]

Super early planning, but thinking Thaksgiving 2019 for family trip to DL. Two young grandparents (who are paying majority of trip for early Christmas gift), two aunties (19 and 22), two parents (20-something's), and one adorable grandson (2 1/2 years old). Experienced DL visitors, but probably first trip for the grandson.

It looks like the holiday isn't too bad. Next best day is Friday? Then day before holiday, or Saturday? And hotel reservation? Love on-site, but thinking not too many on-site deals. Not to worried about traditional dinner.

Thoughts?

 

[WonkaKid]

I went yesterday (Thanksgiving). It was my third year in a row. Crowds are actually quite reasonable. It's definitely a good time to go.

One clarification: do you mean Thanksgiving 2018? 2019 seems a little far off .

 

[Lesley Wake]

Thanksgiving wasn’t too bad. At first I was very worried about crowds, but they actually seemed to decrease as the day went on! We made sure to make ample use of MaxPass and went on everything we wanted.

BUT, if you are thinking Thanksgiving 2019, it will be soon after Star Wars Land opens up. Honestly we don’t know what the crowds will be like, but I expect them to be crazy!

And in 2019, they will be in the thick of construction on the new hotel, so the DLH and PPH will not be very convenient! Even in 2018, they should be in the middle of demolition.

 

[mom2rtk]

All bets are off in 2019 after Star Wars Land opens. You'll have to wait for the "new normal" to be established.

 

[Nevada Jen]

Agree that crowds were reasonable. Not light. Felt like about a 6. Crowds did get lighter throughout the day. Yesterday was pretty busy. Still had a good time but that was day 3 for us. Not sure it would have been good for a first experience. Not any noticeable thanksgiving feeling. Christmas is in full swing. We had thanksgiving at storytellers. I guess the food was ok and I might be spoiled by living with cooks but I found the choices pretty limited. The turkey was probably the best I ever had!

 

[cindyland]

Yes, 2019, just before he turns 3. And I'm also concerned about Star Wars, hoping crowds are drawn to that area, and we can enjoy the rest of the park (not likely, but I can hope). Just amazed that this week isn't like crazy Christmas time (which is when we took our son the first time 20 years ago because we didn't know better!)

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

Just amazed that this week isn't like crazy Christmas time (which is when we took our son the first time 20 years ago because we didn't know better!)

Just to clarify, I think the few responses above were about Thanksgiving DAY - the week itself is pretty busy.

Hopefully some will chime in about today and tomorrow if your stay in 2019 will include the weekend. But again - Star Wars.........

 

[Sun_soakin]

Just to clarify, I think the few responses above were about Thanksgiving DAY - the week itself is pretty busy.

Hopefully some will chime in about today and tomorrow if your stay in 2019 will include the weekend. But again - Star Wars.........

Agree.... in years past we found the days around Tday to be crazy packed. However, lately the parks are packed all the time and Tday is relatively light. I don’t get it, but I’m seriously kicking myself for not going last wed and thurs (when our passes were unblocked)...somehow those were the lighter days.
OP, I think 2018 Tday will be okay, but 2019 will be crazy

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Agree that crowds were reasonable. Not light. Felt like about a 6. Crowds did get lighter throughout the day. Yesterday was pretty busy. Still had a good time but that was day 3 for us. Not sure it would have been good for a first experience. Not any noticeable thanksgiving feeling. Christmas is in full swing. We had thanksgiving at storytellers. I guess the food was ok and I might be spoiled by living with cooks but I found the choices pretty limited. The turkey was
probably the best I ever had!

We are at Storytellers too and I thought last year was so much better than this years. I was disappointed with the offerings this year, although agree with you on the turkey. Our service and character interaction was impeccable though.

I also agree with the crowds. Thanksgiving Day was wonderful. Yesterday was quiet for most of the morning and picked up around lunch. The Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving were horrible crowd wise - the worst I think it’s ever been in our 6 years of going this week. I think the heat made it worse though - it was way too hot and because it stayed warm most of the night, it didn’t clear out the crowds after the sun went down like it usually does.

 

[chickapin parterre]

The concept to remember about Thanksgiving.....is that some folks say that they don't celebrate Christmas until after thanksgiving....so in 2017 and 2018, there are extra days to celebrate Christmas after Thanksgiving. but in 2019, Thanksgiving is very late, taking away that extra week, those 5 days, which make all the difference for a lighter Thanksgiving not happening in 2019.

 

[ishbit92]

I was just there November 18-23. I was sort of expecting extreme crowds, but it didn't seem bad. I've found that heavy crowds in Disneyland don't bother me as long as I do these things:

• Take advantage of fastpass/maxpass system. Now that maxpass is a thing, I recommend it over plain fastpass. It saves walking and time.
• Go to rope drop in the morning. Take advantage of Magic Morning if you have the 3 day+ parkhopper or Early Magic Hour is you are staying on property. It doesn't matter if you're not a morning person--I am definitely not a morning person, but force myself to wake up every trip, because there are less crowds early and it's easier to ride rides.
• Take a mid-day break sometime between noon-4. Usually crowds are worst at this time and if it's hot it is hottest at this time. Take a break at the hotel to escape heat and crowds.

I think Thanksgiving is a great time to go and I would love to go again someday! Though I agree with what people are saying about Star Wars Land in 2019...I think that will really change crowd levels.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I'm bumping up this thread instead of creating my own thread, but I'm assuming many of the Disneyland Resort restaurants will offer some type of Thanksgiving meal but my question is which are the best places to go for a Thanksgiving meal. And where could I find menus of specifically Thanksgiving Day meals, even if it is last years. I've done Thanksgiving at WDW but not Disneyland so I'm unsure where some of the good places would be to go for our Turkey day meal! Thanks!

 

[gottalovepluto]

I'm bumping up this thread instead of creating my own thread, but I'm assuming many of the Disneyland Resort restaurants will offer some type of Thanksgiving meal but my question is which are the best places to go for a Thanksgiving meal. And where could I find menus of specifically Thanksgiving Day meals, even if it is last years. I've done Thanksgiving at WDW but not Disneyland so I'm unsure where some of the good places would be to go for our Turkey day meal! Thanks!

Just start a new thread You’ll get better info if the title says exactly what you want “best Thanksgiving food at DLR?”

 

[Malcon10t]

my question is which are the best places to go for a Thanksgiving meal.

There are SO many variables to this question. Biggest one being how much are you willing to spend. The Thanksgiving Feast at the DLH ballroom is probably the best, but also the most expensive.

Steakhouse 55, Goofy's, Napa Rose, Storytellers all have Thanksgiving meals. In the parks, Carthay, Cafe Orleans, Carnation Cafe, River Belle, French Market, and I think Plaza Inn offer meals also.

 

[calilou]

There are SO many variables to this question. Biggest one being how much are you willing to spend. The Thanksgiving Feast at the DLH ballroom is probably the best, but also the most expensive.

Steakhouse 55, Goofy's, Napa Rose, Storytellers all have Thanksgiving meals. In the parks, Carthay, Cafe Orleans, Carnation Cafe, River Belle, French Market, and I think Plaza Inn offer meals also.

I’d like info on this too as we’re toying with Thanksgiving at DLR this year. Can you please tell me more about the Thanksgiving meals at the DLH Ballroom, Steakhouse 55 and Napa Rose? I’m not concerned with price, but would love to know more about what they serve, buffet vs. table service, etc. TIA!

 

[Malcon10t]

DLH Ballrooom is a buffet. They have carving stations, dessert stations, salad stations, shrimp, crab, potatoes, stuffing, characters, and more.

Some of the desserts (we bring our own pumpkin pie for later in the room)

Steakhouse 55 and Napa Rose both have Prix Fixe menus for the day. Both have looked very good.

 

[disneydreamer74]

We went during Thanksgiving break 2017 and I thought T day was busiest. The CM's were commenting to us that they were expecting the crowds on Thursday, not Friday. Friday seemed much more manageable for us. However, with Maxpass we were not deterred and had a wonderful time. We were able to do everything we wanted. For our Thanksgiving meal we chose to eat at Plaza Inn. There was a long wait, but I was shocked at how good the meal was. Traditional turkey and stuffing meal! My daughter does not eat turkey, so she was able to order her fave fried chicken. Every one was happy! Enjoy your trip!