Crowd Levels during Thanksgiving Week

[Jme W]

So I understand that Thanksgiving is one of the busiest times of the year, but also that the week before that is one of the slowest... at least according to crowd calendars.

So - has anyone actually been to WDW the week of Thanksgiving? I'm more concerned with the days leading up to that Thursday - so the weekend before and a few days earlier in the week - Sat, Sun, Mon, Tue... how busy will it really be? When can I expect it to start getting crowded?

Again, I'd prefer real-life experiences, not just going based on the crowd calendars.

Thanks!

 

[Praying Colonel]

Our family went Thanksgiving week a few years ago--arrived the Sunday before Thanksgiving, left the Sunday after.* It was during the Swine Flu thing and we all caught it down there and brought it home with us, so in our family's lore it's known as "The Swine Flu Trip." We still had a great time.

We found the days leading up to Thanksgiving Day were busy but manageable--like an average summer day in terms of crowds. If you employ basic touring protocol (RD, have a plan, make strategic use of EMH, etc.) you'll be OK. We spent Tgiving Day and the Saturday after Tgiving at EP because it's generally the best at absorbing large crowds. We did FW in the morning, WS afternoon/evening and had a great time.






*--Driving back the Sunday after Thanksgiving? Huge mistake--what is usually a 13 hour drive was over 16. Big lesson learned for us.

 

[NJ Goofy]

We were there quite a few years ago the week before Thanksgiving. A large number of guest came in the Saturday before Thanksgiving and Sunday was very busy compared to the week before. I would guess that a lot of people take that whole week so Saturday to the Sunday after Thanksgiving is going to be busy.

 

[puffkin]

We were there Thanksgiving week 2014. Crowds were busy but manageable. I didn't think it was any worse than a normal July day, but the weather was much more tolerable. The only crazy crowds we saw the entire week were Thanksgiving morning at MK. That was partially our fault though since we missed rope drop. Went back at rope drop Black Friday and it was one of the least crowded mornings I have ever seen, and we go quite a bit. All in all, we thought it was a great time to go since we are limited to school holidays right now, except for the exorbitant airfare costs.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Thanks for posting this thread, OP! I'm wondering for next year.

 

[sharadoc]

Yes we were there last year and we're going back. We followed easywdw recommended days, did our Fastpasses the night before, went through extreme heat, storms, and freezing cold. We had a great time!! Like a PP noted, it's summer crowd level. We've been in February and it was just as busy.

We go yearly, so nothing is critical. We sat in Pecos Bills courtyard and saw the MSEP with about 20 other people, we didn't ride 7DMT, but we did everything we wanted to. Don't miss Jingle Cruise at night!!

 

[WhoDatDisney]

Spent last 3 TG's there arriving week before and staying thru Saturday after TG.

Crowds were very manageable in our experience until a day or 2 before TG at which time the parks got very busy. Spent last 2 TG days at HS and avoided MK. Weekend after TG was down right unbearable at MK in fact we left early because of the crowds.

Was pleasantly surprised at the lower crowds at MK and Epcot in the days leading up to TG.

Weather was awesome except for a little rain last year. Luckily it was on our day off from the parks

Will be there this year again, can't wait