Crowds surrounding Thanksgiving

[MrsMud]

I am starting to plan our next trip (first time to US/IOA), and need to pick a time. Of course I am like everyone else with young kids: I don't want them to miss too much school, don't want too big crowds, and don't want it too hot.
So, I am looking at the week before and including, or including and after Thanksgiving. I think the weather should be good for us, and my kids will miss fewer days, but what about the crowds??? I know the weekend will be packed, how about the week leading up to Turkey Day? Is it manageable with FOTL? Also, are the Christmas decorations up, or not until after TG? Thanks for any input.

 

[Motherfletcher]

We went Thanksgiving weekend and the crowds weren't unbearable. It wasn't hot at all but could be in the 80s. I think the week after Thanksgiving historically has less attendance. I think quite a few people go the week of so their kids will only miss 3 days and they get a week. Plan to stay on-site and all your standing in line worries can be thrown out the window.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

With FOTL you have nothing to worry about, but crowds won't be too bad anyway.

 

[ktglads]

We were there the Wednesday through Friday after Thanksgiving (12/3-5) and the parks were NOT crowded at all. Hulk and Spiderman with 5 minute waits - I think it took me longer to walk through the empty queues than it did to wait for the next car. Shrek was maybe a 15 minute wait, but we used our FOTL for that one

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

I was there on Thanksgiving Day. It wasn't as empty as I thought it would be (I figured everyone would be with family eating dinner...lol), but it wasn't overly crowded either...quite pleasant actually! I love going to the parks on the holidays.

Most Christmas decorations are up by Thanksgiving. I even saw some during my birthday trip...November 11 (over at Seuss Landing in IOA. Don't think any was up in US yet though).

 

[ColoradoBuffaloMom]

This past Thanksgiving we were there from the Saturday prior to Thanksgiving and till Thaksgiving Day. The crowds were not bad at all. I did notice it getting more crowded the closer we got to Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving Day was the most crowded of all but the lines weren't bad at all the entire time. We had FOTL so hardly had to wait for anything. Like a previous poster said, I think we spent more time walking thru the maze to get to the actual ride than actually waiting in line.

It was a great time to go. Weather was perfect. WE were in shorts the entire time and enjoyed hanging out at the HRH pool.

Elise