Disney at Thanksgiving or 1st week of December?

[Dimk]

Can anyone tell me what the parks are like the week of Thanksgiving? Are they more crowded than June or July? What about the 1st week in December? Do the parks close early? Do they still have the night-time parades and shows? Thanks

 

[bleeps]

Can anyone tell me what the parks are like the week of Thanksgiving? Are they more crowded than June or July? What about the 1st week in December? Do the parks close early? Do they still have the night-time parades and shows? Thanks

You can still see the full November and December 2004 calendars at disney.com, and those have all the fireworks, parades, and park hours posted; these are a great planning tool to have at your fingertips. The trick is to go to "calendar" and go to the current month, then keep hitting the back arrows (at the top of the calendar) until you get to the past months that you need (you won't find the months listed in the drop-down menu).

 

[JiminyCrickett]

We think December is the best time to go, we normally go the second week. With the celebration of Christmas, it just makes it that more magical.

 

[ms4getful]

Me and my family ALWAYS go to Disney during Thanksgiving. It's pretty crowded so I would suggest going during the first week of December.

 

[Okiemom]

It is crowded at Thanksgiving when we went, so if you have a choice I would pick 1st part of December. I think it would be much better as far as crowds go.

 

[Bobsdisneymoney]

HI!!
Thanksgiving is a very nice time to go. It is crowded though. We were there the week before Thanksgivng day, and left that day. AND...it was 73-80 every day. We are planning to go again. This year we will go the week before Thanksgiving to avoid the crowds. The weekend at Magic Kingdom was realllly packed! It is nice to see the transformation of the parks as they decorate for Christmas. If I were you I would go the week before, or the 1st week of December, if you are wanting to avoid the crowd.

 

[Destination Disney]

I went this year the week of Thanksgiving and then the first weekend in Dec. (O.K., I'm a Fl. resident living 1.5 hours from the magic) Thanksgiving week is manageable early in the week, that is when we were there, but come the weekend FORGET IT! The first week of Dec. is ideal, we do this every year. Crowds are low, AP codes apply, and an added bonus you can watch them film the Christmas Parade! (Usually done the first weekend in Dec.) Neat!

Oh, and in case you didn't know they filmed it in advance, sorry to spoil the magic! But you should check it out!

 

[kupperman]

The first week in December is wonderful! Beautiful weather, low crowds and Christmas decorations. Love it!

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

sorry posted it twice

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

The week after Thanksgiving is the best time of the year to visit WDW, in terms of crowd levels. Thanksgiving weekend will probally be crowded. We went once and arrived on Thanksgiving day in the afternoon, checked into the All Star Music, rested a bit and we had booked Thanksgiving Dinner at Ohana at the Polynesian a few months a head of time. The food was a great Thanksgiving dinner, family style and best of all being Thanksgiving, all-you-can-eat! After Dinner we went out side at the Polynesian and could see the fireworks from the Magic Kingdom, it was a great Thanksgiving and an excellent start of our vacation.

 

[Disney Mama]

My family & I went to WDW the Sunday Following Thanksgiving, just as most of the holiday crowd was leaving! We stayed until the following Sunday & it felt like we had the parks to ourselves! We actually got onto Space Mt., rode, got on again, no lines!! This happened for many of the rides. It was very cool in the evenings, jacket,gloves, etc. But we did have days that reached 80, & went to the waterparks. The decorations for Christmas were awesome...a site to behold. Would go back at that time of year in a heartbeat!

 

[pixiemomma]

Another vote for the first week and December. We've gone the first week in December and the week before Thanksgiving (we left the day before Thanksgiving) and both times the crowds were light and weather pleasant.Have fun!

 

[mickey58729]

Another vote for the first or second week of December. We went from the 3-11th last year and loved it. We are planning our trip this year for Dec 2-10th. The weather was great and the parks were not very crowded. I think their was only one day that the MK was packed. Plus going down in Dec you have the chance to attend MVMCP. Have a great trip!!!!

 

[ImMarcik]

You can still see the full November and December 2004 calendars at disney.com, and those have all the fireworks, parades, and park hours posted; these are a great planning tool to have at your fingertips. The trick is to go to "calendar" and go to the current month, then keep hitting the back arrows (at the top of the calendar) until you get to the past months that you need (you won't find the months listed in the drop-down menu).

Oh WOW! Thank you for that tip. I am going this year the weekend before Thanksgiving, I will be getting on the cruise the day before Thanksgiving so I am hoping to just miss the crowds. But, I couldn't remember the park hours from when I checked last November, about the time I was planning my trip. I am going there now.

 

[WDWorBUST]

It may or or may not make a difference to you - but I believe (not positive) that Pop Warner week will be the 3rd - 11th this year. If you are staying at one of the moderates of deluxe resorts you probably won't notice them. However if you stay at the All-Stars or POP you will at the resort at least. The food court was nuts with all the kids....and it was disturbing. Manageable - but not ideal. We went knowing it last year - but were disappointed in the kids and even more the adults behavior at the resorts. However - we were getting AP's and to get two early December trips in on one AP you are going to hit Pop Warner week. In the future we will save a little harder and stay deluxe that week though and value the other. Especially while Sammi is little. Anyway....it's something to consider.