DL on Thanksgiving?

[WonkaKid]

So: I've been to DL many, many times. But I've never been on a major holiday. Last year I volunteered at a free vegan Thanksgiving day meal. It was OK but there were simply too many volunteers and not enough work to do. I don't go home to Chicago for T-day because it isn't that important to me. So this year I thought I'd spend the day at DL. Has anyone been there on the day in question? I suppose I'd like to know how busy/crazy it will get/be. Any experience, folks?

Incidentally, here's a pic of me in my Halloween costume. Any guesses? ;-).

 

[Darkbeer1]

Thanksgiving Day is amazing busy. Seems like too many people think the park will be quiet and think they are coming on a slow day.

But more and more families are not cooking the big meal at home, and doing other things. Disneyland does offer special meals at their Hotels and at DtD, as do nearby locations, like Anaheim GardenWalk.

While Disney was the first SoCal park to be open Thanksgiving day, Universal, Knott's and Six Flags has decided to open that day in the last few years due to high demand.

 

[Malcon10t]

We have done Thanksgiving about every other year for years. This year we will be there. Our plan? Get up after a good nights rest. Probably hit the park for a bit, dinner is 130p at the DLH Royal Feast, take an easy day around the park, perhaps see the parade or fireworks.

 

[DharmaLou]

We've been on Thanksgiving twice - 2012 and 2014 - and honestly it was nowhere near as bad as I expected it to be. It wasn't nearly as bad as our trip this past summer (late July), or on the CHOC walk date in 2013. I'd go Thanksgiving day again in a second.

 

[Imdboss]

We were there in 2013 and found the morning quite pleasant, even early afternoon wasn't that bad. It did get busier as the day went on but it wasn't nearly as bad as I was expecting. We found the entire week to be no worse than our Oct or summertime visits. I totally agree with DharmaLou!

 

[Darkbeer1]

Based on "Is It Packed" website while much of the week is "Forget about it", Thanksgiving says "Yup, it's packed".

http://www.isitpacked.com/disneyland-crowd-forecast-predictor-calendar/

 

[Becca1007]

I have been on Thanksgiving before and I think if you manage your expectations and depending on how you are traveling it can be a fun experience. I did Thanksgiving 2014 solo at Disney. As a solo traveler, I was able to ride most everything, saved everything with a single rider line for the afternoon; do the other attractions that are important to you in the early morning hours and you will have a great time.

If you are traveling with a group, make dining reservations now as that is the hardest thing to come by on holidays if you want a sit down meal.

 

[WonkaKid]

Thanks, everyone. Great info. I'll definitely be there. Look for me -- sans Wonka outfit ;-).

 

[Jedi Mouse]

We went last year for Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving day was busy, but not horrible. Friday afterwards was worse.

 

[mich311e]

We went last year for Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving day was busy, but not horrible. Friday afterwards was worse.

That is my experience as well. But we have only been in the parks on Thanksgiving day (2015) but we have been on Black Friday plenty of times. Ugh, it's bad. But Wednesday prior is bad too. Yep, just manage expectations - get there early, pull fast passes.

I'd do Thanksgiving day and the week again in a heartbeat!

 

[chickapin parterre]

There is no
Life I know
To compare with
Pure imagination
Living there
You´ll be free
If you truly
Wish to be

You are in luck, this year, 2016, starts the trend of this year and the next two, having Thanksgiving early, hence extra holiday days for folks who rush to Thanksgiving because of the short holiday, knowledgeable visitors now visit the week after and partake in the less crowded parks. The pressure off for the next three Thanksgiving the great days to visit.

 

[Malcon10t]

The issue with black friday - mom goes shopping, dad and kids go to the park....

 

[Aussie Princess]

We did our magic morning last year on thanksgiving it was so quiet we did all fantasyland rides in 25mins never had that done before left around lunchtime when it got busy then came back later before going to storytellers for dinner

 

[kristabelle13]

I arrived last year on Thanksgiving at 10am and chose DCA because there was no lineup to get in- it was a Zoo but did a number of rides right away. They did Magic Morning at DL on the Friday - that was great. And then the Saturday was SO GREAT. I managed to do every ride at DCA by about 11am and then went to DL for the rest of the day and it was lovely.

I'm going to be there again this year. My pass expires on the 26th, so need to squeeze every minute out of it.

 

[WonkaKid]

I'll be there at least Thursday and probably also Sunday as well .

 

[Malcon10t]

We usually come in Wed night. We love the Thanksgiving Feast. Last year we stayed home, and my daughter said NOOOO, too much work!