Epcot Day After Thanksgiving

[ECCMama812]

I am planning a mother/daughter trip with my 9 year old daughter in November. We fly in early Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, and fly out late on Monday evening. I can't decide if we should do Epcot on Friday and Animal Kingdom on Monday or flip those park days and do Animal Kingdom on Friday and Epcot on Monday. I get stressed about crowds, especially since it's just me with my daughter, so I'm worried that Epcot will be overwhelmingly crowded on Friday since it's also the first night of the Holidays Around the World celebration. How bad are the crowds that first Friday night? Any tips to zig where the crowds zag? I plan to get Genie+ and have thought about the dining package for the Candlelight Processional or a dining package for the nighttime show.

I initially thought Epcot on Friday since we fly in that day and the park is open later. It would also be nice to see the park decorated for Christmas at night. But then I was thinking if we do Animal Kingdom on Friday when we arrive, we'd have less time in the park, but she doesn't have as many must do rides on her list and we can spend some time exploring our hotel (AKL) after the park closes. I do want to have some down time at the hotel- maybe some pool time if the weather is warm enough. Is Animal Kingdom decorated in the evening for Christmas?

If we do Epcot on Monday, I think we would need to leave the park around 3pm (8:55pm flight). Is that enough time for Epcot? Her only must do at Epcot is Guardians and Test Track. I'd like to do Soaring and Remy. Anything else would be a bonus.

How bad are the crowds the first Friday evening for the Holidays celebration? Would you do Epcot on Friday or on Monday (weighing crowds vs amount of park time)?

 

[scrappinginontario]

One thing you’ll want to consider that people often forget to plan into their day is, if you ‘fly in early’ Friday morning, how well will you have slept the night before and what time will you wake up to catch your flight?

Personally, we would do AK on the Friday both for the earlier closing and also as Epcot will be extremely busy that day. Festival, Friday, holiday + additionally first day of events = extremely busy Epcot. AK will be busy too but probably less busy.

 

[CynBeth]

Could you do Epcot on either Saturday or Sunday? You will want a full day to experience some of the rides along with storytellers and the Candlelight Processional in the evening. If not pick Friday because you won’t be able to do that leaving on Monday.

 

[SnowWhitee]

I agree with @CynBeth. You need at least one day, preferably two, to soak in all the rides, storytellers, shows and CP during the holidays at Epcot. It will be crowded that Friday to Sunday because the locals will be there in addition to the out-of-towners. I suggest prioritizing what you want to do and go in knowing it will be busy. So much fun though!

 

[nw6675]

I agree with Scrappin'. I'd wait until Monday for Epcot. It will be a zoo on Friday. Pun intended lol.

 

[ECCMama812]

One thing you’ll want to consider that people often forget to plan into their day is, if you ‘fly in early’ Friday morning, how well will you have slept the night before and what time will you wake up to catch your flight?

Personally, we would do AK on the Friday both for the earlier closing and also as Epcot will be extremely busy that day. Festival, Friday, holiday + additionally first day of events = extremely busy Epcot. AK will be busy too but probably less busy.

We'll be up around 3am that day to head to the airport, so definitely something to think about! I'm leaning towards AK that day. I'm liking the idea of not feeling like we have to stay out late and can head to the resort to enjoy that for a bit that evening.

Could you do Epcot on either Saturday or Sunday? You will want a full day to experience some of the rides along with storytellers and the Candlelight Processional in the evening. If not pick Friday because you won’t be able to do that leaving on Monday.

We're aiming for MK on Saturday and HS on Sunday, but may switch those days depending on BBB. She has a lot of her must do list for HS, so I want a full day for that. And she wants to do BBB and CRT, so we're hoping to get those reservations for one of those days. I'm hoping they open the Candlelight Processional Dining soon- I think that would help with not feeling so overwhelmed by the crowds.

I agree with @CynBeth. You need at least one day, preferably two, to soak in all the rides, storytellers, shows and CP during the holidays at Epcot. It will be crowded that Friday to Sunday because the locals will be there in addition to the out-of-towners. I suggest prioritizing what you want to do and go in knowing it will be busy. So much fun though!

I'm a teacher, so limited to traveling over school breaks. I'm learning to adjust to crowds- we've gone once over Memorial Day weekend in 2018 and that wasn't as crowded as I expected. So hopefully if I go in expecting crazy crowds, it won't seem quite so overwhelming!

I agree with Scrappin'. I'd wait until Monday for Epcot. It will be a zoo on Friday. Pun intended lol.

I'm leaning towards AK on Friday and Epcot on Monday right now. I should my daughter some of the Epcot Christmas offerings and she's still more interested in just the rides. Our flight on Monday is at almost 9pm, so hopefully that will give us enough time in Epcot that day.