First Trip to WDW at Thanksgiving

[KMomof5]

Hey There, We're taking our 5 children (DS14, DS12, DS6, DD2, and DD8months) to Orlando and WDW for the first time. (I was there in 1981 with my highschool band) Wondering what crowds will be like the week of Thanksgiving and also what will the weather be? Planning to go to one park for Thanksgiving day as well. Also, how do we do PS which I heard about in Disney Tips? Thanks so much

 

[crcormier]

Hi there. I have no first-hand experience with the Thanksgiving week crowds at WDW, but from everything I've read and heard from others, it is one of their busiest times, second only to Christmas-New Years week and Easter.

Weather averages pretty moderate in November, days should be in the 70's and evenings in the 50's, so everyone should have a jacket or sweatshirt for the evenings or an unexpectedly cool day. Official averages are Average High: 78 (°F) 26 (C) Average Low: 57 (°F) 14 (C) Average Rainfall: 1.8 (in) 4.6 (cm).

PS should be made as soon as you can, since it is so busy that time of year and can be made by calling (407) WDW-DINE (939-3463) for any restaurant.

Have a great time!

 

[zman]

We went the Friday before Thanksgiving to the Friday after in 1998. The crowds were very manageable but the closer to Thanksgiving Day, the more crowded However, it wasn’t really noticeable until Turkey Day. We went to EE at MK that day and booked out of there just before noon as it was getting quite crowded and I’m sure major gridlock by mid-afternoon. We headed to DD for lunch, back to CBR for a swim and rest and to MGM for dinner…the crowds at MGM were very light.

Weather that year was fairly hot. Mid to upper 80’s during the day and I would guess upper 60s to lower 70s in the evening. We never wore long pants...shorts only. The kids and mom wore a sweatshirt one evening after E-Ticket.

You can go to www.accuweather.com for last year’s weather and the norms (put in Orlando, FL for the location and then click on Averages and Records when it brings up the 15-Day forecast).

Hope this helps.

Paul

 

[2tinksmom]

We went the Friday before Thanksgiving to the Friday after last year...hardly any crowds at all!! Our daily wardrobe went something like this...am-sweatshirt over a t-shirt and shorts midday-lose the sweatshirt pm-add the sweatshirt and a pair of jeans. Don't forget a lightweight raincoat with a hood just in case. We also grabbed some Mickey Santa hats one night that was especially cool. Have fun!!

 

[kalidk]

I am going for Thanksgiving this year also....DS14 and DS15
I will be there the 22nd through the 29th..
This is my 3rd time during Thanksgiving. my advice: avoid MK on the friday after...
I think we are going to park hop on that day or go to epcot. Its a great time to go. We are staying at CBR.

Have Fun and Enjoy....Its the greatest place to be!!

 

[meiandrew]

We go every year for Thanksgiving and stay 10 days. Our fave time of the year to go by far !!! Holiday decorations, weather is perfect !! During the day, we usually find temps in the 70's. Once the sun goes down, you will probably need sweatshirts.

Crowds are pretty big Thanksgiving weekend, but nothing like summer crowds, IMO. The Monday following Thanksgiving weekend, the crowds drop considerably. Great for the parks !!

Enjoy !!!

Andrew

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

We went from Saturday before through Saturday after in 1999, during the Millennium Celebration and did not mind the crowds, other than Thanksgiving evening at MK.

The weather was perfect - mid 70's - wore shorts and sleeveless shirts by day, pants and a jacket for evening touring. It was warm enough to swim at the resort (the water is heated) but we didn't go to a water park.

PS for Thanksgiving day - I couldn't secure a PS before arriving so we changed our plan to do the LTT character dinner on Wednesday at 4pm, the first seating. The restaurant was quiet, only one other family in our section of the dining room.

 

[Gabrielle]

We went the T-giving week in '97. Crowds up until Wednesday were non-existent - then, all he** broke loose on Wednesday- unbelievable crowds.

Our T-day dinner was pizza and cokes on a bench along the Sassagoula River. It was the most relaxed T-day we ever had.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Just wanted to say that you and your family are making memories for a lifetime. Enjoy the Magic!!!!!!

PS Guide

 

[susy]

Getting to the parks EARLY (one hour before opening), taking a mid-day break after lunch and returning to a park in the evening is crucial. You need the down time! Avoid MK during the actual weekend (Thurs, Fri, Sat) and you should be fine. Check accuweather before yuor trip adn make those PS's. Try to get a character meal. They are fun, but careful with your two year old. See how they respond to characters when you get there before you spend a ton of money on a meal.

 

[Maridw]

We are going from Wed 11/26 to Wed 12/3 and staying at the Coronado Springs. We have been there on the day after Thanksgiving the last couple of years and didn't find the crowds too bad at all. We have always made a point of going to the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party while we were there.

You will really enjoy it this time of year as all the Christmas decorations are up. It makes WDW especially magical.

You definitely need to make any PS's now if you want to go to a particular restaurant.

Have a great time.

 

[jiminyfan]

I agree the crowds Thursday, Friday and Saturday are fairly heavy, but staying out of MK will help these days.

WE are coming home this year on T-giving, so I am not expecting too bad of crowds.

Go and have fun it is a great time just to enjoy the decorations in the parks and resorts if the attractions are too full.


\\

 

[SeanaB]

We are going 23-26, what do you think the crowds will be like then? Also any adivce on which park to go to on which day would be helpful. I haven't been in 20 years and I can't wait. My kids even want me to shut up because I can't stop talking about the trip.

 

[tink2]

SeanaB- I've been twice during this time- in 1999 and 2001. Your dates are Sunday- Wednesday- right? I don't think the crowds will be bad at all. The two times we've been, Monday - Wednesday have been great!!! Hardly any crowds. The crowds are heavy Thursday and Friday. I can't help with your first day- that is the day we arrive and we don't do a park. Just remember to get to the parks early and use FastPass- you'll be fine. I've been getting a little nervous after reading all the recent crowd reports and how many people are going over Thanksgiving- but that's OK- we'll have a great time! Hopefully it won't be too bad!

Our dates are 23- 29 at AKL, so see you there! Can't wait!!!

 

[MikeD]

Your girls are a cute age for Crystal Palace at the Magic Kingdom. Get a PS for lunch and bring a camera. You have your hands full with the five - take your time and enjoy. Get to the parks early and maybe swim mid-afternooon.

 

[Dopey'swife]

We'll be arriving on the 21st and leaving Thanksgiving Eve. Keeping our fingers crossed that the crowds are not too bad!

Hope to see you there!

 

[Chess]

We're arriving on the 19 late and departing T-day late. We are hoping that crowds aren't too bad. Hopefully we will get most things done before any real crowds arrive on that Weds.

 

[dtuleya]

We stayed at the WL last Thanksgiving from the Friday before to the Friday after. The crowds weren't bad, but we made sure to get all our "must sees" done by Tuesday. We headed to Disney Quest on Thursday and it was not crowded at all. We then hung out by the pool the rest of the day and enjoyed our last day at the Lodge.

The weather was great. Shorts everyday with sweatshirts on in the morning. There was only one morning the we were freezing in our shorts in the morning, but it turned out to be the only day it was like that. Most of the time it warmed up by lunchtime and was beautiful in the afternoon. The kids swam every day.

I hope you have a great time!

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I agree that this is one of the best times to go to WDW... the decorations are beautiful, weather is comfortable.. jeans and a sweatshirt type of weather at night and during the day, maybe some shorts and a tee, but that kind of weather is fine for our family as we do not like the humid heat.


We always go the day after Thanksgiving, and usually stay for a week... we just love that time there.. not so crowded and just truly puts you in the mood for the holidays coming..

Hope you enjoy it as much as we do..

 

[TheShellys]

We are making the trek from Wisconsin on Turkey Day. I'm leaning towards not doing the "traditional" meal thing and just play it by ear. Haven't decided whether to even hit one of the parks that day or just relax and get psyched for the day after T-Day.

Any suggestions on a good place to eat for Thanksgiving? We are staying at the Dolphin.

thanks

Dave