???For those just back from Thanksgiving weekend

[susy]

Just a few ???


Which parks had early entry which day?
How early did the parks open?
Any other Christmas activites other than the lights at MGM?
Where did you eat T-day dinner?
Where did you stay and how was it?

How did you manage the crowds?
How was the weather?

Any other info appreciated!! Also, if you can post if you got a discount and when you were able to get it.

We are planning for next year-staying at POR....

 

[Rosemarybeads]

We stayed at POR and we LOVED it!

 

[poohlover]

I am also just back after spending last week at the World!

We were there 2 yrs ago also & I think it was MUCH more crowded earlier than 2 yrs ago!

WE spent a VERY crowded Sunday in MK...which was early entry...it opened at 8 am. Many other people also commented on the crowds. But with the use of fast pass we were able to all we wanted to do.

Mon was EE for AK & we once again went with the crowds. After this we tried doing the NON early entry park...this worked MUCH better for the first 2 hours or so. By noon pretty much all parks were crowded.

WE spent a lot of time in epcot, which my kids loved. We had Thanksgiving dinner at Garden Grill...for a 6 pm PS we waited 1 HOUR. I thought that was an extensive wait. But it was empty that night.

Overall we had LOTS of fun, I would advise anyone to try the non early entry park...we had ALWAYS done the early entry park & then park hopped to another after 1pm or so...but this worked MUCH better for us & we could actually sleep till 7 am!!

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Which parks had early entry which day?

The EE didn't change, so the normal schedule was still in effect:
Su - MK
Mo - DAK
Tu - D-MGM
We - Epcot
Th - MK
Fr - DAK
Sa - D-MGM

How early did the parks open?

9am on normal days, 8am for each park's respective EE day for Resort guests. Turnstyles may open slightly before 9, but attraction areas will be roped off until 9.

Any other Christmas activites other than the lights at MGM?

Christmas decorations are up all around WDW, including parks and resorts.

Where did you eat T-day dinner?
Where did you stay and how was it?

N/A, not a tourist

How did you manage the crowds?

Pretty much stayed away from the parks except when I was working.

How was the weather?

Got a little bit chilly at night, but it wasn't too bad. There were a few light rain sprinkles, and on the 27th, there was some pretty heavy rain in the evening, but overall, not bad.

 

[Ecdubfan]

We were at WDW from the 22nd until the 27th. We stayed off property at the Vacation Villas at Parkway...in a nice 2 bedroom suite. We spent Mon, Weds, and Friday in parks.

Monday, we were at MGm at line drop. Crowds weren't too bad and we got on everything we anted. We headed to Epcot later in the day. Epcot was a bit busier but still manageable. We finished the day in a very busy MK for Wishes.

Wednesday, we started at MK at the opening ceremony. We went against the crowd hitting Splash and Big Thunder first. We met the crownds as we wound towards Tomorrowland. The place definitely was busy. With fast passes and a couple of fortunate breaks, we were able to accomplish everything. We headed to MGM to see the 2nd Fantasmic showing. Of course, it rained pretty well.

Friday was a bit maddening. We started at AK and it was quite busy. That park does not absorb crowds well, in my opinion. We then floated park to park to hit our Faves before calling it a week. Every park was busy and every ride had long waits.

The Christmas decorations were phenomenal. Disney definitely goes full force with decorating their parks. It seemed as the week progressed, more and more stuff went up.

This will likely be my first and last holiday trip. While I enjoyed the scenery, I did not enjoy the crowds. I've gotten spoiled by traveling in traditionally slower times. In the future, I'll wait a week and skip the holiday travel.

 

[lovethattink]

We spent Thanksgiving at home. So we were at WDW only on Fri night, Sat and Sun. We checked in on Fri late afternoon at PORS, ate supper, then headed to the Contemporary for pin trading. Saturday we had planned to go the parks, but ds had so much fun at the resort we didn't go anywhere 'til Sat night. So we just swam and fished at the resort. The theme pool was barely tolerable. We only stayed in about a half an hour. Then we stopped at the quiet pool near our room. That pool was so warm!!! Other people in the quiet pool were from POFQ. They said that pool was too cold, so they came to a quiet pool at PORS. Sunday we went to Epcot. Crowds weren't bad at all. They have really beautiful Christmas decorations. Also, have Christmas storytellers. A tree lighting ceremony was at 6pm with lots of music and the characters.
As for a turkey dinner...The All Star resort's Cafeteria has turkey at dinner time. It is always very tasty!