Going after Thanksgiving

[K&R'smom]

Hi everyone, I'm new at this so bear with me. I'm planning trip November 27th-December 4, 2004. Has anyone gone at this time of year? We're hoping it won't be that crowded. Whenever we've gone, we've stayed offsite. Hoping to stay onsite this time. I'm applying for the Disney Visa card but not sure when any discount codes will come out for this time frame. I won't qualify for the 7-for-4 as that supposedly ends July 4. I have 2 girls 6 & 9 and we are going with another couple who has kids 9 & 12. I'm thinking the CBR or CS........does anyone have a preference?
Thanks so much!

 

[got2lovedisney]

I've gone a few times over the Thanksgiving holiday...weather is nice and cool, crowds are not too bad. Plus, the holiday decorations are up so it's really beautiful!

I haven't stayed at either resort so I can't chime in there.

 

[kc26]

Hello,
We are actually going the same time as you are. This will be my first time right after Thanksgiving as well. We normally go during the first week of Nov. but decided to try a different time. From reading these boards I get the feeling that the weekend will probably be a crowded but by Sun. the Thanksgiving crowds start to leave for home. Last Nov. we stayed at the CBR and loved it. We stayed in Jamaica which is a 5 minute walk to Port Royale. I would def. recommend staying at the resort. The resort is beautiful. Have fun. Kerry

 

[K&R'smom]

Originally posted by kc26
Hello,
We are actually going the same time as you are. This will be my first time right after Thanksgiving as well. We normally go during the first week of Nov. but decided to try a different time. From reading these boards I get the feeling that the weekend will probably be a crowded but by Sun. the Thanksgiving crowds start to leave for home. Last Nov. we stayed at the CBR and loved it. We stayed in Jamaica which is a 5 minute walk to Port Royale. I would def. recommend staying at the resort. The resort is beautiful. Have fun. Kerry

Thanks! I've always wanted to stay at CBR so am hoping to get in there. I'm hoping it isn't too cool so the kids can't swim. They'd be heartbroken. Do you know of any discounts for this timeframe in November-December?

Thanks again!

 

[Lisa BC]

Hi!

We are arriving at WDW on Nov 29 and staying through Dec 6. This will be our first on-sits stay at Disney too. We specifically picked these dates because we wanted to see the Christmas decorations and it is the typically lowest attendance period of the year.

We have decided to stay at the Swan & Dolphin resort because we are eligible for teacher / nurse / govt worker rates that they offer. We wanted to be close to the resorts, because they have shortened hours between Christmas & New Years, and the Swan has a wonderful mattress called a "Heavenly Bed". We've stayed at other Westin / Sherton properties and these beds are the absolute best!

But, I think you'll have a great time no matter where you stay.

The weather can be tricky this time of year, my folks live in central Florida and this time of year can be 60 or 85 during the day in 45-65 at night. So you may get some good pool days but you may not. The only downside to Disney resorts is that there's no indoor pool anywhere.

Happy planning!

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

You are picking a great time of year to visit. We have been to WDW the last 2 years during that time and are going again this year.

As far as discounts, it will be a wait and see. As it gets closer to your vacation, you will want to hit something because the waiting is just so hard. Don't loose faith. Discount codes usually come out. Just keep checking these boards.

HAVE FUN!!!

 

[Jestocost]

We arrived late morning on Thanksgiving Day (coming off a four-day DCL cruise) this past year and I can report the following experiences:

1) Epcot was a madhouse on Thanksgiving Day and arriving late didn't help. TT FastPasses were gone for the day by 11:30 a.m. and posted standby times were 90 minutes+ (although actual waits were closer to 60 minutes). Walking through Mexico to get out to World Showcase was virtually impossible at times. We heard from other guests that MK was worse. Great weather (80 and sunny) likely contributed to the crowds as it brings out more FL residents.

2) MK was OK in some areas on Friday--10-15 minute standbys first thing in the morning for SPM and TMR, no wait for or HM--but by the afternoon things were a bit more dicey in Tomorrowland especially. Still, using FastPasses we were able to do SM (twice), BL, Philharmagic and lots more. Weather was great again.

3) Saturday, the weather turned much colder (60ish and windy). We did EMH at MGM and had a short (15-20 minute) standby wait at RNR. DW got FP for ToT, so we went there from RNR. ToT was having technical problems and only one set of cars was operating, so the standby line was crawling and even the FP line took awhile. That also makes the morning crowds tougher to judge, since the ToT problems affected lines at other rides too. Did an FP for IJ, walked right into MuppetVision and StarTours. We had lunch PSs at 50s Prime Time and it was crowded. They weren't taking any walk-ins. Left early to get ready for Cirque at night, so I can't say what the PM was like.

4) Back to MK on Sunday and the crowds were lighter, but still pretty healthy. Still cold.

All in all, lots of fun. Be prepared for potential variations in weather, however.

 

[michellelovesthemous]

We too are going 11-27 thru Dec 5th and I was having anxiety about the dates. I'm so excited I can't stand it We are staying at the Pop Century and is our first trip there during the holidays as well. I can live w/the busy weekend I just hope it is as quiet as everyone says on Monday!

 

[colleen costello]

We went down this Thanksgiving for the first time. We were there the Sunday before Turkey day until the Saturday after. It was extrememly crowded all week, but the weather was gorgeous -- sunny and eighty degrees most days -- so we didn't care. We swam a lot and did the parks at night.

A fieind went a few weeks later, about a week and a half before Christmas. She said it was GREAT, very empty. She told me that at times, her family would be on a little path somewhere in the MK and they would be the only people around! I can't even imagine this as we travel at busy times. She also said the weather was nice, cool mostly but warm enough for shorts/swimming 2 out of 6 days.

Hope this helps! ANY time is a good time to go to WDW!

 

[padisneylover]

DH and I went last year from the day after Thanksgiving till the 11th of December. We stayed at the AKL and it was booked solid each night according to the CM's. The parks were very busy the whole time but the last Monday the 10th that we left then it seemed to thin out. Part of the problem was there was a Democratic Convention the week after Thanksgiving. The different internet groups had a mousegathering and that also drew a lot of people and there was some other big thing going on. The bus from the AKL was standing room most nights coming back from the park and unless you had PS for meals at dinner at least there was very little chance of getting seating at the choice restruants. All that said I am going back again this year for the same period of time with a friend and hope that it will be less crowded.

 

[JIMPOW]

Jestocost - We will be matching your itinerary this coming November with a four-day DCL cruise and arriving in Orlando in Thanksgiving Day (late morning). As we haven't finalized our transportation, I was wondering what you recommended as I havn't heard good things about DCL buses (Mears) and am leaning toward a FLTours town car - any advice or suggestions? Also, how croweded were the restaurants for Thanksgiving dinner?

Thanks

Jim

 

[PoohGirl&Guy]

This is our families favorite time of year to go, also, for the same reasons discussed. The Monday after Thanksgiving, the Parks empty out especially in the morning. We have gone on many rides with little or no wait time. Weather is usually moderate (but always warmer than home - Minnesota). And the decorations and costumes are great.

A couple of helpfull hints:

1. Make your PS for Thanksgiving dinner ASAP. We made our ressies for Hoop De Doo about a month ago and found the early dinner already booked. We have done Spirit of Aloha before for Thanksgiving, which was good. Last year we had window seats at Ohana's and watched the fireworks at MK from our dinner seats. It was great!

2. You may want to consider Port Orleans Riverside. We stayed there last year and found it was lovely! Many perks even though it's a moderate. Last year we had a re-book rate of $79 per night. This year we're waiting for a good code or post card rate and have our fingers crossed.

Good luck in your planning. Rest assured - it's a good week to go!