Going to parks week after Thanksgiving?

[coelacanth77]

HELP!

Ok, we had planned on going to Disney around 2nd week of December but are now considering going to beach the week of Thanksgiving, arrive at our resort on the day after Thanksgiving and then start hitting the parks the Sunday after Thanksgiving..... We were also considering maybe going to SSR mid-Thanksgiving week and then transitioning over to Kidani half-way-thru... so here are my questions?

1. How are driving conditions around this time? We may stay at Siesta Key the week of Thanksgiving and then drive to our resort SSR on the Friday after.

2. How crazy are the parks? We were thinking about starting out in the parks beginning the Sunday after Thanksgiving and going to the parks all week thru Saturday.

3. Any tips on how to best do this vacation during this time? Is there any fun/unique activites that Disney or the beach areas do during this time? Is it worth going during this time or should we hold off and do our vacation during 2nd week of December?

4. Is it more difficult to get resorts booked during this time? Thanks for all your help and we will take ANY tips or thoughts you have to offer,

 

[wildernessDad]

At this point in time, it's difficult to get book DVC resorts for the 2nd week of December or any time from Thanksgiving to the end of the year.

 

[coelacanth77]

I am just informational gathering for next year

 

[dopeygirl76]

This year we arrived in WDW the Saturday after Thanksgiving and stayed for a week. We were lucky enough to have our WL for BCV come through - which was amazing in itself!!!!

It was busy but not horrible. I think from Monday on it was fine - most people has left on Monday. I must add we do not do ANYTHING comando - we take our time and go at our leisure - if we get too tired we leave. The week after Thanksgiving was great because we were able to do all of the Christmas stuff, The Osborne Lights, DVCs Merry Mixer, The holiday decorations were out.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Crowds the week of Thanksgiving are building and reach a peak from Wednesday to Sunday. Sunday they fall off quite a bit, and the following week is very empty as far as the parks are concerned. That being said, we didn't find the Thanksgiving crowds to be nearly as daunting as other holiday times.

 

[shortypots]

I am actually curious about the driving conditions myself as we will more than likely be driving down for Sat to Sat of Thanksgiving week.

 

[coelacanth77]

So, it sounds like most people check out probably that Sunday which would cause the volumes to drop a lot.... that is good to know. When do they start all the Christmas stuff? Thanks,

 

[dianeschlicht]

So, it sounds like most people check out probably that Sunday which would cause the volumes to drop a lot.... that is good to know. When do they start all the Christmas stuff? Thanks,

Most decorations go up from early November through December. You will see quite a few by Thanksgiving, and the week following will see most everything complete in that department. They usually do the filming of the Christmas parade that first week in December, and after that they finish the little remaining touches.

 

[campbellus]

We have been twice that week after Thanksgiving is over. Everything is decorated for the holidays...and everyone leaves at the end of the Thanksgiving weekend...so crowds have been the lowest we have seen during that week.
Temps are mild, some days we started off in sweatshirts or ended up needing them in the evening but were in shorts and t-shirts most days...only one or two days did the temps not go high enough to take off jackets.
This is by far my family's most favorite week of the year. What more can you ask for...low crowds yet all the decor of the season...really puts us in the holiday mood when we return home.

I think you will find this to be one of the most relaxing weeks at the parks. Can take things in-at a leasurely pace, yet you will get to do everything that any other time of the year could be done...except there won't be 3 million people in your way!!!
Enjoy!!

 

[bellman]

I have driven down from Indina over the Thanksgiving weekend 4 of the last 7 years. The traffic is fairly heavy with the occasional maniac trying to speed by cutting off other drivers and swithcing lanes. You will want to check the U of F football schedule to make sure they do not have a home game when you are planning to come through the Gainsville (sp?) area. I75 turns into a parking lot for miles on game days.

 

[coelacanth77]

Looks like they will be playing Florida State on 11/26 and the SEC Championship game will be in Atlanta, GA on 12/03. Are these usually day games or night? Thanks,

 

[coelacanth77]

As far as highway traffic volumes are concerned which day is usually worse? Thanksgiving or Black Friday? This has all been VERY helpful!!!